marke@sfbg.com
SUPER EGO Whew, it’s all a preposterous worldwind of nightlife news and woo-hoo this pre-Fourth week, so let’s take a minute to catch up before we put the riot in patriot (and the “tearoom” back in tea party).
First the awful: beloved global “1002 Nights” DJ Cheb i Sabbah was recently diagnosed with dire cancer and is having trouble paying for health care. For 45 years, the Algerian-born DJ and former Living Theatre actor has been spreading worldly musical vibes — the past 30 or so in San Francisco, ensuring our status as one of the most open-eared, innovative places on the sonic map. Read more and help out at www.chebisabbah.org.
Better news: The Bay’s biggest legal outdoor rave, Lovevolution, is back on this year, now on the grounds of Oakland Coliseum (deftly avoiding the war on Fun in SF that forced previous cancellation.) Prepare your fuzzy outfit for Sept. 24 and hit up www.sflovevolution.org for details.
Three new party venues opened recently. Chambers (601 Eddy, SF. www.chambers-sf.com), in the old Bambuddha space in the Phoenix Hotel — it has an amazing “Be Amazing” light-bulb-bedecked sign within its wood-paneled, library-like setting featuring shelf upon shelf of vinyl records. I haven’t yet dropped in on Noble (600 Polk, SF. www.noblesf.com), which seems to be taking a more mainstream approach with some yummier stuff thrown in nevertheless, or 11th Street Corridor after-hours spot Beatbox (314 11th St., SF. www.beatboxsf.com) — no relation to one of our more active party promotions crews (www.beatboxevents.com) — but I’m sure I’ll be rolling around their floors soon.
Speaking of threes: on Friday, July 1, SF will be hit with three actually legendary DJs at once: Nuyorican Master at Work Lil Louie Vega (9 p.m.–late, $15. Mighty, 119 Utah, SF. www.mighty119.com), Chicago boogaloo-house pioneer Derrick Carter (9:30 p.m.–3:30 a.m., Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com), and Detroit-Windsor Plastikman techno wiz Richie Hawtin (9 p.m.–3 a.m., $22.50 advance. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, SF. www.mezzaninesf.com). The agony of indecision is exquisite. I’m totally setting up a senior shuttle among the three for us frisky old-schoolers.
A CLUB CALLED RHONDA
One day, one of our fantastic young queer-friendly clubs will grow up to be like L.A.’s A Club Called Rhonda — a kiki polysexual house and disco free-for-all that still retains its underground energy even as it draws huge-name talent and, now, tours the country with the awesome Metro Area and House of House. Seriously, can’t miss.
Thurs/30, 10 p.m., free with RSVP to www.scionav.com/avrelease. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
CLUB CORNHOLE
Wild queer-and-beyond Unclear Cabaret, formerly hosted at the Mission’s favorite anarchist underground warehouse, goes all legit with this new biweekly at the Stud: Miss Oblivious hosts live music and punked-out “lowered expectations” drag performances galore, with DJs Phatima and M.F.
Thurs/30 9 p.m., $3.99. The Stud, 399 Ninth St., SF. Facebook: Club Cornhole, www.studsf.com
RADIO SLAVE
Berlin-based DJ and music-maker Matt Edwards is a man of many musical personae — Rekid, Matthew E., Sea Devils, Quiet Village. His deeper house and disco re-edit one, Radio Slave, is the one I like best — even as I like the name the least, ha — with the soulful build of Rekid a close second. Radio Slave (and I suspect a bit of Rekid) will be playing the weekly Base party.
Thurs/30, 10 p.m., $10–$20. Vessel, 85 Campton Pl., SF. www.vesselsf.com
RITUAL WITH MOCHIPET
Rad dubstep massive Ritual amps up its weekly Thursday blast for this specialness, feting furry Daly City beat-chameleon Mochipet’s new release on MalLabel, “Spacezilla.” Goofball skull-crushing bass for all!
Thurs/30, 9 p.m.–3 a.m., $5. Temple, 540 Howard, SF. www.templesf.com
DEBASER
Big themes at this crazy-gnarly 1990s grunge and alternative retro party: American vs. British indie battle! DJs Jamie Jams and Emdee “recreate the American Revolution using only ’90s rock vinyl,” pitching Brits against Murikans all night for the crowd’s vote. Oh please, we all know Oasis is gonna win. KIDDING.
Sat/2, 10 p.m., $5, free with baby doll dress. The Knockout, 3223 Mission, SF. www.facebook.com/debaser90s
STEVE RACHMAD
More freaky people need to get to the monthly Kontrol party at the End Up — the minimal techno and “avant house” programming is right on time, although the techy crowd sometimes blands me out. Help, weird fellow music fiends! This time, the boys are bringing in Steve Rachmad from the Netherlands, who knows how to sculpt a postminimal set superbly. Also on hand: a rare treat from Asia, Singapore’s Xhin, and the debut of hometown duo Safeword.
Sat/2, 10 p.m.–6 a.m., $20, free before 11 p.m. The EndUp, 401 Sixth St., SF. www.kontrolsf.com
CREAM OF BEAT
Time for a real decks education: classic Bay Area hip-hop and scratch DJs kick up a celebration for gear store True’s 15th anniversary, with Apollo, Shortkut, Sake 1, Rolo 1-3, Fran Boogie, and Del live. The Pirate DJs are presenting, so it’ll be a bit bonkers.
Sun/3, 9 p.m., $20. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, SF. creamofbeat.eventbrite.com
BOOM!
It’s a colorful gay-dependence extravaganza (despite the disappointingly stereotypical shirtless dude on the flyer), as promoters Miss Juanita More and Joshua J go all out at the DNA, with a smorgasbord of performances and tricks from the Miss Honey, Some Thing, Viennetta Discotheque, and Booty Call crews. Boom, like your hairdo.
Sun/3, 9 p.m.–3 a.m., $10 advance. DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., SF. www.dnalounge.com
HONEY WITH ANTHONY MANSFIELD
Local disco edit and funky house king Mansfield will be polishing up his crown with a special techno set at Honey Soundsystem’s weekly Sunday blowout, which attracts one of the best-energied and most interesting crowds in the city. The barbeque starts at 6 p.m. in the back, so come hungry.
Sun/3, 6 p.m.–2 .m., $3 before 11 p.m., $5 after. Holy Cow, 1535 Folsom, SF. facebook: Honey Mansfield, www.honeysoundsystem.com
INDEPENDANCE
The annual, exuberant pairing of classic SF Stompy and Sunset crews will ride you this year like Paul Revere, sweetie. Steaming up Cafe Cocomo’s massive patio and indoor dance floor? Parisian sexy house groover Jef K puts some France in your pants, while SF native, New York City transplant DJ Spun of Rong Music is a master of deep re-edits and funky churn. Solar, Galen, Tasho, J-Bird, Deron, and Sweet P support.
Sun/3, 2 p.m.–2 a.m., $10 before 5 p.m., $20 after. Cafe Cocomo, 650 Indiana, SF. www.stompy.com/dance