“The Block is Hot: Live Music Block Party” was back - after first being held two years ago and skipping last year due to the pandemic - in Shawnee’s Dunbar Heights neighborhood on the evening of May 28.
Organizer Damian Phillips, aka rapper Young Dame, said they were selling food, and between that and artist’s fees, they raised about $200 for Mark McClain, who has been dealing with medical issues. The food included grilled hot dogs, nachos, chili, chips, pop and candy.
Also on hand was a booth for “Two Chicks Cookin’,” owned by Remetia Tillis, with snow cones for sale, and cakes for a cake walk.
The event was held in the yard of Phillips’ grandmother, Willie Mae Phillips, and the street was blocked off by the Volunteers in Police Service.
Children could enjoy an inflatable water slide, play basketball, or practice catching a football.
There were 16 musical artists booked for the event, but only seven performed. Anice Young started off the entertainment with some gospel, singing “Oh, How Precious is the Name of Jesus.” Young can usually be heard singing at Galilee Baptist Church in Shawnee.
Young Dame then performed a rap aimed at kids, “I Can Be What I Wanna Be.” He said he had a “little of everything” for the audience, as the event was scheduled from 5-11:30 pm. Other entertainers included Yatta B, Tons the Beast and Taz Raps.
Phillips later added that he plans on having the block party every year, and he will be organizing a “couple more events for the summer.”
