“We basically wanted to have something completely inclusive, non-judgmental, super-fun and where we get to play the Spice Girls whenever we want,” says Justin Anderson (J Clark the Groovemaster to partygoers) when asked to distill the essence of the weekly dance party he hosts along with Ayinde Zuri (Ayinde Audio to you, when their forces are joined known as “The Glitz) and Christopher Shawn Smith (so called “Recreation”). If that description doesn’t hook you, then I don’t really know what will.
The “Red Room” at Necto nightclub in downtown Ann Arbor has always played second fiddle to the main room upstairs, often just functioning as an overflow hangout spot. But for a little while now every Wednesday night “The Glitz” has been doing their part to flip that script. Recreation started like so many good things do, in a basement. Zuri and Anderson starting popping up at random basement parties in the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area and found that like chocolate and peanut butter, they were two great tastes that tasted great together. Zuri broke it down like this: “J Clark has a special place in his heart for house music while I have a love of rare groove, funk/soul and rock and roll while M.C. Yoda (Smith) brings the heavy bass and hip hop influence.”
Eventually they found a permanent home at Necto, but that is pretty much the only guarantee when you come out to Recreation. Every single week it is anyone’s guess as to what manner of foolishness and mischief the boys will be getting up to. Guest DJs are not at all unusual, with each one lugging their favorite records with them. Some Wednesdays are themed – one night they may be honoring Nirvana, the next there may be a fierce Madonna vs. Whitney Houston battle raging. You may show up to find everyone in their pajamas or a hula hoop contest going on – or it could just turn into a big pizza party (none of this is hypothetical, by the way).
One thing that makes Recreation truly unique is the total unselfconsciousness of all of the DJs involved. They will play anything (and I mean ANYTHING) if they think it’ll get booties shakin’. Zuri has his favorites, of course – some surefire ways to get people moving include Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” “California Love” by Tupac and Dr. Dre, and “Mickey” by Toni Basil, he says. Guilty pleasures like “Mmmbop” by Hanson are sure to creep into the mix during any given Recreation as well.
The DJs cultivate a basement party atmosphere every week – it’s like your favorite mixtape and a party for everyone. Admission is just a buck before 11 p.m. and only three dollars after that. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. every Wednesday. If you aren’t there, where the heck are you?