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Underground hiphop promoter Fritz the Cat’s weekly sessions at Hooch get an international boost tonight (Thursday, January 18) when Brooklyn mike-wrecker Freestyle of the Arsonists drops by.The fierce MC is in town on the down low doing some recording, and though he’s not scheduled to perform, he is hosting the evening’s open-mike session and answers questions from fans.
“He hadn’t planned on performing, so he didn’t come prepared to do a full show,” Fritz explains. “I’m sure we’ll be able to coax him into kicking a few freestyles, though.”
Doors open at 10 pm $3.Two Toronto drummers get off their stools and branch out into the world of high art over the next few weeks.First up is Sloan drummer Andrew Scott, who takes time out from sessions for the band’s fifth album (due in summer) to hang some paintings at Zsa Zsa (962 Queen West). The exhibition, titled The Alphabet, is based on the image of the mushroom cloud that follows a nuclear detonation. The works are up through February 1.
Meanwhile, WoodChopper’s Association percussionist Dave Clark launches the Do What?! Arts Festival today (Thursday, January 18) with R&R: An Art Show.
The Show features a variety of artists, including Shari Hatt, James Dick and Reid Diamond creating pieces linked to a theme that begins with the letter “R.” Clark kicks off the Show with a 7 pm performance by the WoodChoppers at the Steam Whistle Brewery, in the Roundhouse next to the CN Tower.
Tonight’s event also serves as a primer for part two of Do What?!, a multimedia concert set for February 3. Artists set to perform over the din of the WoodChoppers include the Hip’s Gordon Downie * singing and reciting poetry * CCMC’s Paul Dutton and dancers Andrea Nann and Lisa Prebianca.
The art show is free. Advance tickets for the February 3 event are $10 and available at Soundscapes. Check www.woodchoppers.com for more info.
