Hartford
“Scaryoke” Haunts A New Hartford Haunt
by | Oct 27, 2024 2:20 pm
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Posted to: Music
DJ Sarah brings the house down
Halloween Karaoke Party
Sunberry Cafe and Catering
Hartford
Oct. 25, 2024
Sunberry is one of several newer restaurants and bars on Pratt Street. part of a revitalization of the red brick road in the center of Hartford. It hosted a special Halloween Karaoke Party to kick off a week-long celebration of the spooky holiday.
A firefighter and Ms. Medical Marijuana
I arrived at the bar just as two young young ladies were finishing up. I loved their costumes, so I had to grab a picture. The nurse wasn’t a nurse at all, but was instead dressed up as “Ms. Medical Marijuana.”
The Beetlejuice, just as the bubble burst.
It wouldn’t be much of a visit to a bar without trying a drink there, and I had the opportunity to sample a unique beverage. Called the Beetlejuice, it’s made with Tanteo jalepeño tequila, midori, Japanese vermouth, lemon, passionfruit liqueur, Japanese chilli bitters, and a passionfruit smoke bubble. The rim is lined with black lava salt. The creamy drink packed a punch, both in terms of spice and alcohol content. Special shout-out to my bartender Moriah for such a tasty drink.
The next performer hit the stage with a bang: The hostess DJ Sarah, dressed as the Queen of Hearts, performed a big band rendition of Brittany Spears’ classic “Toxic.” I approached her afterwards, because it was clear from her talent that she was more than just a local who likes karaoke.
“I do this as a hobby,” she said of her career as a DJ. In terms of singing, she’s been performing for her entire life. She describes herself as a choir kid turned theater kid turned renowned DJ and karaoke host. I asked what her favorite karaoke song is.
“‘All That Jazz’ from Chicago,” she answered after a few moments of thought. Very theater kid of her, I said. She laughed, saying that it was a palatable choice for theater in karaoke. “It’s not like I can start singing ‘Oklahoma,’ people might fall asleep!”
The next performers were a duo, Khadejah and Melissa, dressed as Cher and Dionne from Clueless. They also performed a Brittany Spears song, “Sometimes.” I asked them what inspired their costume.
“We really love Clueless,” Khedjah said.
“And we really love each other,” Melissa added.
But it was time to be done with the warm and fuzzy feelings. It was time to blow off some steam. The next performer was Paul Braymen, a first-year PhD student in molecular biology at the University of Connecticut. He chose “Misery Business” by Paramore, a song I had never heard before. He let the lyrics rip from his soul and blasted the entire bar with his sonic stylings.
“I’m out partying with my friends; we gotta relax,” he said after he finished. “It’s hard work being a grad student.”
I asked him why he chose that song.
“I like yelling the word ‘whore,’ and I like Paramore. Songs like this let me channel my anger, and I get to embarrass myself a little.”
A good sense of humor is important for everyone, especially anyone brave enough to show their face while performing karaoke. It was a great time to prepare for Old Hallow’s Eve, and I’m happy to have found a new hangout spot in Hartford.
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Sunberry Cafe and Catering is open seven days a week.
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