Huge thanks to everyone who came out last Friday to kick off my birthday celebrations with me and Katrina Mir at Jimmy Valentine’s. I really appreciate you all making the effort! I, for one, had an amazing time playing records and shuffling around the dance floor 🙂 We’ll be celebrating my birthday in earnest this Thursday night May 2, when I’ll be joining Jubilee and Ramirez behind the decks at Playlist at Eighteenth Street Lounge. Packing some amazing tunes, it’s going to be a beautiful evening, so let’s have some fun on the patio! Hoping to see some DC House Grooves readers on the dance floor.
Just a quick post this week, as I need to get all my music organized for tomorrow. Lots of great stuff happening this week at all the usual spots, Eddie C at Eighteenth Street Lounge on Saturday being the highlight, plus a whole load of cool happenings around Catharsis on the Mall. If you’re up for something different, head over to the National Mall and check it out. I’m not particularly in the know about Catharsis, but between Hearts Collective at the Asgard Dome and Sunset and Chill at Catharsis on the Mall amongst other things, looks like there’s plenty to keep you grooving.
Before I get to this week’s listings, here’s a great little slice of after hours acid, techno, house & breaks from our very own Katrina Mir. Something to listen to as you plan your weekend dance floor strategy.
Here’s this week’s listings, featuring all the best underground house and electronic music events on my radar in and around Washington DC, Thursday through Sunday. Facebook users can click the link at the top of each section to view the list of event pages for each day. Hope to see you at Eighteenth Street Lounge Thursday night, and make sure you check back next week for info on all the best underground house and electronic music events in DC over the weekend.
Here we are again with your favorite Thursday morning read, the DC House Grooves Weekend Round Up! We hope all you lovers had an amazing Valentine’s weekend, despite the frigid temperatures, snow and strong winds. Ours started off well with a great night at our Body Werk party in the Flash Bar, with Andy Grant and R&B going back to back to back all night long. So much fun, in fact, that we never made it upstairs to catch any of Brawther‘s set. We heard it was a good one, but I guess we’ll just have to catch him next time. Not complaining, though, because it was an amazing night of music down in the bar, all of which was recorded! We’ll be posting it soon up on the DC House Grooves SoundCloud page, so make sure you follow us and check it in the next week or so. Saturday night was a bit of a bust for us due to the weather. We were all set to hit the road for Deep Sugar to catch Andy Grant‘s set in The Chamber, but unfortunately the powers that be made the decision to reschedule Andy’s set for another time and close The Chamber for the evening due to the weather conditions. It was definitely the right decision, but kudos to the brave souls who braved the weather to make it out to The Paradox on Saturday night! Back here in DC, we heard the Soul Clap at Flash was one of the best nights of music there in a long while, with Soul Clap taking the crowd on a journey to remember. Wish we could have been there!
Before we move on to this week’s picks and listings, here’s episode #10 of the DC House Grooves Meet The Locals Podcast, featuring The Elders, recorded live at Body Werk at DC9 Nightclub on February 7. Over four hours of solid grooves to bounce to as your check out this week’s post!
Ok, so let’s get on with this week’s picks. So many quality events to choose from, so pay attention! Once you’ve read through our picks, make sure you browse through the full listings. If you like the look of something, make sure you click through to the event page and click Join, and don’t forget to invite your friends!
We kick of Thursday with DJ Earic Patten‘s Elektrik Metro House Vibes radio show. This week Earic’s guest on the show is Corduroy Mavericks, so well worth checking out as you head home from work. The show kicks off at 5pm and runs until 7pm. Tune in at http://tunein.com/radio/Elektrik-Metro-Radio-s214890/.
Lost on Thursdays: February Sanctuary presents Baum in DC feat. Hernan Cayetano (Baum, Bgta) & Bogdan Gabucci at Lost Society
Our top pick for Thursday is Lost on Thursdays at Lost Society, which this week brings a taste of Bogota to the Lost rooftop with special guest Hernan Cayetano (Baum | Bogota), with local support from Bogdan Gabucci (Nomad). Even in these frigid depths of winter, Lost on Thursdays manages to bring the heat to the Lost rooftop, and you can expect the usual friendly crowd and quality vibes all round. Best of all, there’s no cover. 21+.
North East Disco Communications with Trev-ski, Philco, Tommy Cornelis & DJ Provoke at Rock’n’Roll Hotel
Our next pick for Thursday is Trev-ski‘s North East Disco Communications party at The Rock and Roll Hotel on H Street. For this edition, Trev-ski has assembled a great local lineup including himself Philco, Tommy Cornelis and DJ Provoke to bring you quality house, nu disco, techno and other tasty tuneage all night long. A quality option for your Thursday night! No cover, 21+.
