Philadelphia, July 11th: Okay, okay! I had a beer over the weekend. So instead of going cold turkey, I will simply count the number of beers I have in July. I am up to one.

This past weekend was so-called "Greek Weekend" in Philadelphia. The annual event called the Greek Picnic (July 8th) is a gathering of African-American fraternity and sorority members in Fairmount Park. The event has been going on since 1974. However in recent years, last year in particular things got out of hand. Property was destroyed, women, (many of whom dress in provocative quasi-clothing) were sexually assaulted and "citizens" were beat down by the police and the entire event was criticized by the media.

In 2000, the organizers of the picnic changed their strategy. Most significantly they eschewed radio sponsorship. The result was a more peaceful and fun event, less drama all around.

Last year when was the worst in terms of negative activity in the history of the Greek Picnic. It was co-sponsored by Power 99 FM, the local corporate pseudo-hip-hop station. Most of last year's havoc, agrees organizers or the Greek Picnic as well as the media and the Philadelphia Police was due to the influx of locals and not the visiting college students.

Radio sponsorship has caused mayhem in more than a few venues in these environs. When Jack Boogi, SatOne and Soul One hosted Tuesday night hip-hop nights at Club Evolution, it was the best in the city. The night club sold out to radio station Philly 103.9 (a Power 99 clone), who saw the crowd and decided to muscle in, the whole thing deteriorated. It wasn't long before someone got shot up in that joint. Real heads joke about not going down to Evolution unless you are wearing your bulletproof vest. Now, Power 99 is up in the Five Spot "sponsoring" Black Lily, (the weekly open mic hosted by the Jazzyfatnastees). While I hope the venue doesn't go the way others have, it seems to me to be inevitable.

Whether they meant to or not, the organizers of the Greek Picnic, by taking radio sponsorship out of the promotion strategy, saved themselves a lot of money and a lot of headaches.

Also this past weekend the Art of Noise Graffiti Battle was held in a park at 23rd and South Streets. Name (Old Man, Grand Agent and Mr. Cis) performed as a unit and Five Points of Logic also kicked the joint out. While the Battle was supposed to encompass all elements of hip-hop (breakin' graf, etc.), most people wanted to grab the mic and "audition" and/or battle. There were some concerns about crowd control, but all in all in was a good show.

Hip-Hop in the City:

Mondays: The Remedy at Club Fluid 4th and Kater (1/2 block south of South), DJ Cosmo in one of the most popular nights of the week.

Tuesdays: You've been warned about Evolution, don't forget your vest. However, Mr. Cis spins at Eden Roc (15th and South Sts.).

Wednesdays: I just heard last week that SatOne is spinning hip-hop at the Grape Street Pub Grape St. off Main) in Manayunk. The Grape is well known as a rock club, so this is something. I also hear hip-hop flows above the Grape on Fridays and Saturdays as well.

Thursdays: Smile Thursdays at Shampoo (7th and Callowhill), You can hear hip-hop downstairs in the Velvet Underground. Plus all the other rooms Shampoo offers. (So many I can't keep up).

Fridays: Definite at Eden Roc. Kenny Meez, Deep C and company. There are three floors of sound and hip-hop is on one of them.

More later. I am saving up my pennies to get a new computer, so I can actually scan some pictures and get these updates out to you faster.