For those who are deemed the “aunties and uncles” of this generation, Kristian Smith and Los Angeles DJ Rose Gawd have curated a space for you to enjoy those throwbacks that will bring you a sense of nostalgia.
This event is called “Auntie Jamz” and takes place at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in downtown Los Angeles on select Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. – not too early and not too late.
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen is known for their delicious and savory food and drinks. If you just so happen to become hungry from dancing and sweating, the kitchen is open and serves a selection of bites such as cornbread with a whipped honey butter, Hilltop’s famous Chicken Little fried chicken sandwich, truffle fries, and fried shrimp or fish options.
Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and has been living in Los Angeles for about nine years. His dream was to pursue photography and while he has had some success, the pandemic “dimmed his passion for it.” He has held numerous jobs, but music has been his one true love.
“Growing up in Baltimore, there was this club called Silver Shadows that broadcasted live on Saturday nights. I remember hearing the crowd singing along to tracks like Cheryl Lynn’s ‘Encore’ and Rufus & Chaka’s ‘Ain’t Nobody,’” he recalled.
“The DJ would always shout ‘30 and over crew!’ and as a kid, I couldn’t wait to hit 30 and party at Silver Shadows myself.”
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In 2016, Smith created a playlist titled, “Auntie Jamz,” which was inspired by the music he listened to growing up. It led to him pondering on the idea of people in his age group partying to the music he grew up listening to.
“Dancing to the soundtrack of our childhoods,” he calls it.
“I wanted to create a space where Black people — especially Black women — could let loose, sing their hearts out, and have a blast without any judgment. With Auntie Jamz, I also wanted to honor the music of the past and the Black women that made significant cultural contributions in society and my life.”
He contemplated this idea for eight years worried someone else might do it. When he met Rose Gawd, that would soon change. He came across her Twitter account in 2021. She had thrown an Aaliyah-inspired party for the 20th anniversary of her passing.
Over the years, he attended other events she created including Club Renaissance and Cult Classic. The friendship was created through their love for music, ideas were shared, and in January of 2024 on Smith’s birthday, he worked up the nerve to ask her to team up on creating Auntie Jamz.
Rose Gawd was intrigued. She loves a good theme, and in early 2023 had attempted an auntie theme, “Something for the aunties,” but only hosted one event. She said the timing was bad and she didn’t have the focus to build something new at the time.
“When Kristian reached out, it was perfect timing. I’ve had more time to establish my brand, and I have a better understanding of what partygoer’s expect of me as a DJ and Party curator,” she explained.
“It’s also a partnership where I don’t have to do all the heavy lifting all by myself which is a relief as a curator. Party curation is not for the weak.”
Attendees can expect the versatile DJ to play a variety of music ranging from the 1970s to the early 2000s.
“Kristian also will make suggestions too, helping to tug at the partygoer’s memory,” she details. “At the second one he was like ‘hey, let’s have a 90s house moment.’ At another he reminded me to drop in ‘the sounds of blackness.’ It’s nice to curate with someone who has a good ear for music.”
She thrives on ensuring everyone is having an amazing time. Also, ensuring that the crowd has a good balance of moments to sing and dance is what she stands for as a DJ. Keeping the crowd as long as possible is what she aims for every event night.
“Their reaction: they stay until midnight,” she emphasized. “They sing, they dance, they laugh. It’s a very rewarding feeling to know the crowd is having a good time. I also take feedback. If someone tells me they didn’t hear enough Jodeci or Dru Hill. I keep that in mind for future ones.”
Both Smith and Rose Gawd are hopeful and excited for the future of Auntie Jamz. Rose envisions this event will travel and make its way to other states and even countries. Kristian hopes to turn it into a block party and festival, and provide a stage for artists who may feel overlooked.
He hopes to provide a platform for them to share the music that brings joy. He wants to collaborate with other businesses and vendors and possibly one day bring Auntie Jamz to the Essence Festival.
For more information on Auntie Jamz, follow their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntie.jamz/
Follow Kristian: https://www.instagram.com/sirk88/ and Rose Gawd: https://www.instagram.com/rosegawd/
