Party Radar: Memory Carnaval

PARTY RADAR There’s lots of parties to get to on this three-day Memorial weekend, none of which we hopefully may remember, except as wisps of incredible collective consciousness (and maybe that cute gal we met in the bathroom). So let’s get to ’em — and don’t forget Carnaval this weekend!

THURSDAY, MAY 25

SRSLY? A new monthly dance extravaganza from some of my favorite people hits at the lovely Great Northern. With nu-progressive purveyor James Houdini, Tobin Ellsworth, One A, Elexos Park, more. Thu/25, 9:30-late. $7. Great Northern, SF. More info here. 

FRIDAY, MAY 26

LENA WILLIKENS More and more techno artists are taking the kinds of chances that make me shiver all over: Combining experimental textures and unconventional beats with a psychedelic sensibility and a generous dollop of darkness. Willikens, from Cologne, is on the cutting edge here, perfectly paired with our own Mozhgan and Solar for the We Are Monsters party. Fri/26, 10pm-3am, $10-$15. Monarch, SF. Tickets and more info here.

BRAZA! CARNAVAL KICK-OFF Brazilian beats party Braza! kicks of the Carnaval festivities with this fantastico affair. Braza! co-founder Antonio Guedes plays with his “funk-rock-disco-ska-jam-pop” band the Chilaquiles plus the high-energy, multilingual cuties band La Gente, and tons of smiling faces. Fri/26, 9pm, $15-$20. The Chapel, SF. Tickets and more info here. 

AFROLICIOUS WITH LIOR BEN-HUR AND SOL TELEV The groovy folks of the Afrolicious party play host to Ben-Hur and his band. “Born in Jerusalem, Israel with Greek and Iraqi roots, Lior Ben-Hur has traveled to over a dozen countries. Along with his 8-piece band, Lior Ben-Hur continues to focus on his passion for Reggae music, which has been a key inspiration on his musical creativity and spirituality.” Fun, international vibes. With Will Magid. Fri/26, 9pm-1am, $15-$17. The Independent, SF. Tickets and more info here. 

SWAGGER LIKE US SF’s most colorful queer hip-hop night returns with another roomful of boom. This time around, the party features LA DJ/producer Kittens from the storied Fool’s Gold label. Fri/26, 10pm, $10 advance. oasis, SF. Tickets and more info here.  

SATURDAY, MAY 27

DEBASER “9 year anniversary. Excited to see if we can get it up to full crowd surfing capacity.” That’s what DJ Jamie Jams told me about his awesome ’90s tribute party — can’t believe it’s almost a decade old! Throw on your babydoll dress (which also gets you a discount at the door) and let’s thrash it out. Sat/27, 6pm (there’s a happy hour!) to 2am, $5-$10. The Knockout, SF. More info here.

METRO AREA For almost 20 years, this superstar duo (Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani) has been bringing its sexy, soul-infused brand of techno to the masses to great acclaim. Get into it. Sat/27, 9:30-late, $10-$20. Monarch, SF. Tickets and more info here.  

POLYGLAMOROUS One of the sweetest DJs in the biz, LA’s Stanlety Frank, brings his encyclopedic ear to this ecstatic queer burner party, full of fun fur and hottie gay beards. Siobhan Alovalot opens up. Sat/27, 10pm-4am, $12. F8, SF. Tickets and more info here. 

CMYK This is my cute + colorful techno party, so please do swing by and say hello on the dance floor! This month’s special guests are Tyrel Williams, bring his Chicago house vibes, plus Matthew Paul, an up-and-comer you need to hear. Drink cheap, dance hard, nurture new-found friendships in the Stud’s darkened booths. Sat/27, 10pm-4am, $10. The Stud, SF. More info here.    

PANTHA DU PRINCE The prince of atmospheric soundscapes, miraculously engineered, “plays an extended, live set of tastemaker house, techno and ambient” at the Great Northern. His live show a few years ago at the Independent changed the way I listened to music — if you go, let me know how his DJing is, please! Sat/27, 10pm, $17.50-$25. Great Northern, SF. Tickets and more info here.  

ALTON MILLER “Detroit based producer, singer and percussionist Alton Miller has been playing a fundamental role in defining House Music for over two decades.” He’s also one of my dearest friends and one of the absolute legends of Detroit techno, playing at The People  party. Sat/27, 9pm-3am, $5-$10. The New Parish, Oakland. Tickets and more info here.  

MARS NEEDS WOMEN “Beats for women and people who love them” — well, all right! Join crate-digger extraordinaire T$ and Jess (Celect SF) for an open format night of fun, in honor of Carnaval. Sat/27, 9pm-2am, free. Pop’s Bar, SF. More info here. 

LOVE HANGOVER Lotus Disco is pretty much the most amazing new person on the scene right now. He hails from Saigon, plays classic disco like he grew up with it — even though he just turned 25 — and gives one of the most energetic, cheerful behind-the-decks shows ever. Brave the bear bar Lone Star on a Saturday afternoon to watch him get buck wild. Sat/27, 3pm-9pm, $5. Lone Star Saloon, SF. More info here.  

 SUNDAY, MAY 28

HONEY SOUNDSYTEM MEMORIAL DAY A “shazam” lineup of some of our best queer DJs (including Jason Kendig, who moved to Chicago, but we’re not ready to acknowledge that fact yet): Jackie House, The Creatrix, Jordee, Topazu, and Detach, plus the usual crazy crowd of scruffy revelers. Sun/28, 9pm-4am, $20. Audio, SF. More info here. 

THES-ONE AND DJ DAY One half of legendary hip-hop duo People under the Stairs, Thes-One, comes together with beat-master DJ Day for a great night of rhyme and rhythm, with Tom Thump and DJ Centipede (I love these dudes!). Sun/28, 9pm, $10-$20. Great Northern, SF. Tickets and more info here.  

SUNSHINE PEOPLE Who could possibly say no to a giant outdoor house music affair (with plenty of BBQ pits) on Memorial Weekend Sunday? Featuring DJ Norman Stradley, with Nesto Fuentez, Supacreep, Jamie Swing, C.J. Larsen, Michael May, Mike Carpenter. Sun/28, 2pm-8pm, free. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland. More info here. 

ROY DAVIS, JR.  The Chicago house legend joins vocalist extraordinaire Mr. V for another outdoor Oakland affair. Hot stuff! Sun/28, noon-midnight, $10-$20. Eve’s Waterfront, Oakland. Tickets and more info here.