On any given Ol’ Dirty Sunday in Ybor, you’ll find the Crowbar patio packed with bodies, some crowded in a circle around the b-boys and b-girls who break moves and kick through steps in casual parading or serious battling or the occasional headstand and downrock combos, while others attend to their own personal grooves, bumping and swaying in knots and clusters to the dance-hawking sounds pumped from behind the decks. Soul, funk, hip hop, reggae, Afrobeat and R&B joints – old, new and everything in between, some of it dished by ODS resident DJs Casper and LeSage, some of it scratched and spun by whichever special out-of- town guest happens to be on hand, from Cosmo Baker to Rich Medina, with the odd emcee jumping onto the mic and spitting impromptu verses over the jams.
If you’ve been thinking about how cool it’d be to have ODS in St. Petersburg, the wait is over.
“The idea has been in the works for quite some time,” Casper told us in a recent correspondence. “We’ve explored numerous cities and numerous venues in and out of Florida, but St. Pete is like a second home and it only seemed right to launch the next branch of ODS there.” After celebrating three years of Ol’ Dirty Sundays in May, Casper, LeSage and ODS master of ceremonies Deacon are bringing the party across the Bay to a bar that is fast becoming a St. Pete favorite: The Bends. “We chose the Bends because of [owner] Matt Kaye...ODS doesn’t work with out the full support of the bar / club owner and we felt that Matt was just like Tom [DeGeorge] in the sense that he gets it, supports it, breathes it and is behind ODS 100 percent.”
Expect the same feel good vibes, high-quality mixes and mashes —“the shit you grew up to, listened to as a kid, danced to with your folks, lost your virginity to”— paired with fine Bends spirits (we suggest a shot of Apple Pie) and tasty Jamaican cuisine served by Jam Dish. It’s a smaller venue than Crowbar, however. “It’s basically gonna be a sweat box so arrive early,” Casper advises.
And guest DJs will hit future editions of Ol’ Dirty St. Pete, but it won’t be the same talent to visit ODS on Sundays. “That way the party is always fresh.”
The launch party for Ol’ Dirty St. Pete happens this Thurs., July 30, starting at 9 p.m.; admission is free. Facebook event page here.
Check out the ODS Biggie Tribute set from earlier this year featuring Casper, LeSage and Deacon below.