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ImageWhen hip-hop trio Digable Planets emerged in the early 90s, their Grammy-winning hit "Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" would prove the Planets were primed to connect with audiences weary of the aggressive posturing of gangsta rap. Filled with intelligent lyrics, honey-smooth flow, and inventive arrangements, their albums Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) (1993) and Blowout Comb (1994) redefined hip-hop and set standards for the generation of soul poets and innovative producers that followed.

The group first took shape in the early 90s in New York City. Former Seattle resident Butterfly (a k a Ishmael Butler) teamed up with Philadelphia native Cee Know the Doodlebug (Craig Irving), who was a member of the New York collective Dread Poets Society, and Ladybug (Mary Ann Vieira), a Maryland denizen of Brazilian descent. Like the name chosen for their band, the new handles each member adopted also reflected a universal consciousness, as "Insects stick together and work for mutually beneficial causes," observed Ladybug.

On their 1993 debut, Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space), they incorporated elements of funk, samba, and psychedelia into their street-savvy hip-hop; jazz, in particular, played a pivotal role. Critics responded to the Planets' debut platter enthusiastically. In a four-star review for Rolling Stone, Kevin Powell wrote: "Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) is everything hip-hop should be: artistically sound, unabashedly conscious and downright cool."

Although Digable Planets dissolved in 1996, all three members remained musically active throughout the years, with Cee Know the Doodlebug leading Philadelphia live hip-hop ensemble Cosmic Funk Allstars since 2000. In addition, Doodlebug is the CEO of the successful multimedia company 7 and a Crescent. But most importantly for Digable Planets fans worldwide, the original trio recently reformed to play a number of well-received live dates across the US.

Doors open at 9 PM. Show starts at 10 PM with an opening set by Jay High of Cypher:Dissident. Syracuse-band Sophistafunk will also perform and Funk N Waffles from Syracuse will be on hand providing a variety of waffles.

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