As seen on Malcolm Venable's blog, DJ Cornbread!

A little glimpse into what you're missing, or may have missed, if you aren't at The Boot right now, witnessing DJ Cornbread's Afrika VS Brasil night. From the preview I got from Cornbread via his Honeycomb Hideout, this is a completely sick set of the sounds of two different continents that he's lined up and spun tonight. Here's a little demo of what you missed (which should be your key to make sure you catch Cornbread when he's out doing his thing), courtesy of the one and only John Bibbs, Newport News soul singer extraordinaire.

-Rob Waters

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The Blakes w/ Levon Walker or dive into the Belly Of The Beast?

Aside from the obvious picks for your entertainment needs tonight, like Dane Cook, there's two events going down in Norfolk that are sure to fulfill your auditory needs.

The Boot on 21st Street present The Blakes (http://www.myspace.com/theblakes) at 10 PM for $7. The Blakes hail from Seattle, WA where apparently there's something in the water that makes the bands that form there something special. With compliments paid by outlets ranging from Pitchfork to Spin Magazine to Iggy Pop (which is special itself since their sound carries influence from bands like The Stooges and The Kings), there's a whole world of potential waiting to happen for these guys. Get the chance to see them before they explode onto the industry music festivals and sail off to larger venues. Opening for The Blakes is Levon Walker, a local singer/songwriter from Virginia Beach. Levon follows in that same great vein that other singer/songwriters like Rufus Wainright have travelled. Creative lyrics and a beautiful, yet quirky musical arrangement style, give the promise that catching Levon live is certainly going to be a special experience. Preview his work at http://www.reverbnation.com/levonwalker .

The other bet for tonight, mixes an art show with some of the best DJs in the 757. 37th and Zen on Hampton Blvd., from 8 to 10 PM will play host to the Belly Of The Beast art show, featuring the work of local talents Charlie Restless, Chelsey Barnes, Berkvisual, Christian Hewett, Shannon Reed, Belton John, Josh Newton, Barf Callahan, George Norris, Jeff Crag, Mr. Goodnight, Red One, Howard Tarpey, Binqa, and Corey Cromwell. The artwork will be available for purchase, ranging from $20 to $50. Quality art without having to drain your wallet. Starting at 10 PM, the DJs come out and get to spinning beats to get your blood pumping and your mind racing to dance out the rest of the night. Oh!Boy, Dstryd, and Berkvisual will be your leaders for this trip in the beast's gut. Admission during the art show is free, and after 10 PM admission will be $5.

-Rob Waters

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Soundcheck: 3 local music picks for this weekend

Steve Forss at Keagan's
10 tonight, Nov. 5, 244 Market St., Town Center, Virginia Beach
The sound  The Virginia Beach singer/songwriter has been playing guitar since he was 12.
The scene  The pub has a late-night menu featuring sandwiches, burgers and desserts – great with live music.
The cost  Free
Call  (757) 961-4432

Cheap Thrills at Hot Tuna
10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6,  
2817 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
The sound  Local dance band will have you moving in your seat or on your feet, whichever you prefer.
The scene  Serving wine since 1992 with a selection that includes Greg Norman Estates ’05 (Chardonnay) and Santa Ema Reserve ’05 (Merlot)
The cost  Free
Call  (757) 481-2888

Forefront at Big Woody's Bar and Grill
9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 123 Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake
The sound  The Virginia Beach band rocks “The Boys Are Back in Town” – a Thin Lizzy cover from the ’70s.
The scene  Want some Wii with your music? The family-style venue offers up the game system under a covered porch.
The cost  Free
Call  (757) 436-1919

Mike Lucci Band at J.M. Randall's
9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7,  4854-16 Longhill Road, Williamsburg
The sound  The Glen Allen  band formed in 2008 and plays a Chicago-style rockin’ blues.
The scene  This classic American grill has a gift shop with T-shirts, hats and glassware.
The cost  $5
Call  (757) 259-0406

–By Patty Jenkins

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New features on the HamptonRoads.com band database

HamptonRoads.com's music channel has a pretty comprehensive local band database, http://hamptonroads.com/localbands. It also has new features - video and audio widgets - that haven't been put to good use yet.

If you're a band, you should do a vanity search. If you find yourself, let the editors know if the listing needs an update, if you have video to add or even an album to promote.

The editors can embed anything from YouTube, Vimeo or other video sharing sites. As for audio, they prefer to point to any album you may have for sale on Amazon.com. If not, they can find a way to embed any mp3.

If you can't find your band in the database, add yourself here: http://hamptonroads.com/entertainment/music/add-band. An editor will respond soon.

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Watch: Clipse's "I'm Good" remix with Rick Ross

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Loose Lips and Fantastic Planet aim to shake your costumes off.

