Last night kicked off the Works with a set from local hiphop stalwarts the Lifesavas. I’d never seen them before, and after last night I’m still kind of ambivalent. I like ‘em in theory—they’re undeniably competent, their stage banter was engaging as hell, and I can appreciate the fact that Jumbo is a hottie even while wearing a totally ridiculous oversized granny necklace, but I wasn’t feeling that kinetic audience/performer mind meld that characterizes really good hiphop shows. The crowd seemed into it, though, so maybe I was just in the wrong headspace.

As for the Works itself: The Wonder was maybe 3/4 full, lots of happy dancing drunks, lots of schmoozing, lots of familiar art world faces. The beer garden plan didn’t really seem to catch on—I left before the Lifesavas wrapped up, but at least while I was there, there was never more than a handful of folks braving the chill to hang out in the parking lot. And while the space certainly got a facelift, it still feels a lot like the Wonder Ballroom, so folks expecting the dislocation of years past might be disappointed. My major gripe: During the show, stills from the TBA catalogue were projected on two screens to either side of the stage. Distracting, tacky, unnecessary.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the fun to be had at the Works.