A&E Dispatch | Blue Scholars, Common Market launch December hip-hop tour

If you missed last year's five-day sold-out show showcasing the best of Seattle hip-hop, the Blue Scholars are at it again. This time they're joined by fellow Seattle hip-hop group Common Market, and touring the Northwest. Starting Friday, Dec. 5, they perform in Bellingham, Spokane and Portland, then wrap up Dec. 18-20 at Neumo's in Seattle.

This Friday, they perform at the Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room in Bellingham at 8 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $16 for students and $18 for general admission at www.tickets.com. Fellow Seattle MC Gabriel Teodros will be opening.

Dec. 12, the crew heads over to The BLVD in Spokane (21 and up, doors at 8 p.m., with Jiggy Watts; $10 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49363).

Then on Dec. 13, it's on to the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland (all ages, doors at 8 p.m., with Kentucky producer/DJ Theory Hazit opening; $13 at http://ticketswest.rdln.com/Artist.aspx?evt=66331).

And finally, Dec. 18-20, Blue Scholars and Common Market kick off a residency at Neumo's in Seattle. Shows are all-ages and doors open at 8 p.m. Openers change every day and include the Physics, Truckasauras and Mad Rad. General admission is $15 at http://ticketswest.rdln.com/Artist.aspx?evt=66331. A three-day pass is available for $35 at ticketswest.com.

Last year, the Blue Scholars sold out Neumo's for five days straight. They continued onto tour across the country for three month, with indie favorite Hieroglyphics. Their own headlining shows sold out in New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Honolulu.

During this month's Northwest concerts, the duo plans to premier new material from their upcoming 2009 fall album.

For more on the Blue Scholars' stellar year, check out: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008196076_bluescholars23.html.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com