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Hate the player, hate the game
By Daniel | January 19, 2009
Last July I shared my opinions on an event being promoted as the “BBW Community Honors & Awards Celebration” at which more than 1/3 of those “honors and awards” were for BBW porn models and websites. The promoter was Darren Battle, also known as DJ Zulu, the owner/promoter of the Big Boogie Nights BBW dance events primarily in the San Francisco Bay area. Battle had for many years tried to make inroads into promoting events in the Northwest; in July, 2004 he convinced bar owners in Portland and Seattle to let him promote one-night events there. By most accounts, both failed miserably.
Here was the review I posted the next day.
Not hatin’, just pontificatin’
Since BBN started at 9, I would have figured by 11:45 it would be the prime of the evening.Not one soul was on the dance floor! I don’t think I saw more than 6 people dancing during the time I was inside. (I got bored and went out to the patio where some friends were sitting.)
I came in, paid my $10 and got a wristband. One of the first things I noticed is that half the people there did not have a wristband. I assume that meant those who didn’t “come” for BBN did not have to pay the cover. They were mainly young skinny chicks with their young buff boyfriends. And a 60ish couple who looked very out of place. I heard there was food earlier, but it was gone after about an hour. (Should the cover have been less after the food was over?)
The BBN crowd was centered at a mass of tables adjacent to a small (10X10?) dance floor in the corner. Most everyone seemed more interested chatting than dancing. Some of the music was very good, but unless I missed some skillz earlier in the night, Zulu didn’t do a single beat mix! I found it disappointing – as a DJ I really love to hear a great mixmaster throwing down. He basically slammed one song into another…I would have hoped a “club DJ” would be a better beatmixer.
At the end when Zulu played a final slow set (looks like the music ended about 1:15 – not 2 am) there were about 10 couples who spread themselves out along the back wall to have room to dance…the most dancers I saw all night.
I would say all told the number of fat wristband-wearing people was maybe 60? Looked like mostly all Auburn regulars. Didn’t see very much “crossover” … maybe only 5 people who come to BBWNorthwest dances.
I’m sure others will have differing opinions, but as for me… this edition of BBN was most certainly NOT “off the hook”, or “you can’t sit down”, or any of the hype I’d been reading. Perhaps Zulu had an off night?
OK, let me interject that although I’m 46 I have a good appreciation for current music. I do about 60 gigs a year (weddings, corporate) and “Milkshake” with the best of ‘em.
I’m all for a variety of BBW dances, club nights, events, whatever. Different strokes for different folks and all that. I always do a few sets of club music at BBWNorthwest gigs, but there is also a variety of rock, country, oldies, disco, 80’s, etc. The BBW community comes in many ages, races and sizes and I try to be an inclusive as possible so everyone can hear something they like. But if all you like is hip-hop, I’m glad there are outlets for that too.
Although I promote my own BBW dances, I have no qualms about telling it like it is about other events. (Isn’t that what these diaries are for?) There were several PSBBW Tukwila dances I thought were terrific! If the music was slamming and the dance floor was packed, I would SAY so! As a DJ I love to see a great gig, no matter who does it.
I had high hopes because I’ve been following all the BBN gigs for almost 2 years and reading all the press coverage. He’s a great promoter! But I was very disappointed.
Before I left I went to shake Zulu’s hand and said, “Hey I’m a fan and wanted to meet you…I’m Daniel from BBWNorthwest.” For someone who is not about drama and being inclusive…his expression changed fast. Almost hostile. I asked if he was going to be back to Seattle, he said yes he was going to do it once a month. I smiled and said, “Wow the commute has gotta be tough from Cali.” He mumbled something I didn’t understand and turned back to putting his gear up for the night.
I don’t know…whenever another DJ comes to see my show, I always give a big greeting, let them look at my gear, etc. Even those who are just guests…why not smile and be friendly? Didn’t they just put money in my pocket by buying a ticket? I have never said anything bad or mean about Zulu. So why the cold shoulder? Who knows!
Although the bar is about 5 minutes from my house (and they did a great job remodeling it since their White Buffalo days) I don’t think I’ll be coming back to BBN. Might go back to the bar though…turns out they have a regular DJ who plays there Fridays and Saturdays and there’s no $10 cover.
