My House Radio owner James Hall and I had the pleasure of attending the Charivari Detroit Music Festival 2023 – LEGACY – 10th anniversary on August 11-13 at Historic Fort Wayne. We caught up with Todd Johnson of Charivari Detroit to ask him about the festival, past, present, and future.

Q:  First, thank you for an awesome weekend! How special was this 10th anniversary celebration? How does it feel to have reached this milestone?

A:  You’re welcome. We are honored by your attendance, thankful for your support, and glad you enjoyed yourself. The 10th Anniversary had a special meaning for us as a milestone to the event we have created and its lasting impact on the electronic music scene in Detroit and beyond. It feels like an accomplishment and the faces in pictures and comments on social media are a testament to a job well done.

Q:  Tell me what were the highlights of the weekend for you?

A:  Believe it or not, one of the main highlights is the finish. And I mean a successful finish. With smiling faces of attendees leaving the grounds, no negative incidents and all bills paid. I’m sure every partner would have a different take. Those are my simple highlights, simply put.

 

 

Q:  How many would you estimate were in attendance?

A:  We usually draw around 2,500 over the weekend.

Q:  I can truly see that this is a labor of love. What goes into the planning of an event like this? How many months of work went into it?

A:  The planning for the current year’s event and what comes next occurs at the same time all year long. You are either planning for that year’s festival, the promotion and/or gear, one of the monthly parties, or you are advance planning for everything coming next year. Whether it be the theme, the Artists, the marketing, the financial outlay, etc.

 

 

Q:  What do you think makes Charivari Detroit unique?

A:  I don’t know if there is a special uniqueness about Charivari Detroit, but I would like to think that the connection we try to make with our effort, our Artist offerings and our attendees is more personal than most festivals. Our open stages and closeness between the Artists and crowd is something we wanted. That everyone participates at the same level. We are all in this enjoyment and experience.

Q:  Does Charivari have its own staff? What are your primary responsibilities? Do you have partners? 

A:  There is no formal staff for Charivari Detroit. There is a small group of partners and affiliates that operate the annual festival, our affiliated events and partnerships. My main role is marketing and promotion of the Brand. It takes many hands for this lift.

Q:  Could you tell me about the thought process behind the two stages, the names of the stages, who played on which stage, and the proximity of the stages to each other?

A:  The names of the stages usually change with the theme of the current festival and/or reflect a previous year’s theme. We attempt to have Artists that reflect those themes on those stages. Some are self-explanatory like Techno Original  being a celebration of Detroit’s legacy in Techno, its pioneers and emerging talent. The Wonderful stage is a showcase to female DJs. West coast Vibe was a nod to our partnership with the West Coast Weekender festival Brand and some incredible talent from their side of the country. And so on…

Q:  Where does the name “Charivari” come from? Did you think of it?

A:  Charivari is a French word with a strong tradition where loud music would be used in protest and celebration. It was first used in Detroit by a teenage social club in 1980 that started out of Mumford High School. They got the name from the Charivari clothing store in New York at the time. One of the current Charivari Detroit partners Grant Gray was a original member of the 1980’s group.

 

 

Q:  How long have you been part of Charivari? Since its inception? Can you describe its evolution over the last ten years? Have there been any changes?

A:  I have been a part of Charivari Detroit from its inception. The main evolution has been size and scope. While our initial push was to showcase only Detroit based DJs, we have expanded our reach to pull in outside talent and to invite outside attendance.

Q:  Has it always been held at Historic Fort Wayne?

A:  This is our third year at Historic Fort Wayne. We have bounced around over the years at multiple sites along the Detroit River. We would like to keep the festival in Detroit. But we will see where bureaucracy, dances, and support take us in the future.

Q:  In a genre where women tend to be underrepresented, kudos for the number of female DJs at Charivari! How did you come up with the roster of talent? What criteria did you consider?

A:  Thank you. We make a strong effort in that department. Two of the festival partners, Theresa Hill and Chaunceia Dunbar, are women as well as some of our strongest DJs and support over the years. DJ Cent, DJ Minx. Korie Enyard, and sillygirlcarmen. The criteria despite gender is still skills. And our female roster over the years will support this statement.

Q:  What steps do you take to create a memorable experience for those who attended the festival?

A:  Attempt to book talent that reflects what we feel our attendees enjoy and/or would enjoy as well as ourselves. Try to create as many personal interactions between our guests and positively address as many complaints/concerns as possible.

Q:  How do you engage with the community and local businesses to ensure support for the festival?

A:  We invite participation in every festival in sponsorships, partnerships and sometimes personal invites with free admission. We support the community and other events outside our Brand and can be found in attendance at many events throughout the year.

Q:  What are your future plans and goals for the festival? Can you let us in on what the future holds for Charivari Detroit?

A:  Stay tuned. Will definitely keep you guys in the loop.

 

 

Q:  I’ve asked you a lot about the festival, so now please tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, and how you got into the dance music industry?

A:  I have been in the industry for 45+ years in some capacity. I have cooked, bounced, hosted, marketed, DJ’d. bartended, parked cars, cleaned, emptied trash, repaired, did just about everything in this industry over the years. There is nothing in particular I would still like to do because I have did or do everything I want to do. What I would like to see in the scene overall is more partnership, more support, and less pettiness.

Q:  What is your favorite place to listen to and experience dance music?

A:  My favorite place in the moment is anywhere my daughter sillygirlcarmen is playing.  I enjoy listening to new stuff at home as I have the pleasure of receiving mixes and tracks from DJs across the planet. I frequent parties everywhere to support some of my favorite DJs and promoters as well as hear new talent. And I am quite fond of anything TV Lounge.

Q:  Who are some of your favorite DJs? Who are some of your favorite producers?

A:  Some of my favorite DJ/producers right now….Now that is a hard answer that would require much time and explanation so I will keep it simple. sillygirlcarmen, Delano Smith, Dwynn, Moodymann, DJ Minx and ANYONE that supports Charivari Detroit.

Q:  Who has been your greatest mentor?

A:  I don’t know if I would used the word mentor exactly but strongest supporters and initial drive. My father, (RIP) Lawrence Dennis Johnson and mother Barbra Johnson.

Q:  Who or what inspires you?

A:  My kids inspire me, Carmen and Alexander Johnson.

 

 

Q:  Who are you currently listening to?

A:  Sillygirlcarmen. lol. You seeing a pattern here?

Q:  What’s next for Todd Johnson?  Where do you see yourself in the future? Is there anything else you would like us to know about yourself or about future events? 

A:  What’s next is hopefully a bit of rest before the next plotting and scheming session. In the future, I would like to see this Detroit scene, those that created or maintain it and its rich history documented in a book. So the future looks bright for me because I intend to write it!

Thank you for taking the time to connect with us and letting us get to know you better! Also, thank you for a truly phenomenal weekend. Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary!