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Will you have Big Fun at Crocodile or stick with Flosstradamus at Sonotheque?

Friday Feb 20, 2009.     By Maya Henderson

Music Feed

Syrup
Tuesday, February 24 at Empire Liquors, 10 p.m.; No cover
Good DJs who become known for rockin' the weekend party crowd rarely get a chance to step out of the box and do something different. Zebo and Major Taylor, two guys heralded for their ability to work the weekend set (at Evil Olive/Subterranean and Tuman's, respectively), are taking advantage of the chill weeknight scene to bring us Syrup, a night of sexy slow jams. Bring someone you want to get close to and be ready to snuggle in one of Empire's dark corners.

Out of Order
Thursday, February 26 at darkroom, 9 p.m.; $5 before 11 p.m. with RSVP to rsvp@outoforderchicago.com
Out of Order, a new monthly party at darkroom from popular promoters Sang Yi and Paul Rodriguez, aims to offer Chicagoans an eclectic, dance-friendly option for the monotonous nightlife. Tonight, the party kicks off with hip-hop legend Steinski, a live performance from local band to watch Hey Champ and tastemaker DJs Intel and Trancid.

Depeche Mode vs. New Order
Thursday, February 26 at Neo Nightclub, 10 p.m.; $5, free before 11 p.m. with ad from Chicago Reader
Never mind if you're not a Neo regular and have never been to one of the club's RetroForward battles before; this one is the end-all-be-all finale and a winner will be crowned. So if you're a fan of Depeche Mode and/or New Order, you owe it to yourself to come dance the night away at this Chicago nightlife institution. Once the winner is crowned (my money's on Depeche Mode) stick around for the Atomic New Wave dance party.

Special Disco Version
Friday, February 27 at Smartbar, 9 p.m.; $10 before midnight, $12 after
Last time LCD Soundsystem came into town, the group turned Smartbar out with an all-night disco DJ set. Tonight, the more well-known half of LCD, James Murphy, won't be around but drummer/DJ Pat Mahoney's disco styles won't disappoint, especially with members of nu-disco genius act Hercules and Love Affair (also doing a DJ set). Disco is back, with a vengeance, and if you're not sure why, take a chance, swallow the cover charge and when you're covered in sweat a few hours later, you'll know why.

Rapture
Friday, February 27 at Subterranean, 10 p.m.; no cover
Crocodile opened its doors a few months ago and almost silenced all the other cool-kid spots in Wicker Park, but the weekend throwdown at Sub-T is still going strong. Tonight, DJs Trew, Avi Sic and Clockwork pay tribute to the era that birthed pop icons and influential artists like Fab 5 Freddy, Blondie, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five and Human League and all the new, exciting and mysterious music that came along with it. There's no free pizza as at Crocodile, but $2 PBR and $4 Grey Goose ain't bad.

Flosstradamus
Saturday, February 28 at Sonotheque, 9 p.m.; $7
The last Saturday of the month, Flosstradamus and friends take over Sonotheque to throw down some jams for the hometown crowd. While the club is not as intimate as The Burlington (the home of Floss's other monthly set), the duo and their select group of guest DJs no longer have to play it safe with predictable club tracks, so good dance music is guaranteed.

Big Fun
Saturday, February 28 at Crocodile, 9 p.m.; no cover
Crocodile, with its unbeatable "free pizza with a $5 drink purchase" deal, is the new hot spot. Thankfully, instead of enforcing a strict cover and dress code and bringing in crappy radio DJs, the lounge surrendered its basement to the local DJs who know how to get the kids moving. Tonight, Big Fun welcomes Tek of He Say She Say, Shala and resident DJ Trew for a night of fun hip-hop and throwback party jams for the broke-yet-ready-to-party crowd.