Education Via Fela Kuti: On The Road With Rich Medina (July 28-Aug 2)

WHERE: Yotel, 4th Floor Balcony, New York
WHEN: July 28, 2011, 6 p.m.

Roof deck dinners are fundamentally dope. Having a rooftop dinner with your homeboy who rocks the illest handle bar mustache on the Eastern seaboard and also has arguably one of the best record collections in the country, that's priceless.

Me and Cosmo (Brick) Baker bussin' a grub (Phillyspeak for eating—for my conservative white folks) and bussin' it up (Phillyspeak for sharing in jovial light banter—for the ebonically challenged) with my manager and the owner of Yotel an hour before doors at the inaugural night for Giant Step Thursdays.

WHERE: Yotel, 4th Floor
WHEN: July 28, 2011, 7:45 p.m.

Mr. 2000black (aka Dego) is the brightest star you may have never seen, a true pioneer in all things drum & bass, acid jazz, broken beat, straight-up jazz, bass, keys, and songwriting (to name only a few things). Sometimes known as Mr. Good Good, one half of the incredible 4hero, and the brains behind Silhouette Brown—ladies and gentlemen, meet Mr. Dego McFarlane, a living legend and musical hero of mine.

WHERE: Yotel, 4th Floor
WHEN: July 28, 2011, 11 p.m.

It's hard to describe a talent like hers in one photo blurb—too much talent, not enough space. One of my favorite people on the planet, and one of my favorite vocalists and songwriters as well.

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with Maya during the recording of my first full length LP, Connecting the Dots (Kindred Spirits USA) on a tune called "Out of Nothing." Her new LP, Cry Love, is available now, and well worth your time and the paper.

WHERE: Tick Tock Diner, New York
WHEN: July 29, 2011 2:15pm

Two of the smartest people in my life, Bobbito Garcia and Mark Hines. I can't say enough about how these two gentlemen are responsible for 85% of the mentoring I've utilized to my benefit as an entrepreneur. Iron sharpens iron, and I am blessed and better for being able to call them two of my best friends on earth.

WHERE: Jump N Funk at Fluid, Philadelphia
WHEN: July 29, 2011, 11:51 p.m.

My moms, my sister, and my sister's homegirl from work came to "surprise" me Friday night. I put that in quotations because, at 78, my moms can't keep her mouth shut and calls half my friends to tell them not to tell me they are coming. Every time. Which is about six or seven times a year in Philly, and a good three or four times in NYC.

These two women have carried me, not only through my DJ career, but through any and every other endeavor I've ever loved. Their support has been the blood in my veins over the years, both literally and figuratively. I also now call them my daughters, because they lean on me like a daddy. And I love it 'cause I can at least simulate the love and support they have always given me.

WHERE: Jump N Funk at Fluid, Philadelphia
WHEN: July 30, 2011, 1 a.m.

Here's Mark wrecking our video set at Jump N Funk. You can't touch him on that shit, trust me. The archive is far too deep, our critique and upgrading system is too far ahead of the curve, and he'll outwork you even on your best day. Click here to learn more about this guy, the brains behind one of the brainiest production networks in the world.

WHERE: Southpaw, Brooklyn
WHEN: July 30, 2011

I've never worked with the girls who threw this party before, but goddamn they had their shit together! Place was body to body by midnight, and we banged it out with '80s and '90s r&b, classic hip-hop, reggae, and dance greats all night long. I love parties like this. Reminds me of when urban radio still had an edge, and artists who had accidental crossover records really broke through the pop wall on their own accord, not via label affiliations and nepotism. Thank you, ladies.

WHERE: Santos Party House, New York
WHEN: August 1, 2011, 12:42 a.m.

Funkbox is DJ Tony Touch's house music residency. This particular Sunday night was Funk Box's three-year anniversary, along with the Rock Steady Crew's 34th anniversary after-party, and I was the guest DJ. The b-boys, b-girls, and house heads were in full effect. During my breaks set, Rock Steady showed why we rock the best.

Salute Tony Touch and The Funkbox family for 3 years of success. Here's to many returns.

WHERE: Santos Party House, New York
WHEN: August 1, 2011, 2:30 a.m.

Chilling with the legendary DJ Tony Touch and the equally illustrious Voodoo Ray at the end of my set at Funkbox. Dope night and a great anniversary for these guys. I've literally been in hundreds of parties with these guys over the last 15 years. Nice when you see your friends come up on a good thing. Hat's off, gentlemen.

WHERE: AKWD Preschool, Philadelphia
WHEN: August 2, 2011, 4:45 p.m.

Until you have kids, it's difficult to appreciate pure learning. They are so much smarter than us it should be criminal. Salute all the teachers, mommies, and daddies out there doing the right thing. We're doing our best on our side.

Mommy helps finish off the "Count The Toes" game, minutes before our first day at soccer camp. We are officially soccer parent, and it ain't as sad as you think. We ain't frumpy, and our kids are the illest people on the planet.

August 5 (11 p.m.—4 a.m.)
STATE OF with RICH MEDINA
Bardot
3456 N. Miami Ave.
Miami
21+

Installment number four of my new Miami residency! One of my favorite new things to do! Hopefully, if you're in Miami and check us out, you'll feel the same! Bong!

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August 6 (9 p.m.—4 a.m.)
Witches Brew
Nova Bar & Garden Lounge
884 Pacific St. (Underhill & Washington)
Brooklyn
21+
$5

It'll be my first time rocking at Nova Bar with my man Adgye who used to run Manjinga. Now he owns a bar, and is moving up in the world. I see you, son! And thanks for inviting me to come rock at your joint! You won't be disappointed! Brooklyn, let's get it!

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August 7 (12 p.m.—12 a.m.)
Escape to New York Festival
Southampton Elks Lodge
605 County Rd. 39
Southampton, NY (Shinnecock Reservation)
All ages
$275 for the weekend/$100 for Sunday

I love doing festivals, because you never really know what to expect when it comes to clientele, weather, and musical range. This festival should prove to speak to that point in fine fashion with such a diverse line up.

August 9 (7 p.m.—2 a.m.)
The Uptown Concert Series
Apt. 78
4447 Broadway (189 & 190 Sts.)
New York
21+
Open Bar From 7-8 p.m.

Proud to be on the short list for this joint! Pete Rock! Spinna! Bobbito! And me? Honored and excited to be back uptown for old time's sake to rock in Washington Heights!

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August 12 (9 p.m.—2 a.m.)
Soul Sessions Presents California Soul
Grand Star Jazz Club
943 N. Broadway
Los Angeles
21+
$12/$15

This is gonna be fucking bananas. I've never worked with these folks before, but if their party is anything like their professionalism, we are in for an amazing night on August 12! Looking forward to this!

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August 20 (9 p.m.—1 a.m.)
Uhuru Africa Meets Jump N Funk (with Adam Gibbons & Max Pela) 
AllAsia Bar
334 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, Mass.
21+
$10

Last time I brought Jump N Funk to Boston we almost knocked down two walls at AllAsia Bar! We meet Uhuru Africa once again for another night of Global Afro Soul, Afrobeat, Afro House and Pan African grooves. Beantown, let's get busy! Love Afro Life!