I know I have to do better than updating this blog once every 10 months. One thing on my list of changes for 2016 is to read and write more often. I do it ALL DAY LONG as a Special Educator... but there's something to be said about creative writing versus paperwork... womp womp.

This is a continuation of a Facebook post I started this morning. When I sat down to type the status update, I didn't think it would get to the 5 paragraph mark... I figure at that point you're writing a short essay, so maybe it would be best as a blog post, not a status update. :)

Here's how it started:
I think because of the time of year it is, It's a time of reflection for many of us. I've really been reflecting recently on my role as a DJ and figure in specifically the LGBTQ community in Baltimore. I've been fortunate to do this since 2001. I've learned a LOT, seen so many ups and downs, seen events, parties, and establishments come and go... places you never thought would leave.

And now we sit here at the end of 2015, I have a lot of thoughts to share on the subject. I started to place them all here, but I think it's better said on my blog... so please, if you get a moment, take a visit over to:  

--Now here you are--

Here are the rest of my thoughts on the subject. I invite your comments, questions, thoughts and ideas also! Please comment. I read every one :)
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are a few of us still out here fighting to have safe places in the community for LGBTQ individuals and their friends and supporters to party. Thankfully there isn't as strong of a need for separate spaces for members of the community, as it's not a scary thing to walk down the street holding your loved one's hand anymore. This is a blessing and a curse to a community that had to unify through music and shared spaces for so long, just to enjoy a night out an be yourself.

There are not many LGBTQ spaces left in Baltimore. With the Hippo gone, and the Paradox soon to close, some of us in the community are trying to keep nightlife alive. You've got Julia Belton and her wife Vanna with a beautiful new establishment, The Attic at Flavor right in Mt. Vernon, tailored to women but welcoming everyone. They are having weekly dance parties on Fridays and Saturdays. You've got Jose Miguel Fuentes and I TRYING to bring back Club Hippo's Hip Hop night on Thursdays at a new establishment called The VIP Club, which my blood sweat and tears for 11.5 years went into keeping alive at the Hippo for so long.  The venue is literally 4 minutes from Horseshoe, even though I know is sounds super far away (it's not!)  You've even got the friendliest LGBTQ local neighborhood bar, Mixers--on Belair Rd., which I'm at the first Saturday of the month! All those people we used to see in line waiting on Thursdays around the block... where are you? We need you to come out! All my Friday and Saturday night ladies and gents from Coconuts, Gallaghers, Hippo, and beyond.... where are you? We need you to come out and show love. To my Baltimore peeps who love to arrive fashionably late... can we at least do 11pm? lol.

The thing is, that I keep reiterating, we need YOU! Businesses can't thrive without customers. The reality is that if these events aren't supported, how can we be expected to keep them going? Club owners and management are leery because the industry is so fickle and inconsistent. Look at how many LGBTQ establishments have closed in the last 5 years...last 10 years. It's also holiday times and many folks are simply tapped out... which is completely understandable.

Even if you're not a weekly party person (Trust me, I'm not either!) You can show support in other ways. You can spread the word about positive events for the community. You can go have a bite to eat at the restaurant, Flavor, which is also a part of Julia and Vanna's business. You can stop and have a drink at Mixers on a Wednesday. You can even share a post about an event. Every little thing helps. Even if you come out for an hour on a Thursday night and have a drink, say hello to me, and make your way home for bed, the fact that you showed up shows business owners and promoters like myself and DJ Lucky that you want to see more of these sorts of things in the future. It gives us the ammunition we need to continue to create and advocate for more events in the future.

As this year comes to a close and we gear up for New Years Eve, I'm asking you all to strongly consider supporting an LGBTQ event for New Years. I know you have lots of options, but no matter where you decide to party, be safe, drive sober, and celebrate the fact that we've all made it another year! 6 months ago, I was really afraid I wasn't going to make it another week. Thankfully I'm here to talk about it :)