Gryphon After Dark: Lamont Bagfeel at The Gryphon
For a change of pace on Thursday night, head over to Gryphon After Dark at The Gryphon for quality live neo-soul and R&B from Lamont Bagfeel and Hippie Control, with DJ support from the legenary Sam ‘The Man’ Burns. A great option for a belated Valentine’s date at what looks to be a great night of live music. No cover, no dress code, all love. 21+.
Our pick to get you warmed up for Friday night out on the town is DJ Kochi‘s WTF?! radio show on Sugar Shack Recordings. This Friday, Kochi’s special guest on the show is our very own Andy Grant (DC House Grooves / Body Werk). The show kicks off at 5pm ET and runs until 7pm ET, so perfect listening during your Friday commute home. Tune in at http://www.sugarshackrecordings.com.
The Lovers Ball Vol. III: “Eddie Does DC” w/ Eddie C at Tropicalia
Our top pick for Friday night is without doubt Forward / 88 / Bump’n’Grind present The Lover’s Ball Vol. III with Eddie C (Red Motorbike, Endless Flight, Berlin/Ontario) at the controls open to close. It’s always a special event when Eddie comes to town, and this time, it’s nothing but Eddie all night long! To complement the music, the talented Yana Ovchinnikova and Ryan Gallagher will be creating love inspired works of art live. Amazingly, this event is free all night. Yeah, you heard that right, no cover for Eddie C! That doesn’t happen often, so make sure you don’t miss this great opportunity to hear Canada’s finest work his magic behind the turntables on Tropicalia’s great sound system. You won’t regret it! 21+
Trust Composite Featuring Pentamon and Satori at Zeba Bar
Our Friday night pick for those of you looking for quality techno is the monthly Trust Composite party, who this month feature a special techno set from local act Pentamon, along with support from Satori and Measax. In the downstairs bar, John Holmes, Boss Ross and Sinestro will be bringing the heat. Quality techno on the best neighborhood dance floor in town? Yes please. No cover, 21+.
Doc Martin & DJ Three, Marko Peli B2B Meegs at Flash Caleb L’Etoile & Philco in the Flash Bar
Back down on the U Street Corridor, Flash is well worth a look on Friday night, with Doc Martin going back to back with DJ Three on the main floor, with local support from Marko Peli back to back with Meegs. That’s two back to back sets from two big names and two top locals. Who knows where this journey will take you, but it’s sure to get you grooving. Meanwhile, down in the Flash Bar, Caleb L’Etoile and Philco will be holding things down open to close. Advanced tickets are $10 from Ticketfly, more on the door. We recommend you get there early for a drink in the Flash Bar, then head upstairs at 10pm to catch Marko and Meegs go back to back before the main floor gets too packed. 21+/
Foot Therapy (IV) & Resonance with Internet Spy Machine (Live), DJ Zach, Rosemary Arp, Doktor D and Jandro at Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar
Our final pick for Friday night is Foot Therapy (IV) & Resonance at Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar in Adams Morgan. Due to a scheduling error or a happy accident, both the Foot Therapy and Resonance crews will be in effect at Dr. Clock’s this Friday, with Internet Spy Machine performing live along with DJ sets from DJ Zach, Rosemary Arp, Doktor D and Jandro. That’s a whole lot of quality music from some passionate cats for the low, low price of free. Records & machines all night! 21+.
Top pick for Saturday night is the ROAM VII after hours, at a secret location somewhere in DC. It’s been a while since the last ROAM party, but it will be worth the wait, as the ROAM crew have assembled a great lineup of local talent, featuring many of our favorite DJs: Lisa Frank, Chris Nitti, Sami Y, Navbox, Protect-U‘s Mike Petillo, Jackson Ryland and Jus Nowhere. Throw in visuals from [capsaicin], and a quality sound system from Jackson Pro Audio, and you’ve got a recipe for a great party. Advanced tickets are available for $15 + booking fee from Resident Advisor. The party kicks off at midnight and officially runs until 7pm, but who knows when it will wrap? It’s a cash bar, so make sure you bring a few bucks to buy some drinks, and don’t forget to bring your ID. Location will be announced with ticket purchase. 21+.
Malmaison presents Locals Take Over the Waterfront III at Malmaison
Our companion top pick for ROAM VII is Locals Take Over the Waterfront III at Malmaison in Georgetown. Kicking off at 6pm and running until midnight, this is the perfect place to get yourself warmed up for ROAM, with a great local DJ lineup including Jandro, Yaco, Edo and  DC House Grooves‘ Andy Grant, with visuals by Hisham Abdelhamid. That’s right, between Locals Take Over The Waterfront III and ROAM VII, you can groove to a lineup of some of the best locals in town for over 12 hours straight! Join the crew from 6pm at Malmaison, and get yourself warmed up for a great night of music from DC’s local talent. No cover, 21+.
