by RAF KATIGBAK

While the seasonal temperature rise leaves another obstacle course of poodle bombs on our once snow-covered sidewalks, for the Montreal nightlife, spring heralds a renewed vigour and a stirring in the loins to go forth and start new weekly dance music nights.

Tonight, over at Saphir (top floor), DJ Corey K gives birth to his latest breakbeat night, the Next Level, with special guest D'Kai. Next week he'll have the inimitable Sase One, who's always up for some sick D&B - get there early and stick around for prizes and giveaways from sponsors Evolve and Quicksilver.

Saphir also has a new Tuesday-night weekly called Ghettoblast. The word for the night is eclectic (techno/house/electro/ghetto-tek/booty-house/experimental techno, anyone?) with an emphasis on down and dirty sounds. Your hosts for the evening will be Dave O'Brien and Deliz, with the special guest on opening night being DJ Philgood. If you can't wait till Tuesday for a taste of Philgood, drop by Circus on Friday for another techno/electro evening alongside Mightykat and Soundshaper.

Also on Friday, drop by Blizzarts for CKUT's Professor Groove, DJ Static and the one and only Tony Ezzy. If y'all haven't heard Ezzy before, imagine Prince, Digital Underground and Rick James getting crunked and playing a 1983 Go-Bots bar mitzvah, and you're half way there. With songs like "He-Man Ain't Got Shit On Skeletor," you know it's gonna be one of those kind of parties. Show starts at 10 p.m. sharp so get there early! Ezzy will certainly get you sweetened up like sexual chocolate, so keep the party going over at the In Da Jungle party, where DJ Maüs and Corey K will be joining residents Nitrous, Galaksy, Axionfigga and PI67. Call 401-6774 for the super-secret location.

This Sunday over at Blue Dog, bring your dancing shoes but check your khakis at the door 'cause it's another no-pants party with the Kops Krew. Pants-Off Five: Stayin' Alive will liberally test the old adage, "Free your gaunch and the rest will follow." Remember, however, this is a civilized pants-off party, so a strict no-pervs rule will be enforced throughout the night.

On Monday, over at SAT, catch Ensemble Kore and P-Love as they perform music by the talented young avant-garde composer Nicole Lizée. Electronic music fans should seriously check this out as Lizée uses live musicians to emulate the sound world of electronic instruments. P-Love will be performing throughout the 10 pieces (including an ode to the Atari 2600 computer). Show starts at 8 p.m.

Also, don't forget to support the Dig Your Roots initiative this Sunday at the SAT. The DYR program sets out to rep artists and musical styles that don't get normal commercial radio play. For those of you tired of the homogeneity of Clear Channel radio, guest DJs/performers Blackwell, Nam (live), Vitamins For You and Dav have all promised not to play Avril Lavigne 20 times in an hour. Sa-weet!

Voltron was a drummer… Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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