"For more than 30 years, the orchestra has performed free concerts in the parks in July. The shows draw thousands to sit on blankets and enjoy snacks and wine while listening to the classics under the stars.

Only in New York. But not this year.

Because the Philharmonic will not be offering Sousa in Central Park, Prokofiev in Prospect Park or Ravel in Cunningham Park. Vacation scheduling does not permit it, a spokesman declared.

The voice of the Philharmonic said orchestra members need time off in July because they will be performing in three special programs in September, including a Central Park outing with operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli." [NY Daily News]

No Philharmonic in July, but there will be Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Carole King, Natasha Bedingfield, LL Cool J, Whoopi Goldberg and others in a big free benefit concert in Central Park tonight (6/9). Approximately 60,000 people are expected to show up today starting at 3:30pm. Stay home and laugh at them via the Livestream.

Rob Swift

For the second year in a row, Red Bull Thre3style is taking place in Brooklyn to test the top party DJ's in their mixing skills. In the ultimate battle scenario, nine local DJ's will take turns stepping up to the tables to determine who can rock the dance floor the hardest combining three different music genres in fifteen minutes.

Competing in the night's party are DJ's Get Live, Cobra Krames, Synapse, Dances with White Girls, Theory, Vinyl Richie, Equal, Stimulus and Kalkutta.

The DJ's will compete in 15 minute intervals and play a set of at least three different genres. The winner of Red Bull Thre3style will take home a $1,000 prize check and a trip to DC to compete in East Coast finals. The winner of that will go on to participate in the US National finals.

The show will also feature appearances from Total Eclipse & Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners, and will go down on April 22nd at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Tickets are now on AmEx presale and go on regular sale on Friday.

On a similar note, the regional battle of the 2011 DMC Battle for US Supremacy is scheduled to go down at Santos Party House on June 11th. The show will feature an appearance from host DJ FatFingaz and tickets are on sale. Then on August 6, Santos Party House will host the DMC US Finals DJ Battle. Tickets are on sale.

Red Bill held another Thre3style event at SXSW over the weekend. Performers included De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Z-Trip, and surprise guest LL Cool J. Videos below...

Continue reading "Red Bull Thre3style & other NYC DJ battles coming (LL Cool J, De La Soul, Z-Trip & others played one @ SXSW)"

by Black Bubblegum

Ft. Greene's own Just Ice

Since the last time we talked, the Rakim show at Knitting Factory on Dec 19th (Friday) has expanded quite a bit, adding performances by Black Thought of The Roots, (he's) Keith Murray, and the "original gangster of hip hop" Just-Ice. The whole night will be hosted by Sascha Jenkins of ego trip fame and will feature "all vinyl" DJ sets from a sick lineup of DJs including fellow ego trip-per Chairman Mao, along with Dante Ross, Ge-ology, Psycho Les of The Beatnuts, JS-1, Dooley-O, DJ Amir (of the legendary Kon & Amir), J-Zone, Jel, and Thanksgiving Brown. That makes it three nights in a row for Jel & Thanksgiving Brown. Tickets are still available, check out the flyer below.

Kon & Amir dropped their On Track Vol 2 via BBE in June of this year. When they aren't dropping one of their killer mixes, they can be found either at their blog or behind the decks... which is where you'll find them on Jan 16th, 2009 as part of Disco 3000 NYC at APT. Get your dancin' shoes out (sorry to trample 'ya Showtrotta).

In other news related to what some see as "The Golden Age Of Hip Hop", Irving Plaza added a show on Feb 7th, 2009 billed as.... The Golden Age of Hip Hop Pt 1. No word on what part 2 entails, but we do know that Doug E. Fresh, Chubb Rock, Brand Nubian, Positive K (yeah, him), and Lord Finesse will be on hand for part uno. Tickets are on sale. Lord Finesse recently played Knitting Factory as part of DITC.

While we're on the old school tip, LL Cool J announced a show at Nokia on Feb 19th, 2009 as part of his "Pursed Lickable Lips Tour 2009" (ok, I made that up, it's just the one show). Prepare to wade through a sea of ladies with bamboo earrings (at least two pair). Tickets go on Amex presale on 12/18 at noon and regular sale on 12/20 at noon here.

Continue reading "Rakim, Just Ice, LL Cool J & the Golden Age of Hip Hop "