Bump! Soul Edition
Friday, September 26 at Subterranean, 10 p.m.; $5, free before 10:30 p.m.
Fresh off its one-year anniversary, BUMP hosts its first serious soul-party, with a roster of some of the best DJs around. Special guests for the evening include Tone B. Nimble of local hip-hop legends All Natural, the East of Edens Soul Express (from the popular Hideout soul-parties, comprised of music writer James Porter and Southern soul expert John Ciba) and Pete the Beats from the long-running Five Star Tuesday soul night. As always, resident DJ MTM will bring out his best for the evening. There's free Sparks all night, but do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from it.
The Art of Bhangra
Saturday, September 27 at Spot 6, 10 p.m.; Free
The Love Guru, that horrible movie starring Mike Myers as a Hindu spiritual guide, didn't even have a bhangra soundtrack. It pains me to think about all the great tracks Jimmy Singh, the man who's kept bhangra and exotic international dance sounds alive in Chicago, would've picked if he'd been the musical coordinator. So instead of renting the DVD (like you were going to anyway), spend your money on a night out with good music and a $5 drink special.
Jesse De La Pena's Birthday
Saturday, September 27 at darkroom, 9 p.m.; $8
The DJ that all the good DJs love, Jesse De La Pena, celebrates his birthday with a slew of special guests, including Major Taylor, Willy Joy and Uncle Milty. There's really not much to say. With this lineup and Jesse's 20-plus year music collection, you're sure to get a lesson on the art of the DJ.
Dark Wave Disco w/ Sinden
Saturday, September 27 at Sonotheque, 9 p.m.; $10 before 11 p.m., $15 after
Sinden (part of the genius behind the catchy "Beeper" featuring Kid Sister) is quick to point out in interviews that the dance music he's doing is much more inspired by his hip-hop background than by his love for house music and other electronic sounds. And that's exactly why he, along with pals like DJ A-Trak, has helped define the latest dance wave. He's got no alliance to one sound (as he showed back in April on the Screaming Bloody Murder Tour when he played an intense nu-rave set) and will be an interesting addition to the Dark Wave Disco night.
Hot Chip after-party
Sunday, September 28 at Smartbar, 10 p.m.; $5 with wristband from show, $10 without
There's always someone who just doesn't "get" dance music, claiming it's just repetitive sounds with occasional vocals. That’s when the clever dance-fans smirk and bring up names like M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, acts that have blurred the lines between underground pop and dance music. If you can't make it to the show at the Metro, don't miss the after-party in the basement at Smartbar. DJ SR-71 opens and there are cheap drink specials and free pizza to keep you from getting famished on the dance floor (or having to drink too much $2 PBR).
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