Dusty Crates

Earlier this week I recorded HouseWife, an exclusive hour-long mix and a short interview for today’s Brick City House (BCH) on ChicagoHouseFM.com. The online weekly show is run by none other than my girl Sista Stroke and it features mixes by DJ staples of the house scene worldwide. I’m extremely honored to be part of this set. Many thanks, girl!

Now, it’s no secret that some of my DJ roots go deep into house, so doing this mix was the perfect opportunity to go back to one of my first loves. So I dug thru a few of my favorite classics and added a dash of new house to come up with HouseWife, a mix I feel truly represents the house I get down to. It’s so house, it’ll make you wanna do your house chores! Here’s this Mami’s track listing:

“HouseWife” – Gracie Chavez (DIRB! 2009)

1. It’s Just Begun (Larry Levan remix) – Jimmy Castor Bunch
2. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – Dcup’s Bootleg Remix
3. Enjoy Yourself – Soul Avengers
4. Stepping Out (Frankie J mix) – Candy Dealers
5. Why Don’t You – Gramophonedzie
6. Phat Mama (Sub Dub) – Troydon
7. Sweat of Your Brow – Jully Black
8. Hit the Ground – Mario Fabriani
9. Baby How Long (Johnny Fiasco remix) – Da Sunlounge
10. Bushes (Norman Cook remix) – Markus Nikolai
11. Fix My Sink – DJ Sneak
12. Hot City Bass – Hot City
13. Come On Girl – Magik J
14. Let You Go (Got The Funk Mix) (Da Fresh Remix) – The Freshmakers
15. Life is Changing – Cricco Castelli
16. Vision of Paradise – Bob Sinclair
17. Big Love – Pete Heller

After today’s live webcast at 1 p.m. CST (if you’re DIRB! in Texas), I’ll sideline I have sidelined the HouseWife mix here on DustyCrates’s Mixes. You can also catch the entire show, plus more, as a podcast at SistaStroke.Podmatic.com.

In short, BCH is all about those solid house tracks that make you wanna put your fist up in the air and say “Amen, Sista!” And you can’t hate on that!

Coincidentally, this BCH show is also a preview of what’s in store for this weekend.

Ladies of the Kitchen

Before she returns to Mr. Hun in London, Stroke is wrapping up her stay in Texas with a stop in Houston this Friday, December 4. The Kitchen Family has teamed up with renowned Les Femmes de la Nuit DJs Jessica Lozano, Candice Elliott and myself to support the all-female DJ event, Les Femmes de la Cuisine (Ladies of The Kitchen), at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer, 77006). The Kitchen Family — Drew, Pooks, Mr.Bristle, and Criminal V and Brad of the Lamborghini Crew–will play more delicious house, UKG and funky upstairs. There’s no cover for ladies all night.

So bundle up! It’s gonna be cold (and possibly snowy) outside, but it’ll be oh-so hott in The Kitchen with Les Femmes de la Cusine!

UPDATE: Houston Chronicle’s write up on tonight’s Steel Lounge for you to peep: Steel Lounge Goes Underground to get its Groove Back (published 7/30/09 on chron.com).

Gracie’s Night at the Museums

This Friday (7/31), I’ll be performing at this month’s Steel Lounge Underground at the CAMH (10 pm) right after DJing my cocktail hour (6-7 pm) at Friday’s Mixers & Elixirs at Museum of Natural Science. The Chromatics are playing live from 7-10 pm.

Join me for a tour of Houston’s Museum District because this night is gonna be cooler than lounging at home!

—

DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu host the next edition of Steel Lounge Underground Friday, July 31st at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (5216 Montrose, 77006) from 8pm-11pm.

Steel Lounge Underground is a monthly event showcasing Houston based musical artists performing live in the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Steel Lounge Underground showcases Houston’s diversity and talent by bringing together musical artists representing a variety of genres and attracts an audience representing all walks of life.

During the event, the audience is free to explore the exhibitions currently on display within the CAM. This is a FREE event!

