Holy party! by SCOTT C Man, oh man. The people have spoken, and this year’s St-Jean-Baptiste weekend is definitely going down as one for the books. I mean, I don’t know about you, but up in my neighbourhood, we had a serious end-to-end burner. I’m talking about a block party and you know it. If you weren’t on St-Viateur on Monday, June 24, we’ll just check for you next year. Let’s talk about Sunday, June 30. For some reason, everyone and their mother decided to go all out, with all manner of shows and t’ings booked for this very busy night in the city. Check it out. Ja Rule and Ashanti are set to make some noise over at the Molson Centre that night, along with bigman Shortcut and an extended crew of Montreal guests. Tix are $65, $55, $45 and $35. Over at Club Soda on the same night, you can catch Bombay recording artist Roy Davis Jr. as he unveils his singing voice with a special live set featuring his band, the Soldiers of Universal Love. Never heard Roy sing, but anyone who’s a Soldier of Universal Love has got to have his soul intact. Roy plays a DJ set after the band. That’s at midnight, June 30. Moving your butt further downtown on Sunday night, you can catch another Ultimate Old School Party unfolding at Club La Boom, at 1254 Stanley, as Ricky D presents Soulfest 2002. Majess, Kurtis C, DJ Tuff and special guest Fabian “Kickin’” Ashe hold down four rooms of holiday-weekend madness for the (25 and over) masses. Tix are $12 in advance, info’s at oldschoolparty@yahoo.com. You want more? After last week’s dancefloor workout with Hard Leaders at Stereobar, nice to know some more U.K. pressure is on the way. Hospital affiliate Aquasky rolls in for a proper do at Aria on, you guessed it, Sunday, June 30. Also on the bill are T.O.’s Freaky Flow, Corey K, Sase One Year Older, Mindset and Bliss (aka the Hammer). Almost forgot about Fred Everything’s new Thursday at Exit, starting tonight, June 27. Want info on the launch, or even diplomatic guest-list immunity? fthing@hotmail.com. Also, watch for DJ Serious and Kola playing at Tokyo’s Velcro next Wednesday. These T.O. boys know how to get down. Seven reasons St-Jean-Baptiste is the illest weekend of the year: 1. Panda One “Take It to the Corner of a Block” 12”(Counterflow) 2. Manu Dibango “Soul Fiesta” Château Flight edit 12” (Versatile) 3. Air “People in the City” Modjo bossa mix 12”(Source) 4. Everyday People “Simmer Down” remix 12” (Papa) 5. EDO.G “Rock the Beat” 12” (Overlooked) 6. Tom & Joyce self-titled (Yellow) 7. Slum Village “Angel” feat. Dwele (CDR) Really glad you came...   sillyeuph@yahoo.com