One of my favorite dance music moments is from Donna Summer’s 1977 release, "I Remember Yesterday.” On this newly anointed disco queen’s fifth release, Summer would take a creative turn creating a concept music piece that sought to marry modern electronic dance beats with the sounds of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s.
This playful act alone would have made it a good album. However, what makes this musical contribution truly soar is the inclusion of a future-focused (and now time-tested) dance song “I Feel Love,” produced and co-written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. It was the future and has gone on to become a dance floor staple still to this day.
On Friday, Dec. 20, Metro Grand Rapids — a new neighborhood-based dance club — welcomes the
TimeWarp Retro Dance Party. And much like Summer’s 1977 release, this dance party will present a time travel of dance music styles starting at the ‘70s through the ‘90s.
Those who venture to this southside club will be guided on the dance floor by DJ’s Hibiki (‘70s), Crooked Leg Craig (‘80s), and Nato Kailin (‘90s).
And just like Summer's “I Remember Yesterday,” at the end we will be treated to a genre-bending and inventive set by one of the area’s favorite visiting DJ’s from Detroit: DJ PSYCHO (Detroit Techno Militia).
The holidays are a time of the year infused with nostalgia but also the joy of all things becoming new. With a new decade on the horizon, take a trip via Metro Grand Rapids’ dance floor with music from the last century and a closing set rooted firmly in a future vision from DJ Psycho.