 Indoor Festival For Soulful & Electronic Music
The Baltic Soul Weekender offers a selection of Soul, Funk, Soulful House and Electronic beats with a soulful flavour on four, separate, indoor dance floors. A totally new musical concept with a unique Line Up in unparalleled surroundings. All concerts and party's, 2 nights stay at the Weissenhäuser Strand Holiday Resort, kiddie-care and many other extras are included in the ticket price.
What exactly is a Weekender?
Music fans from around the world and especially from the U.K. numbering sometimes up to five thousand, have been meeting at seaside towns such as Southport or Blackpool almost every weekend now since the 1970's. These have gained in positive notoriety over the years.
Music lovers of all ages from 20 to 50 and above have been celebrating the songs of their favourite live performers, as well as experiencing renown deejay sets spinning and interpreting a special mix of Soulful music, two days and two nights long.
Holiday camps are the usual sought after venue. Apartments are promptly filled with music lovers. In the surrounding ballrooms and concert halls, party's and live performances begin early in the afternoon and continue well into the night. Weekender radio stations and online webcasters are no longer strangers at these events, broadcasting in every room and throughout the world for 3 whole days, whilst in almost every spare corner you'll come across Vinyl Record fairs, newer CD's and memorabilia.
More information:
Baltic Soul Weekenders Official Site
Baltic Soul Weekender on MySpace
Baltic Soul Weekender on Facebook
 Mike Thompson has established himself as one of Europe's top soul and disco DJs over the last 37 years. His career got a break when he was invited to play Disco in a North London Ice Rink aged 11, the first event of its kind in London. This event lasted 5 years as he played the latest US and UK soul disco and jazz beats to packed houses 5 nights a week. Due to his success he invited top DJs of the period including the legendary Chris Hill and singer David Grant and John Holly who gave him a chance to DJ at his local club Charlie Browns at the age of 14.
Mike became the house DJ for Sheritan Records while working part time in their record shop which was also a promotion outlet for soul events as well as becoming the launch pad for the groups Light Of The World, Linx and most recognized today Incognito.
At the height of the disco / jazz funk era Mike established himself playing at nightclubs such as The Royalty, Global Village and Rudolph's where he remained as the resident for 5 years along with Graham Gold. At the same time he formed his own group called Savanna who had notable success with hits 'I Cant Turn Away' and 'Never Let You Go'. He also used his experience to hold residencies in Spain and Gran Canarias and was involved in a 'World In Action' documentary on Nightlife In Benidorm in the early 80s.
After some 7 years as a touring DJ Mike launched his first record label Music Man which produced the first number 1 of what would become known as Italio House. This hit was by Cappella called 'Helyom Halib' and it became the first record to reach number 1 in the UK as a 12". This label also launched the artists Clubhouse and the 49ers which gave the label its biggest hit worldwide and a number 1 in the USA, this track was called 'Touch Me'. Following these successes Mike formed two further labels MTR and Optimism the latter giving him another number 1, the dance classic by Expansion Elevation 'Move Your Body'.
Following the emergence of 90s house music which was not as soulful as the style he was used to playing Mike re-established himself in Europe playing events of retro disco and soul. He also formed the web site houseofchoonz.com to provide a service for DJs, producers and record collectors of soul and disco music. Houseofchoonz.com is now in its 16th year.
Along with his great friend Dan D Mike started an event in Koln in Germany called 'Up All Night' the first soul weekender in Germany. This event has grown up and is now the Premier soul weekender in Europe 'The Baltic Soul Weekender' where he is one of the headline DJs. Mike is also the resident DJ at the south of England top soul club; Club One in Ascot and hosts the Royal Ascot racing events after party every year.
Music played during the interview:
01. Ann Sexton - You're losing me (1973)
02. Leyo - Barcelona boogie (2008)
03. Savanna - Never let you go (1982)
04. Cool Million - Walk away (2008)
05. Cool Million - Back for more (fea.Eug.Wilde) (2010)
06. Keni Burke - Risin' to the top (1982)
07. Clarisse Albrecht - Voce me da (2009)
08. Soul II Soul - Keep on movin' (1989)
09. Soul II Soul - Our time has come (1990)
10. Fredericks Brown - Betrayal (2009)
11. Marilyn Ashford-Brown - I've got a feeling (2009)
12. Marilyn Ashford-Brown - You'll never find (2007)
13. Marilyn Ashford-Brown - The jesus in me (2007)
14. Marilyn Ashford-Brown - I've got a feeling (Burley-Mix) (2010)
15. Gloria Scott - That's what you say (1974)
16. Bennson - Can't get enough (2008)
More information:
House Of Choonz
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