According to the venue's Twitter: "Meet & greet with @benkweller behind the theater at 6 PM. See ya there. Don't forget your smart phones!"

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The rep for Austin pop-rock group the Rocketboys asked me to pass along a reminder about tonight's show at Prophet Bar. While I'm definitely no pushover when it comes to PR folks' requests, the Rocketboys do have some solid melodies and are worthy of a mention. AND, he offered up a few guestlist spots to any interested readers. Give the band a listen and e-mail me if you want to go to the show tonight. That is all.

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... I stopped into Loft 610 in Plano for a cocktail and several surreal experiences. Didn't expect to find myself dancing (to a Michael Jackson-heavy mix, natch. R.I.P.) with a group of strangers after a few sips. But a highly freckled Floridian named Cricket (I kid you not) saw me sitting alone, grabbed my arm and led me to the dance floor. Once I got back to my seat to text the friend who was supposed to meet me there, Cricket hopped back over to me and whispered, "honey, the guy behind you!" I took a peek to find a rather handsome, but way-older gent sipping on some (fill in the blank with a manly liquor) on the rocks. Equally needled to death by Cricket, he introduced himself as Uba. Who knew businessman types had club names?

I shook his hand and nervously returned to nursing my cocktail, which was thankfully potent. The Chad (above), as the blue curacao-colored martini is called, had enough of a fresh lime pucker to make you shiver, but enough of a splash of simple syrup to keep you coming back for more. And come back I will -- by 11:30, Loft 610 was hopping, led, of course, by Cricket dominating the dance floor. Perhaps she'll hop into my life on my next visit ...

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Local-music blips from your favorite social networking sites:


Facebook status from the Backsliders: "FREE CD when you attend Saturday Nights show at City Tavern- probably our last Dallas show for aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa while. Definitely last one before the tour, so come out and see us off."


- DJ El Macho says of tonight's Fever! at Fallout Lounge: "Obviously, with the passing of Michael Jackson, we'll be playing a lot of music he was a part of at FEVER. I hear that MUDI is pulling out his "Victory" tour jacket to wear ..."


- GuideLive is tweeting its ass off today about the American Idol auditions at Cowboys Stadium. Here's their story on the turnout.


- Pegasus News tweet-links to its item on some local musicians who've written a song for "Neda."


- One of the Gutterth guys announces via Twitter that RTB2's set on July 17 at the Granada will mark the release of new EP In the Fleshed. Same goes for the next night's show at Hailey's.


- Play-N-Skillz tweets, "Fresh out the stu..miley cirus and play n skillz???...stay tunedddd." Hmmm ...


- Erykah Badu tells her followers she'll be on Jimmy Fallon's show with house band the Roots tonight.

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Shockwaves were sent through the world after the breaking news of Michael Jackson's death on Thursday afternoon. The icon of a generation with the soft spoken voice and explosive dance routines will be remembered as maybe the greatest entertainer of all time. Fans will forever mourn, celebrate and recount their personal memories of Jackson's influential legacy on their lives and careers. Please do an impromptu moonwalk for the King of Pop during what will surely evolve into a much deserved MJ tribute weekend.

Friday

• "Animal House 3", a party showcasing the leaders of the "new school" hip-hop movement goes down at The Lounge (2810 Elm Street). Featuring: Hawatha Hurd, Dow Jonez, Sore Losers, Word Life & others with DJ Danjah One on the turntables. $5 cover, Ladies free before 11:00pm.
• Final Friday's "Reloaded" at Liquid Lounge (2800 Main St). Performers: Crown Royal, Da Dreak, The Scales, Deloach, and more with DJ VJ Smooth. Doors 9:00pm $10. Ladies Free before 11pm. myspace.com/djvizateem

Saturday

• 4th Quarter at Carpe Diem (1301 Main St.) hosted by Maurice "Mo" Ager (NJ Nets) & Friends. 10pm -2am.
• "Young, Fly & Flashy" Edition hosted by 49'ers Tarell Brown & Friends at Opus Lounge (2800 Main St). Doors at 10:00pm