There's plent of options this weekend, from live shows to stage shows to public events. But, in the getting out and dancing department, hands down the top two events will be Tonight's Loose Lips' Halloween event "Breakbeats Of Hell" and Saturday's Fantastic Planet Halloween event.

Loose Lips, thrown by the WeOK crew/LedMX/Thrashers/Restless, promises some fresh sound and mad lazers, as well as a healthy dance floor. The sounds start at 10 PM, but things usually start smoking around 11:15-11:45 PM. Djs for the night will be LrdMercy, Oh!Boy, Long Jawns, and Ronnie. Bar None's staff will be on hand to help you stay hydrated for four hours of heart pumping dance, trance, and house beats.  (Bar None is at 5000 Cleveland Street in Virginia Beach)

Fantastic Planet, presented by Noah Larmz, brings a Halloween night like no other, including a $500 prize for best costume. Boasting two powerful DJs in DJ Wizard (who's played with heavyweight acts like Wu-Tang, The Clipse, Girl Talk) and DJ LaBeat (who boasts a long history in the VA DJ scene, not to mention making the crossover into producer-dom), Fantastic Planet will undoubtedly get a shake in your step this All Hallow's Eve. Check out thier website, http://www.fantasticplanetrock.com/ for more details, otherwise, show at The Jewish Mother tomorrow night with your best costume.

-Rob Waters

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'Monster' Rock Mixtape: Songs fit for Halloween

Cube Candy turned me on to this idea about a "Monster Rock" mixtape that would include the classics like "Monster Mash," "Thriller" and "Werewolves as London" as well as some other classic and more recent rock tunes that have a creepy theme.

It was inspired by a guide to "spooky Halloween music" by Jim Harrington on MercuryNews.com.  We liked his list of songs, including Rihanna's "Disturbia,"  so much we compiled the them all - except for the ones from Blue Oyster Cult - in a Amazon.com widget for you to sample and/or buy.

Note: Cube would have posted it, but it just didn't seem right playing something so fun right next some sad news about Dennis Hopper. (Believe or not, Cube does think about these things!) So since I don't have any sad news, here you go, a 'Monster' rock mixtape of songs fit for Halloween:

P.S. Don't forget you the soundtrack score of "The Murder" from Alfred Hitchcock's great thriller "Psycho" (the original in black and white, not the remake) or the creepy piano melody from the movie "Halloween."

Need more help with Halloween planning?
Try the HamptonRoads.com Halloween 2009 portal - which has its very own "25 Songs & Sounds of Halloween."

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Local Pulse weekend picks

CONCERTS AT THE FOUNTAIN
5 p.m. today, Oct. 29, along Waterside Festival Marketplace, downtown Norfolk
The sound  Virginia Beach singer/songwriter Mike Proffitt supplies the adult contemporary tunes.
The scene  TowneBank Fountain Park is overflowing with local music.
The cost  Free
Call  (757) 441-2345

AT WAR AT THE HALF SHELL
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2917 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
The sound  It’s a CD-release party for the metal band that’s toured Europe.
The scene  The bar will also have Kung Fu Dykes joining in the fun.
The cost  $10
Call  (757) 481-3642

ELECTRIC SIDESHOW AT J.M RANDALL'S
9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 4854-16 Longhill Road, Williamsburg
The sound  Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Widespread Panic are a few bands listed as influencing this Williamsburg band.
The scene  Shemekia Copeland and Tinsley Ellis have played the stage at Randall’s.
The cost  $5
Call  (757) 259-0406
– Patty Jenkins

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Sharing music headlines from a varity of sources all over Hampton Roads

If you are following my Twitter feed (@hrmusic) or Facebook fan page, you're about to notice something new: Links to music-related feeds and sites other than my own.

We've decided to become as comprehensive as we can when it comes to the local scene, so we're adding feeds from all over Hampton Roads, Va.

There are only two criteria to be included on our list of feeds.

1. You must post about local music on a regular basis
2. You're blog or site should adhere to the same set of posting guidelines that we follow.

You and only you are responsible for your content. Based on your content, we decided whether or not we should share it with our friends.

Once your feed is added, we will post your headlines soon after you post your content to your own site. (This works as well as the technology behind it.)

We will precede each headline with "Alt-site:" to indicate the headline is being served by someone other than ourselves.

Think we're missing your site, email us at hrshare@pilotonline.com.

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Still Ill at 37th and Zen October 15

For those of us that enjoy some good house/trance/techno/dance/etc etc. music and have been disillusioned by our local options, have no fear, the WeOK crew have come to save our electronic souls. Still Ill throws a strong bash to head into the beginning of the weekend every few weeks, which tomorrow night shows no signs of being any different considering the Mandatory Morrissey at Midnight.  Admission is $3, or a donation of a can of food to help local families in need.   It should also be mentioned that *ZOMBIES* are welcome and encouraged at this event. We all know how the undead like to get down, after all.

-Rob Waters

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