Cream puff by KRISTA Strange but true: this past weekend's Cream main event at the Olympic stadium was some of 514's finer work. There were the regular dramas, fights, strippers in bad outfits and the occasional sound problem, but given that there were roughly 20,000 heads in attendance I'd have to say that overall the night was a success. I loved that Bombay/Dune oasis-cum-VIP space. Nice one. Okay, so I'm only being half-facetious. The VIP area did provide a safe haven from the masses. And hell, even the hired talent showed up on time, for the most part. John Aquaviva and Laflèche kicked ass, as did the Beatnuts. I have almost nothing bad to say. Who woulda thought? I guess the Cream festival generated enough curiosity to keep people from checking out Stereo last Friday, and so Nottingham's To-Ka Project played to a scant crowd. However, this Friday, Sept. 17, DJ XL will be playing by himself from 2 a.m. 'til whenever he sees fit, and he's had a week of vacation to prepare himself mentally, so I assure you he'll be in rare form. Sona gets back to its normal business this weekend (did anyone even notice it was closed on Saturday?). Friday, September 17, video game junkie and purveyor of the bumpin' Chicago beats DJ Terry Mullen works the main room. $20 at the door, with the usual suspects: Tiga, Yaz, J. Dare, Devious, Ram. The following Friday, Sept. 24, hardcore makes a comeback at Sona as NYC's Adam X brings the Brooklyn Bounce. Speaking of hard, this Saturday, Sept. 18, a new collective of local DJs operating in the underground and calling themselves the Popsicle Crew will be throwing a techno-trance event called Popsicle. The aim of the collective is to offer an alternative to currently "unacceptable musical mediocrity and exorbitant prices we see at big parties." Anyone ever read Kafka? I see this going the same way... Could be exciting. At any rate, DJs include Iznogood, Kal, Pfreud, Twin Peetz, Philgood and more. Tix are $10 in advance at Clair Obscur (162a Mont Royal E.) and Musik Hall (4511 St-Denis). For info call 851-0501. Read this! Take note that when Basement Jaxx perform at Stereo, Sunday, Sept. 19, doors will open at 9 p.m., not 2 a.m., and for that night only (at least for now) they'll be serving alcohol. What do you know, "new" afterhour club Blade has started to do some promo in the way of flyers. Next Friday, Sept. 24, quasi-local DJ/producer Arkin Allen will be playing an 8-hour set in the main room. The U.K.'s DJ Aural Imbalance will be doing the quasi-drum & bass thing in the lounge along with Maus. Doors at midnight. Finally, next Thursday, Sept. 23, South Bay DJ/producer Julius Papp, one of the most serious house DJs around, guests at Jai bar for Therapy. The following Monday, September 27, the Moonshine bartending school holds its monthly Moonraker event at Jai bar. Get your invite by chatting up Mathieu at Sona bar this weekend.