Deko-ze’s birthday is one of my favourite events to host, as hectic as events such as this may be it’s the urgency which keeps me going. This year his birthday was held at Footwork Bar & Afterhours on March 5th, 2010 with Adam K, Mark Falco and Deko-ze on deck.
The night started off with me ensuring a film crew was organized who were coming to shoot for an upcoming documentary, but at 8pm it started to get hairy; my phone was ringing off the hook, texts were flying in to the sound of my “knock-knock” tone, emails poured in all wanting guest list.
I had to email in my guest list to Footwork by 9pm. For some cyber reason my email doesn’t like Footwork’s email. They’ve had this war for so long I just wish the email accounts would get along. I needed to get showered, get my hair styled, put on my false lashes and get my make-up done, but the damn phone didn’t stop ringing and the texts didn’t stop “knock-knocking”.
My friend Lauren was on her way to pick me up at my request because I had Deko-ze’s double chocolate cake to carry and I didn’t want to take the “Better Way” just in case the cake went splat as I got off the streetcar.
As I tried to keep my calm waiting for my list to finally arrive in Footwork’s inbox I ran around my apartment half dressed. With one eyelash on, one lash off, and my hair waiting to get all scorched by heating appliances.
Finally my guest list made it through. I finished applying my lashes; I wish it was easy to apply these. I have to get the glue just right and my hand steady as I softly apply.
During this time Lauren had been calling to let me know her ETA. God! I 
had to rush to get the right top on and hope my PVC pants (courtesy of Stag Shop) fit inside my 6” sequined boots. Thank-God they did.
I gathered Deko-ze’s cake, my bag with my sneakers in it (I never host an event without a second pair of shoes) and off I went racing down the hall, and outside to Lauren’s waiting car.
I thought I could then take a moment to catch my breath, but damn I remembered I forgot plates, napkins, a knife to cut the cake and forks! I texted the other hosts, ClubStan and Erin to see if they could help me. No, they already left. Damn! Lauren said to call her boyfriend Sam. He saved this dilemma by stopping by Metro to pick-up these requirements.
Problem solved, a moment to chill before hitting the hustle and bustle of the club.
Once I arrived I had to find a place to put the cake which Erin quickly took care of. I hurried to the washroom and then to got a drink. Only to find out the bar didn’t have my drink tickets. Of course!
The bartender (you’d like him, he’s sex-say!) quickly sorted this out and the tickets arrived within in no time. Finally a drink and ready to socialize. At about midnight Deko-ze the guest of honour arrives. I wanted to give him his present but I looked over and saw the long line-up at coat check and decided while telling Deko-ze “I’ll get it later”.
I then went to use the bank machine, and I have to say I despise using any ATM that isn’t a legit bank such as TD, Royal, Scotia, etc… I did all the right things; entered my pin, chose my account and then it didn’t’ give me my money! Oh my God! I go back to Lauren and tell her what just happened and we both looked at my receipt and it said “Wrong pin entered”. Oh! My bad. I went back to the machine repeated the steps just as Jon (Dir. Of Promotions) hands me my pay, smiles and says, “This will help!” Of course!
While Adam K was bringing down the house his manager asked me for the drinks which were to be available as per the Rider. I text the person responsible and the required bottle of Grey Goose arrived and was placed snugly in the booth.
After the Goose was getting drunk Deko-ze tells me he had to quickly leave to get a demo he really wanted to play for Andy Reid of Nocturnal Magazine / 44th & Filth Records. I looked at my watch and noticed he had an hour to get back. He told me he would call me once he arrived so I could let him in through the back door so no one would stop him in his trails. I had to keep my cell in my hand so I could feel the vibration cuz Lord knows I can’t hear my Michael Jackson ring tone with decibels over 102.
My phone later vibrates and its Deko-ze telling me he’s at the back door. I raced through the crowded club, but not before I saw bouncers kicking a guy out. I thought it to be a bit early for this kind of behaviour, but each to their own. I continue my heel to toe to the back door and tried opening it, but it wouldn’t budge. A guy near me kindly offers to help but he couldn’t open it either. Finally Jon comes over and yells, “What’s going on here?” I tell him the situation and he then easily opens the door. Of course!
As soon as the door opened, in rushed some guy past Deko-ze and I. Jon 
asked Deko-ze who he was to which Deko-ze had not an idea. Jon then told me he’s the guy that just got kicked out! I figured it must have been the guy I saw earlier getting the heave-ho. Nonetheless, mission accomplished Deko-ze had the demo he wanted to play.
A little bit later Deko-ze and I were standing in the booth and one of the cameramen was on top of the amps shooting. Deko-ze turned to me and said, “I think that’s the guy who snuck in with me!” I laughed while looking at the guy but I couldn’t tell. We both just looked at him and then Deko-ze says, “Yup that’s him!” We were both stunned as to how, and why this guy got kicked out, snuck back in and was now apart of the camera crew!
Then this other guy who plays his bongo drum during DJ’s sets a.k.a. “Mr. Bongo” shows up. Slides into the booth, unloads his gear as if he’s an employee, pulls out his bongo drum and jumps onto the amps in front, but off to the side of the Adam K to play.
Standing on top the amps above the crowd made him look like he wanted to be the centre of attention. I let his manager know what Mr. Bongo was about, and that he will play along with Adam K’s set, and although he’s good if he doesn’t want him to play to let me know and I’ll stop it.
Eventually Adam K gave me and his manager the cut-off sign and thankfully Mr. Bongo saw this himself and jumped off the amps and stopped banging.
2:30am arrived and it was birthday cake time. Deko-ze was all nestled in the booth. Adam K was winding down his set; I had the mic in my hand ready to get the crowd to sing Happy Birthday. ClubStan and Erin were ready with the cake, candles and sparklers ready to be aflame.
I asked the crowd to start singing Happy Birthday with me and as they did in came ClubStan and Erin with the cake and four candles lit. ClubStan and Erin tired vigorously to light the sparklers which were not cooperating. All of a sudden the crowd was finished singing Happy Birthday. So I told the crowd “Let’s do it again!” Hoping this time the damn sparklers would light. They didn’t! Of course!
Watch the short video of Dekoze’s Bday
Poor Erin had a blister from the damn Dollar Store sparklers! The show must go on and Deko-ze started his set of wicked older house tracks such as Murk – “Believe” and heaved the crowed into over-excitement.
I finally danced and slowed my roll around 2am at which time for some 
unknown reason the sparklers lite by an unknown guy with a ‘sparkler lighter’. Of course!
At 3:30 it was time for home. I went to the coat check and couldn’t find my coat check ticket! Of course!
With no trouble I got my coat and out into the March air I went and into a cab. On my way home I realized I forgot the cake or to remind Deko-ze to get it. I also forgot the napkins and cutlery.
I forgot to give Deko-ze his gift. Of course!
