Not-So-Funky Monks

Abstract Workshop's Saturday monthly at the Detroit Bar is one of SoCal's most consistent parties, thanks to the Rhythm Collective's ability to fly as long and far as they have under the radar of the club-night hype machine, cursed with its hip-today/free-before-11 cycles.

"We've been doing this for 10 years because quality people look to us for quality music, and that makes for a quality vibe," says DJ Cocoe, point man for A-Dub's four-man core of DJ/producers and evolving roster of visual artists, singers and guests. For all the bragging rights the A-Dub camp has garnered (hosting Freestyle Fellowship's reunion, a Grammy nomination for Josh One's remix of Nappy Roots' "Po' Folks," being some of the last peeps to work with Dilla), the crew's enduring talent is their love of funk, soul, house and hip-hop—more so than the love of their careers.

Still, lest you think Cocoe and Co. are a bunch of funky monks, this Saturday's annual Ladies First event finds A-Dub hosting the attitude-and-estrogen (not necessarily in that order) live performances of MC Mystic and neo-soulstress Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth. Live art by Blair Urban, as well as DJ sets by scratch-happy Diosa, A-Dub faves Brazilia, Gizmo and Arizona's KT round out the bill. Which, for all its girls-night-out novelty, Cocoe points out, still speaks to the A-Dub feel-good aesthetic.

"Take KT: She loves this music like we do, so she's into how what she's playing is contributing to everybody's night, and that's something we've always tried to be about," he says.

Abstract Workshop Presents Ladies First at Detroit Bar, 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 642-0600; www.myspace.com/abstractworkshopclub.com . Sat., 9:30 p.m. $10. 21+.