THURSDAY DECEMBER 26



VINYL LOUNGE

The Merchants Cafe is a little spot in Pioneer Square with a comfortable layout, friendly staff, and a lot of potential for throwing good house parties. Tonight Emily Song, Sol Calderon, and resident Danny Fortunado work the decks with Justice on the djembe. Merchants Cafe, 109 Yesler Way, 624-1075, 9 pm-1 am, 21+, $5.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27



COBALT LOUNGE

Since our economy is still curbed, many DJs have resorted to smaller, more intimate venues--and what kind of cold, uncaring beast doesn't want to be intimate? Miss Kick adeptly throws down a mix of broken beats, house, and downtempo in this chic Capital Hill lounge. Cobalt Lounge, 1526 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, free.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28



KISS MY ASS

A drag queen show and house music? Let the gay old times begin! Chocha Fresca is a Latin drag queen who got her start in Seattle and now makes waves in Los Angeles. She'll work her thing with turntable support from the Hitgirl! Collective, consisting of L. A. Kendall and Julie Herrera. Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5 before 11 pm, $7 after.SUNDAY DECEMBER 29



BEAT-BOP

Oh, how I love the free dance party--let me count the ways. This night is a cheap way to hear a wide array of quality dance music from residents A. C. Lewis, J-Justice, Miss Kick, Brandy, and Michael Antonia--house, broken beats, downtempo, and party jams. Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, free.

MONDAY DECEMBER 30



INVOLUTION

This is still the Monday-night sure bet if you want to witness world-class breakdancing, listen to some hiphop, soul, and a little drum 'n' bass, and have a drink without being too overwhelmed by the masses. Weekly rotating DJ lineup. Nation, 1921 Fifth Ave, 256-9667, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 31



COMPOUND RECORDS: DRUM AND BASS NEW YEAR'S

Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5.

DISCO/HOUSE NEW YEAR'S W/JOHNNY FIASCO, JON LEMMON, WESLEY HOLMES

Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave N, 8 pm-2 am, all ages, $18 members, $20 nonmembers.

I ™ SHIVA NEW YEAR'S W/PETER MADRIL

Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison, 324-8000, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $20 adv, $25 DOS.

DJ SPOOKY W/IQU, DJs on strike!, DJ SUSPENCE, a.c. lewis, brian weber, dj k.o.

I-Spy, 1921 Fifth Ave, 256-9667, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $15.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1



Happy New Year... let's do it all over again!