On Thursday night March 5, disco / electro / house heads in Vancouver were treated to the musical stylings of Alan Braxe. Braxe, one of the true originators of the French Touch  sound of disco-house, is probably best known for his early work with Thomas Bangalter (One half of Daft Punk) as Stardust and in particular the song that they released “Music Sounds Better With You”. But the man has always kept grindin’ and makin’ people shake their asses whether it be his own music, solo remixes or teaming up with Fred Falke and blowing peoples minds.

Anyways the DJ Set on Thursday night, needless to say, was effin’ amazing. He played joints across the board, freaking some newer shit like Treasure Fingers and then dropping Chaka Khan on heads then changing it up with his own remixes. There was no doubt that music heads in the house were enjoying every little bit of it. Oh and did I mention, the man is nice as hell and mad humble. That and he’s a friggin’ chain smoker, I think I saw him duck down below the decks smoking at least 1800 times within his set, okay more like 8 – 10 times, but daaaaamn son.

I actually had the opportunity to shoot some shots for Killahbeez, but without some help this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible. So we’d like to thank Matty Cee from Fastlife (www.myspace.com/thefastliferepublic) and Nate S. over at DHM (www.dhmbars.ca) for hooking us up with some love. Folks, make sure you check these sites out and keep it locked upcoming sets, cus they are bringing in quality DJs.

Check a few of the photos below and hit our Flickr page for the rest of them. For those of you wondering what I’m shooting with, I recently picked up a 10.5mm Nikon Fisheye lens, so that’s what you’re seeing shit through.

Killahbeez Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/killahbeez/

TIMMY REGISFORD
(Paradise Garage, Prelude records, Motown, MCA, Atlantic, USA)

Timmy Regisford is simply put, one of the great legends of dance music. The inception of his internationally acclaimed Club Shelter parties in New York fifteen years ago helped pioneer the soulful house music sound that has shaped the face of house music all around the world. So where did it all begin?

Introduced to the dance scene at an early age and a regular at the Paradise Garage, Regisford was already fast honing his skills as a DJ and soon gained notoriety within the New York underground club scene of the late seventies. In 1982 he was offered the Master Mix show on New York radio giant WBLS where he challenged listeners, with a unique and energetic style of mixing that remains his signature sound.

1983 saw the release of the seminal ‘Music Got Me’ by Visual on Prelude Records co-produced with fellow
‘ Garage’ regular Boyd Jarvis and a precursor of the “deep house sound” that was to flourish almost ten years later. Meanwhile Regisford continued to build his reputation playing regular parties throughout New York at clubs including The Red Parrot, Tunnel, Palladium and Area.

In 1991, Regisford opened his own venue alongside partners Freddy Sanon and Merlin Bobb called Shelter located at #6 Hubert Street in the desolate, meatpacking district of downtown Manhattan. A custom built sound system and acoustically treated room helped Regisford earn the title of ‘The Maestro’ with his awe inspiring weekly 12–18 hour sets.

Always conscious of the importance of live music, Shelter has featured many memorable performances through the years from such noteworthy artists as Grace Jones, Ashford & Simpson, Femi Kuti, Sounds Of Blackness,
Chaka Khan, Mary J Blige, Liz Torres to name a few.

In 2001, after a decade at Hubert Street, Shelter relocated to midtown Manhattan. Five years later, Shelter relocated back downtown to Soho, close to it’s original home. Regisford is currently developing his artist Quentin Harris with releases on his labels Unrestricted Access and Restricted Access.

In more general terms, Regisford’s career is multi-faceted, combining production, remix and A&R work along with DJing. His extensive remix discography includes reworkings of classics by Diana Ross, Gerald Alston, Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, New Addition, Bobby Womack, Gladys Knight and The Pips and Mary J Blige to name a few. As an A&R Executive at Motown, MCA and Atlantic, Regisford’s aptitude for finding and developing new talent has brought the likes of Blaze, Johnny Gill, Basic Black, Eric B & Rakim, Guy, Miki Howard, Ten City and Curtis Hairston to the forefront of the music scene. He has solidified label agreements with NY’s Apollo Theatre and Motown’s first UK label Funki Dred Records, headed by Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B.

By nature, the ELM boys focus on local talents that makes DC, MD and VA proud.  For this upcoming Hometown Heroes, we’re getting a real treat with Timmy Regisford of Club Shelter spinning a 5 hour set.  Just read the above and see why he is a legend.  It is HIGHLY recommended to arrive before midnight for this event.  Word on the street is fellow house heads from Philly and New York will be in attendance at Trinidad & Tobago this weekend.  That and saving $5 isn’t too bad either.

Image Source: ELM
Trinidad & Tobago Association | 5123 Georgia Ave, NW DC | $15 before midnight, $20 after

Are you planning on attending the Inauguration in Washington, DC? Look no further, I have provided a list of parties, concerts, official balls and unofficial balls.

There will be many (as in hundreds) of events including DC’s night life throughout the week but the hottest tickets in town, besides the official Inaugural Ball, will have special celebrity guest performances. The festivities kick off with Jay-z’s Inaugural Party at Love on Friday.  The biggest show will be on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. The party will take place on Friday.  

Ready to go, fire it up!

Here’s a message from President-elect Barack Obama: Inauguration Night: Your Neighborhood Ball

Obama Inauguration Celebrities: Who, What And Where by Jake Coyle

NEW YORK — If you thought the Golden Globes was a party, just wait until you see Barack Obama’s inauguration. Next week, Washington will look a lot like a colder version of Hollywood.

