Nostalgia and nonstop movement
The sounds of early 2000s hip-hop, R&B and pop filled the air on June 7 as Second Sunday: The Cookout transformed Atomic by Jamo into a nostalgic celebration of music, community and dance. What began as local party series First Sunday less than two years ago continues to gain momentum, drawing larger crowds with each […] The post Nostalgia and nonstop movement appeared first on St. Louis American.
Black News 
The sounds of early 2000s hip-hop, R&B and pop filled the air on June 7 as Second Sunday: The Cookout transformed Atomic by Jamo into a nostalgic celebration of music, community and dance. What began as local party series First Sunday less than two years ago continues to gain momentum, drawing larger crowds with each event. A milestone was marked this month with its first celebrity guest appearance.
The Cookout delivered a high-energy atmosphere where friends reunited, strangers became dance partners and the soundtrack reminded everyone why the era’s music still resonates. With rotating sets from local DJs Zari Ferrari, Nyara and Second Sunday curator DJ Naybahood, the event moved seamlessly from 1999 to the 2000s, keeping the dance floor full from afternoon into evening.
Unlike nightlife events where phones often take center stage, Second Sunday has built its reputation on presence. The party encourages guests to put devices away and stay in the moment. Aside from a few clips that surfaced online, the experience lived mostly in real time — in the room, not on the camera roll.
There was little standing around and even less sitting down. The playlists were curated to keep people moving, and they did exactly that.
Zari Ferrari opened with crowd-pleasing hits from artists like Nicki Minaj and Soulja Boy, instantly pulling guests into the nostalgia of school dances and house parties. The room sang along to every word, dusting off dance moves many hadn’t performed in years.
DJ Nyara followed with a set that pushed the energy even higher. One of the night’s standout moments came when Yung Joc’s “It’s Goin’ Down” blasted through the speakers. The crowd responded immediately, filling the floor to hit the motorcycle dance that defined the song’s rise. Nyara closed with *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” sending the room into another wave of early-2000s memory.
Still, the night’s biggest musical moment belonged to DJ Naybahood. Opening with “Get’cha Head in the Game” from High School Musical, they captured the crowd instantly. The familiar bounce of basketballs and squeaking sneakers drew cheers before the set shifted into Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay,” prompting an eruption on the dance floor. Women danced like they were stepping into a music video, while others crowded the floor to sing along. Naybahood kept the momentum with a nonstop run of favorites from Nelly, Omarion, Lloyd and The Cheetah Girls — one of the most energetic stretches of the night.
The event’s defining moment came with a surprise appearance from Ray Ray and Prodigy of Mindless Behavior — the first celebrity guests in Second Sunday’s history. Their performances of “My Girl” and “Mrs. Right” brought a wave of nostalgia, complete with a classic boy-band dance break that transported fans back to the group’s peak. Attendees sang every lyric while capturing what may become one of the series’ most memorable moments.
As the afternoon shifted into evening, The Cookout continued without interruption — just joy, laughter and togetherness. In a time when many events compete for online attention, Second Sunday stands out by prioritizing genuine connection and shared experience.
With growing attendance, rising buzz and now its first celebrity appearance, Second Sunday is positioning itself as one of the region’s most anticipated monthly events — proving that some of the best memories are still made on the dance floor.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
The post Nostalgia and nonstop movement appeared first on St. Louis American.
