Common cause

Stubborn Earthlings though we often are, there is a time and place to leave interplanetary politics by the wayside and just be people. Last Saturday night, one legendary humanoid, who at times can seem more from another galaxy, stood up in the name of love and progress for the entire species. Chi City’s Common landed at the recently swanked-out Segal Centre for Performing Arts for Suri’s Soirée, an evening of entertainment and enlightenment in memory of a star who went up to the sky a little too soon. Teaming up in benefit to fight the diplomatically immune curse of cancer, the family and friends of the late Sarah Gonshor and the Cee-Oh-Double-M demonstrated in style that hope and hip hop never stray too far from gravity. In this most intimate of settings, a heartfelt, hit-heavy set (laced with a completely bonkers freestyle) may perhaps be fondly remembered by more local bubbies and zedas than diehard Com fans, but will echo a warning to the enemy throughout the solar system for light years.

Back on terra firma, our boy Loe Pesci knows exactly what’s good for us. This Saturday, April 3, his new monthly, Step Your Life Game Up Saturdays, kicks off at Trois Minots. The introductory bill gets Hindu Kush, Boombap Cats, Northern Lights, Ceasrock, Side-C, Chuggo and Spook One under the big top. Try-outs for May’s Montreal installment of the King of the Dot battle series are also part of the package, and the MCs facing off need you to weigh in on their rap careers. Pesh says he is looking to develop the night as a showcase for local talent and eventually Canadian up-comers, while using it as a platform to build a viable battle stage for the city. If it sounds like something you want to get behind, start by checking out the April session.

Next Thursday, April 8, Blue Dog Motel begins its second birthday celebration with a special edition of Grilled Cheese Thursdays. Classi Assi and New Money invite Vancouver booty operator U-Tern to stick a candle up your cake. They grow up so fast, don’t they?

“WE ALL STARS AND WE HIGHLY EVOLVED”...BLOCKCLOCKER@GMAIL.COM