What were you thankful for this year?

Though we still have ways to go before we are completely back to normalcy (as Covid will eventually be part of life), 2021 has been kind to festival goers in the US while other countries may still be struggling due to stricter regulation. None the less, here in Northern California, we have been blessed with block parties and Audiotistic, but we were most thankful for our friend at Midnite Events who was able to deliver its annual Thanksgiving weekend event Give Thanks with only three weeks of promotion, and to no surprise, this show sold out.

Give Thanks has grown to be a two-night event (some years three) but one night was still better than none given what had transpire the previous year. Though Midnite Events had announced the event on short notice, a line-up of RL Grime, Madeon, Valentino Khan and hot new artist JVNA was enough to anticipate a sellout show.

JVNA warmed up the dance floor, but the rage started the moment Valentino came on to play his signature roller coaster electric sound of house, up-tempo, edm with a sprinkle of hip-hop. Madeon gave us that mystical journey of future house which highlighted tracks such Dream Dream Dream; but the energy took on a whole new meaning when RL Grime came on which was nothing short but an embellishing bass in your face set.

Give Thanks 2021 was the best one yet to date especially after packing in those turkey calories.

This event reminded us how vital the dance scene provides a moment of escape and relief from the hustle n’ bustle of life, especially as we are grinding our way through Covid.

See you at the next show.

-Jawn Gee