“The Do-Over”, the eclectic music bbq established in the summer of 2005 by Stones Throw Records family Jamie Strong, Chris Haycock, and Aloe Blacc is changing locations. Due to matters not totally made clear by a source, the famed Crane’s Tavern, sandwiched between east Hollywood and Hollywood proper, is now closed.
Although “Do-Over” will be returning to a tbd homestead in May 2011 for a seventh season, the closing of Crane’s (the location of the “Do-Over” party since its inception) marks the end of an era for many long-time party goers who have invested quite a bit of emotional capital into the Hollywood hot spot.
Fashioned after a home backyard, Crane’s Tavern served as the perfect play ground for thousands of music fanatics to hear some of the leading DJs in the house, deep house, hip-hop, electronic, and experimental genres, while mingling (over deliciously potent sangria and bbq) with both locally celebrated and internationally known names in music.
During its six year run, party goers enjoyed the privillege of witnessing innovative sets by the likes of Madlib, Azul 213, King Britt, DJ Jedi, Rich Medina, DJ Spinna, House Shoes, J-Logic, Rodzilla,Flying Lotus, Monalisa, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Gaslamp Killer, A-Ski, Karriem Riggins, Osunlade, No MSG, DJ Destroyer, Vikter Duplaix, DJ Spinderella, 9th Wonder, Rareform,Stretch Armstrong, Don Guapo, J. Rocc, DJ Rhettmatic, DJ Kaleem, DJ Lotus Petal, DJ Vika, and an array of cherished others.
A long time lover of music, I discovered the “Do-Over” party as a seventeen year old music intern at LA WEEKLY. While shopping for records at Ameoba one summer, Jodane Graham (known to many on the LA scence as DJ Life) encouraged me to check out this jammy that was the talk of the town. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a security guard who kindly asked to see my ID. Seeing that I was not quite 21, the security guard denied my entry into the venue until Jaevi Moss (formerly of the Quality Collective party crew) demanded to speak with Darren Crane (the owner) on my behalf. Jaevi then explained to Darren, “She’s got a cool, mature energy about her, let her in, she loves music and she won’t drink any alcohol”.
Upon being granted entry, I navigated the maze ways of a tightly congested patio, littered with volumes of glistening, sweaty bodies swaying fourth and back to the soulful Roy Ayers’ cut ”Running Away”.
“This is THE SHIT”, I thought to myself. Six seasons later, I, like many other party goers, would go on to make millions of memories, dance wildly to hundreds of legendary sets, and make multiples of life long friends as a result.
While the closing of Crane’s is bittersweet news to the ears of loyal party goers, many should be excited to learn that the “Do-Over” will be expanding its brand at a variety of national and international locales– allowing music lovers world-wide a taste of the “Do-Over” experience.
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