Weekend picks: Bangin beats, big bands and burlesque!

grew up in a cornfield in northwest Ohio where her multicultural family was something of a curious anomaly. She didn't like it very much. On a whim, she landed in Austin in 1995, where, before coming to Austin360.

com in 2004, she drove a limo, played bass in a band, promoted fabulous parties and answered a whole lot of phones.
In 2000, she began building Web sites about Austin's urban music scene and became so insistent that Austin hip-hop shouldn't be ignored that KOOP radio gave her a show to prove it. In a country town with a heart full of rock 'n' roll, she firmly believes it also has a funky underbelly that's almost urban.

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" Friday-Sunday: And now for something completely different Burlesque! Everyone likes naked chicks, right? It s particularly enticing when the naked chicks in question are sassily shimmying out of sparkly sequin-intensive get-ups.

This holiday season, a whole host of the Austin s lovely ladies invite you to sprinkle a little spice into your sugar, naughty into your nice. The Jingle Belles (pictured above) invite you to holly jolly night of fun that combines classic burlesque with your favorite holiday tunes at at Hyde Park Theatre on Friday and Saturday night. Then on Sunday, (whose general interests include sailors, jazz, velvet and vodka) present A Sexy Sunday at Beerland.

Jingle Belles - $17, Jigglewatts - cost unspecified.
Friday: We all know DJ Mel wrecks shop up in that piece, but I m intrigued about Grit (Topaz and Ghandaia with special guests). Ghandaia plays Brazilian funk fusion, while Topaz is a large sax-driven ensemble with sounds ranging from dub to Afrobeat and beyond.

Not sure how many players will be on the set, but I m confident there will be soulful big band grooves a plenty. Cover unspecified (but most likely not more than $5).
Friday: Cali Zack is an Austin newcomer (from California, get it?

). I don t know a whole lot about him, but the lead track on his , I Can t Breathe is a defiant outcry that deftly addresses the struggle to make meaningful music on a shoestring budget. It smokes with raw emotion.

Zack also has a full roster of ATX hip-hop heavy hitters including Zeale 32, Mr. Blakes and Jonny Danger on the bill for his CD release party. $5-$7
Saturday: Round two of this vinyl lover s extravaganza (which includes appearances by several Backspin Records affiliates) is a release party for Yppah who s dropping a new joint titled You Are Beautiful At All Times on downtempo electronica powerhouse Ninja Tune.

Expect genre-defying mashups, electronic abstractions, intricate, multi-layered soundscapes of real beauty and more. Also, the promoters promise giveaways, so you might manage to scoop a mixtape or two. Free.

DJ Diamond Tip presents a two-night mini-tour of the ATX. On Saturday night, Tip drops in on the TMC crew at Plush. Cuts, scratches and body-moving grooves (laid out on four turntables) most likely ensue.

Then on Sunday night, Soul 2020 and Expansion Team present Diamonds are Forever at the Whisky Bar. Hosted by Ike (of Mike and Ike) and Austin MC scene up-and-comer Poise, the event is billed as a night of past, present, and future classics. TMC at Plush -Free-$5, Whisky Bar - Free.

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