25

SUNDAY

Matisyahu converted to Hasidism. He was born Matthew, and like most other Hebrew-school sufferers, he had beef with after-hours learning. It was only after a trip to Colorado—where, according to a bio on his Web site, he “had an eye-opening realization: there is a G-d”—a visit to Israel, and a “spurring” run-in with a Lubavitch rabbi in a park that he got religion. (Somewhere in there he also spent a chunk of time following Phish.) Good times. But if the situation were tweaked a bit—if Matisyahu were still Matthew and had found God thanks to Jerry Falwell, thus employing his reggae stylings to preach about fire and brimstone instead of Jewish wisdom—would folks still be happy to pony up 20 greenbacks to see the man play? Maybe. But it sure as shit wouldn’t be happening at the 9:30 Club. And you and I would probably be doing a whole lot more giggling about the event. Matisyahu plays with Shambhala at 8:30 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $22. (202) 397-7328. (Mike Kanin)