 Purple St. James |
Tuesday:
>> Today kicks off the Hip-Hop Theater Festival‘s seventh year in D.C. The opening “Brave New Voices” event will take place at the Kennedy Center‘s Millennium Stage and feature Sonia Sanchez along with the D.C. WritersCorps Slam Team. Free, 6 p.m. For more information about Festival events and ticket availability, visit their calendar.
>> Probably the most consistent member of the Wu-Tang Clan, producer/rapper The RZA will be at the 9:30 Club as his Bobby Digital persona. $25, 7 p.m.
Wednesday:
>> Once known as YahZarah, native Washingtonian Purple St. James has built a strong career on the indie soul circuit by taking the stage with the likes of Erykah Badu and Foreign Exchange on top of her solo work. Bohemian Caverns‘ “Rhythm & Soul” series will play host to her for two shows. $15 in advance/$20 at the door, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. St. James is also scheduled to do a free one and a half hour set starting at noon at Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
Friday:
>> Blu & Exile combined to put out one of the most highly-regarded albums of 2007, Below the Heavens. They’ll be at the Black Cat with headlining Detroit electro soul duo, the Platinum Pied Pipers, and D.C.’s own multi-dimensional artist, Wes Felton. $12 in advance/$15 at the door, 9 p.m.
>> Bomani Armah went from local poet to nationally known artist due to his satirical track, “Read a Book“. On the verge of releasing a new album, he’ll be performing at Mt. Rainer’s Artmosphere Cafe with The Sound Poets. $10, 9 p.m.
>> DJ Nitekrawler has been on the scene for a while, but he’ll be launching a new dance party tonight called “Moneytown“. The gig at Dahlak will feature special guest Dante Carfagna and a set consisting solely of 45rpm records. Free, 10 p.m.
>> Freddy Sanon, Sam Burns and Chris Burns will be behind the decks for some deep house music at Gallery in Silver Spring. $10, 10 p.m.
Saturday:
>> To close out the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, there will be a tribute to the vinyl record featuring DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest fame. The event will take place at Pacific Cafe & Grill. Space is limited. Free with RSVP, 10 p.m.
