Weekend Party Preview: Holiday Edition

Jim-E Stack plays Monarch on Friday

We're not going to lie: Christmas exacts a heavy toll on San Francisco nightlife. The weekend of Dec. 23-25 is pretty much the only no man's land in the world of local partying. Even still, the city offers quite a few choices for those of you that find yourselves unsatisfied or restless. Some highlights include classics at Public Works, low frequencies and Vice magazine giveaways at Monarch, a deep house birthday at Ruby Skye, and a party named after a breakfast cereal at Temple. Read on -- your weekend awaits you.

Friday, Dec. 23

What: Casual Encounter
Where: Public Works OddJob Loft
When: 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Why: Popping out of nowhere with perhaps this season's best conceived theme is Public Works' Casual Encounter party. A one-off in the OddJob loft, the event shows off the club's community vibe by bringing together DJs from the city's disparate parties. On the bill for the evening is Primo from 2 Men Will Move You, X2SIH from Jock Jamz, Alexis Blair Penney and Viv from High Fantasy, Monseuir M. from the original 7th Heaven Roller Disco, and Chris Orr (the friendly man behind Public Works' event blog). Expect a night of classics, heavy on the house, and with a fair helping of "transcendent musical content."

What: Lights Down Low & Relax Relate Release
Where: Monarch
When: 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Why: Believe us when we say that Monarch has one of the best sound systems in the city. A recent addition to the local nightlife topography, the club has already attracted a strong following from San Francisco's more discerning revelers. This weekend, the spot's formidable control room will be commandeered by a collaboration between Lights Down Low and Relax Relate Release. What that means is that the club will play host to an entire army of capable DJs (some of whom have said they'll be playing vinyl -- what a thought). Highlights include a performance by New Orleans bassbin destroyer Jim-E Stack, and one of the last performances by local party-starter Eli Glad before he moves to Los Angeles. Get into the feeling of the evening by listening to Relax Relate Release DJ Richie Panic's Future Ass Volume Two Mixtape. Also worth mentioning, Vice magazine will be at the club giving away T-shirts and Gucci Mane mixtapes.

Saturday, Dec. 24

What: Ruby Skye Presents Donald Glaude's Birthday Party
Where: Ruby Skye
When: 9 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Why: Considered the pioneering figure in Washington's house scene, Donald Glaude is a West Coast original. Since his early days in Tacoma, and on up to his current residencies in Las Vegas, the man has built a strong following from his high energy mixtapes and methodical productions. A fixture in San Francisco's rave scene via DJ Dan and the legendary Funky Tekno Tribe, Glaude returns to the city to play local institution Ruby Skye (which isn't as bad as you think it is) and headline a blowout party in celebration of his birthday. For a peek at how the night might go, check out Glaude's landmark tracks "Get Up (It Doesn't Matter)" and "Soul Cha Cha." Support for the evening comes by way of Grammy-nominated DJ Richard Vission.

What: Life
Where: Temple
When: 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Why: Life, Temple's "No. 1 monthly party," returns again for an exclusive holiday-themed "winter session." Headlining the bill are none other than Temple regulars Paul Hemming (founder of Temple Music Group) and David Gregory. With both DJs known for their eclectic sets and time logged in the San Francisco music scene, this one ought to cater to those of you looking for something hard and electro-fied. To get a feel for what might happen, check out this YouTube video of the two of them DJing at Temple back in April. Supporting the evening will be DJ A2D, who plans to spin a set of hip-hop in the club's catacombs.

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