A MISSION FROM GOD? Who knew that a five-minute sketch on Saturday Night Live featuring the late John Belushi and still-living-but-overweight Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues would spawn a hit feature film and House of Blues Entertainment, Inc., a multi-dimensional umbrella including HOB restaurants/music venues; HOB Productions, Inc., which produces the HOB Radio Hour, Blues Breaks, and Elwood's HOB Revue; HOB Retail; HOB Music Company; HOB New Media; HOB Tours & Talent; HOB Book Imprint and--believe it or not--HOB Sports. House of Blues Sports? Heck, maybe Robert Johnson had a clause in that Beelzebub contract that had him playin' extreme on more than just the guitar. Of course, with Nike blasting Iggy and the Stooges behind footage of Olympic athletes, anything is possible. But I digress. If you saw all of that coming when the Blues Brothers were dancing around in skinny ties and sunglasses on NBC, color yourself the next Nostradamus, write a book and go on Oprah. You might be able to make as much money as Aykroyd has. House of Blues has teamed up with Dr. Martens for the first annual urban-oriented Smokin' Grooves festival, a celebration of contemporary African-American music running the spectrum from hip-hop and alternative rap to reggae and funk. (Along with supplying a teeming sea of American kids with sensible footwear, Brit shoemaker Dr. Martens recently received an order from the Vatican for 2,000 pair. Seems the Pope liked his so much he wanted to share with the troops.) Smokin' Grooves offers a profusion of sounds missing from every other festival tour on the road this summer, so give the corporate muscle some credit for having the foresight--or guts--to go where no other festival promoter has gone. The festival features experimental/psychedelic rappers Cypress Hill (who recently made a hilarious appearance on The Simpson's "Homerpalooza" episode), and the Caribbean pop of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (comprised of Cedella, Sharon and Stephen Marley, children of the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley). Cutting edge hip-hop meets rap with a social conscience as current hit-makers the Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and Spearhead round out the bill, making this show well worth the drive to Phoenix. Tickets are $25 and $37.50, available in Tucson at Foley's Department Stores and Blockbuster Music. Charge by phone at 321-1000. Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion is located on Encanto Boulevard, one-half mile north of I-10 between 75th and 83rd avenues. For more information call (602) 254-7200. DO VOODOO: For those who can't do any traveling, look forward to the madness that is the Voodoo Glow Skulls appearing at the Rock, 136 N. Park Ave., on Saturday, July 20. Frantic thrashing prevails when this seven-piece punk/ska ensemble from Riverside, California, hits the stage. This band has earned favorable comparisons to the Specials and the Mighty, Mighty Bosstones by playing tight, triple-fast action hardcore with horns, honed to wild perfection on the road over the band's seven tours. While the comparisons are valid, the Latin edge sharpens the sound and distinguishes them from other bands bashing around in the same genre. Southern California punk rockers Youth Brigade return to Tucson to open the show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 available at The Rock. Call 629-9211 for more information and be prepared to sweat up a storm on this one. LAST NOTES: Monsoon Madness continues with three rockin' Tucson acts, Stinky Slinky, Helldriver and Liquid Smoke, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, at the Winsett Park Stage, on Fourth Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets. This big show is free and you're encouraged to bring the family and a blanket to sit on. Bring along your own refreshments, but leave the booze at home. Remember your manners and don't attempt to sneak it in. For more information on Monsoon Madness, call 624-5004. Stinky Slinky and Helldriver move over to Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., at 9 p.m. Friday, July 19. Cover charge is $3. For more information call 622-8848. Govinda's Natural Foods Restaurant, 711 E. Blacklidge, presents Sanjaya performing a variety of traditional Indian ragas at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20. Sanjaya features Pete Fine on sitar, Don Reeve on Bansuri, Stefin Gordon on Tampura and, on Friday night, Todd Hammes on Tabla, with Saeed Irfan playing Tabla on Saturday night. Admission is free, although donations are encouraged. If you need more information, call 881-3947. --Jennifer Murphy

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