The Last Poets
The Last Poets, the forefathers of modern hip-hop, began combining drums and spoken word lyrics more than thirty years ago. This weekend, the nationally-acclaimed poetry and creative writing center Youth Speaks has brought them to town for a workshop and all-ages show so eclectic that only a place like SF could host it. Along with The Last Poets will be Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist taking care of the beats and visual artist and performer Anthem Salgado, fresh off the release of a book full of his lyrics, Knuckle Up Butterfly. Recent Slam Poetry champions will also be performing. Date: Sun 2/13, Time: Workshop 3-4:30pm; Show 8pm, Place: Workshop-2169 Folsom; Show-Punch Gallery (155 10th St.), Cover: $15 ($7 under 19) More Info (IA)

Fever Dreams...
What can we say about DJDreamteam that wasn't already expressed by the 1,500+ fantastic folks at Ruby Skye last Thursday night? To quote Bill Murray: "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!" Every DJ hit the decks with a new trick to test the new EAW Avalon soundsystem, and I have never heard such a marriage of talent and technology. In the main room you had Laird, M3, Mark, and Miguel pushing the passion to a fever pitch, and when Lorin dropped the needle on a badass remix of Not In Our Name, the building literally bounced! As for the upstairs, Ruby Skye's chic smoking lounge/pool parlor became a packed-house underground, complete with circles and even a glowstick or two. Jondi & Spesh, Ellen, Jeno and Smoove gave it such an old school warehouse vibe, I was wondering when the toilets were going to overflow and the cops were going to show up. The pictures below should give you a taste of a night we'll all remember. There was a smile on every face, and every soul in that party was a tribute to the glory of the SF scene. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, San Francisco, for helping us celebrate this exquisite city and the wealth of sounds and people it contains. (SG)

Brazilian Carnaval Ball
Bringing a cultural event from a country where people dance in the street, at the market, and on the way to the discotheque can only be a good thing. Showing San Francisco everything a musical culture can be are acts like Aquarela Dance Troupe grooving to music from Prefixo de Verao, whose non-stop energy will blow away even fans of the early morning breakfast bash. Samba will be the big sound and making it greater will be samba frevo lambada axé reggae, which is, at its most basic, a mix of samba and reggae, but is really so much more. The extravagant costumes and fact that this celebration may be the longest-running party in history make it worth the visit. Date: Sat.2/12, Time: 9pm-2am, Place: San Francisco Gift Center (888 Brannan St at 8th St.), Cover: $35, More Info. (RW)

Code Red
Code Red! Code Red! The SuicideGirls, famous for their bad girl pin-up models, will be dressing up (instead of down) in the latest threads designed by Roxy Saint. Roxy’s 2005 Trash Couture Line will be featured in a "Post-Apocalyptic Trash Bag Fashion Show" during Code Red, a digital and tactile art series and fashion show presented by both Roxy and Jennifer Caravella. And don’t worry, even though the SuicideGirls will be clothed for this event, Gravy Train will be providing all the sleaze you need with their provocative lyrics and dance. Also performing live is iCircle1 with a sexy blend of electronic music for this unique urban event. Date: Sat. 2/12, Time: 9pm-late, Place: 111 Minna, Cover: $8 b4 11pm, $10 after. More info. (CQ)

Can't Stop Won't Stop
Hip-hop is more than a music genre, it’s a culture, a movement, and a way of life. Jeff Chang's book Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, an attempt to chronicle the history of the movement, is being released with much acclaim and fanfare at a party in conjunction with Quannum Collective to benefit Media Alliance. Chang is a veteran hip-hop journalist and activist, and his work chronicles the introduction of hip-hop and its movement into society, pinpointing key figures, leaders and events. The evening will feature an introduction by Kool Herc (considered a godfather of hip-hop), a reading, book signing, various vendors and also Tomas Palermo, Cool Chris and DJ Icewater throwing down that hip-hop sound that has defined a culture and a generation. Date: Tues, 2/8, Time: 9pm-1am, Place: Element Lounge (1028 Geary St), Cover: $7 More Info (CQ)

Feelin Kinda Slutty
Say what you want about getting love, when it comes down to it, most of those flowers and expensive Valentines dinners are bought with one goal in mind: getting laid! We're teaming up with our naughty friends for a party that dispenses with the BS and lets us all feel kinda slutty. Electro, hip-hop, r&b and booty bass galore will be dripping from the turntables, getting the crowd at 111 into a dirty mindset. Adam Warp, Bradly, 4AM, Dewley, Von, DJ Lulu and vocalist Leedia are the warped minds behind the slutty sound track, and a distinctly indiscreet dress code will be in effect from 'sappy hour (7-9pm)' all the way until the 2am climax of the evening. Did I mention the knife throwing cupid and juggling monkeys? Date: Mon. 2/14, Time: 7pm-2am, Place: 111 Minna, Cover: $5 b4 9pm, $10 after, More Info (SG)