The Senator Has the Floor at Black Gold

You may want your retro-soul weekend parties to be packed, sweaty blasts full of vintage grinders. But on Monday nights, the smooth, sugar-melting tones of '60s soul music work as relaxing tonics to calm party-frazzled nerves — and that's where Black Gold comes in. Hosted by Senator Soul of the Knockout's monthly 45 Club, Black Gold oozes with slow Motown melodies and humid Stax finger-snappers. This is a fine way to warm up to the work week, sipping a strong cocktail in the dark while classic R&B singers seduce you with vocals sweeter than molasses pancakes. So ditch the oil cartels and invest in Black Gold instead. It's mellow, it's friendly, and — best of all — it's free on Monday, Aug. 25, and every Monday at 10 p.m. at KoKo Cocktails. Call 885-4788 or visit www.myspace.com/kokococktails and/or sfsoulscene.blogspot.com.