marke@sfbg.com
SUPER EGO I was pleasantly surprised this weekend to find that it still only takes one of those splashy martinis at stealth piano bar Martuni’s (4 Valencia, SF.) to knock me right on my ass. Boing! But I was also shocked at how crowded it was, and not just with showtune aficionados rushing to “Book of Mormon.” There are hordes of new people moving in up and down Market Street, and they’re starting to discover our secret dive bars. That’s cool, but maybe a little scary. (Twitter-facing gem The Hotspot is closing down until February for mysterious “repairs” — will it reopen as a pricey themed cocktail lounge? Please goddess, no.) Meanwhile, tops down and bottoms up!
QBERT
He who scratches all, the East Bay turntablism wizard, is back with a new, crowd-supported album after 17 years called Extraterrestria (Thud Rumble). Seriously monumental news for heads. He’ll be at the Nightlife party, themed “Mind and Body” — but you just might leave both behind.
Thu/16, 6pm-10pm, $12. California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park, SF. www.calacademy.org/nightlife
AVALON EMERSON
The long-simmering local techno talent explodes with the release of her lauded Pressure EP debut on Icee Hot records. (It is the jam.) She’s at the Play it Cool party with Guillaume Galuz, Matthew “Favorites” Howell, and Derek Opperman.
Fri/17, 9pm, $5. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF, www.publicsf.com
DAVID HARNESS
The master of soulful house has been showing his deeper tech chops lately and reeling in a new generation of fans. This five-hour all-night set should send everyone over the rainbow and into the stratosphere.
Fri/17, 10pm-3am, free before midnight with RSVP, $10. Mighty, 119 Utah, SF. www.mighty119.com
LEVON VINCENT
Celebrating four years of bass-heavy earhole-tingling, the Icee Hot party is bringing in this hyper-intelligently funky NYC techno favorite, along with left-field groover Joey Anderson. Upstairs in the loft: one of my absolute favorites, Floating Points, whose jazz-informed selection of deep tracks is usually quite stellar.
Sat/18, 9pm-4am, $15. Public Works, 131 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
STIMMING
Hamburg’s Mark Stimming makes deceptively restrained-sounding techno that creates an emotional undertow on the dancefloor and seriously pulls you in. Humble epiphanies unfold when you least expect them in his high-risk, high-wire style. Lovely stuff at the Sound Department party.
Sat/18, 9pm-3am, $10–$25. Monarch, 101 Sixth St, SF. www.monarchsf.com
NICKODEMUS
The storied Turntables on the Hudson party head honcho comes to SF from NYC to celebrate the Wonderwheel label’s 10th Anniversary at our own great Dub Mission party. Expect a ton of warm funk and global house vibes.
Sun/19, 9pm, $12–$15. Elbo Room, 647 valencia, SF. www.elbo.com
SF ALBUM PROJECT: NEVERMIND
You’ll reach drag Nirvana with this gender-bending theatrical take on one of the most influential albums of all time. SFAP does all the songs, in order, in drag, fantastically. Surely one to rival the troupe’s great interpretation of OK Computer last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Y8UBKI09k
Sun/19, doors 7pm, show 8pm, $15. Victoria Theater, 2961 16th St., SF. www.tinyurl.com/sfapnirvana
DISCO DADDY
Venerable DJ Bus Station John brings his intense collection of underground disco classics to burn up the Eagle’s dance floor. Yes, the Eagle has a dance floor now! Dancing to red-hot disco in a leather bar. Let’s do it.
Sun/19, 8pm-midnight, $5. SF Eagle, 398 12th St., SF. www.sf-eagle.com
HNY + MLK
An MLK Day eve tradition: The boys of Honey Soundsystem pull out the house classics, new jams, and miles of smiles all night long. Peace and harmony, y’all.
Sun/19, 10pm-4am, $10. Beatbox, 314 11th St., SF. honeysoundsystem.tumblr.com