But I do wish Zulu the best of luck and am glad he is making another choice available to the BBW community.
Faced with this underwhelming response, wouldn’t it seem any promoter would learn from this experience and resolve to cater to his audience. Not Darren, he knew better. It was OUR fault for not appreciating him! We obviously should have known what HE was all about and come to worship. So before he left town, Darren he sent a parting shot to the members of his now-defunct Yahoo group.
From: djzulu65
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 4:39 PM
To: BBN-NW@yahoogroups.com
On behalf of the Triple Bs of BBN’s Seattle, I want to thank you all for coming out to our opening. While the numbers weren’t what we expected, it’s a new place, a new venue and to me a new community!
We appreciate some of the feedback we’ve received, especially the feedback that was constructive. We will not take into consideration the feedback of other promoters in the community at all :)
BBN is a work in progress so I recommend you truly visit what we are trying to do. Our vision will not change and it may or may not be what Seattle needs and/or wants. One thing Big Boogie Nights is about is diversity. Our demographics in all of our locations reflect the demographics of our local communities and that is also what we expect in Seattle.
I apologize for those who came to hear rock and roll and mostly old school, you obviously didn’t visit our website, or read our very clear FAQ. I mixed things (Hip Hop, Reggae and R&B) up for the first two hours then I strictly played beats the last hour and fifteen minutes before going into slow jams. BBN isn’t know for playing slow jams so that probably won’t happen again but for the last 30-15 minutes of the night.
BBN is interested in people joining our marketing team. Those who are clubbers and not looking for gimmicks, cupcakes or cheesy events my parents don’t even attend. IF you are open minded, active in the size acceptance community, are sexy with who you are, into CLUB music and diversity and know fat chicks, fat men and those who love us rule, please contact DK or myself at djzulu65@yahoo.com If you’d like to see BBN a success help us get the word out! Tell people about us, our mailing list and our vision.
One Love, Darren
ps stay tuned, we aren’t done!
Indeed he wasn’t done. OK, history lesson over. Fast forward to September, 2008 when Darren again had designs on promoting BBW events in Seattle and posted ads on Craigslist directed at bar owners looking for a new promotion. A couple of weeks ago, a new Big Boogie Nights event was announced in our area. Was it a new choice for our robust plus-size community. Nope, it was the very same Auburn location where Abundance NW group owner Luke Henson had been promoting BBW nights for many years.
Did Darren pull the rug out from under Luke? Was it the venue’s owner who approached Darren or vice versa? Either way, why not instead offer people a choice by seeking out a different venue. Or at the very least, show a modicum of class in not dissing a fellow promoter in his own house? According to reports, that wouldn’t be consistent with how Darren “does the damn thing”.
And that’s why suddenly my blog entry from last July is suddenly getting all this attention.
And probably why Darren just sent me this email:
On Mon, 1/19/09, DDB <djzulu65@yahoo.com> wrote:
Subject: Dear Dan
Dan,
These is the only email addresses I have for you so I apologize if it is not personal.
I sent a simple response to your blog that attacked me. I am not going to use your personal blog page to make my case or am I even trying to make my case as I don’t expect or want your endorsement of me and/or my promotions or venues. I don’t like how you try to keep people apart and you in my opinion you are mean spirited and hateful. You are going after me just like you’ve gone after others, including Luke who you DID attack in the past and that’s not from here-say, that’s directly from Luke. Perhaps you have an issue with men of color promoting events geared towards people of size?
You attacking me or attempting to build hate regarding me will fail. It’s failed in the past and it will fail now. I will throw my parties and those who want a good nightclub life experience will attend. It doesn’t effect you in anyway so I have no idea why you have such a hard time with that. It makes me think you are just a miserable person. If my parties don’t’ succeed in Seattle it will be strictly because I am not throwing a good party. The reason why you are struggling isn’t the economy kind Sir. In negative economies, escapism and partying spots usually thrive. Look at the 80s, this is where the dance culture thrived, there were even hard times in the 70s and the disco movement grew through that. Hip Hop exploded in the 80s. All these were as people were looking to dance their troubles. My parties in the Bay are still well attended and if I am throwing a good party here that is DRAMA free and NOT about me, or about my thoughts and opinions (and believe me, I have strong opinions) they are about the party. I don’t need kudos about me, directly because my parties aren’t about me. My parties are NOT a movement, they are simply that, a party.
