Soulfecta returns this Black Friday with Sweet Honey in the Rock a holiday soirée celebrating rhythm, joy, and community. It’s a gathering that honors the warmth and spirit of house music’s lineage, blending deep grooves and modern movement into one joyful communion.

In CARGO, we welcome JADALAREIGN, a DJ, curator, and cultural force whose work continues to redefine the sound of New York’s underground. Raised just north of the city in a home filled with jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop, she’s carried that foundation through a career that bridges artistry and activism. A former Discwoman collaborator and founder of Community Skillshare and In Sessions (initiatives championing marginalized artists), Jada’s sets weave house, jazz, and contemporary club sounds into a vibrant, “for us, by us” experience that uplifts the dance floor.

She’s joined by Merlin Bobb, a Brooklyn native and pioneer whose influence on house music spans decades. From his early WBLS mix shows to his work as an executive at Atlantic and Elektra Records where he championed legends like Frankie Knuckles, Louie Vega, and Kerri Chandler, Merlin has helped shape the very DNA of the genre. As co-founder of the iconic Club Shelter, his legacy continues to reverberate around the world. Now back behind the decks, Merlin brings that same spirit of discovery and devotion that built the movement from the ground up.

Rounding out the CARGO lineup, Niara Sterling delivers a sound that is lush, emotional, and fiercely alive. A Virginia native whose roots in the DMV scene pulse through her sets, Niara’s selections stretch across the diaspora weaving basslines, melody, and soul into something both grounded and otherworldly. Her journey has taken her from Brooklyn Mirage and Public Records to stages around the globe, performing alongside artists like Talib Kweli, Aluna, and DJ Spinna. Named by Essence as a “spin doctor you need to know,” Niara’s presence behind the decks is magnetic, an artist who plays from instinct, emotion, and spirit.

In the Foyer, Shawn Dub and DJ MKL carry the torch with deep selections and serious crates. Shawn Dub, a seasoned DJ and collector hailing from Long Beach, California, came up through the Bay Area underground before settling in Brooklyn, where he became part of the I Love Vinyl collective alongside Amir Abdullah, DJ Scribe, OP!, and Jon Oliver. Known for his warm energy and genre-spanning taste, Shawn’s sets flow effortlessly through rare grooves, deep house, funk, and beyond each one built for connection and discovery.

DJ MKL, born in Belize and raised in New York City during hip-hop’s formative years, brings a lifetime of cross-genre exploration to his craft. With more than twenty years behind the decks and a decade of production experience, he founded Lion1music, a progressive label dedicated to uniting global sounds. His production work spans collaborations and remixes with artists like Femi Kuti, John Legend, and Calm, with releases on Wave Music, Night Grooves, and Spiritual Life Music. MKL’s sets are immersive, soulful journeys weaving his history in deep house, jazz, and world music into an experience that’s as uplifting as it is transportive.

And because no Soulfecta is complete without its family, New York’s underground unites under one roof with a powerhouse lineup of hosts: Ali Coleman, Afro Mosaic Soul, Bevin, Rare Jordan, SMURFOUDIRTY, Stormin’ Norman, and Ultraviolet. Together, they embody the pulse of this city’s scene bridging generations, sounds, and souls into one unforgettable night.

Grab your ticket below!

Venue opens at 5PM | Happy Hour 5–8PM | Music at 9PM | 21+

Movie Screening 7PM-9PM: How It Feels To Be Free: A Retrospective on Abby Lincoln, Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Lena Horne, Nina Simone & Pam Grier

For Table Reservations + Private Room rentals for parties of 6ppl + click **HERE**