Professional Sweetheart Bonus Hang: 6/5/24

Looking Good, Hanging With the Wild Bunch

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Hi! So, I wanted to use this week’s hang to shout out an event I’m doing tonight. If you happen to be in Atlanta and you need something to do later this evening, I’ll be spinning an all-vinyl set at the newest, coolest place in town, Commune.

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Commune is modeled after Japanese listening bars so the sound and design of it is impeccable. Needless to say, it’s now the place where all the real music heads I know want to hang out. I went there for the first time on their opening night and counted at least five DJs, which cracked me up. The owners, Zopi and Chris, are long-time Atlanta legends and they’ve created such a cool vibe. Instead of just bringing in a house DJ who plays a bunch of random things, they’ve established that each night at Commune is a highly curated set from someone. When they asked me to come up with a theme for my night (which of course, is right up my alley) I went back and forth about a couple different things, and after mulling it over, I decided to call it “Kasayahan”, which means “happy gathering” in Tagalog. It’s inspired by my childhood, and especially this core memory I have of being awaken by the sounds of music and laughing coming from downstairs at our old house in South Carolina. I got up and snuck down to see what it was and saw a roomful of Filipino women in late 80’s party clothes (think: giant, shoulder padded dresses or top + skirt sets) drinking and whooping and dancing to “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals. Even though they ended up blasting music until the wee hours, for some reason that image of first seeing it is burned onto my brain. Maybe it was the margaritas in the giant, cactus stemmed glassware, the Contempo Casuals, the Rave Hold #4 Hairspray — it’s hard to say. All I know is I will probably utter the story in a “CORNNUTS” kind of way at my last breath.

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Over the years, my mom would frequently have these dancing and eating hangs with her friends. She still does them to this day! Like, whenever I see the chafing dishes with the canned heat, I know people have been rolling lumpia for at least the last five hours and that someone is about to break out Santana’s Supernatural CD. The last time I went to one was over the Christmas break and it was so hilarious and fun. Lots of retro hits! I have actually no idea why this is¹ but Filipinos seem to love R&B, especially from the 80’s and 90’s. I can only back this up from my Filipino friends in Atlanta and LA, my cousins in the Philippines, and especially my mom, who is literally the only person I know that protected Milli Vanilli after they were busted for lip syncing. I always loved that about her — she’s a real one.

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So, if you’re coming tonight, expect a little soul, a little disco, and tons of that 80’s and 90’s R&B. I’m so excited that I’m deeply considering wearing my “Buffalo Stance” esque bomber jacket tonight even though it’s like 89 degrees out. The downside to vibe curation, I’m afraid.

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Hope to see you there! If not, we’ll talk soon!

Millie

1. Colonialism, maybe? (Though literally all Asians love 80’s Michael Jackson.)