FRIDAY KIND OF LOVE :Everything Old Is New Again

Friday Kind Of Love is a new night with a familiar feel and a retro groove. with DJ Unieq on the wheels, he mines deep into the world of Motown, Doo-wop & old soul for tracks you never thought you'd hear again.

Live music was a hot attraction, and with The St. Jukes Band  (Daniele Decario (b), Clarence Walker(k), Froy Arajuo(sax), Gabi Basurto(d), Tetsuya Moriguchi(g/md)) - the night was filled with harmony provided by the vocal quartet of Jeremy Erwin, Ombrey DeGrate, Lyndsay Haldorson & Bobby Dillard. Their versions of some of the greatest songs in music history kept the audience on their feet and singing along!

Additionally, The Velettes - dressed like a glam burlesque version of The Supremes - kept those in attendance delighted with their choreographed performances throughout the night. (The Velettes are Charlene Rose, Sascha Escandon & Kelsey McCowan)

Friday Kind Of Love is the concept of club producers Carolina Cerisola and Sascha Escandon (The Floor Improv Night, The Show). Their vision of a night with feel good music, no pretense, and of course - lots and lots of dancing - has captured the attention of club goers of all ages and backgrounds. Friday Kind Of Love is held at Harvelle's in Long Beach.
[Harvelle's Website]
[The Floor Productions Website]

The early start time (6pm) allowed for master barber K.G. Superstar to give complimentary straight-razor shaves in a barber shop set-up in an area of the venue. 

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Lyndsay Haldorson gives us a warning that she's trouble!! (You Know I'm No Good)

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Ombrey does Amy proud!! (Me & Mr(s). Jones)

FRIDAY KIND OF LOVE : From Sa-Ca with...

Who doesn't love soul music and the comfort of knowing all the words to those great songs from that by-gone era?

Brilliant club producers Carolina Cerisola and Sascha Escandon are bringing this vibe to Harvelle's in Long Beach. Let's get together and dance & sing and enjoy live music, doo-wop singers, dance performances and custom cocktails! DJ Unieq will be spinning golden "dustys", and fresh tracks to keep us dancing. Master barber K.G. Superstar will be available for straight razor shaves (6-8pm). This will be a night for all the senses!



Harvelle's LB is located at 201 E. Broadway below The Congregation Ale House.
[FKOL Facebook invite]
[Harvelle's Details]

The Pitter-Patter of Bump 'N' Grind :Bongo Fury Returns To Harvelle's (Long Beach)

Dateline : February 17 2012. Long Beach, CA

The return of Bongo Fury - Walter Davis' afro-cuban-latin-jazz-burlesque night  - a huge draw in Santa Monica a couple of years ago now back into production at the Harvelle's in Long Beach. It's been well documented in this blog that BF is responsible for the very inception of my relationship with Harvelle's, Walter and Carolina; the reason I perform poetry is due in part to the encouragement of Walter.

Carolina Cerisola (right->) has inspired many photos, a poem or two, and her spirit and life outlook have kept me lifted. She is very wise, a true internationalist and someone whose moves I follow (figuratively and literally). With her business partner Sascha Escandon, they have created The Floor, and this Friday (Feb 24) they kick-off Friday Kind Of Love - at Harvelle's Long Beach; an exciting new night where the groove is set to sweet sweet soul.

Although her heart and home is Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carolina is a fixture in Hollywood, she's a heroine to some and inspires others she doesn't even know. When people speak of her without her present it is always with reverie and joy. I see the look on people's faces when she dances; they smile. They forget everything else. They're mesmerized and elated by her every movement. She makes people happy by dancing.

It was great to see Bongo Fury again. Walter's group - which reunites drummer Asa and percussionist Timbali also features Shadarius Shields on bass - laid down the tribal wickedness, and brought out the afro/latin/cuban vibe without kitsch. Dancer Zepha (<-left) took to the new room like a fish to water - if a fish had hips - and worked the room like she'd been there a million times before. This simple combo of cool jazzy live music with ridiculously talented dancers is a winner every time! (The show also features DJ Paper spinning club hits, hip-hop, oldies, soul and eclectica.)

There are lots of burlesque shows in town. 

There are a couple of great ones - shows I try to never miss, but Bongo Fury has a special place in my heart and no matter where or when it happens, I'm there!

