Austin360 blogs > Almost Urban > Archives > 2007 > August > 30 > Entry
Weekend picks: Listening parties, drinking parties, DJ parties, more
Friday: Manu Chao Listening Party at Stubb’s. After couch-surfing at a friend’s house for a couple of weeks (long story) and listening to Manu Chao’s “Radio Bemba Sound System” on loop for days, I realized I’m an idiot for sleeping on this amazing artist. All those Austinites who packed his sold-out Stubb’s show earlier this year were definitely onto something. Manu Chao’s unique blend of uptempo reggae, salsa and assorted worldbeat sounds is ridiculously infectious. The fact that his party grooves seamlessly transition among English, Spanish, French and Arabic (!) makes it all the more impressive. The new album “La Radiolina” comes out Tuesday, but the nice folks from METV’s “Sonido Boombox” invite you to check it out early at this happy hour event, complete with discounted drinks. No cover.
Friday: Kanye West Listening Party at the Firehouse. If you pay any attention to hip-hop news, gossip, beef, etc., you probably already know that Kanye West and 50 Cent are both dropping highly anticipated releases on Sept. 11. 50’s been stunting like he’ll be in the Billboard top spot when the smoke clears, but really, no one believes him. Kanye hosted a “listening and visual experience” party for the new album earlier this week in NYC, after which the blogosphere was abuzz. Apparently the new ‘Ye joint is bonkers. If you’re not willing to wait two more weeks to check the noise, drop by the Firehouse on Friday night, where DJ Kunal Merchant (in from NYC) promises to drop at least eight tracks from “Graduation” before the night is over. No cover.
Friday: DJ Nu-Mark at the Parish. While he’s best known for his work with L.A.-based hip-hop outfit Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark is a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Nu-Mark’s a true turntablist who embraces creative experimentalism. When I interviewed him back in 2001 he revealed that his crate digging goes much deeper than hip-hop standards of old school funk and soul. One of his favorite artists to mix into a set, he told me, was 80s performance art icon, electric violinist, Laurie Anderson. This event is also promoter Jeff Strange’s birthday party, so if you bump into the man, buy him a drink. Cover unspecified.
Friday: Same Struggle Party at the Blue Theater. DJ Diggla and Soundfounder from Same Struggle Enterprises are taking over the space at the Blue Theater on Friday night. MCs from Houston and ATX will drop verses, and a $3 entry fee buys you all you can drink.
Saturday: Freestyle Bomb Tour at the Travis County Expo Center. Sponsored by radio station Hot 93.3, The Freestyle Bomb Tour celebrates the Latin Old School with performances by Stevie B, Trinere, Timmy T and a whole host of others. At $30-$40, tickets are a little steep, but Hot 93.3 will be giving a mess of them away on air during the morning show and Picazzo’s “3 Classic Cuts at 3” set.
Saturday: Super Soul Stars at the Continental Club. It’s classic soul from Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Archie “Tighten Up” Bell at the Continental Club. This Houstonian has been keeping the dance floor hot for close to 40 years. Bell shares the stage with fellow soulsters Barbara Lynn and Roy Head. $20
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments