On his compelling new record, Brother Ali calls out America's "beautiful ideals and amazing flaws." The outspoken American rapper converted to Islam at 15; now in his thirties, he uses his spirtuality and identity (he's albino) as tools to question the status quo. Mouring in America and Dreaming in Color is both a sharp-minded critique of the state of our nation and a hopeful prayer that we can live up to our constitutional promises of equality. Yet the thought-provoking rapper somehow manages to turn his heartfelt protests into a fun, danceable celebration. Fri 9 p.m.

—Photo: Marshall Franklin

Date: Oct 12, 2012 9:00 pm - Oct 12, 2012 11:30 pm
Cost: $20-$25.
Venue: Bluebird Theater