You know you’ve had yourself a satisfying weekend, when come Monday morning your butt cheeks hurt & the Jams that painted your Saturday are full blasting away in your head, & brushstroking your body into a jig that has onlookers concerned about your well-being
Once upon these past few months I’ve attended some slamming gigs, this past Saturday however; was quite something. Perhaps it was because for a change I hadn’t gone out on my own; but I think not, considering that I always know someone no matter where my solo act & I go gallivanting. I’m convincingly certain that the DJ line up had a lot of something to do with Saturday being the thrill it was, but above all else my heart knows in that blindly Christian way, that what made that night had everything & then some to do with why we were all there.
It heartbreakingly all began with a car accident a few weeks back, that lead to the passing on of a spectacular someone. Mac (Makhosini Ngwenya) was far from just an ordinary anyone; and the Music at Last crew did a stellar job of seeing to it that Saturday was a true tribute of tributes to their fallen Captain.
Eager beaver me & my accomplice got to Kitcheners around 4pm-ish. He knew no one & I the opposite, so the dynamics were initially a little off-centre, till the music became a true testament to itself. DJ Kongisto kicked off with a catchy set, which he cherry-on-topped when he played a second set just because he could. A pace & caliber had been set, that those who followed had to match or top. As the sun inconspicuously set, more familiar faces filtered in & Hip-Hop began dominating the dance floor. To My right were the alluring likes of Stunna Leoka chit chatting her way around, while Ms Soma & friends bopped along to beats on my left. In popped Pilzy Lee with loving Quaz an arms stretch away, & an unfazed Amu in another corner having himself a heartfelt time, while Hymphatic Thaps was his reliably colourful self. I squeezed in some sweet & short “hello’s” with the likes of Smiling Shynin Armour (SCF); Mr Sunglasses at night Neon (The Federation); My kindred spirit Benji; Dj X (MANIAC of a driver); Shutterbug Solo; Kool Kat Kay-b & Laid back Speech who’d settled himself into a corner by the bar.
In the midst of all the regulars, I had the pleasure of a refreshing encounter with a young character I came across while on the hunt for a matchstick.
“Why is that stick so important to you?” he asked puzzled once I had found one by his foot. It took gestures for me to explain that stuffing was the only way I could give birth to a blunt, hence my need for a matchstick; or something like it.
“Can’t I just roll it for you?” he offered much to my relief.
We parked ourselves in a poorly lit corner where I came to learn that his name was Tap.
“You here with a guy?” he asked getting to the point
“Yes” I answered under prepared for the question that was to follow.
“So what’s the story there, you guys fucking?”
**** FLABBERGASTED! FLABBERGASTED! FLABBERGASTED! ***
“I think he wants to, but I’m not sure I’m on the same page”, I honestly answered after having taken a moment to snap out of my startled state. The dialogue had been marginally deviated, when our poorly lit corner of time dimmed to an end by the deed at hand being done.
“Call me when you want a fuck buddy” were the last words he spoke to me, as valleys of people swallowed me back to the he who was my partner in Good-times for the night.
This “He” I speak of, played a priceless part in my having had so Epic a time, for never in the 10 years we’ve known each other, had I ever seen him so enthralled. Witnessing him dance his heart out & rhyme along as far as his memory allowed him, was made all the more worth it every 20 odd minutes he glanced me that look followed by the words “I hate you”. If being hated is the price I pay for revving up someone’s dormant social life; then bring on the haters!
It’s unfathomable to me that anyone could have hated the “Music at Last & Friends presents: Captain Schti Tribute” gig; like the Bill Withers track brought to us by Nice to Look at Nico (The Jump Off) said “It’s gonna be a lovely day!”. It sure as hell was in that peak of a moment when so many of us summoned our voices to sing along euphorically.
“I’m having such a blast” I hollered to Dominique effusively.
All blasts must come to an end however. Being as fatigued as we were, calling it a night was the responsible thing to do; even if it meant that this Groupie Numero Uno didn’t get to see The Federation perform (let alone see the rest of them arrive).
After an evening of Music; Love & Happiness, I rested in Peace that night.
I can only hope that soon & very soon those to whom Mac was nearest & dearest find their own peace too; for after such a tribute of Music; Love & Happiness the Captain is resting peacefully indeed.
Romz; Sims; Themba & Pilzy. . . Big Up Yourselves!
To the Ngwenya Family; Thank you for Makhosini.
“What makes you vulnerable, is what makes you beautiful” – Makhosini Ngwenya (1981-2012)