Every year around this time is kind of like “Steelers Week” for football fans in Cincinnati. Only the fans aren’t football ones, they’re Hip Hop die-hards. You’ll see a lot of out-of-towners around the area this week, as Scribble Jam attracts Hip Hop heads from all over the country, either just to attend and have fun or to actually compete in the infamous “battles.” Thankfully, only a few will probably be sporting yellow and black.
Saturday is battle night at Scribble (headquartered once again at Annie’s) with prizes awarded to the winning MCs, DJs, beatboxers, B-Boys and even producers. Friday night at Annie’s, legendary MC KRS-One will be joined by Atmosphere (see Jason Gargano's interview here), Blueprint, Channel Live and many other underground Hip Hop sensations. Local favorites like Mr. Dibbs (pictured) and Famous Mr. Nobodies also play sets. Things kick off Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m.
Several other Scribble events will take place around the area before and after the main events. Thursday, there’s a pre-party at The Gypsy Hut in Northside, hosted by Mr. Dibbs and featuring a few live performances. On Sunday, DJs and artists will appear at the post-party at the Southgate House.
Get more details on Scribble Jam here, here and here.
More Local Notes
• Several female singer/songwriters are hitting Ohio hard these next couple of weeks in an effort to get out the vote. Headed up by acclaimed songwriter Holly Near and dubbed “Sing Out The Vote Ohio!,” the tour will hit 10 Ohio cities, including Cincinnati this Monday, 7:30 p.m., at the Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. Other “social justice” singers on the tour stop here include Anne Feeney, Laura Love and Cincy’s own Tracy Walker. The artists will perform songs relevant to their message of change (it’s not blatantly partisan, but, trust me, the change they’re referring to isn’t McCain’s brand) and encourage early voting. For more info, visit hollynear.com.
• Four years in, Sidewinder Coffee shop is finally having an anniversary party this year. The Northside coffee/tea spot is presenting “Spirits Come Alive” Saturday at 8 p.m. to celebrate their fourth b-day. The Halloween shindig will feature food and beverage deals as well as the solid musical lineup of Billy Catfish, Michael Macintire and Mike Fair. The café will stay open late for the occasion ... until the witching hour (midnight).
• Javier’s Mexican restaurant downtown was a great last-minute addition to the MidPoint Music Festival this year. Now Javier’s is beginning to have music on a regular basis. Local 11-piece Latin band Son Del Caribe will perform the final Friday of each month. This week they’ll play a special show on Saturday. Dance lessons start at 9:30 p.m.; music starts at 10 p.m. Cover is $10.
• Rockers The Way Downs haven’t done any shows for a while. Understandably, as singer Lee Gallagher has been living on the West Coast. But the band has been soldiering on, long-distance-style, and they’ll be doing a local show this Friday at the Northside Tavern. Keep tabs on the band (and listen to some of their killer tracks) at myspace.com/waydowns.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]