On Thursday December 6th, The Parkdale Drink will be converted into a hip hop head wonderland. 6 years later, Wu-Tang has reappeared on the scene with a new album: 8-Diagrams. Their long anticipated disc features a tribute to everyone’s favorite clansman and Mariah Carey collaborator, Ol’ Dirty. The track, entitled “Life Changes” is a shoutout from the eight remaining members of Wu to ODB who passed on in 2004. Wu-Tang won’t actually be appearing at the event -I know, that’s soft. However, the organizers promise lots of free swag and features DJ’s Kaewonder & JC.

So you don’t feel quite street enough for this party? Here are 8 things (in no particular order) you should know about Wu-Tang Clan before you head out Thursday night:

1. The first single off the new album is a cover of the Beatles classic “While my Guitar Gently Weeps”. It features John Frusciante
of the Chili Peppers, George Harrison’s son and Erykah Badu.
2. It’s Ghostface Killah, not Ghostface Killer -emphasis on the “ah”.
3. 8 Diagrams is Wu’s fifth official release.
4. Method Man is a pretty successful actor, having appeared in such cinematic classics as Garden State, How High and Soul Plane.
5. On ODB’s death, RZA has been quoted as saying: “He was a very special person, like a very rare diamond. You know, it’s like
you wake up one day and they’re saying, ‘There are no diamonds in the world anymore, just cubic zirconia…’”
6. The group is mostly made up of criminals. That is to say, a bunch of them have been in jail for assault.
7. Don’t worry…How High the sequel is in the works.
8. Dave Chappelle loves Wu-Tang…he talks about them all the time.

Hopefully that short education has given you all the encouragement you need to reach the release party on Thursday Dec. 6th. It starts at 10pm! Here’s a map to get you there. More info, see the facebook event page.

There have been very few times when I dared venture through Brennan Hall so far this semester. However, the few times I have the literal buzz around the upcoming SMC production of Into the Woods has been hard to ignore. (That, and several people have replaced their actual photos on Facebook with production posters).

The play combines catchy musical numbers with reworked fairytales and the original was so popular that they recruited Judi Dench for the Broadway revival. The Dame you guys!

When: 3 performances. Thurs. November 29 – Sat. December 1, 7pm
Where: Isabel Bader Theatre
Details: Tickets available at UofTTix: $12 Adults, $10 Students/Seniors. 15% Discount on Groups of 10 or More.

Photo by robpppy from Flickr

If you’ve ever wondered where all the faux vintage, flat brimmed hats and cardigans congregate on this campus then check out one of the free concerts at Hart House.

This past thursday, on the strength of a bean and cheese burrito and a drive along Queen St. I felt just ironic enough to enjoy the Born Ruffians concert. The Canadian indie rock band just wrapped their tour with Caribou and took their show to the Arbor Room.

The low key crowd shimmied in their seats to “This Sentence” and a great cover of Grizzly Bear‘s “Knife”. The guys were animated, interactive and very cool about the fact that several people wandered in and out, not knowing who they were.

This Thursday, Nov 22nd in the Hart House Arbor Room: New Era @ 9pm (described as “neo-jazz”, you have to check out the show to figure out what that means)