🎵 Now Playing: “How U Wanna Carry It”(Baltimore Club Mix)- Miss Tony

One of my closest friends sent me a link months in advance and told me to grab a ticket, so of course I bought two! The event was to Club 1BD, and honestly, I had never heard of it before but the flyer looked like a good time. After watching a few videos online, I learned that Club 1BD is a traveling DJ party known for its nostalgic sets, community atmosphere, and incredible energy. My friends and I love live music, especially DJ sets with great transitions so this was obviously a no brainer. This Baltimore stop was held at Ottobar, an iconic music venue in the city’s Station North Arts District. Surprisingly, this was my first time ever visiting, even though I’d heard about it for years.

Walking inside, I immediately understood why so many people love the space. The atmosphere felt unapologetically grunge. Dark lighting, exposed brick, concert posters, an upstairs balcony overlooking the stage, it had all the character of an independent rock club that supports local artists and touring bands and that’s exactly what made it cool.

Then I noticed something funny. Everyone seemed to be wearing the exact same color palette. I turned to my friend and asked, “Wait… was there a dress code?” And she confirmed that every Club 1BD event has a designated color palette based on that night’s flyer. Somehow, without even realizing it, I had shown up wearing the exact colors. Very on brand for me, if I do say so myself.

Club 1BD was created in response to something many people in my generation have been saying for years: the club scene doesn’t feel the way it used to. On their website, founder DJ David explains the inspiration perfectly:

“The club scene is dead. Overpriced drinks. Crowds that don’t dance.”

His response was to create something different. A space that celebrates DJs of color, nostalgic music, community, and the carefree feeling of dancing at a house party instead of simply standing around taking pictures. This concept worked because before I knew it we were all covered in sweat from dancing so much!

One of the highlights of the evening was watching Baltimore DJ Keebeepooh take over the room. From my spot on the upstairs balcony, I had the perfect view of the entire dance floor. The energy was incredible.

She blended Baltimore Club music with today’s biggest hits so effortlessly that everyone, from the front of the stage to the back of the room was moving together. Nobody cared what anyone else looked like. People were simply dancing. And this is what it’s all about for me, this is living. Seeing my city come together in a safe space to celebrate music reminded me why Baltimore’s creative community has always been one of its greatest strengths.

Hearing Baltimore Club music that night also made me think about DJ K-Swift. Known as the “First Lady of Baltimore Club,” K-Swift helped bring Baltimore Club music to audiences across the city and beyond. As one of the first openly lesbian Black DJs to gain widespread recognition in Baltimore, she helped shape not only the city’s music scene but also its LGBTQ+ nightlife and culture. I was still a kid during the height of Baltimore Club’s popularity so by the time I was old enough to experience nightlife for myself, many of the legendary venues that helped define that era, places like Hammerjacks and The Hippo, had already closed. I did get to experience The Crown on Charles Street before it closed, but I often felt like I had missed Baltimore’s golden era of club culture. Maybe I hadn’t missed it and it could just be evolving as this city loves to do.

Baltimore’s music scene has always been rooted in community. Club music, house music, hip-hop, punk, jazz, indie rock, my city has never limited itself to one sound. Artists, DJs, and creatives continue building on the work of those who came before them while creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. That’s what made this night special. It was a celebration of Baltimore’s artistic legacy and proof that the city’s creative spirit is still very much alive.

Until next time,

Signed, A Baltimore Native