Being involved with the Subway Soul Club has never been boring. Things happen and things happen. An event was scheduled for June 1 at Ceremony in Williamsburg–site of the New Year’s Eve Subway Soul Club Black & White Ball that was such a success. SSC had some great DJs lined up: Mr. Fine Wine (WFMU, Botanica) and a Brit named Mark Randall. Resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus had a box full of boss sounds ready to go. Fearless leader Lady Dawn had the promotion in motion.

However, on the afternoon of the event (!) the SSC organization was notified by Ceremony management that the evening had been accidentally double-booked and SSC would have to be cancelled! Apparently, Ceremony management had turned over the booking of the club to an independent booking agency and forgot to notify the agency that June 1 had already been taken–many months in advance. Unfortunately, this error was not noticed until the last minute and SSC was bumped.

Lady Dawn, Subway Soul Club’s den mother and artistic director, reckoned that this was a mistake that would never happen again. Another date was booked at Ceremony:  October 26. since it was a week before Halloween, Lady Dawn decided on a spooky theme, asked folks to come in costume, and drew up an appropriate poster for it–with a mod witch flying through the sky on a Vespa scooter! Unfortunately, neither Mr. Fine Wine or Mr. Randall were available to make the scene. Lynne K (Get That Feeling) and Josh Styles (Smashed!Blocked!) were asked to be guest DJs and they were able to comply. The Subway Soul Club organization was very happy with this arrangement, as both DJs have been working with SSC since its days at Rififi, nearly 20 years ago.

However, once again Ceremony management was not able to come through. Apparently, the club was having difficulty with its landlord and all events through the end of the year had to be cancelled. The good thing is that there was about a month notice, so the SSC organization was not freaking out last minute like last time.

Another good thing, our friend Bobby Rich–who owns the Bootleg Bar, scene of the Whamo Watusi (hosted by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus)–had just opened a beautiful new club called Venus In Furs. The Phast Man got on the horn and asked Mr. Rich for a date at the new club as soon as possible in order to squeak in another SSC event before the end of the year. He gave them November 23.

The Subway Soul Club scene at Venus In Furs.

Lynne K and Josh Styles both agreed to come and guest DJ. Venus In Furs is a bigger and better club than Ceremony. It is the perfect setting for Subway Soul Club, with it’s huge dance floor and wildly designed walls, great sound system and bar tenders who know how to poor a drink. Everybody was happy.

Josh Styles plays another top Northern Soul favorite at Subway Soul Club.

However, even this event didn’t take place as planned–due to an act that nobody could have foreseen; guest DJ Lynne K had to deal with a family emergency and would not be available. Lady Dawn and Phast Phreddie turned to one of our favorite soul DJs Nogood Nick (Rip! Rig! Panic!) to come swing in her place. So that’s what happened.

Nogood Nick plays boss soul records at Subway Soul Club.

Plus, Miss Nancy Gardner made some vegan brownies, chocolate/pumpkin blossoms, and chocolate cookies with pumpkin mello cremes. Those things disappeared fast!

As much as the Subway Soul Club organization tried, only one event took place in all of 2019. But it was a fun one. Although it was a cold and rainy evening, the dance floor was full most of the time and the DJs played fantastic records all night. The new venue was terrific and the Subway Soul Club organization hopes it can make Venus In Furs its home for a long, long time.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus observes the happening Subway Soul Club from atop Venus In Furs’ magnificent balcony.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, in order to pay homage to our friend Lynne K, opened the night with a record he learned from her. Here is a list of all the records he played at Subway Soul Club on November 23:

