The City has declared another heatwave for this weekend—so, naturally, you need five good reasons to dance, and sweat, up a storm, right?
Tonight: Music Parlour & Audio Blood Present: SWEAT IT OUT!
Featuring CUBS and DJ BRAINSFORBRKFST. The Bass Station, 292 College St., #COL . Doors at 10 p.m. $5.
So, The Bass Station is this new venue in town that isn’t only easy on the eyes, but will also cool you off with cheap beer after today’s heat-alert state. Except tonight’s jam is called Sweat It Out (exclamation point!), so you do the math. Audio Blood and Music Parlour are teaming up for a little summer swagger. There’s an ace sound system, a 100-yard bar and—the ultimate aphrodisiac—a rooftop (smoking) patio. Fresh from their NXNE success, CUBS headline with special guest DJ BRAINSFORBRKFST. And, um, XFSL players get in for $2 if you wear your jersey—so, ladies, start your engines and go fish. Or just go dance. Find out more here .
Friday through Sunday: SoundClash Festival at Harbourfront Centre
Various performers. 235 Queens Quay St. W., #HAR . Doors at 6 p.m. on Friday; noon on Saturday and Sunday. Free.
Harbourfront’s inaugural SoundClash Festival is dubbed “a three-day sonic journey.” All weekend long, enjoy various performers and participate in workshops that give the 101 on everything from improv to salsa—and all near one of the city’s most beautiful, underrated corners. The SoundClash mandate is simple: to be “genre-free, genre-bending and provide a platform for the musicians of today to push the envelope on music and culture.” And it serves a deeper purpose still: throughout the weekend, six independent musicians from across the GTA will perform as short-listed finalists in the SoundClash Music Award for a chance at a $10,000 prize determined by a combination of juried and public voting. There’s also bunch of added extras, like an international marketplace that runs all weekend for souvenirs from your daytripping. Quick highlights: on Saturday night, “Detroit’s best kept secret” Elzhi will perform ; and, on Sunday, catch Braggin’ Rights , a live DJ dance battle that will see crews go head-to-toe for a $1,000 cash prize. See complete listings here , and enjoy this video of acompeting dance crew. Oh, and it’s all freeeee.
Friday: Feel Fridays, a new night at Bar Neon
DJ Mike C. 1226 Bloor St. W., #BCT . Doors at 10 p.m. PWYC.
It’s been a hot minute since we last talked about Bar Neon, the little danceteria that’s been burning up Bloorcourt. Starting tomorrow night, you can groove to the funk and classic house sounds of DJ Mike C., who will be introducing the new “Feel Fridays” on the second Friday of every month. And if you didn’t know, there’s also a back patio if the party spills over or if you get crazy hot—and of course you will because of, duh, all that dancing. There’s nothing else you need to know except that its Pay What You Can cover that will be donated to help build houses for families in the Philippines. Just go. (And request my most favourite song ever, okay? Thanks.)
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Saturday: Silent Shout featuring special guest Digits + more
Various performers. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W., #DNW . Doors at 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
I knew I’d instantly like Digits (a.k.a. Alt Altman) when The Grid ‘s Denise Benson described the Torontonian-in-Berlin in her One To Watch series as “a synthpop singer-songwriter with a heavy lean towards melody, melancholy and hints of R&B.” Now he’s back in town—for a second—to perform a long overdue homecoming show at The Garrison for electro-dance night Silent Shout (which he co-founded). Saturday plans to be a big throwdown for Digits and co. as he celebrates the release of his latest EP, Where Do You Belong? listen , and you’ll hear why he continues to solicit praise from critics and a growing legion of transatlantic fans. Joining the party is Parallels in support of their newest take-your-consciousness-away record XII , the newly formed Dark Ages , and Miss Elizabeth, who can be described as “silky smooth electro.” And—hello!—stay for the classic Silent Shout (after)party to fulfill all your electro-pop desires.
Friday through Sunday: Drop Festival
Various performers and locations. Doors at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $15; $45 for an all-weekend pass. See dropfestival.com for more info.
Holy. This weekend is heavy on clusters of shows that have banded together to form mini-festivals all over the city. Unity starts today. There’s SoundClash (see above), the new Sound in Motion , and, tomorrow night, the Full Flex Express Tour rolling through Fort York kicks off a weekend of electronic music with Skrillex, Pretty Lights and Diplo. And then there’s the Drop Festival, spearheaded by cirQlar , which is an ambitious circus, art and music festival that promises to be unlike any other in the city—and I think they’ll deliver. There’s a big focus on Canadian talent, and the appearance of big-time circus headliner SPiRAL will mark the first time an international circus act has headlined a Canadian musical festival. The big opening party happens at The Opera House Froday night, and then jumps to El Mocambo on Saturday before an early 2 p.m. Sunday start for fun in the sun at Keating Channel Pub. And you can buy a weekend pass, or pay-as-you go. Find complete listings here .
