Toby’s Dinner Theater ain’t got nothing on this. Yes, I said “ain’t got,” but when you are writing a review of “Dinner fo’ Show: The Dinner Show,” how else would you describe it. The overall show left you with a twang in your toes, broken vernacular and an urge to contort your face… all in a good way. I mean have you ever heard some feel good music that made you step outside of the constrictions of your 9-5 box and just get loose?
Hosted by the hip-hop duo AXIOM, the show started off with the dinner portion. The menu consisted of baked chicken, macaroni & cheese, green beans and a choice between sweet potato biscuit or a dinner roll. I must add that the staff were pretty accommodating after finding out that I didn’t eat meat, and for that I awarded the first gold dinner plate of the night. The premise was to let the patrons enjoy a hearty meal and then push the tables back to party. I thought it was a rather fulfilling idea being as though you were being feed both physically and mentally with food and music. Plus, the dancing portion provided a great opportunity to burn off the calories from the previous meal. Four bands and a full belly, you can’t beat such a thing for $15.
First up to the stage was Old Man Brown, a band who named themselves after the owner of the barn where they originally held rehearsals. I’m not sure I can accurately describe their sound or musical genre but if you were to take funk, blues, R&B and soul and threw it into your juicer the finely strained liquid would be the sound of Old Man Brown. I know that my musical ear and brain process things in a different manor than most but, I immediately think of a mesh between Washington D.C.’s W. Ellington Felton, Maxwell and Christion. Smooth, nutritious and filling. Similar to an appetizer, just enough to hit the spot but leaving you with enough room for more, from original songs to covers this band was an eXcellent way to start the show.
Dinner is served. Presented before you on a piping hot plate but cool enough to not burn your musical palate, A Cool Stick fed a meal that may have been deceiving to the naked eye. Dressed in typical “B-Boy” lounge gear, these guys took the stage and commanded it and the crowd with much more style and grace than their small frames are looked to be able to handle. Spitting verses in tempos that most wouldn’t be able to keep up with, these guys laced the lounge area of Club Reality with lyrical fire and warmed the crowd up for the final act. Slowly but surely, the audience members began to vacate their seats and vibe along with flow of the music. Once they got to the cover of Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” many audience members were dancing and singing along.
Funk Friday slid in right behind A Cool Stick and hypnotized the crowd with their melodic instrumentals. J Pope joined in to season the third course with just enough flavor to keep the audience salivating for more. AXIOM hit the stage with tons of energy, as they are known to do and they brought the final flavor to top off a perfect meal. Similar to the ultimate sundae that brings a smile and a happy dance at the conclusion of your meal, everyone was out of their seats. Then again, most didn’t have a choice because the tables and chairs were taken away for the specific reason of partying. LOVE the poet and J Pope made guest appearances in the song “Money Matters” and AXIOM performed tracks off of both albums “The Mixtape” and “Heat Rises.” They even did a flash back segment with the help of the DJ where they sang snippets of oldie but goodies.
All in all, I give the show 4 out of 5 gold dinner plates and the lack of the last plate wasn’t due to the line up or the energy level of the performers. I was kind of disappointed that everyone in the building wasn’t on their feet rocking out with the performers. This show was well thought out and put together and although everyone isn’t the dancing type, it doesn’t take much to throw your hands in the air, bob your head and throw a bit of energy and enthusiasm towards the artist. After all, they are pouring their heart into the show that they are putting before you. Great price, great food and great performances, I can honestly say that I left well fed and got a dance workout in the process.
Much peace, love and light
For more on the groups:
http://www.oldmanbrown.com
http://www.acoolstick.com
http://www.mindstatemix.com
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