420 Fun Abounds This Weekend

In celebration of a not-so-official holiday, XM Satellite Radio’s popular Americana channel, X Country Channel 12, presents the Fifth Annual “420 Show,” highlighting country-rock songs about America’s favorite herb. The celebration will begin even before the holiday, debuting on April 16 with encore re-plays the whole week. Some of the featured songs include Commander Cody’s “Down To Seeds and Stems Again,” Cross Canadian Ragweed’s “Americana Rhymes with Marijuana,” and Dash Rip Rock’s “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot.”

Making the show even more thrilling to listen to, the network execs at XM have put a halt to any more public outreach about the program, due to the “controversial nature” of the show’s contents. In my opinion, this only adds a more satisfyingly subversive spin to everyone tuning in.

UCSB’s NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, will host a Joint Rolling Contest on 4/21, from 12-4 at Anisq’Oyo’ Park in Isla Vista. The contest, which was hugely popular in the 70s and 80s, but lay dormant until it was successfully revived by NORML three years ago. For an entry fee of $5, contestants can compete in either the joints or blunts categories, subdivided into fastest, biggest, freestyle and primo categories. For patients with a valid recommendation card, there also will be a medicinal competition.

The event will feature music from local bands, education on the benefits of legalizing marijuana, and booths sponsored by Hempwise. NORML members will also be present to answer questions about the economic and social benefits of taxing and regulating marijuana. For more info, email NORML@gmail.com.

Stephen Marley and Junior Gong will be hosting a 420 celebration at The Graduate in San Luis Obispo, with doors opening at 8 p.m. (Buying tickets in advance is recommended.) After working as the mastermind behind his brother Damien’s past two Grammy winning albums and touring with the Bob Marley Roots, Rock Reggae Festival, Stephen, the second son of the legendary Bob Marley, is stepping into the spotlight with his highly anticipated debut album, Mind Control, a unique fusion of reggae, rock, R&B, nyabinghi rhythms, flamenco and hip-hop. One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to Ghetto Youths International, a non-profit started by the Marley brothers that raises money through reggae music to promote educational, health and physical development programs for children in impoverished countries.

And if you want to stay local, there are a handful of shows in the area: The Snobs at Creekside Inn at 10 p.m., Rebelution jamming somewhere on DP that night, and Raekwon of the Wu-Tang clan will be performing at Velvet Jones.