If you love Hip Hop and R&B, then I'll be DJing at The VIP Club  (3301 Annapolis Rd. --5 min from Horseshoe Casino) this Thursday night from 10pm- until the party ends! We are charging a FLAT $10.00 rate all night... most clubs hike their prices for new years, but we aren't. It's a gorgeous space and PLENTY of free parking, lots of room for you and your friends to  dance and socialize, and you won't be on top of each other like we were at Club Hippo due to the sheer amount of people we got in those doors!  Free party favors and all that good NYE stuff, and you'll know you're supporting an LGBTQ event because DJ Lucky and I are the two people running the show and trying to keep this going for our community.  Word on the streets is that Lucky might even jump onto the 1s and 2s.  The reality is that if we can't get people to come out like they used to, the era of Hip Hop night will have to come to an end. I don't want that. There's no reason for it because the support exisist! And I know there are imitators **trying** to do what we did... but there's not going to ever be another. So don't be fooled. I can't stand a lazy person who can't make their own lane... isn't that what being an entrepreneur is all about?

If you've made it this far... THANK YOU! Continue to be that person who cares enough to just listen, and if you feel motivated, help us out by spreading the word about events in our community. If you're a DJ Rosie fan, THANK YOU for your support all of these years. Here are my next 4 upcoming events in January!

-Thursday- Dec. 31st- NYE- Hip Hop New Years Eve Party @ The VIP Club. 3301 Annapolis Rd.- $10 cover. Doors open at 10pm

-Saturday-Jan 2nd- Ladies night with DJ Rosie at Mixers Bar- 6037 Belair Rd. - NO COVER- Dancing starts at 10pm-130am.

-Thursday- Jan 7th- Hip Hop night with DJ Rosie at The VIP Club- Doors Open at 10pm- (Cover and Drink specials TBA)

-Saturday Jan 9th- DJ Rosie at The Attic at Flavor- Dance floor opens at 9pm and we party til 2.- NO COVER

Happy New Year everyone! :)

Tonight is the fabulous annual event of Her HRC at Town Danceboutique in DC. I've been fortunate to be one of the only Djs to participate in this event since the beginning, and that's not an honor that I take lightly. It seemed as if I wasn't going to be a part of this years festivities, (you know how the scene/rumor mill can be) but after a few convos with some key players, I was asked to join back in as the final DJ competing against 3 other great female Djs for the title of People's Choice.

The event is an annual fundraiser for the HRC. The DC version of this event has been the biggest and most successful from all of the HerHRC events across the country! I think it has a lot to do with the strength of the women's community in the DMV, especially the DC area. Not only is it filled with strong women, but women who have a desire to give back and spend time with their friends and family while doing so. Anyone who has ever attended knows that while there's a DJ battle going on, there is also a whole lot of love in the room.

As I stated today on my facebook page , this event means a lot more to me than some know. It was this exact Sunday in 2013 that I lost one of my best friends, my father, after years of him struggling with congestive heart failure. At 2:15 am, my Mom, wife, and I sat by his side, held his hand, and watched him take his last breath. It's an image that is seared into my brain and I have to force the replay out of my brain at times because it's the hardest thing I've ever done.

That same Sunday evening was HerHRC, same time, same location. I was running on no sleep because we were in the hospital all day and all night from 6am Saturday until we finally made our way home Sunday at about 9am. I remember watching the snowflakes falling out of the hospital room window and just feeling like as heartbroken as I was feeling, my Dad was not suffering anymore. He held on for the longest time, and I think it was for my family...

I remember getting text messages telling me that I didn't have to go that night if I wasn't up to it... condolences... love. I told Kris that I have to go, it will be good for me and I know my Dad would want me to be there.

So off to DC we went... red and puffy eyed but thankful. I got into the club and was given flowers and lots of hugs. I kept running into people I did know and complete strangers who were hugging me and giving me flowers. The outpouring of love continued all night long, and I think that in my heart that is what carried me through the event. The love and warmth of the people I knew and didn't know really held me up when I was so very down.  

I dedicated the set to my Dad before playing and told the crowd that in all of my years of Djing, my father was not able to ever come to any of my events. I let them know this is the first party he will ever attend, and I know he'll be happy to be in the room with all of us. It was quiet as a club without a person in it when I spoke, and I can remember the feeling I had when I handed the mic over and began playing. I held back a lot of tears that night, and as I sit here typing this right now, I feel the same feeling of  needing to focus on the job at hand... even while feeling sad.

