Get ready to sweat: After a brief hiatus, the Mile High Soul Club DJ night returns tonight at its new venue, The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St.).
The MHSC’s had a few different meeting spots over the years, but it’s found a comfortable home in The Meadowlark.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be DJing there,” says MHSC main man Tyler Jacobson. “I mean, it’s in a basement with a low ceiling. This is exactly the type of place soul and funk should be played.”
The MHSC started out at Rockbar in 2008, presenting a monthly evening of old-school soul, Motown, funk, R&B and the occasional young upstart. The club moved three times over the next three years, searching for the best fit.
“Truly, we wanted the perfect location,” says Jacobson. “We didn’t want DJing MHSC to be a drag, and sometimes when you’re put on a slow night of the week, or if the bar isn’t doing their part to keep your crowd happy, it can really become a chore.”
Jacobson and his compatriots took some time off, occasionally setting up an MHSC show to keep their arms in “when we were getting bored of not having a soul night,” he says.
Then the DJs created a list of their top spots to revive the monthly MHSC. They made a few phone calls, and the Meadowlark, their No. 1 pick, offered them a prime Friday- night spot.
“They were enthusiastic about the opportunity to host MHSC when we approached them, and we were enthusiastic to move it there,” says Jacobson. “It really feels like the right move.”
Expect to hear lots of classic tunes from classic artists like Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding and the Temptations. Platters from artists you don’t know — or didn’t know you knew — will be in abundance, as well: Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Shirley Ellis, Gino Washington and the Mighty Hannibal, perhaps.
For Jacobson, a founder and former resident at La Rumba’s (99 W. Ninth Ave.) long- running Lipgloss party, soul music isn’t a stretch.
“Growing up, I listened to a lot of Motown,” he says. “Some of it was cheesy and sappy, but it also had undertones of desperation and guilt.”
“These guys would put on their Sunday best, get smiles on their faces, dance some slick choreographed moves and all the while they were singing about being cheated on or their emotional instability,” says Jacobson. “It’s got a nostalgic cool that has yet to rust, the themes are still relatable and the music still demands that you pay attention to it.”
Tonight’s Mile High Soul Club gathering starts at 9 p.m. at the ‘Lark. There’s no cover charge.
Excuse-for-drinking alert.
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday — if you don’t already have plans, the bars will welcome you with open arms.
Lodo’s (1946 Market St.), for example, throws its second annual Derby Party on Saturday, with games and, of course, mint juleps.
Spill (1410 Market St.) will also host a pony party on Saturday. Enter contests for “Best Ladies’ Hat,” “Best Dressed Stud” and more, all the while sipping 2-for-1 mint juleps, or a $12 bottomless mimosa.
These are just a couple of thoughts. Keep your blinkers off and you’ll find a fun place to park yourself for “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Shows!
“Dance With Me” at Milk (1037 Broadway) welcomes guest DJ Paul Italiano, along with resident Mike Rich, for an all-vinyl ’80s night on Saturday. There’s no cover before 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Beta (1909 Blake St.) brings in house head Serge Devant, followed by Funkagenda and friends on Thursday. Tickets to both shows are $10 at groovetickets.
