March 28-April 3, 2002

beat box

Beatbox

Who is Ryan Banks? He's the MC/singer -- wait, what? Yes, he sings and rhymes, has lengthy locks and a six-pack. Oh, now you know who we're talking about? Thought so. Yes, yes, that's him, the dude who opened for Bilal at the TLA a few months ago. Well, you can catch him, along with Wiz Gambino, Deep Six and Ozzie Jones, at Rowdy Entertainment's L! Thu., March 28, Grape Street Pub, 105 Grape St., 215-483-7084, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $5.

When Blue Funk hit folks over the head at the Kimmel Center during All-Star weekend, it was big time. Now, it's back to blue basics with spoken word, comedy, fashion and music. Expect laughs from Breakout!, poetry by Raw, Sam I Am and Ahmoon, fashion from Justin Perry and music by The Blue Funk Band, with featured artist John Stephens. And after all that, DJs Jim Diesel and Lisa Love play with the wax in the boom-boom dinosaur room. Fri., March 29, The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, reservations, cklptd@aol.com, 215-871-4491,

, 9 p.m., $20, $30 VIP (includes dinner and reserved seating).

If you are down for the fancy -- “no denim or the like” -- party, Baby D.S.T. spins it up at the Secret Password Loft Event at Davio’s Penthouse. Calling all “sophisticated socialites, tastemakers, business professionals and fashionably stylish adults.” But they promise, “this is not a stuffy networking affair, we plan to make you dance.” The password is required for entry. Fri., March 29, 9:30 p.m.-2:45 a.m., 111 S. 17th St., for tickets and the secret password, call 800-917-2347, $15 in advance.

Drum roll… it’s Hip-Hop vs. Tha World 2002! Trek on out to Lansdale for this one. With Mic Lovin It, Cee Knowledge (formerly of Digable Planets), Adlib, 40th Dimension and more. Join in the MC battle for a chance at some cold cash. Sat., March 30, The Legion, Second and Walnut sts., Lansdale,

,

, $6.

Black Lily hits North by Northwest for an out-of-the-Five-Spot rendition of the classic Lily. Sat., March 30, North by Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000, $10.

Gather together in the name of acquiring some music-biz smarts at Docta Shock’s Urban Music Workshop Series’ second go ’round: “Everything you need to know about Home Studio Recording.” Learn production tips, what you need to buy, the costs, how to report your studio expenses on your taxes and more. Panelists include Dennis McFadden of Tribal Records, Kangol Kid of U.T.F.O. and Shock himself. Wed., April 3, Inez Too Ballroom, 624 S. 62nd St.,

, doors open at 6 p.m., workshop 7-10 p.m., $5.

That Southern ATL twang rips through Philly this Monday -- on the decks at The Remedy, that is. Two weeks ago, Cosmo hosted the legendary DJ Cash Money. This time, Atlanta’s DJ Drama owns Fluid’s wheels for the night. Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.,

, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10. PS: Don’t forget to say hello do the door-controller, Ms. Rahnon.

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