Quick Notes

• Heads up for the fans of soulful songstress Erykah Badu. A few musical treats from the Dallas singer were spotted on the Okayplayer site. The drops include a short "video clip" from a PUMA sponsored Jam Session in Los Angeles and a new track ("Dirty Beauty") with group Sa-Ra (formerly signed to Kanye's record label ).
• Dallas rapper Big Hood Boss ("I Got It" w/ Lil Will & Tum Tum) has been busy on the promo grind. The rapper was in Atlanta rubbing elbows last week for the Ozone Birthday Bash with Souljah Boy, Lil Will, GS Boys, and other industry types. The bossman keeps trying to raise his profile as he also took part in a photo shoot with rapper Gucci Man.
• Peep this week's wacky "Sure Shot Q&A" w/ Objektiv One (pg 21)

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Still in shock, or just sad now? Local DJ Yeahdef (whom we recently profiled in the paper) is feeling your pain, and he expressed his own with a sublime MJ mix last night at Rubber Gloves. He pushed "record" for part of it, so you can listen to it here. He did a great job.


RELATED: While you listen, here's the best written piece I've read so far.

Posted by Hunter Hauk at 11:52 AM | Permalink Comments (0) | Leave comment

FRIDAY

Greenville native Ben Kweller, this week's Quick cover man (read the story here), performs at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. With Jones Street Station. $18. granadatheater.com. Hear some music at myspace.com/benkweller.

There aren't a lot of bands that would define their musical style as flamenco/R&B/show tunes. But Cryptacize is much mellower than you'd think. Hear lead singer Nedelle Torrisi's vocals float above distant, retro beats, and suddenly you'll feel like you're doing this weird, dreamy backstroke through time. With Fishboy and Shiny Around the Edges. 9 p.m. Rubber Gloves, 411 E. Sycamore, Denton. $8. 940-387-7781 or rubberglovesdentontx.com.

Fans of legendary Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen who've been waiting patiently for a new album -- there's good news. Robert Earl's upcoming CD is called The Rose Hotel and is slated for a fall release, according to his Web site (robertearlkeen.com). It even boasts a cameo by Billy Bob Thornton. Interesting. But give us REK all day. 7 p.m. (also Saturday at 7 p.m.) Southern Junction, 5574 Highway 276, Royce City. 972-771-2418 or southernjunctionlive.com.

Joe Rogan made contestants choke down insects and other nasties as host of Fear Factor, but Rogan's joke are (usually) more palatable. He returns to his true love of stand-up comedy, with more loud shock humor (and a hissing cockroach or two?) up his sleeve. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Addison Improv, 4980 Belt Line Road, Suite 250. $25. 972-404-8501 or improv.com.

Dallas' country crooner Travis Mitchell is back with a new album, One Step Ahead. Expect a rowdy bunch at Gilley's as he takes the stage at his release show. In a note to fans about the show, he promises "the most fun you can have legally." With opening act Chris Rivers. 8 p.m. Gilley's Dallas, 1135 S. Lamar St. $8. 214-421-2021 or gilleysdallas.com.

Pastie Party at Plush. DJ Silver spins with opening sets from Krave and Snowhite. Doors open at 9 p.m. 1400 Main St. No cover. 214-606-1203 for table reservations. plushdallas.com.

[Expletive] the VIP Party at Kinki. For one night, Kinki lounge ditches the VIP list and lets in anyone who is dressed to impress. Doors open at 9 p.m. 3606 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-868-6943. kinkilounge.com.

The Goldfish Girls at Absinthe Lounge. The duo of 12-year-olds spins old-school hip-hop from 8:30 to 10 p.m. 1409 S. Lamar St. No cover. 214-941-9338. absinthelounge.net.

» Continue reading "Day Tripper: Best events for the weekend"

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