Thanks -  the BF crew (Walter, Asa, Tim, Shadarius, Carolina & Zepha), DJ Paper, Ryan, Doug, Dana and David. Happy Birthday Cevin!!

The Return Of BONGO FURY

I haven't written the words "bongo", "fury" or "zepha" in quite sometime, but all that ends right now!

Walter Davis has re-booted Bongo Fury, his afro-cuban jazz and burlesque show, that was a huge draw when it played every Tuesday nights in Santa Monica. It is what inspired my initial relationship with Harvelle's (and this blog), as well as with Walter and dancer Carolina Cerisola. Bongo Fury used to feature some of the sexiest dancers around, among them, the aforementioned Carolina, Dakota, Annika, Jillian, Molly, Lisa, Hannah and of course Zepha!

Tonight in Long Beach, Harvelle's presents Bongo Fury.

Today Is Carolina's Birthday

Carolina used to dance at Harvelle's every Tuesday as part of Bongo Fury - an amazing nu-skool burlesque triumph that was my sole impetus for coming to Harvelle's many years ago. While Bongo Fury no longer exists as it did - I made some amazing friends: Walter Davis, Asa Watkins, Bjørn Fleuren, Victor Orlando, Toledo Diamond, Adrian Govind and of course Carolina Cerisola.

Happy Birthday Carolina!!

The Bongo Fury Band

Tuesday night's Bongo Fury Burlesque and Afro Samba Jazz show is a club favorite and always provides unbelievably fun and funky entertainment. This is weekend caliber stuff on a week night!!! The furious artists who collaborate and make this night the party that it is, are (pictured above l—r) Victor Orlando-congas/bongos, Toledo-vocals, Carolina Ceresola-dance, Todd Washington-guitar/vocals, Asa Watkins-drums, Bjørn Fleuren-bass guitar, the incomparable Walter Davis-sax, DJ Daylight(in front)-spinning wax on the 1's and 2's.

Live Music and Burlesque Dancers : Bongo Fury

The Tuesday night show at Harvelle's, known as Bongo Fury, is in full effect tonight!! The incomparable Walter Davis takes over and unfurls the potent night of cool music and hot dancers. 

Come join in the fun and excitement as this early-in-the-week party blasts off into an exciting and stimulating night! Always a beautiful crowd, and always satisfying, Bongo Fury is the city's best kept secret.

Tonight Bongo Fury hosts the incredible talent of Carolina (top) and Zepha. Come early and get a good seat.

Bongo Fury : Music To Watch Girls By

This Tuesday, rain or shine, Harvelle's will host it's weekly Bongo Fury party. Rich afro-cuban jazz-funk, beautiful burlesque dancers and DJ Daylight spinning funk and brazilian beats entertain like nobody's business. The incomparable Walter Davis leads the band, plays the sax and directs the action.


(thanks to Jeff Cranford for the pix)

Bongo Fury : Dancer? I didn't even know her!

Tonight: The return of Carolina Cerisola!!! Fresh from her performance on ABCs "Superstars Of Dance", the beautiful and dangerously talented Carolina is not the only dancer on tonight's bill. Also - for your pleasure - Zepha, a greek goddess with knock-out legs and a backside fit for even the most discerning connoisseur of that particular muscle. Of course, the incomparable Walter Davis on sax and flute leads the Bongo Fury orchestra through the night's improv afro-cuban jazz. DJ Daylight spins funk, brazilian beats and acid jazz for your dancing pleasure deep into the night. Toledo Diamond might sit in if he feels like it.

Bongo Fury's Carolina : Happy Birthday!

One of Bongo Fury's hottest dancers, and club fave Carolina Cerisola is having a birthday today. Argentinian Carolina, is one of the hottest and most exotic dancers in Tuesday night's Bongo Fury show. Watch her schedule for when she'll be appearing next!

Wishing you a happy one C.C.!!! 

(photo@​contagiousbrainchild​.​com)

Bongo Fury : The Tuesday Night Place To Be

If it's Tuesday, it must be Bongo Fury. 

I have been attending this weekly gathering of improvisational jazz musicians and wild burlesque dancers for well over a year. As always, Walter Davis leads his guys through swinging afro-samba funky jazz with his mighty baritone sax. 

Come early - the crowd is hip, sophisticated and beautiful. 

The video clip below starts out a little shakey, but hang in there and you'll see world-class dancer Carolina Cerisola, one of the faves here in Santa Monica.