Causing a commotion, with help from friends

THE ultimate in unplugged gigs will be taking place this Thursday in Mad Dogs Central.

Called With A Little Help From My Friends, this is a one off event put on by the Soul Commotion to celebrate their first anniversary. A host of special guests including, Val Mindel, Phil O'Mullan, Dave McKirdy, Dave Dykes and Richie Weintraub will be joining in the celebrations as well.

It all starts at 9pm. Free Admission.

Tonight: Sweat Jam, Hong Kong's first all rap and hip hop jam is happening at Westworld. DJs Tommy E and Dolby will be on hand with guest MC D-Man from 10pm, admission $100; New resident band at Judgement AD is Max Tempo, they'll be playing every Monday to Saturday, tonight they're on at 10.30pm; Captain Mabullah hits the stage at The Wanch for lots of rowdy reggae, from 10pm; Dave Colquhoun will be playing unplugged rock and blues at Mad Dogs Kowloon at 6pm before heading to Mad Dogs Central at 10pm; TinaMay and Clark Tracey at the Jazz Club from around 9pm; Percussion ensemble Skinstrung at the Fringe Club from 9pm; Just Say More are playing at club IT from 10.30pm and Soul Liberation can be heard at Hot Shot from 9.30pm.

Tomorrow: There's a huge DJ rave at Judgement AD called Utopia featuring Nancy Noise from the UK plus special guests Mickey Smith, Tim Earl, Joe Lai and Simon The Tipster. It all starts at 1.30am, admission is $150; Those madcap lads - Feathers, Fozzie, Lurch and Pavarotti - from Splash It About will be playing a few originals and classic covers at The Wanch from 10pm; Put on your floral flares and get down to Portico for a rock trip through the 60s and 70s with AWOL from 10pm; Silver Spurs will be playing country and Western music at Mad Dogs Central from about 10pm; Tina May and Clark Tracey at the Jazz Club around 9pm; The Rock Gang play hard-rock and heavy metal at Amoeba from 10pm.

Sunday: It's the final show for Tina May and Clark Tracey at the Jazz Club from 9pm, don't miss it.

Monday: The New China Blues Agency at the Cyrano Bar in the Island Shangri-La from 9.30pm; The Musical Mystery Tour at the Jazz Club from 9pm.

Tuesday: The Eugene Pao Group will be joined by Dave Packer at the Jazz Club, from around 9pm; Dave Colquhoun at Mad Dogs Kowloon at 9pm.

Wednesday: Music Of This Century at the Fringe Club from 6.30pm; Jazz trio, Han Shan, at Amoeba; Classic pop and rock with Bambi and The Bambinos at The Wanch, from 9pm; Dave Colquhoun at Mad Dogs Central and The Victoria Jazz Band is back at the Jazz Club, from about 9pm.

Thursday: Eugene Pao at the Jazz Club, from around 9pm; It's Another Musical Affair with Teresa Norton in the Grand Hyatt's Champagne Bar from 10pm; Radio Free Hong Kong at DDII from around 10pm.

Plus: The Wanch's resident guitar man, Sammy, takes to the stage on Sunday through Wednesday from 9pm with his mix of rock, folk and country.

Music Lights playing rhythm and blues at the Cyrano Bar, Island Shangri-La, from 9pm. Playing barfly favourites is Benjamin Jacinto at the Island Shangri-La Lobby Lounge from 7pm from Monday to Saturday. Edwin Gutierrez keeps the stool warm on Sunday. Helping diners' digestion will be Singer Remedios and Samson on keyboard, performing popular tunes at the Island Shangri-La Lobster Bar from 7pm.

Organising a show? Please send information to Live Music, Features Desk, PO Box 47, or fax 8111048.