Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The Chicago house music scene has its fair share of giants on stage and behind the scenes, including Julian Jumpin’ Perez, who lands somewhere in between as a both a club and radio DJ as heard on B96, WGCI, WBMX, KISS FM and 104.3 Jams.

In fact, he’s exactly the type of personality capable of expertly curating the “Jumpin’ Back To The 90s” Tour, which brought an enthusiastic and constantly dancing crowd to the Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana.

No stranger to throwing a party on practically every weekend, the venue inside the casino was buzzing with the beats of that decade’s top pop, hip-hop, electronic and Latin freestyle acts, hosted by the gregarious Perez, who also kept the vibes going strong alongside fellow Mixmasters Tim Spinnin’ Schommer, Bobby D and DJ Marski.

Artist-wise, the Eurodance duo La Bouche, led by original member Lane McCray, justifiably topped the bill, thanks to such bangers as “Sweet Dreams,” “Be My Lover” and “Tonight Is The Night.”

Quad City DJs ranked right up there, dropping one smash after another, (“Space Jam,” “Whoot, There It Is,” “Tootsie Roll,” “C’mon N’ Ride It”), barely taking a break for a breath.

The ladies were just as likable and legendary, including “The Original Cover Girl” Angel (“Because Of You,” “Show Me”), Betty Dee of Sweet Sensation (“If Wishes Came True,” “Hooked On You”) and CharVoni of Black Box (“Everybody Everybody,” “Strike It Up”).

In terms of the remaining fellas, Chicago’s own The Outhere Brothers had everyone “Pass The Toilet Paper,” then served up the colossal calls and responses of “Boom Boom Boom,” while 2 In A Room raised a toast of “El Trago (The Drink)” and grooved to “Wiggle It.”

Stretching over four hours, it was a value-packed, era-defining evening, which found the Hard Rock staying on its feet the entire duration and praising Perez’s seriously spot on selections.

For additional information on Julian Jumpin’ Perez, visit JulianJumpinPerez.com.

Upcoming shows at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Marlon Wayans (Mar. 6); Boy George & Culture Club (Mar. 7); Fey (Mar. 8); Chris Tucker (Mar. 28); Tyler Henry (Mar. 29); Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Apr. 24); The Temptations and The Four Tops (May 2); Lorna Shore (May 14); Northwest Indiana Symphony: “The Music Of Tina Turner” (May 22); Foghat and Nazareth (May 23). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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