The inventive organization Youth Speaks promotes the creation of verbal and written art among our youth, and through events like Poetry Slam, provides a platform for artistic expression. Possessive of skillful wordplay and polished, eclectic vocabulary, these youngsters will go head to head, infusing a positive atmosphere with some rawness of thought. A night among these masters of cutting-edge verbalism in stark competition with one another will convince you there's no shortage of wit or enthusiasm among the next generation. The afterparty promises another round of skillful artistry; dj Sake 1 will restore any spent energy with his dancehall grooves and hip hop bomb-dropping. The mic will remain open until the doors are closed, so be ready - it's very possible this night will go out with a bang. Date: Sunday, May 9, Time: 7pm-2am, Place: Studio Z, Cover: $7 b4 9pm, $10 after, More Info (DKD)

DJ Profile: Meat Katie
From the speaker-humping monster to the mellow electronica enthusiast, everyone's quivering at the notion of a fresh Meat Katie release. You know this UK breaks and beyond dj/producer for his consistent creation of bombtracks - those druggy genre-busting gems considered essential additions to record boxes in every corner of the world. A player on many UK labels such as TCR, Fingerlickin', Bedrock breaks, and his own Whole 9 Yards, Meat Katie aka Mark Pember spends his time outside the studio dropping his skill and turntable talent in nightclubs everywhere from Russia to Australia. CD 1 of his new release on Bedrock Breaks promises a trip through underground sound, where CD 2 will get up in your face and send fire through your spine. Meat Katie hasn't been seen in SF for three years, but be sure, dear groovers, that this bass pimp will turn you on and turn you out, like you've never been before. Date: Wednesday, May 5 Time: 10pm-2am Place: Mezzanine, 444 Jessie@ Mint, Cover: $5. More Info (DKD)

What Ever Happened to the Emcees?
De La Soul is one of the most important acts in hip-hop. At a time when gangsta rap was blowing up the West Coast airwaves, three East Coast emcees came with a gentler and funkier sound with conscious lyrics, catchy hooks and a colorful look complete with daisies and fades. The group may have been through several transformations since then and with the June release of the "Mixtape Remixes" so have their songs. Hear your favorite De La songs get the ultimate treatment from DJ Spinna, Prince Paul and De La themselves plus many more. Of course it's always a treat to hear them live remix or not. Check out De La this Sunday & Monday at the Independent and remember to wave your hands in the air! Date: Sun 5/9 & Mon. 5/10. Time: 8pm, Place: The Independent - 628 Divisidero, Cover: $27,
More Info (JP)

Be Aware of Murals
They're here, their art and they're not going away. Who would want them to? Murals brighten up the city providing us with a beautiful and culturally relevant landscape smack dab in the boring concrete jungle. Every Saturday & Sunday in May you can check out the 75 internationally famous murals of the Mission on the "Mission Trail Mural Walks " led by experienced muralists. Check out the link for info. This Saturday however, is a little party I like to call "Murals Gone Wild" or as the city calls it, "The SF Bay Area Mural Awareness Festival." complete with music, food and a mural competition in which 6 finalists "Paint-Off" for the prize wall. There will also be painting for the kids, booths and a community mural that we can all add some vision to. Date: Saturday 5/8, Time: 1pm-5pm, Place: Precita Park (Precita Ave. between Folsom and Harrison, one block south of Cesar Chavez St.), Admission: Free, More Info (JP)

Puma and Nitevibe present an exclusive giveaway to commemorate the opening of the Santa Clara PUMA Concept Store. An invite only opening party will be held at glo (396 s. first st. San Jose, CA) featuring M3 and Andy Caldwell, on May 6, from 8-12 pm. Invites can be picked up at the Santa Clara PUMA Concept Store in Valley Fair Mall, (2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara) starting April 30th. There will be limited free drinks for early attendees. This giveaway, is for a Nitevibe advanced exclusive PUMA Motorsport Jacket (size med.) which will not hit streets until Fall 2004. Sign-up here for a chance win!