Hey there. Welcome to the new party review section of the Hoochie Productions website. My name is Becky Kinnear (B*Strong) and I’ll be telling you how the house scene grooves in our sweet little town of Orlando. I grew up here and have been into house music ever since I first was exposed to it in 1998.

Unfortunately, my love of house was uncommon in our local scene. For years, Orlando was known mostly for its break beat DJs like Icey, Baby Anne, and Sandy.

Surprisingly this town has undergone a huge musical transformation over the past few years. A few local pioneer DJs have been playing house music before most party goers were even interested. This usually meant playing for literally two people and dealing with very unhappy club owners. Eventually more house DJs emerged, as well as talented promoters, making Orlando’s house scene what it is today. Now you can go out every night and hear house music at different venues throughout town, with a big name DJ playing at least once a month. We currently have a wonderful, tight knit community where everyone knows each other and we all share a common love for music.

I look forward on keeping you up to date on the progression and growth of the house scene here in Orlando. Check back for more party reviews and an upcoming section devoted entirely to the Winter Music Conference.

Becky Kinnear (B*Strong)

Ahhhh, the Winter Music Conference.

A time when people from all ages, locations and backgrounds convene in Miami for a week of music, dancing and non-stop parties.

Every year the conference is a truly unique and wonderful experience. This year was my third time down there and of course, I had an amazing time.

Follow the links below to read all about my WMC experience

Review - "The Beat Goes On" - Manny Cuevas with Schwa

On February 22, 2002, Hoochie Productions brought us “The Beat Goes On” at the AKA Lounge in Orlando, Florida. The headliners, Schwa and Manny Cuevas, are an astonishing team who truly vibe off of one another. Working the crowd with their deep, Chicago flavored house music these two did not let up all night. Early in the evening they got the party jackin’ right away and kept everyone dancing with tracks from Sneak, Venet Joki, Green Velvet, Bob Sinclar, Karizma and Underground Elements. Memorable moments came when Manny played “The Real Thing” by Mateo and Matos and when Schwa mixed a “Lick Shots” acapella by Missy Elliot over a Scott “Smokin” Silz track.

As the night progressed, these two amazing DJs just kept going deeper and deeper. They pulled out some of their classic vinyl, dusted it off and gave some great old songs new life. Manny brought out “There But For the Grace of God Go I” by Machine, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Inner Life featuring Jocelyn Brown and “The House Music Anthem” by Marshall Jefferson. Schwa responded brilliantly with “Turn the Music Up” by the Player’s Association, “The Bottle” by Gil Scott-Heron, and “In The Pocket” by African Suite. Everyone was dancing and cheering, thoroughly enjoying the music and vibe that Manny and Schwa were putting out. Those who stuck around until the end of the night got a special treat when Schwa dropped “It’s Serious” by Cameo. The funky disco beat inspired people to form two lines (Soul Train style) and let people do their thing through the middle. Even Schwa himself could not help but jump down onto the dance floor and strut his stuff. It was truly an amazing evening that can be best described by an excerpt from a Marshall Jefferson song played by Manny later in the evening:

“What is 69 percent...I didn’t know what it was. Then I heard the groove and it was funky. You kinda know its funky when parts of your body move without your knowledge, involuntarily...You’re locked in the groove. It was at that time, that I knew what 69 percent was, and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. 69 percent crew in the house, get your hands in the air...get funky!”

- Marshall Jefferson featuring Serge Imhoff – “69 percent”

All the local househeads were in full effect that night, every one of them representing to the fullest. This is our own 69 percent crew in Orlando and we were all on the dance floor that evening. Thanks to Manny Cuevas and Schwa, who made the night truly memorable and props to Maria and Tamara from Hoochie Productions for yet another fantastic party

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