by RAF KATIGBAK

With so many parties to choose from this weekend, you'll most likely find yourself in a bit of a party-picking pickle. Sometimes, when making decisions like these, the advice of your friends, family and health-care professional just doesn't cut it. You may want to consider consulting some outside help - of the occult persuasion.

Personally, I'm glad I completed my 10 easy installments of $9.95 to join Jojo's Psychic Alliance back in '98 (although my free Vegetable Peeler of Spiritual Protection crapped out on me after three lousy carrots). But whichever wild, esoteric higher power you choose to consult (magic eightball, ouija board, Jesus), remember to use the knowledge from beyond wisely.

If you conduct a séance, voices from the ether may tell you to consult a spirit of a very different kind - the Spirit of the Revolution. Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 16, Omar Alexis, host of Global's Foco Latino show, MCs the fourth Annual Mexican Independence Day Party at Main Hall. On hand will be DJ Karloops from Mexico City spinning salsa and Mexican Revolution songs, DJ Guapo dropping the Latin house grooves with live Latino percussionists and VJs Jocool & Ladyroll mixing images of Mexico and the Revolution. Make sure to stick around for the traditional piñata smash. Five dollar cover - viva Mexico!

If your crystal ball breaks, that means Blizzarts' Broken night is the right choice. Those of you who have tuned into the ever-bumpin' Your Radio Is Broken show, on CKUT 90.3FM from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday mornings, can check out Poontz, Melon and Roto in the flesh every Thursday night for an evening of nu-school breaks, electro and tech-house. Over at Stereobar's Pitch weekly, DJ Philgood continues his mission to enlighten punters on the ghosts of techno past - old-school electro, Detroit tech-house and Chicago acid house.

If a black cat crosses your path, drop by the Soirée Féline tonight at Living where two of Montreal's talented kittens (vocalist Athesia and dancer Anita Bombita) will have you losing your minds as well as your mittens. DJ Eddy Jasmin spins - $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

According to reputed "astronagers," this Friday your celestial wolf-self will be able to blast all the way around Uranus, which of course means your risk-to-reward ratio is high (duh). So Friday night, why not roll the dice at Soirée Risquée. Boasting a brand new location (Café Studio Délima, 6409 St-Hubert, corner Beaubien) and a special guest that was one of the best things about this year's Mutek fest (Chile's amazing Trendsetter & The Followers), Soirée Risquée returns after a seasonal hiatus, bigger and better than ever. Of course local luminaries DJ Vincent Lemieux and Mike Shannon will be on hand to round out the night, so don't miss it! Five bucks before midnight, $7 after.

Also Friday, Montreal's Warrior, a promising new entry into the North American free-mag circuit, will be launching their "refreshing optimistic alternative" with a big bash at Main Hall . On hand will be DJs Miss Matches & Swayz Matéz, Brian Fairy and Bliss. Check it!

I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met. Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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