Chaka $%#@& Khan!!!!!!!!!

As I type this, I have goosebumps. Overdramatic? Definitely. But it still hasn't quite registered that tonight I will be seeing the greatest, most amazing diva of all time: the legendary Chaka Khan. More goosebumps.



Chaka (Ms. Khan if you're nasty) is on the top of my "must see" list, second only to Prince but tying with Bjork and Sade. I have to give Velvet Sessions credit: usually their lineup is filled with mildly washed up music acts that only nerds (yes, me) will appreciate. Recent acts have included The Tubes, The Fixx and Bret Michaels -- not exactly a stellar roster (good thing there's an open bar). But by booking the "Queen of Funk Soul" they have upped their game, which explains why the admission price has also jumped from $25 to $40.

It's totally worth it. And if she sings "I Know You, I Live You" and/or "Through The Fire," look for the little Becky puddle that happily melted onto the floor.



If you manage to survive being Chaka-fied, get your dance on over at the monthly Pop Off party, taking place tonight at The Social. This flyer grosses me out big time but I guess guys like it so... maybe it will be a sausage party? At least the music will be good.

Tonight: Get Your Fixx + Mumpsy CD Release Party

The last Thursday of each month, the Hard Rock Hotel hosts a rock party called the Velvet Sessions: 25 bucks covers admission, free drinks and an awesome concert, either with someone you really want to see (Colin Hay from Men at Work) or someone you can't wait to make fun of (Bret Michaels). The people-watching alone is worth the admission price: middle-aged ladies with big hair and leather outfits paired with ponytailed rich guys dressed in khakis. Hard Rock is pretty secretive about announcing who will be performing, probably because the musician(s) will only commit at the last minute if there's nothing better to do. Tonight's special guest is none other than The Fixx.

I have stated before that I think One Thing Leads to Another is one of the greatest songs of all time (seriously, I listened to it on repeat for three days straight last summer), so you can imagine my disappointment that I have to miss out tonight. If you don't believe this song is amazing, listen to it again (especially all you electro heads) and then tell me.

The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another.mp3



Also tonight, over at The Social, local indie band Mumpsy will be hosting a release party for their new CD, Cat and Canary. They vividly (and a bit repulsively) describe themselves as a "moist towelette for the ears." From what I can gather, their sound is pretty eclectic and worth checking out. They will be joined tonight by XOXO and Baron Von Bear. I heard through the grapevine this may be BVB's last show (despite the fact they were just featured as a cover story for Orlando Weekly), so you might want to catch them while you can.

Here's one of their MP3s for nostalgic purposes.

Baron Von Bear - Live Off the Land.mp3