Voice of Voice NYC’s 10th Anniversary Northeast Tour at Zeba Bar
For quality soulful house and classics on Saturday night, head up to Zeba Bar for Voice of Voice NYC’s 10th Anniversary Tour, with Ali Coleman (NYC) headlining with support from local Andrew Hogans and Steven Lucky Benson (LUV N SOL). We predict a great night of solid grooves and serious moves as Ali Coleman brings a taste of New York City to Zeba Bar. If you don’t believe us, check out the promo video below. Doors open at 10pm,  no cover, 21+.
Resident Nights: Charles Martin, Chris Nitti, Navbox & Raffi at Flash, with Frederik Gamble & Conscious Contact in the Flash Bar
Next up for Saturday night is Residents Night at Flash, with Charles Martin, Chris Nitti, Navbox & Raffi lighting up the main floor. San Proper was supposed to be headlining, but since he couldn’t make it, it’s all locals, all night at Flash. Down in the Flash Bar, Frederik Gamble will be performing a live set with support from Conscious Contact. This is a great chance to hear an all local lineup on the main floor at Flash, on a Saturday night, no less. We’ve included Charles Martin‘s recent contribution to the DC House Grooves Meet the Locals Podcast below to give you a taste of what to expect. Advanced tickets are $8 from Ticketfly, more on the door, but if you show up early, it’s free before 11pm. 21+.
Kowli Presents: Andrew Grant, Kevin Yost, & Safarii at The Red Maple & Secret Location, Baltimore
Up in Baltimore, the Kowli crew have an amazing lineup of music laid on for Saturday night, with Kevin Yost, Safarii, and Novak at the Red Maple from 9pm to 2pm, followed by Andrew Grant (Circo Loco) with support from Feroun and Aphreaq at a secret after hours location from 2am onwards. We’re loving the parties Kowli have been putting together, and this one looks like it could be the best yet. For details of the after hours, head to the Red Maple to get your ticket. 21+.
Safehouse with Pacific Fur Company at Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar
Our final pick for Saturday night is Safehouse with Pacific Fur Company at Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar. We’ve be impressed by Pacific Fur Company‘s selections recently; these are true heads who know the score when it comes to quality house, techno, disco and everything in between. Billed as “minimal lighting, questionable company, and the weirdest in house, techno, disco, and other”, this is a great choice for quality grooves in Adams Morgan this Saturday. No cover, 21+.
Church presents Sensory Take Over (Kevin Yost, Sideburn, Jay Hill, Ragab, IllegalLizard, Pepe Rivera) at Public Bar
And so on to Sunday, where our top pick is Church present a Sensory Take Over at Public Bar, with a stellar lineup including Kevin Yost, Sideburn, Jay Hill, Ragab, IllegalLizard & Pepe Rivera. Expect quality deep house, tech house and techno all night long. The party kicks off at 4pm and runs until 2am, and its free before 8pm, $5 from 8pm to 9pm, then $10 after. No dress code, no drama, just quality tunes all the way. 21+.
RISE – Rhythm In Soul Elevated at Liv Nightclub
Our other pick for Sunday night is RISE – Rhythm and Soul Elevated at Liv Nightclub with DJs Dem OMG Boyz and The First Responders of House. This new weekly party promises “to give the DMV a new permanent venue for soulful and deep house music (with a little touch of classics; rhythm and blues and old school hip hop)”. The tunes kick off at 6pm and run until 12am, and while there’s no cover, you’ll need to purchase a mandatory $5 bar ticket. Look like a great new option for quality soulful and deep house on a Sunday night, and we’re hoping the RISE crew can make this a big success.
So those are our picks for the coming weekend, but there’s plenty more to choose from. Check below for the full list of all the underground house and electronic music events in Washington DC from Thursday through Sunday and make your own decision. Remember to click through to the Facebook event pages for more details, and don’t forget to click Join and invite your friends if you plan on attending.
And so ends another edition of the DC House Grooves Weekend Round Up. Thanks for reading, and remember to check back next week for full information about all the best house music events in DC. Whether you’re looking for deep house, tech house, soulful house, techno, drum and bass or disco, DC House Grooves has you covered. If you want your event considered for inclusion, please message us through the DC House Grooves Facebook page. Also, we’d welcome your constructive feedback on the DC House Grooves Round Up. If you’ve got an comments or suggestions, please send us a message through the DC House Grooves Facebook Page.
This coming Saturday, February 16, join me and a whole host of local talent for the FORWARD Winter Sessions Lover’s Ball at Studio One in Washington DC, with the amazing Eddie C headlining. DC House Grooves will be representing in the upstairs room, where I will be doing a back to back set with Boss Ross from 1.30am until close. The last two FORWARD events at Studio One have been amazing, and this one should be even better! Full details can be found on the Facebook event page here: