I Got Soul But I’m Not a Soldier

Ray Charles had it. So did James Brown — they don’t call him the Godfather for nothing. But having soul doesn’t stop and start with music, let alone soul music. It’s a spiritual, artistic drive present in all good art — at least according to local DJ Haviken Hayes. He’s one of the faces behind the new Soul School, a weekly gathering of artistic talent from the local music and art scene going down each Tuesday night at Mix Ultra Lounge (1903 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood).

Hayes elaborates: “Soul is having what it takes deep down inside to turn whatever the artist touches into something you can feel.” And it’s precisely that theme of free artistic spirit that drives Soul School. Each Tuesday, Hayes and his cohorts (pop-and-locker Aquabooty and freestyle emcee Serum) will host a party that invites local musicians, producers, DJs, poets, dancers, artists, painters, or any appreciator of good art to pop in and listen to tunes ranging from ΄70s soul and funk to ΄90s hip hop, all while watching live art done in a chill setting. Since its start about a month ago, Soul School has hosted live hop-hop by Dade duo Orion and Name Brand, live portraiture by artist Veit, and real-time computer graphics by artist Jeff Dekal. This week, hip-hop outfit Major League will take the stage while artist Kazilla works on the canvas. Hayes and company plan on keeping the performances live and current, so check out myspace.com/soulschoolmusic for a complete schedule. The party gets underway at 10 p.m., and Heinekens and martinis are 2-4-1 all night.
Tue., Nov. 18, 2008