by RAF KATIGBAK

Once again, one rotten apple spoils it for the rest of us apples that just want to go out, get proper mashed and dance all night long to techno music. But despite the anything-but-PLUR events that unfolded at Aria last Saturday morning, this week the club is offering up a solid weekend of “tchikaboum,” as my DJ friend’s Québécois father calls it. Tech-trance DJ Tiesto will surely bring out a crowd on Friday night, but Terry Francis and Nigel Richards on Saturday gets my vote for “must see” billing. Deep and funky tech house, mmmm… Also giving Francis and Richards a hand will be resident DJ Maüs, who seems to have recently re-discovered the joys of funk in her set. Armed with her new-found appreciation of mixing it up and keeping it fresh, Maüs is slowly helping Aria’s post-6 a.m. crowd move away from the mind-numbing repetitiveness they may have grown accustomed to. Cheers to her! Indeed, with upcoming guests including Felix Da Housecat, DJ Dan, Infected Mushroom and Mark Farina, it seems Aria have opened their ears to different sounds. Let’s hope they keep it up! Next Thursday, June 19, at Aria, breakbeat fans will be tickled pink (or green, depending on the quality of substances they ingest) as the Broken Crew, the Tactical & Redmask Crew, Dirty Science, Mary Mac and Chris Pattison hit the decks in support of American live breaks act Uberzone. Not only is this a great chance to hear the funkiest line-up since your high school gym’s jockstrap hamper, but it’s also a chance to hear breaks as they were meant to be heard—big and boomin’ on a quality system. Montreal breaks massive represent!

Speaking of mixing it up every Thursday, you can check out residents Mack One, Maskinn and VJ Telecino as they rock the reggae, dancehall, jungle and hardtek at their free weekly Sugar & Spice at Korova (3908 St-Laurent). Special guest this week will be Parisian DJ Miss’Ill. As crowds continue to grow more open-minded, looking less for the same vibe all night and more for quality beats, expect more of these eclectic nights to spring up this season.

Saturday, June 14, the IDJ Crew continues on their mission to rep drum & bass with another event. This time In Da Jungle features special T.O. guests D-Syfa, Damaged Goods, Dirty P. and MC Pryce with residents Nitrous, Galaksy and Axionfigga. Cover is $10 at the door, call 401-6774 for deets.

Remember Chill Tuesdays at Jai? Well, the same Cultured Monkeys crew is about to kick start Rent Tuesdays at the same space (now known as B’bops). For the next four weeks, guests will include Miguel Graça, Mike Casali, Trevor Walker, Rise Ashen, live vocalist Athesia and didgeridoo by Subluna.

As part of the Grand Prix festivities this weekend, check out the window of high-falutin Ste-Catherine department store les Ailes de la Mode today as Pfreud drops some wax from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Sensation Design outdoor fashion show. Friday the soundtrack to the superficial supermarket will be provided by Philgood as he gears up for his upcoming set at the international footbag competition (!?).

Rice, rice, baby! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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