Who's Your Diddy?

Besides running Bad Boy Records, P. Diddy has helped launch the careers of Jodeci, Mary J. Blige and Boyz N da Hood. He's also created quite the empire for himself from the ashes of slain friend and collaborator Notorious B.I.G. And don't forget his Sean John clothing line and show on MTV, Making the Band. But who knew he was also a coach? At P. Diddy Weekend, Diddy will be hosting two glamorous parties downtown Friday and Saturday and coaching a charity basketball game on Sunday, all in celebration of Juneteenth.

"He is not doing a rap concert," says Von-A-Don Entertainment promoter Yves Nau. "He'll take the mike, get the crowd going and make the party hot."

Diddy stalkers can hit classy events like the "All White Affair" at the Hobby Center (9 p.m. Friday, June 17, 800 Bagby, 713-315-2525, $50 to $150) and "Denim & Diamonds" at Vision Nightclub (9 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 112 Travis, 713-227-1189, $20 to $50). Both parties will have Dom and Cristal flowing heavily, and a who's who of Houston celebrities -- from Beyoncé's kid sis, Solange, to members of the Texans, Astros and Rockets -- is expected. "We don't want this to be just an 'urban' event," says Nau. "We want to have fun and do it glitzy."

At the hoops event, held at Texas Southern University's H&PE Arena (1 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 3100 Cleburne, 713-313-7011, $5 to $10), Bad Boy Records takes on Houston's own Rap-A-Lot Records, with P. Diddy and J. Prince coaching their respective teams. So hang with the Diddy this weekend. And if you think the party's all about the, well, you know, then take note: Proceeds from all events go to Hotline, a TSU charity. -- Travis Ritter

Under the Volcano's Frozen Screwdriver

Few bars in Houston play Little Joe Washington. But you can find him on the jukebox at Under the Volcano(2349 Bissonnet, 713-526-5282). This bar is so hip, slick and cool, it might freeze to death -- in other words, it's the perfect place to chill. The lovely Bolivian bartender tells me about their frozen screwdrivers, and I have to have one. The tasty blended concoction reminds me of a push-up pop. After three, I put $5 in the juke and take in the scenery. The patio smells like honeysuckle and is full of French guys and cool dads. I sit back, sip my dreamsicle and listen to Little Joe play his wild and woolly guitar.

4 ounces vodka (whatever's around)
6 ounces fresh orange juice
2 ounces orange juice concentrate
3 ounces crushed ice

Pour ingredients into blender, blend and sample. If you can taste the vodka, add more concentrate. Drink while listening to the music of a homeless bluesman. -- Jason Kerr

Club Kid Notorious

WED 6/22
The flick Party Monster recounts how drugs made NYC party promoter Michael Alig do very bad things -- for example, murder someone. But those very same drugs helped Keoki, Alig's best friend and fellow club kid, unleash his brand of trance and breakbeat. DJ Keoki will make a Houston appearance this week at "Party Monster," a special-edition Boys and Girls Club event that'll celebrate the club-kid culture's flamboyant costumes, dance music and drugs. Strap on your four-inch platform shoes at 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 22. 1415 Bar & Grille, 1415 California. For tickets and information, call 713-522-7066 or visit www.14151barandgrille.com. $5 to $7. -- Travis Ritter

Sublime Gathering

SAT 6/18
Brad Nowell died of a heroin overdose -- "the common cold of rock death," according to veteran critic Greil Marcus -- way the hell back in 1996. Somehow, though, the scant recorded output of his frat-punk-reggae band, Sublime, continues to inspire musicians to this day. Enough of them, anyway, to fill out a new tribute disc, titled Look at All the Love We've Found. The CD contains tracks by No Doubt, Fishbone and Los Lobos, among other luminaries, and there's a party to celebrate its release this Saturday. Raise your "40 ounces to freedom" at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Warehouse, 2805 Pease. For information, visit www.myspace.com/sublimetribute. $10. -- Scott Faingold