Watermelon Glow
Pentridge Station
5110-5120 Pentridge St.
Philadelphia
May 12, 2026
Curator DJ Jamz to the left — and the dance floor they designed to the right.
Watermelon Glow. The phrase feels enigmatic — evoking the crisp taste of a ripe melon, the vibrant hue of a summer afternoon, or that refreshing afterglow that lingers long after the fruit is gone. It's also the name of the summertime pop-up series put on by DJ Jamz at Pentridge Station, designed to spark joy and fulfill her mission of creating liberated spaces where marginalized communities can find freedom on the dance floor.
This past Saturday was the first of five dance nights Jamz has planned from May through September. The evening featured an open-deck rotation of heavy hitters, including DJs Naya, Masai, Shay DNA, and Jamz herself. Set against the "urban village" backdrop of Pentridge — meticulously curated by venue founders Jocelyn DeGroot-Lutzner and Ephream Amare — there was an undeniable glow in the air. As the crowd became immersed in the music, the night shifted from a standard party into a collective reclamation of cultural roots.
Flipping the Classics with Masai
The energy kicked off with Masai, who describes her signature sound as "bouncy." Her set was a masterclass in sonic transformation; she took familiar classics like "Funkytown" and "Percolator" and flipped them with the precision of a real estate mogul. By layering these hits with deep house cuts, she created a rhythmic "bounce" that kept the floor moving.
When asked about her inspiration, Masai pointed directly to her heritage. Her sound is a dialogue with her Ethiopian roots and a family lineage of selectors, including her father. For her, the decks are a place to pay homage to the legends who came before — from DJ Ready Red to the sounds of Traps and Trees. In Masai’s world, the sound can travel as far as it wants, so long as the roots remain present and alive.
From the Bayou to the North: Shay DNA
Following Masai was a soulful, house-infused breakdown provided by Shay DNA. The standout moment was hearing a beloved classic like Aaliyah’s "Rock the Boat" reimagined over a pulsing Afrobeat — a seamless blend that felt both nostalgic and fresh.
Shay DNA’s approach acts as a deliberate bridge between her Louisiana roots and her current northern residence. They navigate the tension of hailing from a land where music is traditionally slow — defined by the "chopped and screwed" tempo of the south — and accelerating it to match the upbeat, driving energy of the north. This fusion did more than just keep the crowd moving; it served as a sonic map of her journey, keeping Shay DNA firmly connected to their cultural origins while exploring new territory.
The Master of Transition: Naya
Bringing the night to its finale was Naya, a true master of the transition. She moved the crowd easily between Michael Jackson’s "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" into the timeless energy of Beyoncé’s "End of Time." By immersing the audience in these classics, she seemed to "heal the legends," bringing their spirits into the present moment.
Naya is no stranger to the booth; she's played events like Noisey Company and Eraserhood’s recent Red Bull-sponsored "Dance Your Style Activation" exhibition. She's a breakout star of the DJ collective Homegrown Network, and she knows exactly how to restore a crowd to their roots. The audience seemed magnetized by her energy; fans danced with abandon, some even emulating the Michael Jackson moves they heard in the tracks. All the while, Naya herself donned a watermelon ring pop — a playful yet symbolic nod to the "Watermelon Glow" that brought them all together.
A Legacy of Belonging
Ultimately, Jamz’s vision is all about fostering a sense of belonging where various communities can embrace themselves and one another through music. Celebrating the African diaspora in West Philly’s "cultural backyard"— a historically marginalized community itself, as DJ Jamz maintained — was a meaningful feat. And Saturday was just a preview; there's more to come this summer.
Through "Glow," the roots of the community aren't just remembered. They are celebrated, watered, and grown. Now, let’s all enjoy some watermelon.
