HIP-HOP SHOWCASES

Along with the green Bud Light and locals behaving more like Americans than any time of year, this St. Paddy's weekend brings an explosion of KC underground hip-hop events. First, Friday at the Record Bar sees the return of the prodigiously talented Anti-Crew: two skinny college kids whose loud mouths and hard beats come accompanied by the live backing band that plays on the group's upcoming album, Ours for the Taking. That same night in Lawrence, and also Saturday in KC, producer, trumpeter and singer Miles Bonny's hydra-headed Innate Sounds Crew storms the Jackpot and the Brick, respectively. Part label, part stable, Innate is a guild of reliable local performers, including CES Cru, Deep Thinkers and Stik Figa. It also boasts piano-playing jazz-hop experimenter John Brewer. Sample Innate's roster on the crew's new compilation disc, Alpha, available for purchase both nights. Last, on St. Patrick's Day, a new bar next to the Dark Horse called 4118 Penn celebrates its grand opening with DJ work from Bonny and Joc Max from 7 to 10 p.m., followed by Brewer's live-instrument-with-DJ ensemble Organic Proof. First DJ to sample "The Foggy Dew" wins.