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Yesterday afternoon, hoards of music fans ventured to Southeast's Produce Row Café, where they were treated to cheap drinks and great music as part of the Do-over, a Los Angeles-bred afternoon dance party featuring some of the West Coast's most prominent up-and-coming DJs. Hosted by Adidas, the event—the latest in a series of PDX Do-Over dates—gave Portlanders a glimpse into the L.A. lifestyle, where musicians from that city's thriving beat scene often team up with clothing and shoe companies to host day-time parties, allowing them to showcase their musical ability in a fun atmosphere.
Produce Row's atrium is the perfect venue for such an event. Hundreds took to the sunshine-soaked dance floor with sangria in hand to enjoy sets by Dirty Dave, Devonwho, DJ Day, Cosmo Baker and Mike B, each with different musical tastes and set lists. Portland's own Devonwho, who is signed to respected Dublin-based indie label All City Records, matched the summertime vibes of the day perfectly with his spaced-out soundscapes while DJ Day took it back to the Dilla era, playing a variety of instrumentals from the Stones Throw catalogue. It was Philadelphia native Cosmo Baker though who really got the room sweating. His set list, which included everything from Chubby Checker's "The Twist" to M.O.P.'s "Ante Up," was cruel to those wearing white clothing as drinks were tossed every which way while the crowd enthusiastically danced.
The diverse musical selection made the event fun for everybody, but it was the eclectic makeup of the crowd itself that truly made the day special. In a city that is often criticized for its lack of diversity, the Do-over was a representation of the many shapes and sizes the citizens of Portland can be. People from every age group, ethnic background and social class were represented. Despite the crowd's differences, there was a general sense of camaraderie that was contagious: Westside girls danced with Eastside guys; older women who had never taken the time to listen to rap before spoke with young hip-hop heads. Everybody, regardless of his or her circumstances, got along and enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon together. If this is what L.A. is like all the time, I'm starting to feel a bit jealous.
WWeek 2015