Sadomasochism, bondage, leather, public kinkiness, etc. It's time, once again, for the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. Easily one of the city's largest outdoor events, you might think that everything else would get drowned out in the excitement leading up to Sunday. However, from we're standing things are looking pretty good, with a full-on list of parties that'll either keep you busy 'til the big day or provide a viable alternative. Read on -- your weekend awaits.
5. Galaxy Radio @ Underground SF
Friday, Sept. 21, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
This is possibly the only party with its own theme song -- well, at least the only one we know of, anyway. Galaxy Radio is a new radio-themed thing at Underground SF that specializes in disco sounds both cosmic and Italian. As it says on the event's Facebook page, "Part discotheque, part radio show, Galaxy Radio is where San Francisco's underground community of spacelings, droids, robots, robettes and cybernetic organisms gather in secret to re-broadcast mankind's vision of its arpeggiated future." Sounds deep, right? Guest DJ/girl-about-town Holly B. will be on hand to help ring in the station's second "broadcast" with a wide-ranging set that ought to fit right in with the sounds that can be heard on the party's promo mixes and radio jingles (yes, jingles, you've gotta check 'em out). As someone astutely pointed out about Underground SF in the comments, "Glow in the dark hairspray? Check. Giant disco ball? Check. Best dancefloor west of Van Ness Ave? Double Check."
4. Damian Lazarus @ Monarch
Friday, Sept. 21, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Crosstown Rebels isn't just a label, it's a movement. Started in 2003, it's almost solely responsible for the proliferation and popularity of the new tech house sound that's been dominating the clubs for the past decade. Maceo Plex, Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, Art Department -- the label's roster is like a who's-who of the business end of Resident Advisor's "Top 100 DJs of 2011" chart. Which, by the way, counts Crosstown Rebels founder/label-head Damian Lazarus as its No. 30 top DJ in the world. It's warranted, too; the native Londoner turned Angelino has held residencies at some of the world's most prestigious venues (like Ibiza's mammoth DC10 club). Check out Lazpod 25, the latest entry in his podcast mix series, for a feel for his broad reaching style. He's also a talented producer in his own right, with tracks like "Moment" and "Different Now" speaking to the breadth of his abilities. Now, he's set to play Monarch this Friday alongside locals Rooz, Bo, ShinyObjects, and M3
3. Lights Down Low presents Miracles Club, Kim Ann Foxman, jozif, MikeQ, Kingdom @ Public Works
Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Lights Down Low returns on an oddly uncontested Saturday night with one of its strongest lineups yet. One of a handful of promotional entities behind the megaparty phenomenon, this weekend's line-up includes a handful of major acts that would each be newsworthy headliners in their own right. Topping the bill, however, is a live performance by Portland-based '90s house-revival outfit Miracles Club. Its tracks, "Church Song," "I Can't Help It," and "The Wheel" all show off the group's uniquely indie-influenced spin on the jack tracks of the past. DJ support comes by way of a diverse cast of characters pulled from across the spectrum: there's the house-slinging/Hercules and Love Affair-affiliated Kim Ann Foxman, uptempo vogue maestro MikeQ, hi-nrg bass innovator Kingdom, and UK tech-house player Jozif. Add No Way Back's Conor, Honey Soundsystem's Kendig, the LDL residents, and a vogue dance performance, and you have the makings of a serious party. As it says on its Facebook event page, "Get your look together. Prepare to energize. Bring a friend and find a lover."