• Hank Jacobs–Elijah Rockin’ With Soul (Call Me)
• Tony and The Mockin’ Byrds–Walkin’ the Duck (Associated Artists)
• Sir Albert – The Sonic Sax Sound–Sir Albert (Rozan)
• Jimmie Raye–Walked On, Stepped On, Stomped On (KKC)
• Eddie Holman–You Know That I Will (Parkway)
• Love and Brotherhood–Sugar Pie Honey (Chess)
• Liz Spraggins–Mis-Un-Der-Stand-Ing (Shout)
• The Artistics–One Last Chance (Brunswick)
• The Intrigues–Let’s Dance (Yew)
• The Undisputed Truth–You Got the Love I Need (Gordy)
• Soul Ambassadors–I’ve Got the Feeling (Sound Stage 7)
• Willie Mitchell–The Champion Part 1 (London; UK)
• Martha Velez–Tell Mama (Sire)
• Pete Klint Quintet–Hey Diddle Diddle (Atlantic)
• Marva Holiday–it’s Written All Over My Face (GNP Crescendo)
• The Volcanos–Make Your Move (Arctic)
• Sugarpie Desanto; Nat Hendrix Band–A Little Taste of Soul (Gedinson’s)
• Ike & Tina Turner–Tina’s Dilema (Sue)
• The Mid Knights–Somebody Somewhere Needs You (Warner Bros.; Canada)
• Roy Handy–Baby That’s a Groove (Stephannye)
• Jamo Thomas & His Party Brothers Orchestra–I Spy (For the FBI) (Thomas)
• Mike & the Censations–Don’t Mess With Me (Highland)
• Major Lance–Investigate (OKeh)
• Little Eva–Mama Said (Spring)
• Bill Doggett–Twenty Five Miles (King)
• Cliff Nobles–My Love Is Getting Stronger (Atlantic)
• Tony Clarke–Landslide (Chess)
• The Burning Emotions–The Whatchama Call It (Bang)
• Billy Butler–Right Track (OKeh)
• Ray Paige–Ain’t No Soul (Left in These Old Shoes) (RCA Victor)
• Damaso Perez Prado y su Orquesta–Mexico 70 (Orfeon; Mexico)
• James Brown and the Famous Flames–Night Train (King)
• Dusty Springfield–Love Power (Philips; Portugal)
• Supremes–Buttered Popcorn (Tamla)
• Jewel Akens–A Slice of the Pie (Era)
• Little Alfred with Berry Cups–The Mashed Potatoes Back Again (Lyric)
• Dale Serrano–Ou-Wee Man (Stix)
• Butlers–She Tried to Kiss Me (All I Could Do Was Run) (Liberty Bell)
• Jay J. Jones–I Don’t Know About You (V-Tone)
• The Soul Lovers featuring James Young–Shake & Finger Pop’n (American Playboy)
• Shirley J. Scott–Goose Pimples (Stephanye)
• The Magnificent (7)–Stubborn Kind of Fellow (Lemco)
• The Del-Satins featuring Adrienne Williams–Baby You’re the Fire (Villa)
• Inovations–Just Keep on Loving Me (Hit Sound!)
• Pal Rakes and the Prophets–Can’t Deny the Hurt (Verve)
• William Bell–Happy (Stax)
• Donnie Burkes–Satisfaction Guaranteed (Decca)
• Just Rita–The Best Thing You Ever Had (Barrington)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes for the readers’ enjoyment and edification.

At the end of the night, Lady Dawn and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus discuss how fabulous it was to have the Subway Soul Club event at such a beautiful location.

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The Boogaloo Bag writers are happy to announce that the Keystone State Soul Weekender is going strong. The fourth annual event took place over the weekend of November 1, 2 and 3 at the beautiful and spacious Lancaster Elks Lodge Hall. Hosts Julio Fernandez and David Raistrick rounded up some of the usual suspects, along with some DJs new to the event. Newcomers included Cher Gingras from Canada; Chey Frazier from Bethlehem, PA; Vincent Ebb from Philadelphia; Agustin Caparros from Spain; Paula Carrillo of East L.A., now living in Minneapolis; and Rich Sibello from New Jersey. Present for the second time were Scott Boyko and Larry Grogan, both from New Jersey; and Mikey Post of Ridgewood, Queens. Along for their third opportunity to spin records at this great event were Connie T Empress of Astoria, Queens; Denise Draper of England; Eric Svirida of Long Island; and George Rodriguez of Minneapolis. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is humbled to have been asked to DJ for the fourth year in a row, along with such fine record turners as Kev Draper from England; Andrew Turner from Reading, PA; and Andy Powell, also from England. MC for the event for the third year in a row was Brother Weems from Ephrata, PA–and he did a fine job.

Agustin Caparros

Andrew Turner

Andy Powell

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Cher Gingras

Chey Frazier

David Raistrick

Denise Draper

Connie T Empress

Eric Svirida

George Rodriguez

Julio Fernandez

Kev Draper

Larry Grogan

Paula Carillo

Rich Sibello

Scott Boyko

Vencent Ebb

Mikey Post

Also returning from last year was Don Hodgen, the singer for the local blue-eyed soul band The Ambassadors, whose record “Too Much of a Good Thing” on the Pee Vee label is a Boogaloo Bag favorite. He sang it on Saturday night and that was a gas!

Don Hodgen sings “Too Much of a Good Thing” at the Keystone State Soul Weekender.

This Keystone Weekender had to be the best one yet; it had the best attendance of the four and somehow the DJs seemed to play better records–though the latter reason could just be that the Boogaloo Bag writers were so excited about being at the event that the records just seemed better! At any rate, the Boogaloo Bag writers were very happy to be in attendance and able to write about the event for the faithful Boogaloo Bag readers.

Not only were the records and dancing of an excellent nature, but the Saturday afternoon record dealers had better records to sell than usual. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus ran out of his allotted record-buying funds by three in the afternoon!

