Showboyz rich in native tradition

Ever wonder what would happen if the power went out and stayed out?

Maybe the streets would be filled with mayhem and panicking automatons who wished they’d taken the blue pill. In a more optimistic dream, maybe the streets would be filled with dancing and people would see themselves as freed from the shackles of technology, returning to a more natural existence.

The African Showboyz are a fine example of how to enjoy the simple life.

Hailing from the bush of Africa, The African Showboyz might be the last thing you would expect to see under the neon lights of a smoky bar.

In the tiny village of Binaba, in the northeast region of Ghana, there is no electricity, nor opportunity for education, but the Showboyz have reached out to the globe with a message of peace and unity.

So why not a bar, when the West African quintet has traveled the world with a show that involves singing, drumming, dancing, magic, glass eating and fire twirling?

The Sabbah brothers – Napoleon, Joseph, Issac, Mosses and JJ – first brought their energetic exhibition to the United States in 2003 and have since worked with the likes of Eek-A-Mouse and Speech (formerly of Arrested Development).

There is rich meaning in the music in Binaba. The drum is a symbol in child birthing, naming, marriage and funeral ceremonies, and every dance tells a story.

See the mysticism unfold when The African Showboyz appears on Tuesday at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside Ave. DJ Supervillain opens the show at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover.

Club hoppin’

• The Coeur d’Alene invasion lands tonight at The Blvd., 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., with funk-jam bands Melefluent, Uptime and Illusion 33. Music starts at 9 p.m. Donations suggested.

La Cha-Cha and Suns of Guns will rock The Blvd. on Saturday at 9 p.m. Donations suggested.

• DJ Relm, Locke and The Chris Wilson Five and DJ Brainchild bring various flavors of hip-hop tonight at 9:30 to The B-Side. There is a $5 cover.