by SCOTT C

Back when I was in Grade 6, one of the most daring, reckless and dangerous things we used to do involved quietly slipping off school property at the beginning of recess. Once out of sight, we would hustle the five blocks to Ace Milk Convenience, spend a couple bucks on penny candy, and down a pop if there was time. I always bought Big League Chew, a stringy pack of way too much pink bubblegum for any one kid and the perfect reason to take such a grave risk. Like any true 11-year-old, I remember stuffing that entire pack of gum into my mouth, just like the cartoonish baseball pitcher on the package, desperate to enjoy as much as I could before sneaking back to school and narrowly catching the end of recess. That said, I'll try and squeeze everything I can into this week's column, because there's lots to enjoy.

Tonight, Thursday, Nov. 11, check the second installment of the Give Thanks fundraiser at Blue Dog, with all proceeds going to hurricane victims in Grenada and Jamaica. This is no small affair, with scheduled appearances by Little Thunder, Road Warrior, DJ Soul, Jah Mikes and more, backed of course by Reggae Massive Thursdays residents Selecta Jinx and Ms. B. With a minimum donation of $4, you can't lose. Down at Jello Bar tonight, it's Jojo Flores' birthday blowout. And I do mean blowout! Not only can you expect to see Afro-house don Osunlade, but K-OS will also be there, along with the Rubberdance Group, Mat Chrysdale, Dirty Dale, Nana and a Brass Knuckles Crew reunion. All this plus Heavyweight Art Installations and Hypnotica visuals make for a crazy night. Don't sleep! Also tonight, check out Montreal's forgotten son Double "I used to run things" A as he returns to town for a night with Skratch Bastid and Johnny Jungle over at Tokyo. Expect hip hop, electronica (that's what I said) and good music all around.

Looks like Atach Tatuq are hitting the big stage again, with a show at Club Soda on Friday, Nov. 12, with Loco Locass and Java. The $15 ticket is part of the Coup de Coeur Francophone festival, with the doors opening at 7 p.m.

Looking just slightly ahead, keep the calendar clear for serious MC Royce Da 5'9" as he comes to town for a show at Foufounes Électriques on Wednesday, Nov. 17. He'll be batting clean-up after Billy Nova, Daniel Russo-Garrido, Catburglaz and Rugged Intellect. Friday, Nov. 19, Exit welcomes the capable hands of New York's Hot 97 powerhouse Funk Master Flex when he throws down for a $15 night on the Main. He still shoulders the title of number one DJ in the United States, but that's a claim a lot of knuckleheads are throwing around these days. Judge for yourself.

What's good? Right on the heels of the Beastie Boys and Kweli, it looks like we might get blessed with another heavyweight before the year is out. Nas is set to hit Club Dome on Dec. 12, in what would be a huge show for Montreal, so get 'em while you can. The world is yours.

Battle rhymes for battled times... fathead@videotron.ca

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