I walked away with the 2013 People's Choice award that year...but really I walked away with an even greater respect and admiration for the DC community. The same community of people who have voted me in as Best DJ in the Washington Blade for 2012 and 2014. The same people supporting me and the people I work with for 7 years in the DC scene. The same community that I hope will be in the building tonight to raise money for this very worthy cause.

No matter who walks away winning tonight, I know that I've already won something that has no numeric or dollar value. I've got the memories of how an entire community lifted me up on one of my darkest days. I'll continue to be thankful for that night for as long as I live and tonight I plan to give back to all of them with music and entertainment. Please come out and support the HRC and donate as generously as you can by placing your cash donation into one of the 4 DJ Boxes that will be on stage. Whoever's set you enjoyed the most is where you should place your money.  The Dj with the most donations at the end of the night win's people's choice.

I'm thankful to be winning no matter what :)

Ok, so I know that I was supposed to be updating this ... I dunno... weekly? Every two weeks?   Every 3 months was NOT the timeline I was looking for... So my sincerest apologies to anyone out there that actually cares that I haven't updated this!  :)

For the rest of you... Hello! Happy Fall! I have been running non stop doing my full time job of teaching 75 fifth graders and taking care of my two wonderful girls each and every night. My amazing wife Kris... also know as Brat Doll... is in her second to last semester at Johns Hopkins, so I am holding down the fort in many way!

    That's the blessing of having a wife though. We have each other's back. It's quite a gift!

It's my favorite time of the year... the weather is getting cold, the holidays are right around the corner, it's the end of wedding season, and it's that time to spend time with your loved ones!

Are you planning a holiday party? Please don't hesitate to hit me up for quotes for holiday events!

OH ! And if you have a second.... check this out :  http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/10/23/best-gay-d-c-2014/

I'm really proud :)

Hope that everyone has a wonderful week!!! I'm going to do my BEST to get on here more and keep the world updated on my antics :)
-Rosie

So summer is here, and with summer comes my true distaste for summer.  Crazy, I know... but I just cannot STAND the heat.  Most people love it... I'm the opposite. Summer is honestly my least favorite season... sorry to be debbie downer!

That being said, I've been laying low post pride. It's sort of understandable considering the insanity that is Pride (both DC and Baltimore) and the incredible amount of energy I expend during those two weekends. I've played for thousands and thousands of people in the month of June!  It's a blessing, but damn if I'm not tired!

So here we are in July!  I'm gearing up to begin teaching summer school starting Monday for 4 weeks, and because of all the focus on prepping for that I've absolutely let some of my DJing info fall to the wayside. I live life in a triangle with 3 important points... My family is at the very top... the pinnacle if you will.  Then DJing and all that comes with it is one of the bottom points and Teaching and all that comes with it is at the other.  This is my life!

Something I've been meaning to share for some time is a playlist from an AWESOME event I was a part of a couple weeks ago. I was asked to DJ for a VIP event one hour prior to a play being conducted in Washington, DC called Sensuality. It was about discovering yourself and finding love in the LGBTQ community, and all that comes with it. The play was written and directed by Sonya Hemphill, a lovely woman I've just met who has also produced plays in NYC. Performed at THEARC in NE DC, I was really excited to be a part of it!

What I didn't expect was to also be asked to provide music between scened or acts. There were approximately 12-13 acts and Sonya asked that I play music while the stage and room was blacked out. What I TRULY didn't expect was how excited people were about my music selections! The vibe and show was about love... the good.. the bad.. the ugly. The music that has ALWAYS spoken to my heart regarding love, and still does is neo-soul music. Many years ago in my early days of coming out,  I had a summer love (more like fling) that was enveloped in late nights watching VH1 soul, wishful thinking,  and countless mix CDs.  Fast forward to the spring/summer of '08 when my now wife and I started dating and we fell in love listening to Estelle, Floetry and even John Mayer. (Don't sleep on John Mayer's soulful roots folks.)

Sonya received countless requests for the playlist. Although it's late, and I am sorry :( , I've finally uploaded the list and made it available for viewing. The first half is all house music and you will notice that it transitions into soulful love songs and neo-soul music. When you're in a lovey mood, put some of these on... :) You won't regret it!
Copy and paste the site below into your web browser if a hyperlink doesn't appear!

http://serato.com/playlists/DJ_Rosie/6-21-14-sensuality-play-music-vip-lounge

And we're back!

