If a romantic dinner for two at Maxwell's Speakeasy isn't your ideal Valentine's Day, or if you're looking for something to do after diner, local hip-hop will be out in full effect this Monday evening at El Perron, located at 13021 Pacific Ave. Local mainstays Doughkain and Josh Rizeberg are topping a bill also featuring up-and-comers Darxiide, Golden Brown and A.R. Mastermind.

El Perron, in the heart of Spanaway, is one of many venues trying to fill the void left after the questionable demise of El Potrero.

"Quite a few venues have jumped at the chance to pick up the slack," explains emcee and organizer Josh Rizeberg. "After all, businesses are about making that money, and they can make plenty of money off us hip-hoppers who like to drink and be merry at their venues."

Rizeberg explains that El Perron has a neighborhood atmosphere and credits that to the family and hip-hop group, Golden Brown Entertainment, that operates it. "You can catch the rappers and their family members rapping on stage for a show and running the bar," says Rizeberg. He calls Golden Brown Entertainment (emcees Cricket, Neno Brownz, Lil Dreams and Chuy Chucks) "the premiere Mexican rappers in Tacoma."

Rizeberg also hipped me to the potential of opener A.R. Mastermind, a local emcee I had never heard of (I didn't think there were any). "He is one energetic performer," says Rizeberg. "He often starts his sets out running around in circles on the stage amped out of his body, and jumping on any and all pool-tables, speakers and tabletops in the vicinity."

Rizeberg admits A.R. has some maturing to do as emcee, but predicts, "Once he gets his groove he will be a force to be reckoned with."

Another show that warrants a mention this week is D'Rocc The Gentlemen's birthday bash Friday at Firwood Rock Lounge, located at 734 Pacific Ave. D'Rocc's single "The Anthem," an ode to Parkland and Spanaway (see above), announced the young rapper as one of greater Tacoma's most promising emcees. Also performing will be Random Face (from Houston), Island Trybe, Jsway, Po, and Dru Filthy.

Ordinarily, Tacoma can count on at least four solid hip-hop shows per month. February is looking like it may come up short of that number, but hold tight - most of our finest emcees, including folks we've been waiting on in some cases for years, are in the studio recording new projects. This spring will be marked by a lot of quality music and great shows.

El Perron

Doughkain, Josh Rizeberg, Darxiide, A.R. Mastermind and others
Monday, Feb. 14, 9 p.m., $7
13021 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Firwood Rock Lounge

D'Rocc, Random Face, Island Trybe, Jsway, Po and Dru Filthy
Friday, Feb. 11, 9 p.m.
734 Pacific Ave., Tacoma