DESTINATION: Berlin, Again!

•September 17, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Quite delighted to announce a reunion, of sorts: My upcoming return to Berlin is a double honor in that I get to again share creative space with, Kevin Washington & RA Spirit!

I’ve not yet met RA Spirit, but back in the day, Kevin was the rhythmic heart of the Open Mic Poetry Night hosted by Desdamona at the late, lamented Blue Nile Restaurant.

After hearing me dj a different event, Joth, The Sound Guy, invited me to come to the Blue Nile and spin a couple of hours before the start of the open mic. I had no idea the amazing gift(s) I was about to receive. Des, Kevin, and most of the crew received me with loving ears. And a rich variety of amazing talents took that stage.

For about two years onward, I happily hauled records to The Blue Nile every Tuesday. Not only was I getting the opportunity to share something I love, I was getting to experience some of the most impressive talents in Minneapolis. Magical times and wonderful blessings all around (not the least of which was meeting Orbert).

We’ll be reminiscing musically on Friday, October 3rd, 2025. I invite you to join us.

Kevin Washington & RA Spirit command the stage from 7 – 10 pm.
I spin records for Late Night Lounge from 10:30pm – 12:30 am.

Berlin is located at 204 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Posted in Gigs, Music
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ANYTHING*

•September 14, 2025 • Leave a Comment

That’s the name of my new show premiering tonight at 9pm CST on KRSM 98.9 FM, Minneapolis.

Tune in!

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“Final Groovement” Feels Like A Lie

•September 7, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Here’s the second half of the last episode of Groovement, as promised.

As I sit here listening to the playback, the notion of finality rings untrue. I can imagine both Groovement and Same As It Ever Was! returning at some point in some form.

After all, Same originally appeared in 1993 as a dance night in San Francisco’s Lower Haight Street bar, The Top, on an offer from bar manager, Doug Freelon. I walked in for a cocktail after buying some records off of the (then vibrant) “street market”. Looking through the stack, Doug invited me into the dj booth, leading to my first SF residency.

Groovement came into existence in 2000 at Kim Passeneau’s Oxygen Bar.

As I type, Prince’s “Arboretum” from One Nite Alone … is playing. Prince recorded the piano solo in the atrium of his Paisley Park home. The bird sounds heard in the background are Majesty & Divinity, Prince’s doves. Andrea Swensson wrote the beautiful article in the link.

Groovement has a mobile off-shoot, dubbed “Destination“, which first appeared at Protagonist Kitchen and Bar in Richfield, and has since popped up at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and North Loop Jazz Bistro, Berlin‘s “Late Night Lounge”.

I’ve been invited back to Berlin for another Late Night Lounge set on Friday, October 3 from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (following Kevin Washington & RA Spirit).

So, yeah: “Final” is a bit much.

Posted in Gigs, Groovement, Music
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Ch-ch-ch-changes. Yet, again.

•September 7, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Howdy! I’ve not posted in quite a while. Having experienced some … shifts … in my life, I decided to give myself a break from almost everything.

I’ve intentionally avoided most online activities: Facebook, this website, what-have-you.
I’ve retired the notion of creating any sort of nightlife event.
I took several weeks off from work, after being cut and transferred to a new position (in which I work harder for fewer hours/less pay).
Most recently, I’ve ended both of my radio shows, Same As It Ever Was! and Groovement.

I’ve been with KRSM 98.9 FM for about 9 years. I have not ended that relationship. I will be premiering a new show on Sunday, September 14th at 9pm CST: “Anything (on vinyl)”

Anything merges the eclectic, soulful foundation of Groovement with the 80’s New Wave and Alternative sounds of Same As It Ever Was!, and removes any boundaries of genre, un-segregating and expanding the variety of what I share from my record collection.

It won’t be a terribly huge departure from what I’ve already been doing. I’ve tested it out over the last few episodes of both Same & Groovement. Feedback has been positive, from those who’ve noticed.

Once it’s done processing, I’ll upload the final two hours of Groovement.

In the meantime, here’s the visual for the first hour.

Posted in Thoughts
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18 Things

•July 2, 2025 • Leave a Comment
portrait by Blaine Garrett

Eighteen years ago today, July 2, 2007 (nearly to the hour as I type), my flight landed at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

Despondent, yet excited, I was slightly tickled by the newspaper headline decrying the local traffic problem while displaying an image of (to my fresh-from-Los-Angeles eyes) a sparsely populated section of highway.

