October 30-November 5, 2003

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley

The Gathering, The Foundation's monthly true-school, all-ages hip-hop event, welcomes a slew of guest artists, as usual. Live beats by Dame Anthony jump the speakers, Kensington's Army of Generals takes the stage and Ryeski and Key demonstrate the art of graffiti. I-Be and DJ M-Ski host and spin alongside the open mic and linoleum. Thu., Oct. 30, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., free, all ages, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.

It's Halloween, and Powerhouse promises to be the biggest freak show in town with R. Kelly, Chingy and others performing at Power 99 FM's annual b-day party. Fri., Oct. 31, 7 p.m., $19.99-$99.99, Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-2000.

This weekend, it's have car, will travel. Truck up to York for Scratch's first solo performance since his split from The Roots. Sliding on stage for the assist, it's thablaze.com's Tim Savage, Baltimore's Arkane Music and Soul Block. Sat., Nov. 1, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $5, Murph's Other Bar, 360 W. Cottage Pl., York, 717-846-6556, www.murphsotherbar.com. Or shimmy up to Easton for King Magnetic's all-ages Better than Perfect album listening party and concert. Sat., Nov. 1, 8-11 p.m., $3 (includes beer and munchies), The Sound Chamber Giant Shopping Plaza, 324 Town Center Blvd., Forks Township, www.kingmagnetic.com. Or keep it totally local at Karma Response Unit Records' Snuff Countdown Single Release Party, which is light on performance and heavy on cold chillin'. DJ Eyego Direct owns the decks with Snuff and a few guests on the mic. Sat., Nov. 1, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5, women free before 11 p.m., La Tazza, 108 Chestnut St., 215-922-7322.

Pick of the week: Throw up the W as big Raekwon the chef struts into town on a talent-packed bill shared by indie stalwart C Rayz Walz, Ice Water Inc. and locals Tangled Thoughts. Mon., Nov. 3, 7 p.m., $16-$18, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Radio alert: While commercial radio shows continue to fizzle and fight amongst themselves, these two weekly underground shows build momentum. Drexel radio's Eavesdrop with DJ Junior hosted Baby Blak last week; this week it’s poet/queen Ursula Rucker. Fri., Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-noon, WKDU 91.7 FM, 215-895-5917; listen worldwide at www.wkdu.org. In webland, Sesion 31 (Fredy Blast, Skeme Richards and DJ Primetime) host the second edition of their spanking-new show, The Formula. Expect a little discourse on the politrix of Philly hip-hop. Sun., Nov. 2, 1-3 p.m., live webcast on www.radiovolta.org, requests via instant messenger at voltaradio.

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