Music
I’m sure that somewhere out there, some very smart people are, right this very minute, trying to unlock the secrets of time travel. But until we can all hop into whatever whiz-bang thingamajig they invent to whisk us away to bygone eras, we’ll have to settle for time travel of a different variety. Luckily, we all have the ability to do such a thing.
In the place of the aforementioned whiz-bang thingamajig, we have the Wild Buffalo, where, beginning Thurs., Feb. 16 and concluding just after last call Sunday night, you can visit no less than three different eras of hip-hop in four days.
First up, you’ll step into the way-back machine Thursday night for an evening with hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. It’s safe to say that without the innovative nature and influence of the DJ from South Bronx, hip-hop as we know it would not exist. Indeed, his reach is such that he’s known as the “Grandfather,” and has been credited with bringing hip-hop culture to all corners of the world. Needless to say, he’s a big deal in this small town.
After that, it’s time to jump to the here and now and catch a glimpse of hip-hop’s future. And, come Saturday night, Seattle’s Champagne Champagne will help you do just that. If you like your hip-hop to be the product of a punk-rock ethos and a penchant for partying, Champagne Champagne is the act for you. If you like your hip-hop to feature actual musicians playing actual instruments (well, one actual musician, that is), cue Champagne Champagne. If you want to see a band with a killer live show that can comfortably share a stage with just about anyone—yep, that’s Champagne Champagne too. But, of course, for Bellingham’s giant contingent of Blood Brothers fans, Champagne Champagne’s allure boils down to one man: drummer, multi-instrumentalist and fearless innovator Mark Gadjahar. We’ll take him in whatever musical form we can get him, but it’s with this hip-hop trio that Gadjahar seems to have the most fun.
Although Champagne Champagne will no doubt bring the party, it won’t end when they skip town. Sunday night DJs Serve Stacks and Idlhnds will pay homage to two of hip-hop’s greats: Biggie and Tupac. Interspersed with the music of the two entertainment giants will be whatever other hip-hop tracks of that era they see fit to spin. And with Monday being a holiday for many, there’s no reason not to time travel through hip-hop history at the Buff until the lights come up Sunday night and you’re forced back into present day.
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