"Be part of the experience" is the idea behind an upcoming freestyle performance and contest this week, which will give local rap, hip-hop and urban beat artists an opportunity to take the stage and present their talents. This special event will be held on Thursday, July 14th from 9:00PM to midnight, at Mango's Cafi at 403 Westheimer. This is the first production by young music producer and entrepreneur Marc-Antony Piqsn, owner of Southside Genre. "We want anyone who can flow good to be the stars of this event, and we want people to come out and be a part of the experience and have a good time," says Piqsn. Hip-hop performers of all styles are invited. For details call 713-416-3036 or send an email to southside.genre@sbcglobal.net.

It's another stellar after-hours party from spoiledboyz.net on Saturday July 16th (wee hours of Sunday morning, beginning at 3:30AM.) This month's party is called ECLIPSE, and it features DJ Scotty K to make us all dance until the sun comes up at Clarks at 314 Main Street. $15 Advance Tickets Available at M2M Fashion. Join the Spoiled Boyz email list and receive upcoming event information. Sign-Up Today at www.spoiledboyz.net.

CHUM (City of Houston Underwater Mariners) is Houston's fastest growing dive club. Their slogan is they are "a drinking club with a diving problem" and they have quite a few diving and non-diving events going on every month. Regular meetings are the third Thursday of every month at 7PM in the back room at Stag's Head Pub or they can be found 24/7 on the web at www.chumclub.org. Ummm, isn't "chum" a term for shark bait? That could be scary. Anyway, tell them their meeting, the third Thursday of the month, should be at 6°, will you? Jaws said so!

Faces of Change will host the 2005 Annual Web Auction to raise funds for Crockett Elementary on www.houstoncenter.com on July 14th and 15th. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Crockett Elementary directly. Projects, such as the schoolyard habitat which is currently under construction, are made possible by the fundraising events hosted by Faces of Change and Houston Center. 6° has an auction item with them, so you KNOW it's COOL!

For all of you who have emailed and asked me how to do the ° symbol, here's my recipe: press the ALT key with the selected finger from your left hand, and while holding it down, press the 0186 keys, in that order & lift your left hand finger from the ALT key & voila, the ° symbol magically appears! My boss, Gary Murphy, taught me that! Cool, huh? Now you know why I decided to come work here — he's a GENIUS! Tell him to give me a raise!

The Friday Night parties called "LIFE" are at Opus, 412 Main. These parties, brought you by Pure Houston, have been running two years now, with no end in sight! Jason Hilbert is the DJ on Friday at Opus. Mike Masters is there on Saturdays. Davizm is the underground DJ on Friday and DJ nitro is Saturday's master of the underground mix. Be sure you see both levels at Opus. My friends and I have been on a "downstairs kick" when we go. Dylan is a great bartender and we also love Justin, who frequently is our downstairs man behind the bar.

My friend, Maria's hubby is a jeweler. Ron Sobala returned to the fine jewelry environment just over a year ago after 11 years as an outside salesman. He was presented the opportunity to work for the prestigious company last September through a chance meeting with a Ben Bridge associate. Ron had previously managed several Diamond Park division stores of Zales back in the mid 80's before returning to Baylor for his marketing degree, so the transition came easy. He also holds a graduation certificate from the Diamond Council of America so advice about diamonds is right there at expertise. "Carat Weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut are easy. It's that 5th 'C' — Confidence that trips most people up." But when talking to Ron you'll quickly learn all the basics and become comfortable knowing quality. Ron's store at the Memorial City Mall location off I-10 and Gessner carries a complete line of diamond wedding rings, anniversary bands, pendants and earrings. They have one of the best selections of colored gemstone jewelry you'll find in any mall jewelry store, including larger pieces of deep violet colored Tanzanite with diamonds, and birthstones. Mikimoto pearls are also available in Pink, White and South Sea Black. Nothing less than fabulous!

Been to Pub Fiction? The Queen loves it. Happy Hour at Pub Fiction is Monday through Friday from 4-8PM.Cool off on their patio with $6 domestic pitchers every weekday and enjoy FREE Chips and Salsa until 10PM on Thursdays. Sign up at www.pubfiction.com to receive news and special offers. Pub Fiction is at 2303 Smith.

This is a cool little activity sent to me by my favorite little Miller Lite model, Melissa Gori, from Austin. You can let it drop by itself or you can click with your mouse and control it. Either way it's trippy fun. http://www.izpitera.ru/lj/tetka.swf. Go to this site when you have a buzz, it's even MORE fun!

The next big Houston Single Source party will be on Wednesday, July 20th at the Dog House Tavern, 2517 Bagby Street. Celebrate the "dog days of Summer." Houston Single Source is teaming up with the Houston Press to give away passes to the new movie "Must Love Dogs." Be sure to bring a photo of your dog or cat for the "Who's the cutest?" contest. I can tell you right now, MY pooch, Little Miss Marlee Keegan Coyne (half lab, half chow ALL precious!) will be the winner of the cutest contest. My dog is bitchin'! There is only room for 150 people at the party so RSVP now at www.houstonsinglesource.com or plan on arriving early. I LOVE Nina Freeman from Houston Press, she is the world's best matchmaker!

NEWS IN THE BIZ: Jamie Moncur has left his GM spot at 507 Main Street (the Grasshopper) to go work for Sam's Boat in Stafford (too far!) and Forrest deSpain has stepped up to be the new GM at Grasshopper. World-renown Timmy Todd Moore is the GM at the Wet Spot. Tribeca Lounge is interviewing for wait staff, bartenders, door guys, and hosts. All applicants should contact Jordan at 713-783-2025 or you can email jordan@tribecahouston.com. Tribeca Lounge is located at 2707 Fountain View at Westheimer, formerly the Standard and Aura. Escobar & Social are still hot on Sundays, but I am totally infatuated with BLEND at 6° Lounge. The premiere party was one of the best events I've ever put together and it included a luscious buffet from Bocados and an even MORE luscious fashion show from Erotic Cabaret starring Christine, Marissa and Macy. Nell Russell of Bella Productions was the choreographer and she made it a stellar event. If you missed it, you'll get another chance to see the next fashion show on July 31st at BLEND, which is at 6° Lounge every Sunday. I am still looking for Marketing Director & General Manager resumes for a club owner downtown, so send 'em my way!