SUPER EGO Hilariously, I think there are now more hearings at City Hall about raves than there are actual raves within the city limit, and those hearings are becoming the kind of fun old-school rave reunion events that everyone plans their outfits for. Situationism lives!
Most “raves” nowadays — especially the giant ones where people sometimes die and that are specifically targeted by lame politicians seeking bones (I’m looking cross-eyed at you Assemblymember Fiona Ma and your proposed AB74 “anti-rave” bill, cuz ya rude) — are actually thrown by big-time corporate promotion machines and feature slick commercial hardcore electro and trance acts. Alas, parents still don’t understand, so the rest of us get caught up in the kind of tin-eared, sweeping legislation that would pretty much make all electronic music events a crime. AB74 especially so: “Any person who conducts a public event at night that includes prerecorded music and lasts more than three and one-half hours is guilty of a misdemeanor” with a $10,000-plus fine. Does that include the Celine Dion-loving DJ at the Union Square Skating Rink? Because throw her ass in jail, already.
AB74 is now stalled due to backlash, but crackdowns on underground parties and wacky one-off events in the city have continued, as the Guardian has documented in our ongoing War on Fun coverage. So it’s time once again for proud electronic dance music freaks young and younger to gather at City Hall on Tuesday, March 22 for a special hearing to show that we’re a huge visible force in the community and we won’t twirl idly by while the prudes shut us down. Bring a positive attitude, a two-minute speech about why dancing is important, and let’s get this party started.
SPECIAL HEARING ON ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO Tue/22, 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m., free. San Francisco City Hall, room 400. 1 Dr. Carleton B. Goodlett Place, SF. www.savetherave.org
TODD TERJE
Out of all the Scandinavian space disco gods to have crossed the rainbow bridge to us in the past few years, I think edit-heady Todd’s the most suited to San Francisco dance floors, tempering his cosmic flights with a cheeky wit and some straight-up stompers. He’ll be headlining a special edition of the fab No Way Back party at SOM.
Fri/18, 10 p.m.–4 a.m., $5 with Facebook RSVP (Facebook: No Way Back Todd Terje). SOM, 2925 16th St., SF. www.som-bar.com
TRANNYSHACK DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE
Angela Bowie, Ziggy Stardust’s former wife, is one of those legendary party girls no one should dare try to surpass without a personal hot-pink defibrillator on hand. (And the video for her 1985 single “Crying in the Dark” is a YouTube classic.) She’ll be gracing this uproarious drag salute to the Thin White Duke, with Putanesca, Elijah Minelli, Jordan L’Moore, and more.
Fri/18, 9:30 p.m.–3 a.m., $15 advance. DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., SF. www.trannyshack.com
HAÇIENDA
True electro sensualist Bobby Browser, of the late, lamented Party Effect crew, brings his impressive way with a live analog synth to this monthly party, which celebrates the baggy and Balearic underground sounds of 1986-93. Residents Jase of Bass, Tristes Tropiques, and Nihar support.
Sat/19, 10 p.m.–2 a.m., $5. Deco Lounge, 510 Larkin, SF. www.decosf.com. Facebook: hacienda
KINGDOM
Future-now “Rave&B” pitch shifter Kingdom brought down the house at L.A.’s Mustache Mondays club early last year and broke big with his quite bonkers “Mind Reader.” He’ll be at Public Works for an Icee Hot massive, with openers Falty DL (whose 2009 podcast for Resident Advisor changed some lives) and Canblaster.
Sat/19, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., $10 advance. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
STEAM PUNKTRICK’S DAY
Swing Goth’s third annual Paddy-thumpin’ hootenanny celebrates the cyber-Celt in all of us. Punky swing dance lessons at 8:30 p.m., show time with the Nathaniel Johnstone Band at 9:30 p.m. (For more great St. Patrick’s Day delirium, visit our guide at www.sfbg.com/paddy2011.)
Sat/19, 8 p.m.–11 p.m., $12. 50 Mason Social House, 50 Mason, SF. www.50masonsocialhouse.com, Facebook: Steam Punktrick’s