Beijing Boyce

Good times all around last night as that’s Beijing held its Xmas Charity Funk Throwdown at Browns. Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra put the stank on some classic funk tunes, SambAsia’s pounding drums welled up tribal feelings in my heart, and two DJs had us getting down until the wee hours. Even better, unlike last year when a Gongti-area venue undermined the spirit of the event by letting most people in free, the 100-kuai entry fee policy held firm at Browns and enough money was raised to fund surgery for an orphan named Tian Tian, who suffers from spina bifada. True, some people refused to pay, including one woman who got into Browns free by phoning the management and was delighted that she and her boyfriend had outmaneuvered the fee (that’s showing the Christmas spirit!). Most people, however, contentedly paid up, especially since they received two free beers and a Santa hat in return. that’s Beijing could have done a better job handling the door (try posting one of those shot-sellers in the sexy Santa outfits out there!) and Browns still needs to figure out that a Gin Tonic has 1.5 ounces of gin, not 0.5 ounces, but all in all, it was a good party for a good cause. The money does matter: a few months ago, I met the orphan who received a heart operation thanks to funds raised at last year’s event and she is doing well.

Of note: Last night was the first time I’ve seen M-Dawg and Agent Red Wolf dance on the bar top, though we couldn’t get Eddie O up there. Plush monkey of the year, Zimbu, also made an appearance. More on this funk party in the next newsletter.