EVEN hip rock clubs usually think skateboarding is a crime—at least on their premises—so Ray Stevens II couldn’t believe what he was hearing when the VooDoo Lounge’s Matt Crudo asked him, “Hey, you think there’s enough room to bring a skate ramp in here?” Stevens, known as a top skater in San Jose’s original skate underground and as a member of some of its most famous bands, quickly affirmed that yes, indeed there was. That’s how “Art N Soul” night, which Stevens had originally developed as a house party, moved to the VooDoo Lounge. Each event features live bands along with live skating and live art, meaning Stevens gets to do his three favorite things every time. Each event also has a loose theme, and this time it’s “Modern Living.” Appropriately, the headliners are mod revivalists the Odd Numbers, who may seem an unusual choice for a skate-related event. But Stevens remembers when the band’s music was featured in Santa Cruz skateboard videos in the early ’90s, winning them fans around the world. The event also features art by Brazil’s Nilton Neves, and DJ sets by DJ Coco and Stevens himself, as well as a screening of the new skate video Stay Gold.
VooDoo Lounge, San Jose
Wednesday, Sept. 29
$5
