August 10th, 2012
Go See It This Weekend: Veteran Freshman, Better Than Ezra, Aloe Blacc, And Grace Period
Friday, August 10
Veteran Freshman Presents: Hip-Hop Session, Vol. 4
The fourth volume of Veteran Freshman’s Hip-Hop Session features rhymes from Musik Class and 2nd Child aka Blonde Gang, with a supporting roster that includes Matt Ford (formerly SiR), Frenchie, Newz Huddle, D-Roc, Swiper and Novacane. In addition to its three rap jawns, Veteran Freshman, the brainchild of local yokel Yusuf Muhammad, has also held two Soul Sessions and one Rock the House Session—which featured “it girl” rock daughter of Lenny Kravitz, Zoe—aiming to spotlight grassroots, unsigned acts whose work ethic has already earned them sizable followings either around their respective ‘hoods or on the Internet. Those previous iterations of the Hip Hop Session, also held at the TLA, have boasted healthy-sized crowds to witness Philly’s fresh up-and-coming MCs get their first chance on a big stage. Come peep these hungry performers, if for no other reason than being able to brag about being hip to them before they became the Next Big Thing. -Fiona Lockyer
7pm. $13. Theatre of the Living Arts, 334 South St., 215.922.1011. tlaphilly.com
Better Than Ezra
This New Orleans-based trio has been around for so long, their first recording came out on cassette. Though the group has been making music under the same name for more than 20 years, they’ve had as many line-up changes as Destiny’s Child: one original member left, then sued his former bandmates; one tragically committed suicide; and the other rejoined Sugarland, the platinum-selling country duo he started out with. Over those two-plus decades, Better Than Ezra has released seven acclaimed alt-rock albums, including 1993’s stellar “Deluxe,” which went platinum. The current trio, bassist Tom Drummond, guitarist and lead singer Kevin Griffin and drummer Michael Jerome Moore (with James Arthur Payne as their touring keyboardist and guitarist) will not divulge the meaning of their unusual moniker, but their die-hard fans—dubbed the Ezralites—don’t care. Whatever inspired the name, the music stands on its own. -Tonya Pendleton
8pm. $75. The Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia. 610.354.8118.
vfcasino.com
Saturday, August 11
Aloe Blacc
In a recession-shocked, post-Occupy climate, songs about the importance of owning currency (think 50 Cent’s “I Get Money” or Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money”) carry even more cultural resonance and relevance than years past. Aloe Blacc’s “I Need a Dollar” is another entry into this field, what with its pleading refrain (“I need a dollar, dollar/A dollar is what I need”), heartstrings-strumming ’70s soul aesthetics and inspiration having come from a chain-gang song. That being said, Blacc doesn’t give off the vibe that he’s going to threaten class war any time soon. The well-spoken Los Angeles-based MC-turned-crooner named Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III (his alias intends to convey smoothness) is fond of chic, retro-style wear and has a seasoned sensibility indicative of much international travel—disarming details in light of the brass tacks relatability of his signature tune. -Reyan Ali
7pm. $29. Theatre of the Living Arts, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. livenation.com
Sunday, August 12
Grace Period
PhilaMOCA hosts a variety night in their ’hood (the Eraserhood, Callowhill, whatever you wannna call it) with music, dance performances and booze. BodyFields Performance Collective is the dance project of independent choreographer and curator of physical theater, Mira Treatman. Her collective is a diverse group of musicians and dancers that aims to reveal the magnificence of life through quirky movements, gentle psyche tugs and ’70s French Riviera aesthetics. Also performing is 2nd Opinion, Joel Chartkoff’s seriously danceable band, and Liz and the Lost Boys, made up of Joel Sephy, Dane Galloway, Alex Nowak and Kirk Kubicek, who play accordion, piano, guitar, bass and kazoo during any given performance. -Abigail Bruley
7:30pm. $10. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St. philamoca.org
