To celebrate the beginning of its third year of existence, the War Room is spinning beats and showing art. Providing the beats: Shortkut (of the world-famous Beat Junkies) and DV One (who is fighting a bad case of police brutality in court). Providing the art: Obey Propaganda. “Hey DJ won’t you play that song/you keep me dancing, dancing all night long.” (War Room, 722 E Pike St, 328-7666. 9 pm, free, 21+.)

Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory...