There’s a wide selection of dance action this week in Chicago’s multifarious clubs bringing clubbers the very best in dance across all genres of music…so get out, and get down, what’s holding you back!
Thursday, August 26th
House with DJ Lego at Victor Hotel, north Sangamon Street. Lego has been one of Chicago’s top house-music exponents for years now, spinning his stuff in all corners of the city, guaranteeing everyone who experiences his particular brand of programming a surefire good time. Starts 10pm, and is free.
Hip-Hop, Funk & Soul is on offer at Empire Liqours with big-hitters Shon Dervis & DJ Rude One in a new series of weekly specials entitled Elementary Thursdays. Free entry for a 10pm start in north Milwaukee Avenue. http://www.empireliquors.com
Pop & Rock clubland style is provided tonight at Angels & Kings courtesy of DJ White Shadow who will be displaying his versatility on four decks with compatriot DJ Trentino, and a wide selection of all that is best from the pop hit parade, and rock classics. Free entry, 10pm start, north Clark Street. http://www.angelsandkings.com/chicago/
Funk, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll at Bar DeVille comes via the turntable wizardry of DJ Kevin Smith who has mastered many such nights across the city over the years, with his mix of “tasteful rock”. 10pm start, free, north Damen Avenue. This is a new weekly event, with Smithy also appearing earlier in the evening at Beauty Bar from 7pm for “happy hour” sessions. http://www.beautybar.com
Friday, August 27th
Italo Disco comes to Rodan fresh from the 80s in what was a genre that preceded House, and is now a staple of electro-disco lovers everywhere across the world, although maybe somewhat new to Chicago. DJs Mr Automatic (from Front312) and Le Sprite bring new life to this interesting form of dance that has to be worth checking out for novelty factor alone. It’s free, from 10pm, north Milwaukee Avenue. www.rodan.com
Hip-Hop at The Griffin Lounge features a mighty mash-up of top 40, and solid club sounds, with celebrity jocks Rock City & Jem, with compadre VJ Uzi De Leon. This special shindig costs $20 to get in, with a 10pm start in west Chicago Avenue.
Latin, and everything gets super-sexy, and sultry at Nacional 27 with its perfect blend of dining, drinking and dancing. Miami Nights have been a regular Friday staple, and features early evening live percussion, with Latin house turning the Nacional into a vibrant, joyful, smiling club of swinging steps, and salsa snakehips…oh and the cocktails aiant half bad either! $10 gets you in, from 9.30, west Huron Street.
Reggae, Dub & Dancehall is alive, and thriving at the Butterfly Social Club thanks to the ever-busy Papa G who can be seen in various venues most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays keeping a masterful balance of mellow & mad for a perfect party time. Free, from 9pm, west Grand Avenue. http://www.butterflysocialclub.com
Saturday, August 28th
It’s Acid House time tonight with two of the greatest exponents, and indeed innovators of the genre hitting the decks on the same evening.
At Crimson Lounge it’s none other than Acid legend Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House. For those who don’t know, Frankie is the man who brought the underground sounds of Manhattan to Chicago’s Warehouse way back in 1977! And here he is tonight over 40 years later recreating that scene with the same drive and passion for new audiences, and those who like a bit of dance club nostalgia. $20 gets you in on the night, or apply for an RSVP to info@crimsonchicago.com for a $10 ticket. Starts 10pm, north Dearborn Street. http://www.crimsonchicago.com
The second Acid stalwart in Chicago tonight is DJ Pierre who was around at the time of Frankie Knuckles, but took the house scene to new levels with his introduction of the famous electro “squelch” that came to symbolize acid. Alongside Pierre at Smart Bar tonight is yet another innovator, Phuture 303, accompanied by contemporary starlets Angel Alanis, Lady Foursquare, and Rob Threezy (Ghetto Division). 10pm start in north Clark Street, $12 after midnight, $10 before. http://www.smartbarchicago.com/
Techno/Electro is at the Metro with a special party night for 18s and over, and those who don’t go slow. One Night Stand features the pick of the local DJ crop with Team Bayside High, Zebo, Alexe Zelenka, Lucky Date (this years’ remix finalist at Lollapalooza), Broken Disco 1980, and DJ Soundwave. The party is given that extra bit of razz with snap-happy Glitter Guts, and Darkroom Demons, and visual wizardry from Hey Cliché. If you’re one of the first 100 to get in it won’t cost a penny, otherwise its $10 for the night. 10pm start, north Clark Street. http://www.metrochicago.com
Sunday, August 29th
For something a bit different, the pick of Sunday has to be at Beauty Bar, and Smart Bar.
Fun-lovin’ MC Nigel “Hollywood” Holt is at Beauty Bar to pitch his debut CD in his inimitable cheeky flow, with a few antics in his CD case no doubt as he reveals the content of his “mixtape” featuring offcuts from his official new release. While he’s not doing his thing with the mic, Million $ Mano, and Johnny Fonseca will be manning the decks. 10pm, free. http://www.beautybar.com
Meanwhile, at Smart Bar it’s disco fever with Kid Color, and Michael Serafini, plus guest DJs. But what is different about tonight’s regular Dollar Disco is they are having an exclusive screening of Scottish post-rockers Mogwai’s live concert film ‘Burning’. Could be interesting. 9pm start, $2 entry, north Clark Street. http://www.smartbarchicago.com/
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- Minimal Techno, Hard-Edge House & Vintage Soul: Just Some Of The Sounds Around Chicago This Weekend!
- Sexy Latin to Acid House, It’s Always Varied, It’s Forever Chi!
- Nigerian Pop, Russian Electro, US Techno & A Whole Bunch More…It All Gets Tasty In Chi This Weekend!
- Reggae, Dub, Electro, House, New Wave…and a bit of Victorian Dandyism to boot!
