superego@sfbg.com
SUPER EGO The modern historical relationship between wild nightlife and fine food in San Francisco is short, messy, and smells like either hot tamales, pork-wrapped pork, Nutella A Go-Go, or semi-regurgitated Marcello’s. Aside from the odd Tonayense truck rumbling outside the club, food carts were definitely outnumbered in the 1990s by ambulances on standby at popular venues. (Who the hell ate in the ’90s, anyway?)
As for the ’00s, the only pastry you’d likely see near the dancefloor was a muffin top spilling from first embroidered, then super-skinny stretch jeans. Scary blueberry, honey. And while many clubs now maintain a kitchen as part of their license — a necessary compromise with the state to operate after-hours or allow all-ages entrance — I must admit to never scarfing down the chicken mole at DNA Lounge or a Polish sausage at Bottom of the Hill, although I hear both are real winners. I’m already dealing with four-way hips; I don’t need a fifth to throw me off.
It would take something really special to bridge the drunken-digestion divide. And voilà, in rolls Night Market, a frisky food and dance affair at Public Works that fills a voracious, previously unanticipated need. Brought to us by the yummy hunter-gatherers of ForageSF (www.foragesf.com), Night Market packs in local vendors offering everything from Afghan bolanis and banh mi burgers to something called a “meatballer” that I can’t wait to devour in a dark corner. It also packs in eager eaters — more than 3,000 attended last time — sampling the goods and kickin’ em up to zesty tunes. (This installment, on Sat., March 26 at Public Works, includes the Hard French classic soul DJs, fab opera singer Maki, and violin breakbeat artist Chances End.) Basically your dream farmer’s market, minus the hay but with a whole lotta heeeeey.
Night Market Sat/26, 6 p.m.–2 a.m., $5 before 11 p.m., $10 after. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
RELAX RELATE RELEASE
“No subgenre of dance music shall go untouched” is the motto of this new monthly at 222 Hyde. And local hosts Vin Sol, Charles McCloud, and Richie Panic, plus guests Stanley Frank and Robert Jeffrey of extraordinary Monday party Viennetta Discotheque, are certainly masters of touching. Vin and Charles have been making some gorgeous edits lately (Sade and Deee-lite, anyone?): this will be the place for ears wide open.
Thu/24, 9 p.m.–2 a.m., $5. 222 Hyde, SF. www.222hyde.com, Facebook: Relax Relate Release
FRITE NIGHT
Local label Frite Nite (www.fritenite.com) retains a superstar roster of forward-thinking beatmakers — and this showcase looks to be rather bonkers in the abstract bass and out-your-head beats department. Salva, B. Bravo, Epcot, Eprom, Ana Sia, NastyNasty, and Comma all bring different perspectives and experiences to the signature Frite Nite sound, which should make the party a 360-degree head-tripping (and heel-shredding) experience.
Fri/25, 9 p.m.–late, $10 adv/$15. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, SF. www.mezzaninesf.com
SOIREE 9: LA DOLCE VITA
Who doesn’t just adore a soiree? Evil Smurfs, that’s who. This benefit for the LGBT Community Center is pricey, but I speak from experience when I say that you get a lot of star-studded bang for the buck (plus, duh, helping). Honey Soundsystem and Stanley Frank DJ; Fauxnique, Glamamore, Honey Mahogany, House of Salad, and zillions more perform; that breathtaking Raja queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race hostesses, and I think they’re auctioning off Heklina? Bidder beware!
Sat/26, 7 p.m.–11 p.m., $95. SF Design Center, 101 Henry Adams, SF. soiree.sfcenter.org
DEBASER 3-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Oh you Gen-Yers — you’ve flooded the nightlife marketplace with strangely boy band-obsessed retro ’90s nights lately. But we already had one of the best grunge and riot grrrl revival gigs going, with Debaser. If you like your ’90s a little more flannel-y (with a side of killer hip-hop), join DJs Jamie Jams, Emdee, and Stab Master Arson, plus rad Fugazi tribute band Repeater, and surf the crowd, Kurt.
Fri/25, 9 p.m., $5 (free before 11 p.m. with babydoll dress or flannel). 111 Minna, SF. www.facebook/debaser90s