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So Solid Crew’s Romeo to headline garage rave event at Bodega 51 bar in Rochester High Street

14:57, 26 June 2024

updated: 15:01, 26 June 2024

A chart-topping rap star will be headlining a day-time rave at a town centre bar.

Singer Romeo, who found fame with So Solid Crew in the late 1990s and early 2000’s, is special guest at Bodega 51 in Rochester High Street on Saturday (June 29).

Romeo, who found fame with So Solid Crew, is the headline act at Rochester bar Bodega 51
Romeo, who found fame with So Solid Crew, is the headline act at Rochester bar Bodega 51

Romeo MC, or Romeo Dunn, as he’s known, was invited along after he performed at the owners Kayea and Cliff Hutchings’ wedding two years ago.

Cliff booked him for bride Kayea, a fan of his old-style garage music, as a surprise at the nuptials held at The Gardens, Yalding.

Since taking over the bar in 2022, the couple have staged various promotions in the revamped back garden, including themed bottomless brunches, comedy nights, bingo sessions and live music.

Kayea, an accountant and fitness instructor, who now works full-time at the business, said: “We like to try new things which are a bit different.

Bodega 51 in Rochester High Street is hosting the garage-inspired night
Bodega 51 in Rochester High Street is hosting the garage-inspired night
Garage star Romeo is headlining the event
Garage star Romeo is headlining the event

“Our events have gone down well so far.

“We thought this might bring back some nostalgia to perhaps slightly older people, a bit of a throwback.”

She added: “It might remind some people of nights out at the old Amadeus nightclub in Strood.”

The outdoor party, which also features hip-hop and RnB , starts at 2pm with Romeo taking centre stage at about 4pm.

Tickets start at £15 which includes a drink, guests must be over 18.

Kayea and Cliff Hutchings who run Bodega 51 in Rochester High Street
Kayea and Cliff Hutchings who run Bodega 51 in Rochester High Street

The south-east London rapper was one of the leading members of the up-to-30-strong So Solid Crew who also included Lisa Maffia and Harvey.

Among their chart-topping hits was 21 seconds with its fast-moving video winning them an award at the the 2002 Brits Awards. They have also scooped the accolade of Best UK Garage Act.

Bodega 51 has fond memories for Kayea as she lived there as a child when her parents ran the Singapora Lounge restaurant.

Bodega 51 is promising its biggest outdoor party yet this weekend. Photo: Bodega 51
Bodega 51 is promising its biggest outdoor party yet this weekend. Photo: Bodega 51

After taking it over the couple gave the grade-II listed building under the historic Sir Cloudesley Shovel clock, a complete makeover.

It was previously leased to tenants who ran cocktail bar and live music venue Moondance, which fell victim financially to the lockdown.

Tickets start from £15, which includes your first drink, and can be purchased from the bar direct.

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