So now... let's get down to business. I'm going to start with where I'll be this weekend and for all Pride festivities involving my DJing. It's my blog dammit...so I can :) Then I'll give you a rundown of the other happenings in the Baltimore area.  Whatever you do, please support the local businesses!


If you need a direct link to the Baltimore Pride site (give specific info about each day's events, performers, etc.) Please go to http://baltimorepride.org/

DJ Rosie is Spinning:

Saturday Afternoon: 12pm-5pm @ Chase Brexton for a Private event. If you're along the parade route or in the parade, you'll definitely hear me! Wave! 

Saturday night:  EARLY ARRIVAL SUGGESTED.... No seriously. I guarantee you we will hit capacity very quickly. Please don't be left outside.

Many of you know that I live in the East Baltimore area, specifically Hamilton. We are fortunate enough to have a lovely gay bar called Mixers right in our backyard!  Yes, it's not huge, but it's fun and friendly. And we are going to PARTY OUR BUTTS OFF for Pride!

We're keeping it simple... We've named it the " Pride After Party @ Mixers!!!"

https://www.facebook.com/events/907593649258148/

Mixers is located at 
6037 Belair Rd, Baltimore, Maryland 21206

Normally I Dj the first Saturday of every month for Ladies night! This month we mixed it up and decided to make it a pride party for EVERYONE! 
There is plenty of street parking, but please respect our neighbors! :)
There is NO COVER ALL NIGHT,  and EVERYONE is welcome.  All identities, all people. As long as you're 21+ of course. :) Valid ID is a MUST!

Remember... EVERYONE IS WELCOME!  

Sunday Afternoon: Join me on the Main Stage as I spin 30 minutes of Top 40 at the festival. My set starts at 3:45 and ends at 4:15. DEFINITELY would love to see your face in the crowd! :)

On Friday June 20th, I have the honor of supporting Equality Maryland by performing at the Diamonds and Denim Women's Ball. This is a formal event created for women to have an upscale event just for them to celebrate pride month!

All proceeds will go to support Equality Maryland, an AMAZING ORGANIZATION that supports civil rights for the LGBTQ community. Keep you eyes peeled on their website www.equalitymaryland.org and their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EqualityMD as they had 2 for 1 tickets available last week and may make them available again!

Ok.. so what else!?

If dance remixes and house are your thing, then You'll want to head over to Club Hippo on Saturday night for Susan Morabito!  Check out the FB page at 
https://www.facebook.com/clubhippo
 for more info.
Sunday after the festival day two, Club Hippo is also hosting a tea dance!  If you're actually still able to walk... walk on over and have a couple beverages and a good time :)

There are NUMEROUS OTHER VENUES in the Mt. Vernon region and beyond that would love to see you  this Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. One thing is for certain, please go out and support the LGBTQ businesses. Be safe, have fun, and HAPPY PRIDE!!!  Message me if you have any further questions! :)

So... I'm late on getting this post put up and I apologize to all of the people I saw this weekend in DC and who asked me "what's up with your Baltimore Pride post!!??"  Well... here is is folks. But first... I'm gotta start off with some Baltimore Pride thoughts before Baltimore Pride information.

Now before you hit the "Oh S#$t button," let me be clear about something. Although I have some feelings about the major changes  that occurred with Baltimore Pride this year, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the work that the organizations involved do for the LGBTQ community in Baltimore and Maryland at large. In fact, in the course of one week, I'll be DJing to support the GLCCB, Equality Maryland, and Chase Brexton. 3 different events... three different organizations... all INCREDIBLY VALUABLE TO US.

I'm sure you have ALL heard the changes going on this year with Baltimore's Pride festival.  If you have not, let me tell you.
-Date was changed 2 times: Once from fathers day weekend to the weekend after, and then once again back to fathers day weekend. Very confusing for businesses and employess alike!

-Location is changed: No longer block party in Mt. Vernon, Festival in Druid hill Park. Now both days will be a block (several blocks really) style event located in Station North. 

