Ladies and gentlemen, Soulpower is moving on. After four years of running their monthly parties out of the back room at Balliceaux, they’re officially relocating to brand new RVA nightclub the Broadberry starting on Saturday, May 10.
Ladies and gentlemen, Soulpower is moving on. After four years of running their monthly parties out of the back room at Balliceaux, they’re officially relocating to brand new RVA nightclub the Broadberry starting on Saturday, May 10. We spoke to DJ Pari of the Soulpower crew, and he explained their decision thusly: “As Chris Bopst put it, in the fine tradition of late night talk show hosts, one should move on while enjoying the most success.”
The DJ duo behind Soulpower, which consists of Pari and Andrew Felty, have no bad feelings towards Balliceaux. Far from it, in fact. “We appreciate the loyalty Balliceaux has shown us over the years in making Soulpower the most dynamite rare Soul party the city has ever seen,” Pari said. “We thank Balliceaux for a great four-year run and more than 50 parties and live shows.”
Now the group moves on to the Broadberry, a new venture begun by The Camel’s Rand Burgess and Lucas Fritz, in conjunction with Joe’s Inn’s Matt McDonald. The Broadberry is located at 2729 W. Broad St, most recently the site of Nu Nightclub and the former location of famed 80s rock club The Cellar Door. The Broadberry is scheduled to open sometime in mid-April–we’ll have more information on their specific plans soon.
For now, we can tell you that Soulpower’s first appearance at The Broadberry will be on Saturday, May 10. Speaking about the move to the Broadberry, Pari said, “We’re excited about having found a new home for Soulpower which is much bigger. That can pose a challenge, but we believe RVA is ready for a big Soul night.”
In conjunction with the move to the Broadberry, the Soulpower crew is hoping to bring bigger things to their monthly events. “We’re looking forward to inviting some of the finest Soul and Funk DJs in America and abroad to join us behind the decks,” Pari said. Additional excitement is provided by the opportunity to book more live performances. “[The new venue] gives us the room to bring great live shows to Richmond, so expect to hear some of the records popular at our parties performed live by the original artists in Richmond for the first time!” he said.
Before the first Soulpower night at the Broadberry, though, DJ Pari is headed to Japan, where he will produce an LP for Japanese funk band Osaka Monaurail, as well as appearing as a guest DJ at “Tokyo’s premiere Funk party,” Wah Wah. Pari’s put together a new mix for the occasion, entitled “The Nippon Connection”–you can check it out below.
Soulpower will be appearing at The Broadberry on the second Saturday of every month, starting on Saturday, May 10.
