by SCOTT C

After a long week of late nights, and a sad goodbye to an old friend, I’ve decided to take a minute and try to get rid of the serious bags under my eyes. Don’t underestimate what sleeping on the couch will do to your ability to function effectively. I’m thinking that I may have already found that elusive Halloween costume that I’ve been looking for, looking right back at me in the bathroom mirror. Pretty scary.

I don’t know what you’re doing for All Hallow’s Eve, but Planète Musique presents a Mexican-themed Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Kola Note. Music from DJ Kobal and la Internacional Sonora Calavera will keep you entertained, as well as a special appearance by the Mile End Artists Collective for good measure. Tix are $10 a head.

Kalmunity sidestep the Halloween hype with a show at D.Lounge (410 Rachel E.) tonight, Thursday, Oct. 27. The $6 ticket also includes perfromances from Riddimwise, Firesquad and Mack One, and the doors are at 9 p.m.

Tokyo opts for the Sunday-night jam this time around, with their Halloween digs getting underway on Oct. 30. They’ve pulled remix kings Baby Yu and RG up from the Toronto team for a night of ghoulish getdown, as well as Goldenchild and Chops representing the home team. Ladies get a break with a $5 ticket, while the guys have to shell out $7.

Singer/spoken-word artist Odessa “Queen” Thornhill breaks from the pack this month with a new show that she has written and produced on her own. Life Beyond the Sun explores the journeys of a young black woman through voice, rhythm and dance, and if anyone knows how to express themselves, it’s Queen. You’ve probably seen her performing with Kalmunity once or twice around town, but this is her first solo outing. You can check her out at Main Hall on Sunday, Nov. 6. This is an early one, with doors at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m., and tickets at $10.

All Montreal naysayers and shit-talkers should probably know that local MC Bless, of Platinumberg and Def Jam: Fight for NYC fame is finally releasing his debut LP, The Book of Bless. Rapping since the age of 12, and dipping back and forth across the border to New York since he was 15, Bless is now a ripe old 21 and has been in this forever. Our boy hooked up with Planet Asia, Cappadonna, Rah Digga, Tony Touch and JR Writer, who all appear on the new record, to be released on Nov. 1.

If you’ve got the itch, I’ll be sitting in for Skratch Bastid this Thursday night at Blizzarts, where funk, soul and hip hop is all up for grabs to anyone on the dancefloor.

SARAH HORTON, I PRESUME? fathead@videotron.ca

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