Courtesy Gift of Gab
G ood news for both Skylight and hip-hop fans as legendary MC Gift of Gab—half of Sacramento hip-hop act Blackalicious—brings his complex rhyme-work to the downtown nightclub’s stage. Gab is like a living, walking rhyming dictionary/thesaurus, melding an incredibly astute understanding of the melodic and musical aspects of hip-hop with a complicated flow and thoughtful lyricism unlike pretty much anything else out there. Or, to put it another way, how often are music fans this excited to get one-half of a group they love? Further, how often does an artist gain the spotlight and then stay there for his entire career? Yup—he’s pretty good. Opening support comes from local rappers, Outstanding Citizens Collective, a loosely affiliated squadron made up of impactful solo artists such as Benzo, Fluid, Wolfman Jack and OG Willikers, aka Zach Maloof.
"We're proud to bring this tour to Santa Fe," Maloof says. "It's proof that by coming together and combining talents, we can do bigger things for our scene and our city. … Did you see [Gift of Gab] is bringing two opening acts; Landon Wordswell and Mostafa? Also very talented MCs." Outstanding Citizens Collective, by the way, has quietly built up quite the reputable following, and with anything from live shows, podcasts and visual arts under their belts, we expect great things for the future. Oh, might we also mention we've heard tell that local hip-hop fanatic Doer is taking over The Underground across the street that same night for some hip-hop action of his own—did someone say hip-hop block party? (Alex De Vore)
Gift of Gab with Outstanding Citizens Collective, Landon Wordswell and Mostafa
9 pm Wednesday June 21. $10-$15.
Skylight,
139 W. San Francisco St.,
982-0775
Dancing to Freedom
Courtesy Havana Habibi
The documentary Havana Habibi follows dancer and instructor Tiffany "Hanan" Madera's journey from Miami to Cuba where she leads one of the most influential bellydancing troupes in that country, Grupo Aisha al Hanan. Her family viewed Madera's return to Cuba as an inexcusable act of support for the Communist Revolution, which drove them to Miami years before; Habibi navigates her struggle between her beliefs, her passion and her family. Meet the woman who empowered and inspired countless dancers for yourself after Havana Habibi screens at the James A Little Theater and a Q&A session with Madera follows. (Lauren Thompson)
Havana Habibi screening and Q&A:
6:30 pm Thursday June 22. $10 suggested donation. James A Little Theatre,
1060 Cerrillos Road,
476-6429
Soul Food
Courtesy Sol Sundays
The last Sunday of each month this summer, you can spend time in the sun at the Railyard park at Sol Sundays, a new event bringing yoga classes, health demonstrations and DJs to the park—all fo’ free. Founder and health clinic owner Julie Grace says this event is about community. “I wanted to do an event that’s free and can introduce people who may not know anything about these health modalities,” she says. “It’s not a place where you can buy things, it’s a place where you can try things.” With yoga at noon, a cardio class at 1 pm and hula hooping at 3 pm, you can shake it all off before next week puts it right back on you. (Maria Egolf-Romero)
Noon-6 pm Sunday June 25. Free.
Railyard Park, Cerrillos Road and Guadalupe Street
Flamenc-woah!
Courtesy www.chuscales.com
The mind-bendingly fast and furious flamenco style comes in many shapes and forms, but one thing everyone can agree upon is that Chuscales knows what the hell he’s doing. The moniker of one Jose Valle Fajardo, Chuscales carries the torch in a grand fashion, a favorite of his contemporaries both near and far and a stunning example of finger movement so quick yet so precise, you’ll probably say something like, “Oh, man!” Plus, he’s playing La Boca, the flamenco-est place we can think up off the top of our heads. (ADV)
7 pm Tuesday June 27. Free.
La Boca (Original Location),
72 W Marcy St.,
982-3433