- There will be NO TAILGATING BEHIND EDDIES/HIPPO.  There will be people there making sure that you do not enter the lot. And if you try anyway you're probably going to get towed. Don't say I didn't warn you!

My Reactions:
-Was completely confused about when/where/how I was going to DJ all the events i've committed to with the multiple date changes. With time and patience it was all worked out.
-Disappointed that the festival is not in the heart of Baltimore's well known LGBTQ community, allowing the businesses to benefit from increased traffic and support from the community they exist for.
-Sad that I won't get to spend fathers day with my father-in-law and Mom at the festival on Sunday tipping the drag queens (there is no real shade in station north and too much walking, so they won't come.)
-Can't bring my goddaughter to come and play at what is usually the family day. (too hot/no shade).

With all that said, I want to encourage you to STILL COME TO PRIDE!

Yes,  you heard me. And no, it's not just because I'm Djing on the mainstage on Sunday at 3:45pm-4:15pm (Plug Plug)

It's because pride is the one time a year that everyone in Baltimore and the surrounding areas comes together. People  of all ages, genders, races, and labels or lack thereof come together and celebrate our existence as members of this community or supporters... and we do it together. You may have some feelings about all the changes... and you're entitled to! I know I did and still do! But I love Pride month and all that it stands for. I love being around the community and giving back with music, Djing, and raising money.   I love Baltimore.  And most of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the organizations that Pride benefits, as well as the other organizations that are having pride activities deserving of our support! Pride has been a part of my life since I came out... and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm thankful to be a part of it again this year.

My wife was also recently invited to be the 5th parade judge, so that's a really awesome experience for her, and a fun way to be a part of Pride :)

I've run out of room... so check out Part 3! :)

So I've been teasing you all on Facebook about all the happenings in DC and Baltimore this lovely Gay pride season! Now it's time for some info!!!

Here are the details about Capital Pride Weekend, June 7th and 8th, and Baltimore Pride weekend, June 14th and 15th. (For real this time... not for fake... Baltimore Pride had us running in some circles this year!)

If I were to describe Capital Pride this year in a super catchy slogan, I'd say it's "Bigger, Gayer, and Better!"  Things are SUPER organized and ready to roll this year, with tons of improvements on the events you love, including the one and ONLY OFFICIAL Capital Pride Women's Party on Saturday June 7th featuring yours truly, DJ Rosie, and my buddy DJ DeeDub!

On Saturday, I highly recommend you kicking things off with the Capital Pride Parade, which begins at 4:30 PM in Dupont Circle and ends around 7:30.  This gives you JUST enough time to grab a quick shower... put on your fancy clothes get ready to party with me, the Ladies of Lure DC, Tagg Magazine and DJ DeeDub at Dirty Martini:

F.U.S.E. Women’s Main Event

Time:  9:00 PM – 3:00 AM

Location:  Dirty Bar, 1223 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

The Ladies of LURe, Tagg Magazine, and Capital Pride continue to team up to bring you the hottest women’s event of the year.

Dirty Martini is a MUCH nicer venue than we have ever used in the past... just take a look at the website!  http://www.dirtymartinidc.com/  3 Floors of Sexy... two Djs. My Music will be on 2 floors. You really don't want to miss what we have in store for you. I promise you!

If you need more info... head to the event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/399931043483326/

Sunday is the more mellow day for DC pride, but we're not turning totally down. The Dance stage is open again this year, as well as over 300 vendors, and many many blocks of awesome!!!  Put your sneakers on, drinks some water to cure your hangover, and come dance in the streets with me and some of the best DC DJs I know!!!

Info about entertainers times, and just about anything else you can think of will be right here:
ww.capitalpride.org/festival

As SOON as I know my set time for the Dance stage, I'll post it here!!!!



Baltimore Pride Details and events coming up in my next post tomorrow!!!  Until then, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

Clearly I am very very very behind in updating the Blog on my Whole 30 progress... As always it's been an insane week, and I have been working non stop.  I'll try to do a little recap of the last few days. Between playing taxi, my wife cleaning all day , and me preparing  for my event this evening... I'm spent!


