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Dipity Do: The Serendipity Project hosts a freestyle battle Jan. 28. Serendipitous Freestyle Battle Here's a little story about good luck, hard work, big breaks and why you should come out to see the Serendipity Project's Freestyle Battle on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the 418 Project. First, there's the band: a six-piece organic hip-hop crew blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B and soul in a live format (a la The Roots), topped with solid flows and heady rhymes. About once a month, they host a freestyle battle with a $100 kitty. A couple of months ago at the Aptos Club, a young kid named Franco ended up in the finals with a huge, imposing dreadlocked dude named Elephante, and what happened that night may yet turn out to be history in the making. The little David tore apart the charismatic Goliath with a tongue lashing that likened the big man to a cross between Mr. T. and Whoopi Goldberg, among other things. Anyhow, the performance was brutal and brilliant, and best of all, it was recorded. As SP guitarist Itay tells it, Franco then entered the tape into the Superbowl of Freestyling, where Eminem was discovered. Franco is among 12 MCs accepted to compete for the most prestigious freestyling title. The point being that you never know what or who you're going to see at these battles, except for these details: DJ Kane of Bomb Productions will be hosting the preliminary rounds, while SP will back up the MCs for the finals. Pushing Destinations will also perform. Tickets are $5; show starts at 9:30pm. What a Rush When I was tyke, my grandma once told me about the cyclical nature of fashion--how everything considered "out" will eventually make its way back "in." Coheed and Cambria proved her right last Friday night at the Catalyst, attacking the dramatically complex hard rock that Rush delivered back in the '70s with a full-scale heavy metal assault. Rush probably never knew they could sound so much like Metallica, if only they'd added a guitarist or two. Paco de Lucia Rescheduled First the White Album Live!, and now flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia? No, he didn't get the government flu, too. The change of date is due to "delays in visa processing," which may or may not be the result of An Overzealous Department of Homeland Security. In any case, the Jan. 26 date has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 2, at 8pm. All tickets already purchased will be honored on the new date, but can also be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Contact the SC Civic Box Office at 831.420.5260 for more information. Mike Connor [ Santa Cruz Week | Metroactive Central | Archives ]