Chicagoings: Subterranean, Thursday Night, Reggae Gold

Reggae Gold w Dj Papa G courtesy of Ogún Pleas Films via Vimeo.

You’ll get three things out of Reggae Gold:

1. Dance after-effects like sweat, a scratchy throat from singing-along, sore feet, smiles 
2. A spin on the dance floor with a nice young gentleman or lady (but watch out for the overly insistent ones…)
3. A few frosty Red Stripes and/or rum punches for around a five-spot each.
4. And if you’re really lucky some authentic Jamaican food – jerk, beef patties, you name it – from the truck parked just outside.

None of this would be possible without the music, curated lovingly by DJ Papa G and DJ Redlox, the high priests of Reggae Gold. They drop the classic hits from Robert Nesta Marley and Buju Banton, mix in the new leaders of the genre (including some with the family name Marley), with a sprinkle of reggaeton just to keep it interesting. If you find me on the dance floor, I’ll be saying “Oh, I love this song” about 50 times in one evening. Click to listen to an [.MP3] from DJ Papa G on Vocalo.org 89.5.  (You’ll want to click that .MP3 if you haven’t yet. Seriously.)

Reggae night is always right. Every Thursday evening in Chicago, you can find Reggae Gold at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Avenue, in the Wicker Park district. Ladies get in free, so if it’s a beautiful summer Thursday night, arrive early to avoid a wait.