Nightlife

The Get Back to end 14-year First Friday run

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Claire Hart

Only one First Friday tradition actually pre-dates the monthly art walk/festival itself: The Get Back, the throwback throwdown that capped the very first First Friday in October 2002 and celebrated vinyl long before the first Record Store Day. Along the way, countless First Friday afterparties have come and gone, but The Get Back survived venue changes, fickle crowds and the numerous shifts that fill the Downtown revival timeline, all while remaining doggedly loyal to its rhythmic and retro soundtrack: 1960-1970s funk, soul, reggae and Latin jams, old-school hip-hop and the occasional jazzy joint.

However, on its 14th anniversary of First Friday sweatiness, the boogie bash has found the appropriate occasion to lift the needle for good. The Get Back will say peace out on October 7, ending its impressive run at its final host bar, Velveteen Rabbit.

The party’s founder, John Doe—who also manned the decks alongside fellow residents Phoreyz, Danny Boy, 8-bits, Shred and the late Aurajin—booked some noteworthy guest turntablists over the years, including Z-Trip, Nu-Mark (Jurassic 5), Nickodemus, DJP and numerous members of the California-based Beat Junkies, Fantastic 4our and Invisibl Skratch Piklz crews.

“Back in the beginning, I just wanted to spin music that I loved for like-minded people in the nightlife-deprived Downtown area,” Doe said in a statement. “As the GB slowly grew, I hoped we could help build a Downtown movement, and 14 years later I feel the GB and its supporters succeeded in doing just that. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this little funky soul dance party could have had such a profound effect on the Downtown nightlife scene ... There's way too many to list right now, but a heartfelt thank you for the love and support to everyone involved during this incredible run—we've had some amazing times.”

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