A party, Dan, that you have mimicked on several occasions especially in 2002, when you would do your theme nights similar to mine, one month after I did (My marketing and former website designer informed me of that).
I don’t know you and quite frankly I don’t care if I ever run into you. Because based on outside appearances you aren’t someone I’d like to know. You want me to be ashamed that I ran parties that were lifestyle based including BDSM? I’m not nor will I ever be! There are places for people to show their expressions and I provided that. It wasn’t a success because I provided that, it was a success because people came and enjoyed it.
There was nothing wrong with the Bygies concept and I am proud of it and sad it didn’t pan out. Perhaps someone will do something similar if this is truly a community (and please don’t think because you, I, Luke, Cher etc throw parties that that and a few blogs and a website makes us a community, it doesn’t. Where have I see YOU at community events across the country? And I’ve been to SEVERAL!)
I was informed that you decided to respond to my post and I have to say I’m glad to see you had the balls to post what I said but if you honestly think that was going to draw me back to your blog or have a public war with you, you’ve are so wrong, I haven’t even read the response. I wouldn’t give you more publicly than you already tried to get. I must say in way I should thank you because in the past 3 days I’ve received more emails of interests from people in the Seattle area that either dislike your parties or your representation that they are excited that Big Boogie Nights is here.
In closing I wish you are Happy King Day and Inauguration Week.
Best,
Darren
Wow, attacking you? Any opinions I’ve ventured have been based on actual words you’ve written or events I’ve seen first hand. That’s not an “attack”. Just an observation.
And forgetting about BBWs for a second, as a professional DJ, I believe it is the height of insolence to insist, “Our vision will not change and it may or may not be what Seattle needs and/or wants.” Perhaps that is where we part ways. If MY parties don’t succeed, I’m at least taking some of the blame for the music mix.
You mention that your parties are not “a movement”. The only movement I ever want to see at our dances is some booty shaking! But where our events differ is that we have a rich community behind it and it attracts like-minded people. There is an increasing number of fat people who are secure in who they are and just want to party. They don’t need the “community” … just a place to shake their ass. Not a thing wrong with that! (Didn’t Luke have that covered already?) But I do believe the number of fat people who have NOT achieved that type of self-actualization and confidence outnumber those who have. For them, “community” goes part and parcel with having fun dances and events.
You want to promote a Player’s Ball? Terrific, because that’s one thing that fat girls don’t get enough of. They love getting their hopes up over someone who tells them everything they want to hear, only to be unceremoniously “played”. You want to have an “honors” event for fat girls who get paid to play with their pussies on cam? Yup, that’s certainly a tribute to size acceptance.
Look, have any kind of party you want…but don’t represent them as something positive for size-acceptance. You support the community? That must be why you sought to siphon off people (and dollars) from BBW Network’s Vegas Bash instead of supporting their club nights.
As for your lifestyle, it’s no one’s business unless you put it out there in the street. I’ve engaged in private hedonistic pursuits, but it’s not part of my identity, nor fodder for the events I promote. And as for your inference that I am racist? I voted for Obama because he was the best man for the job: neither in spite of nor because of his race. Just as the mission of BBWNorthwest has always been to promote acceptance for everyone neither in spite of nor because of our size. Acceptance, not fetish.
For all the emails you’ve gotten who “dislike your parties” that’s cool. I know there are many who love to dance to beats all night. And they should have as many alternatives as the market will allow. Which is why I supported and promoted Abundance NW events and announcements to our group. He’s also been to many a BBWNorthwest event.
But why not offer another choice to the local BBW community instead of hatin’ on a brother!
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
January 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I personally think you and Luke have done a fantastic job promoting the BBW communities in the area and feel we really don’t need anyone else.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Wow! I had no idea there was this much drama and animosity floating around out there.