Cypress Hill's Smoke Out festival has spawned a cousin. Smoke Out founders B-Real and DJ Muggs will debut the Dragon Festival on February 3rd at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, California.

The Dragon Festival is billed as the first contemporary music celebration of the Chinese New Year. Linkin Park will headline the show, which will also feature GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan , the Kottonmouth Kings, Beatnuts, Taproot, Blackalicious, Shuvel, X-ecutioners and DJ Mixmaster Mike from the Beastie Boys.

Other musical highlights will include the first performance from B-Real and drum-and-base guru AK 1200. AK 1200 has a live album, Mixed Live, due out February 13th. The twelve-hour festival will also feature lion dancers, acrobats, fireworks, and, of course, a variety of vendors.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(January 24, 2001)