Wed- Day 3- Woke up headache free and had a very good day. Went to Starbucks and got a Dopio espresso and added some coconut milk as my creamer. As much as I like coconut milk, it's a lousy creamer, and all the varieties in the grocery store have a crapload of other random ingredients. AKA, not Whole 30 compliant. Jaidi had a lax game that night and I sat with my buddy Shannon, ran my mouth, and froze out butts off as we cheered her on to victory. Closed out the night with some Chipotle--The Carnitas are Whole 30 compliant, as well as the tomatoes and salad mix.  The Carnitas were bangin and made my heart smile.

Thursday- Day 4- Another headache free day... just the stupid tooth hurting. Made it through the day with little issue and no slip ups. Still loving my  delicious breakfasts, but I need to make sure I'm getting up earlier, because all this cooking takes some time... and because I pretty much suck at cooking, it takes even more time!

Friday- Day 5- Khenna's Birthday- I was so happy today was Friday and Khenna's birthday. I was so so unhappy when I saw the delicious and beautiful looking birthday cake my wife made....even more so when I smelled all the homemade egg rolls. I took my disappointed ass in the kitchen and made some pork chops and cauliflower mash. It took EVERYTHING in me not to have one bite of Cake. The kids don;t really understand what I'm doing but that's ok, because this is for me... not anyone else. Made it through the night without touching any of the food. Started to feel some of the emotional effects last night.
 
Saturday- Day 6-  Rut ro... The mood swings have arrived and i'm not a fan. My level of patience today significantly dropped about 12 noon and on. Everything everyone was doing was pissing me off, so I opted to take a nap. That helped some and thankfully Jaidi pulled a lot of my DJ equipment downstairs for me. I'm hoping the mood swing portion of this gets lost somewhere. I don't enjoy being irritated constantly. 

My eyes are literally crossing right now because I'm so sleepy.... Just wanted to make sure I played catch up!!!

Have a lovely night!

Apparently someone came in the middle of the night and smacked the hell out of me... right in the head. It might have even been a foot. I'd blame Kris, but she sleeps more soundly than I do... :)

Day 2 is complete, and I have had a headache since about 12 noon. Apparently this is "normal" and part of the Day 2-3 "hangover."  My ass is paying for the milkshake I ate on Sunday... and I'm paying for it quite heavily. Supposedly there is a direct correlation between the amount of sugar you ate before staring Whole 30 and this fun set of days. Yup... guess it's my fault on that one!

Add on to the excitement: About two weeks ago I got a filling. That part of my mouth has been intermittently hurting, so I've been taking Tylenol and Advil as needed. (My mouth is sensitive as hell to dental work and takes a few weeks to recover after anything is done) Today, neither of those touched the headache I'm currently sitting here with...

OH... let me add in the fact that I planned last night. Made some baked chicken and Cauliflower... had it all set up and ready to go for my lunch for today and tomorrow. Got to work and was all good to go until I took the first bite of chicken. And it sucked. A lot. Flavorless. Have you ever eaten some plain ass chicken? Sucktown.  So.... cauliflower for lunch it was.

Tonight I googled Paleo pork chop recipies, as I left a pack of 3 of them in the fridge to thaw. I found one that looked delicious, so I gave it a shot. ( http://wellnessmama.com/4533/smothered-pork-chops/)  Did I mention that I SUCK... I repeat... STINK SUCK CANNOT cook. Even from a recipe.

This "30 min dish" took me about an hour to fix. lol... but surprisingly, although all the almond flour fell off, it was edible and had FLAVOR! I ate 2/3 of one just to make sure I didn't run into any lunchtime surprises tomorrow. So I'm good on lunch... good on breakfast... only smoked the house out two times today (porkchops and the emergency lunch/dinner of eggs and bacon at 4pm.)

Anyone else out there who is doing this feeling the same craptastic way? I really don't remember feeling this badly the first time I did this... probably because I'm being extremely strict this time, and was a little more lenient last time. I'm going all the way... 30 days.  Better try to get down more more bottle of water before bed... maybe I will wake up headache free!?

The good thing... I'm reading so many happy and successful stories, that I'm still feeling as pumped about all this as I did from the moment I decided to do it. I hope my co-workers don't kill me from being a cranky mess for the next few days.

I slept like poo last night... so time to cuddle my wife and head to bed!  Thanks for making it through today's ramblings :)