Here’s a roundup of who will be where, keeping in mind that in the mad rush to D.C., schedule changes may occur.

THE BIG SHOW

_ On Sunday, tradition will be upheld with a free star-studded concert on the National Mall, starting at 2:30 p.m. Among the many performers: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, Usher, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, John Legend and James Taylor. Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III and Queen Latifah will read. Obama will stop by and HBO will broadcast “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.”

WHERE’S OPRAH

_ Winfrey will host a live episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from the Kennedy Center Opera House on Monday. She’ll also host a second episode on Wednesday. Winfrey has not announced her plans on Inauguration Day.

WHERE’S SPIKE

_ Spike Lee will appear at a daylong symposium at Howard University on Monday to discuss topics including the impact of Obama on Black America. Also there will be Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Henry Louis Gates. Lee will also host an after-party Tuesday evening.

OTHER CONCERTS

_ BET will hold an awards ceremony, the BET Honors, Saturday at the Warner Theater to honor Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Ervin “Magic” Johnson and others. Gabrielle Union will host and performers include Queen Latifa, Ne-Yo, Anita Baker and Joss Stone.

_ The Hip-hop Caucus will host a concert Saturday at Ibiza with Common, Mary J. Blige and Nelly.

_ Jessica Alba will host a kickoff event by youth voter initiative Declare Yourself on Sunday dubbed “A New Birth of Citizenship.” Maroon 5 and DJ Samantha Ronson will perform.

_ “Kids’ Inaugural: We Are the Future” will be held Monday night at the Verizon Center and air on the Disney Channel. Performing will be Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Bow Wow. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host with their families.

_ The “America Feels Kinda Cool Again Inaugural Gala” will feature the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope on Monday at the 9:30 club.

_ Jay-Z will perform a concert “In Concert on the Eve on Change” at the Warner Theater on Monday.

_ Aretha Franklin will play a free concert at the Kennedy Center with Nuttin’ But Stringz and the Let Freedom Ring Choir on Monday.

_ Manifest Hope will finish a three-day-long, Inauguration-themed art exhibit with a party featuring performances by Santogold, Moby and De La Soul.

THE OFFICIAL BALLS

_ The Neighborhood Ball: ABC will broadcast this ball for Washington residents at the Washington Convention Center. Performing will be Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill and Mary J. Blige.

_ The Youth Ball: This ball is for people aged 18 to 35 to celebrate “the role young Americans can play to serve their communities.” After announcing and then junking a similarly themed ball, MTV will broadcast it. Fall Out Boy is among the acts attending.

_ The other eight official balls are: the Home States Ball, the Commander in Chief Ball, the Biden Home State Ball, the Mid-Atlantic Ball, the Western and Southern Regional Ball, the Midwest Regional Ball, the New England Ball and the Southern Regional Ball.

THE UNOFFICIAL BALLS

_ The “Dreams of My Father” American Scholars Inaugural Ball will take place Sunday at the Four Seasons and feature Alicia Keys, Macy Gray and LL Cool J.

_ The Voto Latino Inaugural Party will on Sunday include Marc Antony, Rosario Dawson, Tony Plana and Wilmer Valderrama.

_ The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will take place Monday at the Harman Center and be hosted by Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, T.I. and Young Jeezy

_ The Huffington Post Preinaugural Ball will be held Monday night at the Newseum and feature performances by Sting and will.i.am. Attendees will include Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Shakira, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry and Ashton Kutcher.

_ The Green Inaugural Ball will be held Monday at the Portrait Gallery and be hosted by Al Gore.

_ Muhammad Ali will attend the Kentucky Inaugural Ball on Monday at the Marriott Wardman Hotel.

_ The nonprofit arts and entertainment advocacy group Creative Coalition will hold a gala to be headlined by Elvis Costello and Sting at the Harman Center for the Arts on Tuesday. Also attending will be Anne Hathaway, Spike Lee, Tim Robbins, Maggie Gyllenhaal and others.

_ The Purple Ball, Tuesday at the Fairmont Hotel, will be hosted by Lou Gossett Jr. and Il Divo will perform. Expected to attend are: Ashley Judd, Patricia Arquette, John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Amy Brenneman, Brendan Fraser, Susan Sarandon and Lisa Marie Presley.

_ There will be two American Music Balls: The Legends Ball, hosted by Dionne Warwick and featuring Chaka Khan and George Clinton; and the Urban Ball _ hosted by Ludacris and featuring Cedric the Entertainer and Monica. Both will be held Tuesday at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel.

_ BET will host an inaugural ball at the Mandarin Oriental hotel Tuesday. The network will broadcast an hour special to coincide with the ball, which will include a performance by Wyclef Jean.

_ The Equality Ball, hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, will be held Tuesday at the Mayflower Hotel with appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Melissa Etheridge and Rufus Wainwright.

_ The Inaugural Peace Ball, Tuesday at the Smithsonian Postal Museum, will be hosted by Harry Belafonte and include Joan Baez, Graham Nash and Jackson Brown.

_ Rihanna will perform at the Recording Industry Association of America Inaugural Ball to benefit Feeding America on Tuesday.

_ Nas, Josh Groban, Slash and Robert Randolph are among those performing at the Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball (benefiting military families and veterans) on Tuesday at the Warner Theater

Source: Inauguration Night: Your Neighborhood Ball