I think Talib Kweli was on the front page of the newspaper this morning, but it looks like he fell into Photoshop along the way.

There’s also a non-Monday column sighting too, summing up the shows hitting town this weekend.

I checked out Mr. Lif and LabSeven last night at the Station and it was a solid time, with ample surprises. DJ Shade worked the turntables and Lab’s set even included a guest appearance from Mike Blast.

LabSeven always comes to a show with high energy, no matter what size the crowd. It was all-ages and there were definitely some high schoolers on the scene.

Staff photo by Gordon Chibroski

J.J. King of LabSeven works the crowd at the Station Thursday night. Tonight they play at the Ioka Theater in Exeter, NH.

Lif was excellent...and he also brought a friend. Maybe you’ve heard of him, he goes by Akrobatik. If you showed up last night you were treated to more than a couple Perceptionist tracks and also a new song off Akrobatik’s upcoming album, which he said will feature Bumpy Knuckles, Little Brother, Chuck D, B-Real, Talib Kweli and of course Lif.

Staff photo by Justin Ellis

Mr. Lif and Akrobatik at the Station, photo courtesy one non-professional photographer.

Going into the weekend, there’s of course, Kool Keith at the Space. 9 p.m. It’s a $15 ticket, but how can you put a price on the possibility that Kool Keith might add another alias to his list. Dr. Octagon, Dr. Dooom, Black Elvis, Rhyme X...

Looking for a connection between Kool Keith and Kid Koala? Look no further than Dan “The Automator” Nakamura. Automator produced “Dr. Octagonecologyst” and “Deltron 3000” with Koala and Del tha Funkee Homosapien as well as on Handsome Boy Modeling School.

Tonight Lovewhip’s thowing a 420 Party with Nicky Click and the Damsels in Burlesque at the Asylum. It’s 21 plus, and the action starts at 8 p.m.

Also, as you may have heard, there’s going to be a new niche magazine focusing on scantily clad women and the things that they smoke with perfectly legal tobacco pipes. If that is your thing, then perhaps you’ll be at Geno’s tonight. Eldemur Krimm, Pigboat and Audioblack are on the marquee. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday
Again, not to beat a dead horse: Kid Koala at Space at 9 p.m., Talib Kweli at the Station, doors at 9 p.m., 18 plus. Tickets at Bull Moose or online.

Tonight at Chicky’s Fine Diner in Westbrook not only do you get rockabilly sounds of King Memphis , but also women who like to rollerskate and beat the crap out of each other.

King Memphis is playing a show and the Vacationland Vixens – Maine’s Roller Derby squad – will be in attendance. It’s a fundraiser to help keep the Roller Derby in skates, fishnets, eye black and ace bandages. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Good music, good people, yes, but don’t forget the fried chicken, gravy or meatloaf. See, now you’re thinking about it.

Sunday

Sunday’s Earth Day, if the weather holds there’ll be plenty of events to check out. To find out more, head over to John Richardson’s blog, Down to Earth.

Also, a special tribute to call for the end of the continuing genocide in Darfur is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Monument Square. Portland will be one of more than 150 cities across the U.S. and around the world that are participating in Global Day for Darfur.

There will be several local speakers, including refugees who have escaped the conflict in Sudan, as well as young people recounting the stories of how their family came to the U.S.

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