What Time Is It?

Yes, it's that time of year again. A certain, auspicious date is coming our way and amongst party and music circles it has become a suspiciously covert holiday of sorts. April 20 is near and within that day comes a host of special events and gigs for both, those in the know and those who are incredibly naïve.

Exactly what am I talking about? Who knows? I'll claim cluelessness and gaze on bewilderment at the inordinate number of smokers at the parties and the surprise appearance of special brownies. Until I figure it all out, I'll just remain sheltered and enjoy the music. And let me tell you -- there's plenty of it!

If you're looking for a party, there are plenty to choose from. In fact, I'm not sure exactly where to start, so my jumping off point will be with the first person who called me to inform me of their coming gig: Infamous. Appropriate name, huh?

If you're a hip-hop and rap fan, you'll dig this show as one of OKC's most popular rapper shows now in Tulsa for a special show at The Marquee with Fist Inc. Doors open at 7pm and cover is $10 for a night full of heavy beats and rock attitude.

If you don't already have any of Infamous' stuff, you might recognize the name (and then the voice) from his guest appearance on PDA's CD a couple of years ago. Since then, he's cultivated his own sound, incorporating more of a rock vibe and energy without stepping into inane "jugaloo" territory. Yes, the haze will be heavy but so will the beats.

Just a few feet down the sidewalk, The Hunt Club is hosting a special "420 Event" with What's That? playing. In all honesty, I don't know much about the band, but could its moniker be any more appropriate for the night? Cover's free and the beer is cold, so you know it's a safe stop to at least give a quick listen.

If you're looking for surprises, then you need to go online and check out Dub Nasty at dubnasty.com, where you can download his new album, Ektoplasm, for free. What's this white kid doing rapping and why? Who cares when the rhymes flow this free and funny? If you haven't heard "F5 in the Trailer Park" and you laugh your ass off at the Oklahoma and white trash references, you're either missing out or have no sense of humor.

If you want to go "old school," I'm not sure you could get any more appropriate for the evening than Steve Pryor and Paul Benjaman Band playing at The Colony on Tuesday night. After all, who else channels the original Tulsa Sound vibe better than PBB and what active player is better tied than Pryor.

We just won't mention WHY the Tulsa Sound might have been a half beat behind the shuffle and leave that for you to figure out. Regardless, a night at The Colony is always a good one, and this Tuesday should be even better.

That brings us to the two top shows of the night, both happening downtown: whether you dig jam bands or reggae, either are fully appropriate for the evening and will surely provide a full night of entertainment.

First up, the local boys. Sam and the Stylees pull out the rock inflected reggae grooves with the band's annual 4/20 party, this year returning to the patio at Phat Philly's. Cosmosis and DJ Moody will be spinning as well, so it will be a full night of music and dancing. Every year, this one's a blow out with the crowd extending out into the street, a special haze in the air and the smell of ummm ... Philly cheese steaks wafting through the neighborhood. If it's a good night, MoMo might even make the infamous "Steak Doobie" as the evening's special!

Finally, the coup de gras arrives at Flytrap Music Hall. New act 7 Walkers makes its Tulsa debut on Tuesday night, but these guys are no strangers to the music scene or Tulsa for that matter. Legendary Grateful Dead Drummer Bill Kruetzmann and Papa Mali team up with Tulsa's own Reed Mathis, for what can only be anticipated as the latest mini "super group" amongst jam circles. Rumor has it Ego Culture might open the show to warm up the crowd and start the improvisational vibe, but as of press time, I hadn't received firm confirmation yet. Either way, it will be a great show for jam fans.

No matter what you choose on April 20, music fans are sure to have a good time. Just don't have too good a time: You don't want to get your own 420 before you return home.