Last week, Highfives & Handshakes presented a free music and art showcase at the Clubhouse Gallery Opening in the central district. The night featured the newest artwork, zines, and merchandise from members of the Boss Level Art Collective along with live performances by Braidstorm, Universal Studios Florida, and ALASKAS.

The renowned Boss Level Collective is a group of talented local artists whose widely varying styles of painting and illustration have gathered much attention as of late. Among the list of members are Good Vibes, Derek Charm, Rondo, and Tika Masala, also one-third of the opening act Braidstorm. A Boss Level Showcase is being held at the Fuel Café on Capitol Hill (610 19th Ave E.) throughout the month of February.

The first band to go on was Braidstorm, made up of Jessica James, Becky Berryhill, and Tika Hall (www.myspace.com/braidstormy.) Their raw performance held a certain feminine quirkiness, wherein one could trace the influence of the Breeders. With a high-powered setlist of songs about endangered species, among other things, Braidstorm soon had the crowd jumping. If you liked what you heard, or haven't had the chance to check out this up-and-coming band of babes, they'll next be playing February 15 at the Rendezvous with Strong Killings and Cut***Loose.

Minutes later the tight space, by that time fully packed, was hijacked by Universal Studios Florida, who wove together a cosmic landscape of tribal beats, guitar loops, synthesizers, and who knows what else (www.myspace.com/universalstudiosfloridaband.) The duo, comprised of Rainydawg Radio's Jason Baxter and Kyle Hargus, recently put out a debut EP on Brooklyn-based Little Fury Things and has since been collaborating with ALASKAS, who appeared for a song at the end of their performance. Their mesmerizing self-titled release can be purchased online (www.littlefurythings.net) or at their next show with ALASKAS on February 13 (more information available on myspace.)

And finally, the one-man army known as ALASKAS took center for an energetic set, threatened midway by cops but stopping his aural assault for no one (www.dillonjamesregoisalaskas.com.) As always, Dillon James Rego demanded, and received, full crowd attention. In addition to nonstop touring, he recently put out a four-track CDR entitled "I Just Wanted To Give You Something Real To Hope For" and is preparing for the July 2009 release of "Set Yourself Free," a full-length album released through Highfives & Handshakes Records.

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ALASKAS and Universal Studios Florida
February 13, 8 PM
Zak's House: 8th Ave NE
Cost: FREE

Braidstorm with Strong Killings and Cut***Loose
February 15, 8 PM
The Rendezvous, Belltown
Cost: $2