Party Radar: Sapphic pleasures, Lynchian delights, an indie Hotline …

PARTY RADAR This weekend is stacked like an inflatable drag queen, do they have those yet? I hope not! So let’s just dive into it. But first, let’s pour one out for the Bay Area god of electro and beat mixes, DJ Cameron Paul, who passed away Monday. And then let’s raise one up for Drag Queens Against Guns, making activism, er, pretty again. Drag queens! 

PS OMG DON’T FORGET ABOUT SISTER’S EASTER ON SUNDAY. MORE DRAG QUEENS!

PARTIES OF NOTE

THU/29 A KATABATIK BENEFIT FOR PEACHES/SAM MAXWELL Sam “Peaches” Maxwell was the last person to make it out of the Ghost Ship fire, and suffered debilitating injuries he’s still recovering from. His journey to recovery has been incredible, and underground Oakland acid/industrial crew Katabatik (who lost their own people in the fire) are throwing this benefit to make sure Peaches has what he needs. I fucking love our community, please come out, or give a little if you can. With special guests Josh Cheon, Justin Anastasi, and many more. (PS I’ll be bartending early at the party, too.) 8pm-2am, $15-50 sliding scale. The Stud, SF. More info here. 

FRI/30 HOTLINE What happens when nine awesome indie dance parties get together to help save DNA Lounge? Well, let’s just say that last time they had a giant inflatable cat and a snow-making machine. With Popscene DJ Omar, Fringe DJs Blondie K & subOctave, The Queen is Dead DJ Mario Muse, Harder Better Faster Stronger DJs Candy & 2nite, Club Gossip DJ Damon, Indie Cent DJ Haute Toddy, Boy Division DJ Starr, Turbo Drive DJ Netik, and Club Satori DJ Bit. 9pm-2am, $10-$15. DNA Lounge, SF. More info here. 

FRI/30 SAPPHO AND FRIENDS I can not lie, and I hate to play favorites, but I have to say that Portland’s Sappho is the DJ I most vibe with currently, at least in terms of woweee-zowee psychedelic house, hidden prog-acid gems, and subconsciously burbling ’80s outtakes. It’s all way witchy, subtly poetic, and mind-expanding in terms of WTF selection. Anyway, you will dance. With Jordee and Trevor Sigler. 9pm-2am, $5 after 10pm. Underground SF. More info here.   

FRI/30 TECHNOCLAM: JUANA The Technoclam crew is throwing parties devoted totally to showcasing insanely talented women (the Technoclam site also offers great party guides, mixes, and more), and its fourth party is no exception: DC’s Juana, who got her start “spinning pulsating sweaty drug-fueled disco sessions” and now pounds some lovely techno with the Discwoman crew, makes her debut. With Dhra, Viewfinder, and DpeshMo. 9pm-3am, $5-$10. Public Works, SF. More info here.  

FRI/30 STEREO ARGENTO: DAVID LYNCH Do you like horror? Do you like drag? Do you like entering a dark chamber of gender illusion and coming out screaming with delight (and quite possibly spattered with blood)? Stereo Argento is exactly what you are looking for. This time around, the party takes on David Lynch, justly celebrated for his screwy dream-narratives, but, hey, what about the gore? “From Eraserhead to Blue Velvet to Mulholland Drive, his films have pushed the envelope of narrative filmmaking; bringing their viewers into an uncanny saliva bubble where dreams curdle and nightmares cement.” Go see a bunch of creepy queens bring it all to life onstage. Oh, and dancing with DJs Smac and Topazu. 10pm-3am, $10. the Stud, SF. More info here. 

FRI/30 DANIEL AVERY The crowd-pleasing DJ’s DJ, who creates insanely lovely, synth-heavy soundscapes that are as descendent from Jean-Michel Jarre as Detroit techno, comes to us from his UK home in advance of new album “Song for Alpha.” This is a Lights Down Low party, so expect non-stop ecstatic dancing (and melty-smiley faces) all night long. With a Direct to Earth takeover in the Red Room. 9pm-3am, $20. Great Northern, SF. More info here. 

FRI/30 RAVE AGAINST THE MACHINE The Big Ass Amazingly Awesome Homosexual Sheep—better known as BAAAHS—is a giant gay sheep that roams Burning Man, slaying with all-night raves, laser eyes, and mirrorball testicles. It’s also a great crew of DJs and its own soundsystem. BAAAHS takes over the Eagle for a wild dance party, teaming up with the awesome Nark and DAD parties. Don’t be sheepish! 9pm-2am, $5-$10. Eagle SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY: VISIBILITY INTO ACTION “Join us for a magical evening of celebrating community, moving beyond visibility and putting our words into action. Across the country and internationally there has been an increased visibility of our Transgender and GNC communities. Moving beyond visibility and putting our words into action. The evening will include fabulous entertainment, awards, music, food and drinks. Everyone is welcome! Evening attire recommended but not expected.” 5:30pm-8pm, free. SOMArts, SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 NICKODEMUS Love him so much! The soulful, global beats master who powers the legendary Turntables on the Hudson parties in NYC is back (with “analog visual wizardry” by Zack Rodell, even.) He’ll be joined by the Groovewell DJs for a night that will wear out some shoes. 9:30pm-3:30am, $15-$20. Public Works, SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 KLANGKEUNSTLER Very friendly, danceable deep-tech beats from this young southern German, coming to us by way of Munich. Lovely to have him on the Halcyon sound system. With Jonboy and Adeli. 10pm-4am, $10. Halcyon, SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 J.PHLIP Tough, bouncy neats from this Bay Area fave, who was a big part of the Dirty Bird crew but now seems to be striking out on her own path. Some of her mixes from the mid-2010s are classics for me. With Bournemouth’s Flava D. 9:30pm-2am, $10. Audio, SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 DADDY ISSUES The scruffy gayboy UK party was a smash hit when it landed at the Stud a few months ago — this time, it flies out statuesque host Ollywood to complement hometown DJs Kelly Naughton, Taco Tuesday, and Collin Bass. 10pm-4am, $10. the Stud, SF. More info here. 

SAT/31 SNEAKS Why not follow up your big gay daddy issues with a big gay sportswear fetish? Girl we have all been there. This massive party hits the A.D.I.D.A.S. spot with great DJs Carlos Souffont and Siobhan Aluvalot. Must wear sneakers and sportswear—no jeans or slacks. NO SLACKS. NONE. 10pm-4am, $25. Club Six, SF. More info here.  

SUN/1 AFTERNOON DELIGHT: EASTER FOOLS The cutest Sunday house-disco-techno dance party in Oakland hosts a costume contest, egg hunt, and DJ Sappho! Dance in the sunshine out on the patio and hop like a liquored-up bunny to great tunes. 3pm-8pm, $10. New Parish, Oakland. More info here.