No doubt, I was in a new world.

I moved here under duress. A sudden loss of employment had me facing homelessness. Rather than become unhoused, I accepted an offer of respite in Northeast Minneapolis from a once dear friend.

I’d no intention of staying longer than two years.

I found employment rather quickly, though not quickly enough for my once dear friend, who kicked me out as soon as I announced I got the job.

I moved to Saint Paul to be closer to work. Less than a year later, I moved back to Minneapolis to be closer to a social life.

Anyhoo… a two-year plan has become nearly two decades. “Minnesota: Who Knew?” is a phrase I’ve uttered many times over the years.

It has not been easy. It has not been all fun. But it has been … continues to be … A Blessing.

This year, for my Minnesotaversary, in no particular order, I present: 18 Things

  • The Ladies of The Lakes
  • Walking alone after a heavy snowfall
  • The 19 Bar
  • Riverhaus
  • Minneapolis Public Schools
  • Knowplace
  • Dakota & Ojibwe
  • Daddy Rox
  • White Castle
  • The Mississippi River
  • KRSM
  • Peninsula Hainanese Chicken
  • Having Met Ian Lehman
  • Apple Dumplings next to The Eco-Experience at the State Fair
  • Steve Clark, Lea Schuster, Brian Nutter, Albert Elmore
  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
  • The Blue Nile
  • Bailey, the Best Dog Ever

Posted in Thoughts, Words
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Groovement – June 18, 2025

•June 19, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Commodores – Old-Fashion Love

Phoebe Snow – San Francisco Blues

Jamiroquai – Seven Days in Sunny June

Karen Young – Hot Shot

Johnnie Taylor – Somebody’s Gettin It

Secret Weapon – Must Be The Music

Soul II Soul – Get A Life

Natalie Cole – I’ve Got Love On My Mind

Blue Six – Music & Wine

Jeff Swiff – South Fifth

Hercules & Love Affair – I Can’t Wait

Carmen McRae – The Sound of Silence

Martin Denny – Hypnotique

Nicola Conte – Missione a Bombay

Scuba – Dancefloor

Grey and Hanks – Now I’m Fine

Earth Wind & Fire – Got To Get You Into My LIfe

Shalamar – A Night To Remember

Gary’s Gang – Party Tonight

Andrea True – NY You Got Me Dancing

Taana Gardner – Work That Body

Tamara & The Seen – Everybody Dance

Posted in Groovement, Music
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Few Words In The Forest

•June 19, 2025 • Leave a Comment

So silly.

Thought lack of recognition

Equated to failure.

Finally figured out the answer to the riddle.

Heard or not,

The sound is made.

Posted in Poetry, Words
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I Repeat: God Is Bored

•June 8, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Cosmic Being Alpha: I’m bored.
Cosmic Being Beta: Let’s create Life!
Cosmic Being Gamma: All kinds of Life!
Cosmic Being Delta: And let’s make it degenerative!
Cosmic Being Omega: Cuz it’ll be fun to watch!

hilariously unrelated image of men's underwear

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The World To Be

•June 8, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Never before have I heard my internal monologue expressed so clearly by another.

I presented this argument to The Stranger, as I debated coming out to my employer in 1988, just before a trip to the UK.

Picking me up from the airport 6 months later, Jake eagerly informed me. “Dan Savage ripped you a new ass-hole!”

People just don’t understand me.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx8BSAfDysZoaonSXpeRoMf3a2Zrhv9eHH?si=UZunTImXrj1ioMug

Respecting and appreciating Dan’s opinion, I came out to my co-workers at the close of a staff meeting after having heard the word “faggot” used derogatorily during said.

I do regret “Love Shack” becoming a wedding song (much like I regret most wedding songs).

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At Berlin Tonight!

•May 31, 2025 • Leave a Comment
Image of DJ Jam E.Z.
Jamez djing at Berlin tonight.

Not last night.

I tried to be there last night. So, tired I wasn’t thinking correctly.

Sorry for the undue stress, Berlinians!

I’m better rested now. And more eager to share my records with you all!

10:30 pm

Posted in Uncategorized

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