January 29-February 4, 2004

beat box

compiled by Ainé Ardron-Doley

Given hip-hop’s here-today, gone-tomorrow era, University of Pennsylvania’s The Gathering is already an old standard in its own right. Here are three big secrets to their monthly success: 1) It's free. 2) It's all-ages. And 3) Its open mic commands respect. This month, Day of the Poet's DJ, Razor Ramone, puffs out his chest on the ones and twos and featured artist Mel-Ink mans the mic. Resident DJ M-Ski spins and I-Be hosts. B-boys and b-girls, graf writers and MCs welcome. Thu., Jan. 29, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., www.foundationarts.org.

Continuing the sweet trend for local folks to join hands for bigger, better events, prolific promoters Square Biz and Little Giant unite for Sunshine, a Roy Ayers tribute and listening party. Celebrating the Ayers' musical legacy and the release of a new album, Virgin Ubiquity on BBE Records, DJs Mike Nyce and Big Rich Medina spin the past, present and a little bit of the future. Fri., Jan. 30, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $7 before midnight, $10, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., www.squarebiz.org.

Party on with former Arrakis Records MC Adam 12 as he celebrates his born-day with a few MC’ing and DJ’ing friends. Adam 12's Birthday Bash kicks off with a live performance by Uncle T, DJs Panek and Cru Cut on the wheels and plenty of special invited guests. Sat., Jan. 31, 9:30 p.m., $5 (women free), La Tazza, 108 Chestnut St., 215-922-7322.

In an attempt to usher in a new era of partying, DJs Rich Medina, Cash Money and Botany 500 set off their new funkified monthly, The Get Down. Every first Tuesday of the month, the power DJ trio unites to spin a rare-funk-45s dancefest till the lights come on and the bouncers shoo everyone out the door. Tue., Feb. 3, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5, women free before 11 p.m., Fluid. P.S.: Everyone rocking ’70s gear gets in free -- and then there’s the complimentary soul food buffet.

Rounding out the week, signing his Roc-a-Fella Records debut, College Dropout, producer and "MC" all-in-one Kanye West sits down, pen in hand, for a good old-fashioned, independent-minded in-store. While his beats knock through speakers worldwide (as witnessed at Beat Society last year), his rhymes fail to match the power of the music. Wed., Feb. 4, 5 p.m., free, Cue Records, 617 S. Fourth St., 215-413-3525.

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