Fort Wayne’s Own: 11th Anniversary Music Lovers Lounge Returns with Raheem DeVaughn

By M. Todd Manuel
FWIS Contributing Writer

Many are still unaware of the unique Fort Wayne music duo that has earned regional and national attention. Although it surprises some, a successful DJ style has originated and been planted in our local community. The Music Lover's Lounge is the creation of two local friends and DJs who turned their love for music and energetic friendship into an experience that all can appreciate. In its early stages, the events began with small crowds of just 30 to 40 people. Today and over the past several years, the events sell out of admission tickets at nearly all its venues as hundreds of music enthusiasts come to see what DJ Polaris and DJ Barrage have in store. The environment is what some would call grown and sexy, while others would call it sophisticated yet relaxing. Whatever you choose to call the climate, one truth stands tall: it feeds the music lover in us all and leaves its audiences eager for more.

There aren't too many events that will get your grandmother, you, and your adult child in one place, but the Music Lover's Lounge is one of them. The unique back-and-forth DJ style creates the perfect song selection mix reminiscent of a firework show with no end. While DJ Polaris takes his turn on the 1s and 2s, DJ Barrage moves into the next groove. Back and forth they go, and before you know it, the room creates its own vibe, the atmosphere that thousands of people from all backgrounds now recognize and enjoy. It was born of culture, friendship, and love. The first lounge events even had board games, card tables, and other family-style activities designed to make the attendees feel at home as they enjoyed the music. The event's DJ technique, however, was one birthed out of spontaneous creativity mirroring the musical transitions between poetry nights that became popular in the 1990s, like Def Comedy Jam. In a way, the event captures the transcendence of poetry night while infusing the eras of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, and Hip Hop.

"As more people came, it changed complexion, and then it just became exclusive. We began seeing lines of people waiting for us to open the doors at 10 PM...and it was only 9 PM. It became a larger thing when we began selling out of CS3," said Polaris. CS3 was a midsize bar located on Calhoun Street, once the home of Soups, Salads, and Spirits. Polaris recalls times when over 200 people were beginning to line up for entry, and they regrettably had to turn people away.

When their crowds couldn't safely be at that location, they started looking for other places to host their events. Their expansion challenged both DJs to continue their mission of creating an experience while keeping people safe. "Any time you have drinks with 700 people, there must be proper space and security...we have not ever had a problem but being prepared has always been important to us," said DJ Polaris. From CS3 to Parkview Field to the landing and many other venues, The Music Lover's Lounge grew every six weeks until only the city's most prominent venues could handle its capacity.

"It was something I never saw coming...we just had to adjust. When we got to the Embassy, we were also sold out. We have done three on the ballroom side and one on the theatre side, and they all have sold out...this all has astonished me personally, and it is so very humbling," DJ Polaris explained.

DJ Polaris and DJ Barrage played football in high school and have been close friends ever since. But mainly, he described Music Lover's Lounge as something that happened purely out of luck; if it were not for the event's early supporters and their encouraging support, it would not be what it is today. Their events now regularly sell to out-of-towners from Los Angeles and distant cities to Fort Wayne annually. Even a few couples have gotten engaged at the events over the years and return each year to reminisce.

"There is still seating for the anniversary event at the Embassy, and we want people to know that. Although all the private tables are sold out, we want people to know there is always first come, first come served seating”, said Polaris. The concert will be first with singer Fatima Washington, the only opening act before the main event, taking the stage. Directly following the show, the Music Lover's Lounge serves as the after-party.

DJ Polaris wants to send special gratitude to the supporters inside and outside the event crew. Among them, he says, are those who have made the event a success over the years, and without them, the Music Lover's Lounge would not exist. In addition, DJ Polaris and DJ Barrage appreciate each person who helps them manage the events, from door attendants to security. These special people include Akil Naazir, Kellie Hill-Hicks, Raymond Odom, Bryant Rozier, Christy BigJohny, Gabi Houseman Ley, and Eric Stine.

The Music Lover's Lounge performance and the 11th-anniversary celebration at the Embassy will begin at 9:30 PM; the Raheem DeVaughn concert starts at 7 PM, with doors opening at 6PM. Big Kess will host the show and all are invited and encouraged to attend.

And as usual, there will be food and drinks to enjoy while DJ Polaris and Barrage perform from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or The StarBank/Embassy Theatre Box Office.