September 30-October 6, 2004

musicpicks

Blackrock

Rock/pop

When Phil Moore Brown took the stage at this year's annual B-Boy Barbecue, hip-hop heads just stood and stared. Deer in headlights. People gazed at the all-black band with a look of utter confusion. Phil Moore Brown played on, shouting political messages over a wall of punk rock and heavy metal. They, along with three other bands, will take part in Wednesday's showcase centered on the color black. The Rotunda is partnering up with Esther Klein Gallery's "The Color Project" to present four rock/funk/hip-hop fusion bands. Besides Philmoore Brown, check out soul rocker Malene YounGlao, self-proclaimed "Puerto-Punx" Ricanstruction and full-time femcees/part-time rockers Versus aka The Lefts. Regardless of the historical origins of rock—or how far the boundaries of music have been pushed—why do people still have a hard time accepting that minorities aren't limited to just hip-hop and R&B? Reality check, please!

Wed., Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., free, 16+, with film and video screening by Rodney Whittenberg, Tina Morton, Araeia Robinson, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.

—Deesha Dyer