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Not Another Cafe fills dance void with hip-hop Bootycallin'

"The purpose of this is to provide entertainment for University of Michigan students, as well as the hardworking young men and women who live in the area," Parish said. "I've been in Ann Arbor basically all my life, and one thing I've noticed is that there's not a lot to do here but É be bored. Nothing here appeals to the hip-hop and dance-music crowds. There doesn't seem to be anywhere for them to go other than Detroit. So we're just trying to give them an outlet for their energy here in the city." But this is more than just a one-time gig. Gino's-Solo Productions has been given the green light to throw "A Night to Sweat Bootycallin'" tomorrow and the next two Thursdays (June 13 and June 20). If turnout is good, then the event will occur every week through the fall '96 and winter '97 semesters.

In allowing for this event, NAC has established itself as the first major business in the University district to cater to the wants of a large, diverse and generally ignored constituency Ñ those down with the urban scene. With the exception of token gestures (usually amounting to no more than playing a Snoop Doggy Dogg song every once in awhile) none of the local bars, hangouts and this area's only dance club, the Nectarine, have paid even modest attention to these urban music fans. This group, though primarily black, includes huge numbers of Latinos, Asians, Indians and whites. A concept such as "A Night to Sweat Bootycallin'," which has the potential of bringing together such a varied grouping under one roof, is exactly the type of project NAC would support.

"The focus of this company É is altogether awareness and community involvement," Eran Kaynan, NAC's events calendar coordinator, said. "The idea about NAC is to bring many different types of people together. We're trying to appeal to everybody. Our main interest is not to exclude anyone."

Parish agreed saying, "We'll have a large array of music Ñ hip-hop, R&B, Miami Bass Sound and a little techno. So it'll be more than just a Ôblack crowd.' Although we're expecting more of a black turnout, everybody's welcome.

"What you can expect to see when you get here is a lot of love, a lot of dancing. Not too many people standing against the wall; not too many people sitting down. And you can be certain that ÔClyde the Glide' is gonna rip a freestyle that's gonna get everybody open.

"So hopefully everybody comes out and supports because we're here for them," Parish said.

The first of three installments of "A Night to Sweat Bootycallin'" takes place tomorrow night from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Entrance is free until 11:30 p.m.; from then on the cost is $3. Dress to sweat.