Last night I experienced one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in a long time. I was invited to Triad Thursday by a group of guys that have more love to offer to their business than a Mom nurturing her only child. The masterminds that put Triad Thursday together are the team of Shon Barnes, Alex Ricketts and Darryl Stevenson, collectively known as Triad Entertainment Solutions, LLC. The event was a precursor to the celebrated homecoming weekend that is occurring in the city this weekend at the University of North Carolina A&T and definitely was one not to be missed.
Triad Thursday is an event that occurs on the first Thursday of every month and usually kicks off from 7pm until 12 pm or until, depending on how long the band chooses to play and the venue allows stragglers to hang out. This event, very special as it was the kick-off of the NC A&T Homecoming weekend (G.H.O.E.=Greatest Homecoming On Earth), was held at Cafe Pasta. The restaurant is a well put together establishment with two levels, a stage and a special area under the stage for a VIP area. There is an exquisite black lacquer bar that houses all the alcohol that one could wish for, with a large hi-def plasma television hanging on the wall behind the bar. There is also a large projection screen that at this event was playing “Lady Sings The Blues” which had many party-goers still watching the old school flick as they enjoyed the ambiance of the party.
When asked why they chose this type of endeavor, Mr. Ricketts stated that “we started this thing because being a DJ I have always loved music and this was another enjoyable avenue for me to experience that love. This is the second event and we are very happy with the results.” Mr. Barnes concurred and added “for me I wanted to find places in the city to go and hang out that had a mature atmosphere that I could sit back and enjoy and I couldn't find that anywhere! With that issue picking at my brain, and my friends that were also looking for a nice outing, we put our heads together and decided to do it ourselves.” As well as being one-third of the trio Mr. Stevenson, as well as Mr. Ricketts, also spins records and gets the crowd rocking. Donning his signature 70’s afro Stevenson transforms himself into DJ Dirty and morphs into “one” with his turntables and Mac computer and from there the party is “crunk”! Stevenson told me after he finished his first set “This is what it’s all about man, being able to see people enjoying themselves in an atmosphere that they are comfortable in, with good food, good drinks and good music. It doesn't get any better than that and to be part of the group that put it together, just brings a tear to my eye” the jokester quantified as he strolled away shaking his afro headed back to his turntables.
This event also produced the soulful sounds of the group Soultrii, and they turned it out. Their sound s very eclectic and had patrons on the floor getting their groove on early and often. They are musicians that interact with their listeners and come out of their stage element and sing hand in hand with the ladies. They are quit a nice performance. Next, the comedian at the event, Eli Southern, is an up and coming comedian who needs all the exposure he can get.
This guy is quick and intelligent with his comedy and it shows as he eats up hecklers and leaves them smoking in his verbal assaultive-wake for attempting to spar with him. This kid talks about everything from condoms, parenting, cops, penis size and big-Chief Knockemdown and my personal favorite..when he donned a referee shirt and threw flags on everyday situations including one guy that challenges one of his calls. Southern is extremely underrated and is indicative of the talent that Triad Thursday is able to showcase.
The energy that Ricketts and Barnes exude as they welcome party goers is a sight to behold. They interact with their patrons, they serve drinks, they refresh wine on tables and do it all while ensuring that they don't leave anyone out of their clutches as they shake hands and trade business cards with other professionals in their ever moving endeavor to network and build T.E.S., LLC into a power in the entertainment industry.
Make sure you make it out to their next event as I know that you will enjoy it to the last record is mixed and the last glass of Chardonnay has been poured. T2 (Triad Thursday) is where you need to be in order to be part of an elegant mature soulful crowd so make sure you mark your calendars for their next event.
Feel free to contact Z Morgan, II @zmorganII@gmail.com or @twitter at zmorganII
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