by RAF KATIGBAK

The Mutek minimal movement has just conquered Mexico. After playing to a total of 13,000 people in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Tijuana, and signing autographs in true rock star fashion, the group (which included local artists Akufen, Vincent Lemieux, Crackhaus, EGG, Tim Hecker and Maxime Morin) has returned triumphant, tanned, smelling like tequila and with a bad case of what Tim Hecker described as "the stomach scorpion." Everyone jealous of their mid-December tans can direct their frustration at Vincent Lemieux in all his bronzed glory at O Patro Vys this Friday, Dec. 19. This installment of Musique Risquée will welcome the ever-funky Oratzio Fantini and Ben Neville, live! Before that, drop by Laika for a drinky-poo as the resident DJ Mighty Kat welcomes local up-and-comer Manousos for some positive tech-house vibes.

Of course, the big news this weekend is the eagerly anticipated opening of the Montreal's latest afterhours club Gravity. Speaking as someone who's had a sneak peek at the place, lemme tell ya, it's gonna be well-wicked. Now we can add "top notch afterhours" to the list of the lower Main's attractions (which include "the city's best hot dogs" and "most people missing the most teeth"). I for one am very psyched about the mini-cinema located at one side of the club, a great little hideaway that brings me back to the days of Stereo's white room. Low ceilings and nicely curved décor add to Gravity's intimate feeling and brand new bathrooms (always important) and fancy metal trough sinks add to the classiness of the joint. While house heads all over the city are rejoicing, according to Angel Moraes, techno heads can officially begin rubbing their hands in anticipation. "After a while, when we get established, we might do a massive trance or techno night, but it'd be on a weeknight. It'd be interesting to see how all those kids come here and go crazy." Cross your fingers…

Quickly becoming known as the club that advertises more openings than a Paris Hilton video, Sona has announced its second re-opening this Saturday. Anyone curious to see what all the construction commotion was about should check out the newly completed space with DJs Joubin, Loco, Goldenchild, Quest and Smokey, Dec. 20.

Chicago's Bad Boy Bill will also be at Aria on Saturday so if you like it hard, check it out!

Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 18, check out Unity II's Kink night and flog the ol' eggnog as DJ Frigid presents Dominatrixes on Fire. Special guest Mistress Manny will be making sure everyone comes dressed to thrill. It's sexy time!

On the house tip, drop by Stereo Bar as Christian Pronovost joins resident B'ugo at Jojo Flores' Therapy night. If y'all like deep and soulful rhythms, be there!

Badgers? We don't need no stinkin' badgers! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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