CenPho gay and lesbian joint Incognito has a certain reputation in the Phoenix club scene. For as long as we can remember, the darkened, bunker-like establishment near 24th Street and Thomas Road has served as a stomping ground for P-Town's GLBT hip-hop crowd (dubbed "gaybangers" by my colleague Stephen Lemons) every weekend. Cruise by on a Saturday night -- the only time it's apparently open -- and you'll likely see dozens of cars in its parking lot and a mass of Latinos and African-Americans of varying sexual orientation trying to get through the door.
In recent weeks however, the Incog has flipped the script somewhat. Not only has the place gotten a makeover (including some glowing red lighting scheme), but its proprietors have booked a number of house music DJs every other Friday. Raul Riena and RMC hosted the latest edition of their long-running ::UNITY:: monthly a couple weeks back, and by all accounts it was a successful offering.
And this coming Friday it will be Rani G's chance to put on a party. The 27-year-old is staging a collaborative house music event with some of the best local practitioners of the genre. And he's also bringing in renowned global soul spinster Jay Tripwire to headline.
In addition to Rani, Riena, and RMC, the line-up of locals scheduled to spin also includes DJs Steve Edwards, and dk.strickler (trumpet player Shea Marshall will also perform). Doors open at 9 p.m. and the cover is $5 from 10 to 11:30 p.m., and $10 thereafter. (The 18-and-over posse can get in after 2 a.m. Visit www.socialphx.com.