One of the best changes made to the Weekender was the decision to move it all downstairs to the Elks Lodge’s lounge where breakfast can be ordered; and it is inexpensive and delicious. Records are played by the DJs and it gives everyone a last chance to socialize with attendees and DJs as they chowed down on eggs, pancakes and or bacon. Plus, there were more record dealers for those who buy such things. There is no need for attendees to go searching for morning food when it is all right there at the Weekender.

Brunch was had at the Elks Lodge Lounge.

Folks, the Boogaloo Bag writers would like to state right here that, if you dig reet music, the Keystone State Soul Weekender is a dog gone fabulous time. Even though Pennsylvania can be challenging for progressive thinking people–often called “Pennsyltucky” by residents who have experienced some of its lesser-educated population–Lancaster is a warm and friendly city with many forward-thinking residents, art galleries, vintage stores, restaurants (including one of the best Himalayan joints in the country) and other amenities that make life worth living. Affordable hotels are within walking distance of the venue and just about everything you could want is close. Having been there for four Weekenders, we can honestly say that this is a great event. It happens on the first weekend of November; make you plans now to be at Number Five in 2020.

The New York City Dance Squad looked sharp in their matching jackets.

When Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked by Julio Fernandez to return with a box of records to play for the dancers, he gave The Boog three forty-minute slots and told him to feel free to play some weird stuff. So he did. Friday night’s set was bookended by twine records and included two swim records, two ghost records (it was the day after Halloween) and two duck records. Saturday’s set consisted of his mega-mix of “Move On Up,” some Northern soul favorites and ended with a topical record. He spun all soul and organ groove instrumentals for those at the Sunday brunch. Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Fourth Annual Keystone State Soul Weekender:

Friday Night

• Alvin Cash & the Crawlers–Twine Time (Mar-V-Lus)
• Kris Peterson–Land of 1000 Dances (Blue Rock)
• Allen Wayne–Chills & Fever (Try)
• Major Lance–Investigate (OKeh)
• The Spellbinders–Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) (Columbia)
• Tony Roman Cinq–Mickey’s Monkey (Canusa; Canada)
• Sly Stewart–I Just Learned How to Swim (Autumn)
• The Daisies–I Wanna Swim With Him (Roulette)
• R. Dean Taylor–There’s a Ghost in the House (Tamla/Motown; UK)
• Azie Mortimer–Haunted (Number One)
• Larry Hale–Shout and Do the Duck (Columbia)
• Marsha Gee–The Peanut Duck (Joker; UK)
• Tony Clarke–Landslide (Chess)
• Millie Small–Carry Go Bring Come (Fontana; UK)
• Prini–Boogaloo (Beverly; Brazil)
• Alvin Cash & the Registers–Un-Wind the Twine (Mr-V-Lus)

Saturday Night

• Dale Serrano–Ou-Wee Man (Stix)
• Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 2 (Buddah; France)
• Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 1 (Curtom)
• The Dynamics–I Need Your Love (RCA Victor)
• The Invincibles–It’s That Love of Mine (Warner Bros.)
• Edwin Starr–Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) (Ric-Tic)
• The Intertains–Need Your Love (Right Now) (Uptown)
• Dave Bartholomew–Shrimp & Gumbo (Imperial)
• The Mid Knights–Somebody Somewhere Needs You (Warner Bros.; Canada)
• Los Johnny Jets–Cul Jerk (Cool Jerk) (Discos Columbia)
• The Exciters–Blowing Up My Mind! (RCA)
• Bob Relf–Blowing My Mind to Pieces (Trans-American)
• Wakefield Sun–Get Out (M-G-M)
• The G-Clefs–I Can’t Stand It (Loma)
• Marie Claire–Nitty Gritty (Citation; Canada)
• Roosevelt Matthews with Billy Ball & the Upsetters–Tighten Up (King)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)

Sunday Brunch

• Boris Gardner–Melting Pot (Jaguar; Jamaica)
• Lynn Minor and His Band–Fat Back (Tammy)
• Lyn Taitt–Out on a Funky Trip (Randys)
• Melvin Jackson–Funky Skull – Part 1 (Limelight)
• Mario Pagaro–Le Rock Du Roc (Atlas Copco; France)
• Calvin Owens’ Show–The Cat (Klondike)
• Bill Justis and His Orchestra–Green Onions (Smash)
• L. Anderson and the Tarnadoes–Neck Bones & Hot Sauce (Part 1) (Cindy)
• Bobby Hollaway–Cornbread Hog Maw and Chitterlin’s (Smash)
• Damaso Perez Prado y su Orquesta–Mexico 70 (Orfeon; Mexico)
• East Bay Soul Brass–The Cat Walk (Rampart)
• Candido–Soul Limbo (Blue Note)
• Ronnie Kole Trio–Batman Theme (White Cliffs)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes for the readers edification.

More photos–click on them and, in most web browsers, they will electronically turn into a photo gallery via a secret exclusive Boogaloo Bag method…