Musical Lineup Features:
Sasha Braverman vs. Henry Chow (8-9 pm)

Spain Colored Orange (9-10 pm)

Gracie Chavez (10-11 pm)

MIXES
“Cumbia Nena” mix live on KTRU (2009): http://www.zshare.net/audio/61629779537d2a8f/
Squincy Jones with Gracie Chavez DIRB! live on KTRU (2009): http://www.zshare.net/audio/616304082588f349/
“YO! Mami” (2008): http://www.dustycrates.com/blog_mixes/Gracie_Chavez-Yo_Mami.mp3

DIRB! with Witnes

Does this man really need an introduction?

If you don’t catch Witnes at CAM’s Steel Lounge Underground on Friday, Do It Real BIG with us at Block Party (2420 Washington) this Saturday for his birthday and homecoming!

You won’t be sorry…

RSVP here and see event e-flyer in sideline –>

Rocks Off: Rock Box’s Final Night, 2008

SLFEMP mixtape – Witnes & Squincy Jones (mp3)

I am honored to not only get to play at this Soular Grooves-sponsored Steel Lounge series, but also to be able to play alongside hometown hero Champa Moore and fellow Les Femmes DJ Jessica Partin. I’ve got tremendous respect for all those involved with this event.

I hope to see as many of you out on the dancefloor.

Here’s a press release from the Contemporary Arts Museum-Houston (CAM):

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
5216 Montrose Blvd Houston, TX 77006-6547
t (713) 284-8250  f (713) 284-8275  www.camh.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2008

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Steel Lounge Underground with DJs Jessica Partin, Gracie Chavez, and Champa Moore

Houston, TX—The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston with DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu is pleased to present the next edition of Steel Lounge Underground, Friday, June 27, 2008, from 8-11PM, featuring DJs Jessica Partin, Gracie Chavez, and Champa Moore. Steel Lounge Underground, held the last Friday of every month, features a rotating roster of DJs who create entertaining and inspiring soundscapes influenced by the exhibitions on view. There is no charge for admission. Make this your first stop the last Friday of every month.

ABOUT THE DJs
The ongoing love affair between electronic dance music and Jessica Partin began in 1996, at a time when her roots were firmly planted in the underground Houston punk music scene. Upon exposure to house and techno, along with the concept of continuous mixing, Jessica quickly shifted her musical ambitions and began carving her own niche in the DJ world characterized by eclectic record selection, bold mixing techniques, and an ever-evolving style that breaks the barriers between genre distinctions.

Houston’s Gracie Chavez is a DJ, mother, music writer, and veteran of Houston’s club scene. From shedding light on fellow female DJs as a co-founder of the “Les Femmes” project, to her recent ten thousand download triumph of her recent “Yo, Mami” mix, Chavez is quite the overachiever as well as the perfect act with a pedigree heavy enough to handle the chaos of any party. From house, electro, retro, ’80s remixes, old/new school, Baltimore Club, to baile funke, and Houston rap, you’ll have to make it to Steel Lounge Underground to see what she’ll mix.

When Andy “Champa” Moore is DJing, love is in the music. When love is in the music, you can feel it.  Unique in his ability to create a cathartic, big-room experience, or transform the most comfortable, leisurely lounge into a rocking party, Champa Moore knows how to bring it, taking listeners on a journey filled with suspense, seduction, and surprises. For more than two decades Champa has kept people dancing until dawn in Spain, the Netherlands, and around the United States.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
The Old, Weird America: Folk Themes in Contemporary Art (May 10 – July 20, 2008) is the first museum exhibition to explore the widespread resurgence of folk imagery and history in American contemporary art. Curated by Contemporary Arts Museum Houston senior curator Toby Kamps, the exhibition features approximately 75 recent paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, installations, and video works from nearly 20 artists and collaborative groups.

Perspectives 161: Tim Lee (May 16 – July 13, 2008) features Vancouver-based artist Tim Lee, who uses video, photography, and performance to put himself in the place of icons of popular culture. By reenacting rituals of pop culture that are usually the domain of established practitioners or experts in a deadpan, just-competent-enough style, Lee uses absurd seriousness to blur the boundaries between the ridiculous and the sublime.

STEEL LOUNGE UNDERGROUND SUPPORT
Steel Lounge Underground would like to thank DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu of Soular Grooves. Steel Lounge Underground is sponsored in part by Nobilo: Pure New Zealand wine; and ArtsHouston.