SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 48 25th Anniversary | Minhead, UK | by Patricia Raimundo

“Have you ever imagined yourself dancing alongside one of the friendliest festival crowds around, immersed in 3 days of the best soulful music? An intimate crowd of dedicated dancers and discerning music lovers will be your companions at the event, which features four purpose built arenas featuring state of the art production and sound, each covering a different strand of music.”

So true!!

And all 7000 tickets for the weekender have sold out without a single artist being announced!

This world famous festival takes place in Butlin’s Holiday Resort in Minehead, with accommodation included. In there we have 4 spectacular arenas where parties and concerts happen:

The Power House – the House arena, where I had the pleasure to listen Frankie Knuckles, Joey Negro, Karizma, Tony Humphries, David Morales, Kerri Chandler, Kenny Dope Gonzalez, Sean McCabe… Live acts of Kenny Bobien (tears of joy streaming down my face), Josh Milan, Natasha Watts…

The Beat Bar – “forward thinking beats, crossing diverse musical boundaries from Jazz to Deep House” – where the artists Joe Claussel, Patrice Rushen & Friends Live in Concert, Phil Asher … played.

The Sun & the Moon Pub – Master D, Souldynamic, Mark Stone (UDM Show), Atjazz… played in there. With a big open air bar that is perfect in the sunny days we had. Great moments lived in there. Quality Music playing, meeting the dj’s and friends from all over the world who we only see once a year. Every year!

The Suncé Beat Dome, a new addition, that is an inflatable bar located centrally between the 4 main performance areas, which was supposed to be a place to chill, meet your friends and a little dance, turned out to be where we had the best parties. Luis Radio, Master D, Souldynamic, Andy Ward, Martin Lodge, played big soulful house tunes that made all people dance and smile until dawn! Hey, we need to get some sleep. Tomorrow there’s more to come, starting at 1:00 pm!!!

The Connoisseurs Corner – “A selection of soulful tunes spanning 3 decades of Southport” – where last SPW took place the memorable Afterparty on Sunday night where we had a Timmy Regisford “of the hook” set!!!

The Sky Pavillion, placed specially for the 25th anniversary celebration, for the Soul Diva Jill Scott Live Act, that I unfortunately missed because of the enormous crowd heading there.

Finally The Funkbase, where I finished this SPW with a special Chicago Classic House set from the legendary Terry Hunter. And what an ending… Kenny Bobien was dancing on the dj booth, as well as Kerri Chandler and Karizma. By that time, on the dance floor, the Portuguese crew and the Swiss, (UDMShow) was thinking: it’s almost over… our feet hurt but, damn…we had such a great time here all together.

Yes, in addition to all this we spent 3 amazing days with the most friendly and most real music lover party people. Southport Weekender is a big family which I am so proud to be a part.

An amazing weekend who still making me smile and filled my Soul with so good quality times to remember… for now, till SUNcé Beat where the magic will live again, and… in the Sunshine (Croatia)!! Can’t wait!!

We do it for the Love of House

Not everyone understands…

Patrícia Raimundo | Soulful Chic Public Relations – Portugal

+info:

www.southportweekenderfestival.com

SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 48 25th Anniversary – Minhead, UK | May, 11 to 13, 2012_by Patricia Raimundo