by RAF KATIGBAK

Are you ready for a big gay weekend? I sure as shoot am. And considering the amount of great acts to see over the next few Pride-filled days, you should be too. Here are the top three Disko Akimbo must-sees at this year's celebration:

The Gossip @ Sexgarage stage (de Maisonneuve/St-Denis), Saturday, July 31, 5 p.m. Swaggering, booze-addled, fist-pumping, blues-inflected gospel punks and that's just the roadies! Femme politics never sounded so down and dirty.

Tommie Sunshine @ Pride Ball, Aria, Sunday, Aug. 1, 11 p.m. This guy helped produce Felix Da Housecat's last two albums and is no slouch when it comes to his own productions. He's also DJed the closing party for Björk's tour in Reykjavik and opened for New Order in London. Need I say more?

Samantha Fox @ Parc Émilie-Gamelin, Sunday, Aug. 1, 1:30 p.m. From trashy '80s pop icon and subject of many a boyhood fantasy to lesbian Bollywood/boxing star, Sam Fox has come a long way. Whether you loved her for her music, or her other (ahem) assets, you owe it to yourself to check her out.

Also make sure to check out one of my top local trios, Echo Kitty, as they take over the Sexgarage site at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Expect the same high-octane, digital rockabilly, glammed-out electropop and mincing about as always.

While this Sunday's Pride Ball promises to be a huge event, Montreal's BBCM foundation is proving that Divers/Cité's not the only one who can hold huge balls. Saturday's Twist party at the Medley brings the quality circuit party vibe BBCM has become known for with DJs Manny Lehman and Gilles Jr.

Tonight, DJ Mini (who'll be playing with Tommie Sunshine on Sunday) welcomes a very special guest and one of my favourite acts to come out of that whole electro thing. Magas is a one-man wrecking crew of sweat, gyration and pure rock 'n' roll. With a backing track of hard, booming analogue beats and dirty skronky synthesizer, the Chicago native has already been to Montreal and left audiences in equal states of confusion, excitation and wanton, mind-blown man-lust. This guy puts a face to the term "give 'er."

Breakbeat enthusiasts have only one place to go this weekend. DJ Corey K and Soundshaper will be taking their successful monthly Shake 'n' Break event to Circus this Friday and their guest will be none other than U.K. D&B/breaks producer Aquasky. For almost a decade, this Bournemouth-based trio has been pushing the many guises of the breaks scene through their three labels (Passenger, Sonix, Incident) and their incendiary DJ sets. Make sure you catch these guys while you can.

Finally, NYC's A Touch of Class will attempt to relive the magic of their Valentine's Day set with an appearance at Neon Love Volume 2, an intimate loft-style party at the Mile End Cultural Centre this Saturday. Capacity is limited (250) so make sure you get your $20 tix in advance. Check www.iloveneon.ca for more info.

I surrender to the spirit of the night… Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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