November 25, 2009 21:11
Blu Mar Ten
WITH DJS FRANKIE GUNNS, CAPRO, HYDRA, ESB, MCS LUCID, ELLE BE, NOVA. FRI, NOV 27. THE BLUE MOON, 725 QUEEN E. $10 BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
British drum ’n’ bass heads Blu Mar Ten represent for the more complex, atmospheric end of the genre’s wide spectrum. They’ve been experimenting with sound since the mid ’90s, producing sweet D&B for labels including LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking as well as making downtempo, house, breaks and left-field business for Naked Music and others. After remixing the likes of Erykah Badu, the guys returned to their D&B roots for a series of singles and now give us their beautiful full-length, Natural History. Part of the proceeds from this event go to the Toronto Wildlife Centre.
DJ Vjuan Allure @ The Almighty Ball WITH DJ BLACKCAT, PERFORMER MICHELLE ROSS. SAT, NOV 28. THE GLADSTONE BALLROOM, 1214 QUEEN W. $15.
Toronto DJ and promoter Blackcat, a.k.a. Charmed Monroe, presents Canada’s first international vogue ball. Although they’ve been happening in the US for decades — check Jennie Livingston’s 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning — this showcase of black, gay fabulousness is part of a growing local movement. Here, hosts Blackcat and the ever-awesome House of Monroe present the opportunity for dancers to pose and compete in categories including Church Lady and Realness, while Washington, DC DJ Vjuan Allure blends the beats.
Joker & MC Nomad WITH XI, EGYPTRIXX, SIDENOTE, HYDEE, ZED’S DEAD. SUN, NOV 29. WRONGBAR, 1279 QUEEN W. $15 ADVANCE FROM ROTATE THIS, SOUNDSCAPES, PLAY DE RECORD,
WANTICKETS.COM.
Joker, a 20-year-old Bristolian dubstep and grime producer, has made massive waves in very little time. His 2007 debut, the Kapsize EP, showcased Joker’s fresh ear; Kode9 was an early champion, bringing Joker into the Hyperdub label. Since then, Joker has been supported by biggies like Pitchfork, who dubbed him “Producer of the Year” in 2008. With a string of solid, soulful and adventurous EPs under his belt, Joker is well on his way.
Udachi @ Faktory Saturdays WITH MR CHARLTON, DMT. SAT, NOV 28. THE SOCIAL, 1100 QUEEN W. $5 BEFORE 11:30PM, $10 AFTER.
DJ/producer Udachi is Greg Pesochin, a Ukrainian now living in Staten Island. He’s been massively influenced by rave culture, with his productions favouring bright piano melodies over enormous breaks and beats. Pals Udachi, AC Slater and B. Rich recently turned their energies to launching Party Like Us Records (PLUR – get it?), with Slater’s anthemic EP of the same name featuring a monstrous Udachi treatment. Also known as DJ Brak, he makes the happiest of bass music and is also one of the newest members of the Trouble and Bass camp. Expect big things.
Timo Maas @ Big DJ. Small Club WITH DJS JAMIE KIDD, SIMON JAIN, LEE OSBORNE. FR, NOV 27. FOOTWORK, 425 ADELAIDE W. $20 BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
Platform launches their Big DJ. Small Club series by presenting massively popular German producer/DJ Timo Maas in the most intimate venue he’s ever played in Canada. Producing since the ’80s but gaining heat in the rave-centric early ’90s, Maas has released dozens of techno, tribal, trance and house EPs, remixed the likes of Depeche Mode, Madonna, Fatboy Slim and Azzido Da Bass’ “Doom's Night” and created the high-selling Music For The Maases mix-CD series. His more recent releases for labels such as Cocoon find Maas crafting the deeper tech sound he’ll showcase in an extended DJ set.