Before we get started, I should mention that I’m honored to be collaborating with our newest contributor, Vanessa Quilantan, for this weekend’s show preview. You may know her writing from the Dallas Observer, Vice Magazine’s Noisey, and for being named by New York Mag’s The Cut as one of “50 Fashion Social Media Voices to Follow.” That last item is something I’m still jealous about. Welcome, Vanessa. — Christopher Mosley

Thursday

Onyx is one of Dallas’ most popular strip clubs, but every once in awhile, they end up bringing out a performer that most area venue buyers would compete heavily for. Tonight, that performer is Houston rap legend, Scarface– he’ll be the honorable host and judge of the club’s Red, White, and Blue Party. If you’re less a fan of lingerie and strip club vibes, and more interested in seeing an actual Scarface performance, promoter Johnny B hasn’t forsaken you. You can catch him at The Music Factory in Arlington tomorrow night. There’s a $500 giveaway at the Friday show, in addition to a cash prize at Onyx. In theory, Scarface could potentially pay all of your July bills this weekend.

When asked why the Houston rapper is billed as “Mr. Scarface” for the Onyx party (which is the title of the opening track of his 1991 album, Mr. Scarface is Back) Johnny B. gave the following answer: “Respect.” — Vanessa Quilantan

The Crown and Harp will be hosting its “Got Barz” competition, which is presented by Leo J and Too Fresh Productions. Tonight’s battle seems even like an even more ceremonious affair, as 97.9 The Beat’s DJ Menace will be handling the turntables. There are still about six slots left open for would-be contenders at the time of this posting, and you can make it on the list by showing up and signing in before 11 pm.

— Christopher Mosley 

Friday

Two Bronze Doors continues to be one of my favorite newer venues, as the small space on Lower Greenville has a tucked-away charm that has never been one of the neighborhood’s strengths, whether or it was in its heyday as a suburban party destination or the cleaned-up see-and-be seen district we know it to be today.

The crowds at Two Bronze Doors shows watch the music with polite and quiet intent, and if not, they merely chat on the patio. Friday’s show will see three acts with considerably more name than what is usually hosted there, but still falling significantly on the fringes. Cerulean Giallo will open up for New Fumes and Unconscious Collective, the last of which will be joined by a group of collaborators including violist Joshua Westerman, vocalist Sarah Ruth, and violinist Leonard Hayward, among others. If you wondering why an already well-armed band would need so much extra help, they’ll be performing one of the last pieces ever composed by the late Ronald Shannon Jackson, a Fort Worth-based, internationally renowned jazz drummer, who Unconscious Collective member, Stefan Gonzalez eulogized here last November. — Christopher Mosley

Saturday 

Saturday is when things really start to pop off, no pun intended. East Dallas pool club Salt (Formerly Ku De Ta) will transform into a somewhat freakier destination than for what the venue is usually known. Saturday, from 2-8pm, enjoy some good old fashioned drunk swimming to the sounds of Dallas’ own DJ Sober and his Houston based collaborator, Dayta. The two host a widely popular Houston monthly called “Top Notch,” but they don’t often appear together locally, so don’t miss out.

After you wash all of that salty vodka water out of your hair, get a good dinner in you, cause you’re going to need your energy for the rest of the night.

K104′s Rico Slice is quickly gaining steam, and they have put together what is easily the toughest local hip hop lineup of year so far. Catch The Outfit, TX, Buffalo Black, The Mochicans, Blue, The Misfit, and Kissed Killed at 406 S. Haskell, which is an art space in East Dallas. The night will start with an open mic at 8pm; the first billed opener goes on at 10pm; and festivities go on until … well, the best part is that nobody quite knows when this will end, actually.

Consider finishing out the night by drifting gently into a blackout with longtime Dallas dance music staple, Faded Deejays, at Crown and Harp. —Vanessa Quilantan

Veteran 80s Night specialist, Jonathan Graham, otherwise known as DJ G will be at Windmill Lounge on Saturday, for “Tropic of Sound.” The evening features Gavin Guthrie and Dylan Taylor McGraw as the resident DJs and their mix of everything from disco to rare Brazilian dance tracks is rather unique in the world of semi-regular dance nights.

— Christopher Mosley

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Fourth of July Parades Include Diverse Themes

Varying themes give each parade a unique spin on the holiday. (Thinkstock)

Parades marking the 238th anniversary of the nation’s independence will be held Friday throughout Los Angeles County with themes inspired by such diverse sources as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Star Wars.” 

Recently appointed Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr will be the grand marshal of the 66th annual Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade, which is set to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunset Boulevard, between Via de la Paz and Drummond Street.

Kerr was raised in Pacific Palisades and graduated from Palisades High School. His mother still lives in the community and annually hosts Fourth of July parties for visiting foreign exchange students, parade organizer Richard Wilken told City News Service.

The parade’s theme is “Star-Spangled Palisades.” Kim Traenkle, who submitted the winning entry, said it was inspired by her daughter Jacquie’s learning the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Westchester’s 15th annual Fourth of July Parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will be held along Loyola Boulevard from Westchester Park to Loyola Marymount University. The parade’s theme is “Love My America!” which will be represented by all 50 entries, according to Christina Davis, the president and CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the parade. KABC-TV Channel 7 anchor Jovana Lara, a Loyola Marymount graduate, will be the grand marshal.

Santa Monica’s eighth annual Fourth of July parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Main Street and Pico Boulevard. Its theme is “May the 4th Be With You!”

San Gabriel’s 4th of July Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Plaza Park, in front of the San Gabriel Mission, then head north through the Mission district, continue east on Broadway and conclude at Smith Park.

The Valley Village Homeowners Association Fourth of July Parade will begin at Colfax Elementary School at 10 a.m. and conclude at Valley Village Park, where the association will provide corn dogs, watermelon, cold drinks and cupcakes. The parade is billed as a “red, white and blue celebration” where residents are encouraged to create their own floats and displays.

The 11th annual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 1 Granada Ave. on the beach bike path in Long Beach. Long Beach police Chief Jim McDonnell, a candidate for Los Angeles County sheriff, is among the expected guests.

Sierra Madre’s 4th of July Parade will include children on decorated bicycles, classic cars and the band from The Gooden School. The 1.3-mile two- hour parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of Sierra Madre Boulevard and Sunnyside Avenue, and travel the length of Sierra Madre Boulevard to Sierra Vista Park.

Husband-and-wife Pat and De Alcorn will be the grand marshal. Pat serves on the Community Services Commission, the 4th of July Committee, Sierra Madre Civic Club and Friends of the Library.

Other parade participants include Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Rep. Judy Chu, D-San Gabriel, and Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena.

Rosemead’s parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Muscatel Avenue and Valley Boulevard and will include floats, bands, dignitaries and classic cars.

The Sunland-Tujunga Independence Day parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Foothill Boulevard and Mt. Gleason Avenue, head west along Foothill Boulevard and end at Sunland Park. Its theme is “Celebrating Arts in the Foothills.”

The Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association 4th of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Warner Avenue School and conclude in Holmby Park.

South Pasadena’s 32nd annual Festival of Balloons Fourth of July Parade will have the theme “The Y… Serving Our Community for 100 Years.” It will begin at 11 a.m. at the South Pasadena Library.

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