Gene Drayton Unit live @ The 100 Club - 19th July

Arguably London's most popular Hammond combo, The Gene Drayton Unit (GDU) are set to return to The 100 Club for a live gig on Saturday 19th July.

The GDU are one of those bands that not only sound good, but are a real treat to watch perform too. The atmosphere at their 100 Club gigs is always electric and it's a real pleasure to watch them work the audience up into a frenzy. Sax player Mark Norton in particular always impresses with his dancing.

Their catchy club sound is a blend of 60s soul, jazz, funk, blues and even 60s pop and garage punk.

If you haven't seen them play live before, this is the time to do it.

Tickets are £7 in advance or £10 on the door. You can buy tickets online from: www.wegottickets.com/event/31603

To find out more about the band and listen to some of their tracks visit: http://www.myspace.com/genedraytonunit

Maria Rita live in London - Saturday 28 June

Grammy Award winning samba singer Maria Rita is to perform her first ever UK show on Saturday 28 June at The Barbican.

Maria Rita is the daughter of Elis Regina - widely recognised as Brazil's all-time greatest singer and in my opinion one of the greatest singers of all time full stop.

30 year-old Maria Rita was self-taught and has been singing professionally for the last 6 years. She released her first album in 2003 and her third album was released late last year. She has a beautifully expressive voice and a sound very reminiscent of classic 60s and 70s MPB (Música Popular Brasileira)

This is Maria Rita's only UK date so if you're a fan of Brazilian music, make sure you don't miss it!

To read more about Maria Rita and to hear some of her music check out her website: www.maria-rita.com

To book tickets for the show visit: www.barbican.org.uk

One way ticket to Flipsville - Sunday 8th June

Dig this cats, it's Sunday evening. It's hot and sticky inside your pad and out. And yet you have a real gone urge to jump up and shake your feet. Like, too much! A no-goodnik would lie naked in front of a fan. But you have this beastly desire to dance - and not sedately. Wildly!

It's time to fall in and dig the happenings at Home Cookin', where the chicks and gators beat the boards to the crazy sound of the gonest lacquer crackers dished out with flair by El Nino and Jean-Paul Séculaire. And it won't cost you a cent.

The only thing that's square here are the meals, and they come on a round plate. So whether it's lubrication you need, or a real fine feedbag, this joint will send you to the end.

Like, make a shape in a drape and don't be late.

The date: Sunday 8th June
The time: 5.30pm - 10.30pm
The place: Filthy MacNasty's lounge bar, 68 Amwell St, EC1R 1UU
The sounds: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Latin Jazz, Blues, Funk
The food: Pie & Mash
The drinks: Plentiful
The cover charge: Nix. Nothing. Zero.

NB: The first 20 groovers to hit the hop will bag themselves a hip to the tip compact disk of solid kicks.

And remember, it ain't no sin to take off your skin, and dance around in your bones, so cop the bop and make the scene. Home Cookin' is your one way ticket to Flipsville.

Find out more from www.right-on.org

The last ever Tighten Up - 6 June

After 9 years (and only 4 months at its current venue) well respected London reggae club Tighten Up is to come to an end with one last event on Friday 6th June. Promoters Mistah Brown and Tim P have decided it's time to call it a day and plan to concentrate on other projects.

Special guest selectors for this farewell bash are the ever popular Asher G (The Rocksteady Daddy) and Bilko. Expect the usual mix of classic reggae, ska, rocksteady, old-skool dancehall, roots and heavyweight dub at what will no doubt be a party to remember and an emotional night for the club's loyal regulars. If you're a fan of reggae make sure you get down to this one!

Details as follows:

Tighten Up @ Rhum Jungle (underneath Cottons Caribbean Restaurant)
70 Exmouth Market (Off Rosebery Avenue)
London EC1

Doors: 9pm til 2am
Admission: FREE
Dress code: No hoods (That's it!)

For more info check: www.dancecrasher.co.uk