Sean and I attended “The New Jack The Rapper Convention” (TNJTRC) All Star Weekend 2013 in Houston Texas. I was invited to participate in one of the conventions Panels – “The Boss” panel, which was assembled to bring Industry Expertise to up & coming entertainment artists. The convention had events that paralleled the NBA Allstar Weekend activities. Including, involvement from Celebrities and Entertainers who were already down there for the weekend.

On Thursday 2/14/2013 ( Valentines Day) we visited the Sugar Hill Lounge where TNJTR convention was supposed to be having a meet and greet. So let’s break this post into “THE VENUE and then THE MEET & GREET.

1st the Venue, it was located in what appeared to be a small strip mall ( what we’d call it here in Cali), from the outside it looked like a hole in the wall kinda place. BUT, once you entered the club- it was a nicely decorated small to mid-sized intimate LOUNGE that was surprisingly comfortably arranged.  However, it was crowded and standing room only. It was a lively crowd and there was a decent ( i’d say) performer doing a set when i arrived. The stage area was too small and there was a dance space ( i wouldn’t necessarily call it a dance floor), that seemed a bit over utilized. If you were there to listen to music ( stay in your seats ( vip seating mostly) it would be okay.

The Bar staff seemed friendly and they had some interesting presentation to some of their drinks that looked like fireworks sizzlers..Unfortunately- i asked for my customary Mudslide on the rocks and they didn’t have what it took to make it. I then asked for a White Russian and they also didn’t have the ingredients they said.. (HMMM). But hands down the most disappointing thing about this Venue is, THE PRICE to get in! It was $40 per person plus the Valet . Obviously this was WAY over priced -but i would have been okay with it if it  had  of been an environment to develop business relations. Which brings me to the MEET & GREET->

THERE WAS NO MEET & GREET IT WAS JUST A REGULAR CLUB NIGHT WITH ALL-STAR INFLATED PRICES !!!!

Sigh, now people know that i am ALL ABOUT MY BUSINESS, i don’t go to these things just to be clubbin- I GO PROSPECTING for clients and business- this venue was listed in TNJTRC itinerary as a meet and greet. Well it certainly WAS NOT, there was no indication that this was an OFFICIAL location of the conference activities. There didnt seem to be anyone there exchanging business cards or trying to meet or greet. It wasn’t even remotely a situation where that type of networking could take place-it was SIMPLY a local Club Night. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED!We paid $80 bucks to hear a marginally decent live act perform, to see a bunch of single ladies dancing with themselves for Valentines Day & to NOT even be able to get a buzz cause they couldn’t make a Mudslide or White Russian, was somewhat  infuriating…The whole MEET & GREET facade was just W R O NG .. I felt like there was a real mis-representation.

FORTUNATELY SOME FOLKS HAD HEARD I WAS COMING INTO TOWN AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET ME IN PERSON- SO THAT WAS THE SAVING GRACE OF GOING INTO THAT PART OF TOWN THAT EVENING. SHOUT OUT TO artist/entertainer Q.T and his management for that meeting which took place about a MILE AWAY FROM the Sugar Hill Lounge! (SMDH)

And that was the beginning of TNJTRC- stay tuned for part II.