August 28-September 3, 2003
beat box
Is the Parkway Diner the new hot spot or what? Each and every Thursday night, Skool Days takes party people an hour past all the other clubs with the sounds of classic hip-hop, freestyle and rock. (Yes, rock! No one can front on the power of The Roots/Cody ChestnuTT rock-rap throwdown on Phrenologyís "The Seed.") The rotating squadron of DJs rolls like this: Diabolic, Julian S. Process, Major Taylor and Ced One. Local man-about-town Gravy hosts the festivities. F.Y.I., the diner is open 24 hours for dining and thereís a full bar. Thu., Aug. 28, 11 p.m.-3 a.m., $5, Parkway Diner, 20th and Arch sts., 215-568-4939.Or maybe youíre a little wet behind the ears? You donít have to be 21 to strut your stuff at University of Pennsylvaniaís The Gathering. At their monthly hip-hop platform for DJs, MCs, graf artists, b-girls and b-boys, everyone has an opportunity to dazzle the crowd. Thu., Aug. 28, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., free, The Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., 215-573-3234,
www.foundationarts.org.
Live independent hip-hop continues to flourish with the arrival of Payday Party #3. The Ill Vibe Collective maintains their spinnin' stronghold with DJ Panek owning the ones and twos, while the stage is monopolized by the Big Apple's Hangar 18, Brick Records signee Kingsyze and Snuff. Capping off the night: the Illatropolis All-Star Cypher headed up by Reef and special invited guest MCs. Courtesy of hosts Adam 12 and Digs Darklighter, all attendees receive a free mix CD and the chance to win several bangin' prizes. Fri., Aug. 29, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., women free before 11 p.m., $5, La Tazza, 108 Chestnut St., 215-922-7322.
Singer/songwriters, poets and vocalists hold court at the Linguistics open-mic monthly. Sat., Aug. 30, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda.
The Parkway Diner comes alive again with the funky fresh sounds of the Blue Plate Special. Soul One, of DUTV's The Avenue, steps out of the TV to host the party live. DJ Mr. Cisum (yeah!) and Two Techs whip up old-school/new-school hip-hop and soul wax.
Wed., Sept. 3,10 p.m.-3 a.m., free, The Parkway Diner.
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