by SCOTT C

Damn! I got caught sleeping again. Apparently the girls who get debauched down on Dowd every once in a while are not called Bitches Brew, but the cleverly unmistakable Bitches Crew (www.bitchescrew.com). Heard the party was dope, but no booty-shakin' for me.

Tonight, Feb. 17, is the first anniversary of Tokyo's Good Times! night, and they have some shit planned for the celebration. Along with regulars D.R. One and Johnny Jungle, they're also expecting Ontario's Simcoe Street Mob to bring some Oakville heat to the mic that night. Is there such a thing as Oakville heat? Five dollars gets you in.

Down the street at Jello, Therapy welcomes U.K. DJ/producer Charles Webster to town, only a few days before Kahil El'Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble hit town for a show at the Main Hall. Webster recently remixed EHE's "Running in the Streets" for Deeper Soul Recordings in Chicago. Could be sweet.

Saturday, Feb. 19, is the triumphant return of the funk 45 master, Keb Darge, as he takes over the decks at the Goods for a night of deep funk. This Scottish tae kwon do and jazz-dance champion was here about two years ago, and if you missed him then, don't miss him now. That's over at la Sala Rossa where $15 makes it happen. Oh, and the Goods has food now!

On Tuesday, you can roll down to Foufounes and catch one of my all-time favourite MCs, Masta Ace, as he rocks the mic with DJ Serious, Theology 3, Simahlak and D-Shade. The next night, Feb. 23, you can check out local hip hop outfit Euphrates when they perform at le Swimming as part of the Civic Duty concerts put on by Apathy Is Boring. This is an effort to inspire, educate and activate people about democracy, and also has Toronto's Eternia and Montreal group Typecast on the bill. Tix are $7 at the door, and the show starts at 10 p.m.

Those of you out of the loop should know that Turf Builder, Montreal's monthly bedroom-production showcase, pops off on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Kunta Lounge. I've got some beats from around the way already, but keep 'em coming!

Next. Don't wait for another natural disaster to plan your next fundraiser, because there's plenty of people in this world who could use your coatcheck money to get by. Enter the Animal Instinct party, happening at the Holiday Inn Midtown (420 Sherbrooke) on Friday, Feb. 25. This full-moon event features the musical selections of Hussler, Furious, Mack One, DJ Torus and Road Warrior, and is hosted by D-Shade and Mbika. Tix are $20, while 10 per cent of proceeds from the party will go to tsunami relief. Tickets available at Off the Hook and Tabou, or call 885-7228 for more info.

No, El DeBarge and Keb are not related... fathead@videotron.ca

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