Slammin’ by day, jammin’ by night
Whether you’re a player or a spectator, you might be engaged with a certain three-on-three basketball tournament taking over the streets of downtown Spokane this weekend.
But the action doesn’t stop there. When the sun goes down and the courts clear, the nightlife shifts into gear.
If you’re looking to score a good time – anything from club dancing to emo, hardcore, hip-hop, hard rock, even belly dancing – here are some Hoopfest weekend music highlights that are bound to be slammin’:
7th Annual Ballers Ball
The Knitting Factory’s annual Hoopfest jam is back in effect with go-go dancers, drink specials and one the slickest sound and light shows in town, while house DJs spin red-hot hits from the likes of Lady GaGa, Pitbull and Li’l Wayne.
Come early for a discounted admission of $10; cover is $15 after 11 p.m. for the 21-and-older show Saturday night at The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave.
2nd Annual Com(passion) Benefit
The visually vivid dancers of the Koreshakti tribal fusion troupe are becoming increasingly well-known for their themed-out evenings. They continue that tradition with back-to-back benefit shows in a superhero/supervillain-fashioned dance battle.
Both tonight’s “Versus” show and Saturday’s “Collide” will be followed by “Mayhem,” a goth industrial dance party.
Saturday night also features the debut of dark world fusion band Pax Lumina.
Admission is $10 each night for the show and Mayhem, or $2 for Mayhem only.
Proceeds go to The Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine.
Originally scheduled at Sunset Junction, the shows have been relocated to The A Club, 406 1/2 W. Sprague Ave. The parties start at 8 p.m.
Cirque de la Soul
If you’re looking for more belly dancing tribal fusion, former members of Koreshakti are helping to launch a Cirque de Soleil-style production complete with belly dance-tribal fusion performers, vertical pole dancing acrobatics and aerial silks.
Cirque de la Soul is their way of getting the word out about fitness, aerial dance and acrobatics classes offered for men, women and youth.
The show, presented by Goddess Arts Academy, happens tonight at 9 at Stage 54, 25 E. Lincoln Road. Admission is $6; full bar with ID.
Seaside doubleheaders
The Seaside is offering a mix of all-ages and 21-and-older shows this Hoopfest weekend.
Headlining today’s early show is Federal Way, Wash.-born Victory Records standout Amber Pacific, touring its new album, “Virtues.” Supporting the show is Halifax, Victory In Numbers, City Lights and locals Small Town Nation.
Music starts at 5 p.m. at The Seaside, 230 W. Riverside Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door; all ages welcome.
Baltimore emo-punk outfit Pianos Become the Teeth plays the late show at The Seaside tonight with Not to Reason Why and Spokane experimental bands Monuments and Anadonia. Music starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $5 for the 21-and-older show.
On Saturday, The Seaside stages a sound clash with hip-hop chased by metal.
First known for its collaborations with Twista – the Guinness Book-certified world’s fastest rapper – Chicago trio Do Or Die has clocked nearly 15 years and 3 million albums sold on Scarface’s independent Rap-A-Lot Records. They’ve kept fans hungry for studio releases but manage to nickel-and-dime frequent collaborations with fellow Windy City artists like Twista, Gandhi and The Legendary Traxter.
Do or Die holds down the early slot with guests to be announced on Saturday at 5 p.m. Cover is $25, all ages welcome.
Following the rap show is a hard rock and metal concert with Spokane music fixture Seven Cycles joined by Natural and guests. The 21-and-older show is free and starts at 10 p.m.