Karen Ponzio Photos
DJ ShortyLove via Facebook Live
“Let’s go!” yelled DJ ShortyLove as she got the party started — the College Block Party to be exact, for the Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc.
Tuesday was the first of two nights that the Harlem deejay would be spinning tunes via Facebook and Instagram Live to celebrate the Class of 2020 and to help raise money as part of the program’s annual Great Give fundraiser to support their College Access program.
The statewide nonprofit organization, which has a New Haven office located on Church Street, helps high school students and their families prepare for getting into college. The mission, according to their website and Facebook page, is “to change the lives of under-represented college bound students and Empower, Encourage, and Equip them to obtain a post-secondary education.”
Tuesday night’s event, to be repeated Wednesday night as part of the two-day Great Give fundraising happening throughout New Haven, took the party to social media during this time of social distancing. With Covid 19 restrictions putting large gatherings such as proms and graduations on hold, the senior classes of all learning institutions are now searching for new ways to commemorate their accomplishments.
DJ ShortyLove’s livestream provided a steady hour of the same high-energy party music that would get people out on the dance floor if they could be out and about with their friends while also providing a fundraising effort for the local organization.
Set up in front of a large-screen TV that provided video accompaniment to the entire set via the view from Facebook Live, ShortyLove made sure to connect with her viewers and shout out the Higher Heights program regularly while keeping the groove fresh.
“We’re doing this for the Class of 2020, the college kids,” she said. “Make sure you click that link and donate.”
Every song was movement inducing, the mix essential for any party. The set started out with “Tipsy” by J Kwon heading into Love on Top by Beyonce while ShortyLove interacted with the viewers. “Put your college up in that chat room,” she said and then asked, “What town you from?”
DJ ShortyLove via Instagram Live
“Let me see some footwork. Let’s see that footwork in motion!” she yelled with a huge smile as the mix headed into “Lean Back” by Terror Squad, the video screen showing pieces of the accompanying music video. The words “Put Your Hands Up” came across the screen as Ludacris sang, “When I move you move” (and yes; it made this reporter move), while she continued to shout out the Higher Heights program.
“Doing it for the Class of 2020,” she said. “Youth education and empowerment.”
The hits kept on coming, including selections from Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child and Beyonce, and a series of video clips from a wealth of movies and television shows showing different characters dancing. Everyone from Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain to Alfonso Ribeiro in The Fresh Prince made it hard to stop smiling.
“We doing this for the class of 2020. They missed their prom, their walk, do it for them,” ShortyLove added as she reminded people to donate and then played “Everything’s Gonna be Alright” by Naughty by Nature.
The viewers, whose number grew as the set went on, joined in posting their hellos and congratulations as well as a variety of emojis including dancers, microphones and flames, and the link to the organization’s donation page was also posted repeatedly for anyone who joined later. The vibe stayed steady and strong right to the end, with ShortyLove once again saluting the graduates.
After reminding everyone that she would be back Wednesday night for “Part two” of the party/fundraiser, ShortyLove played, “Before I Go” by Beyonce.
You make me happy
This you can bet, yeah
It’s clear right beside me
And I won’t forget …
A rough time indeed, a time we won’t forget, but for an hour there was the music and a reminder to give back.
The second night of the College Block Party happens tonight live at 6 p.m. streaming via the Higher Heights Facebook page as well as DJ ShortyLove’s Instagram page. For more information about the Higher Heights program please visit their website. Great Give donations can be made here.
Click on the video below for an interview earlier Tuesday with Higher Heights founder Chaka Felder on WNHH FM’s Great Give radiothon.