Get out and dance: 16 parties to hit this weekend

This last weekend in August brings no shortage of fine opportunities to quench your musical thirst, with dancing options ranging from an early morning wake-up celebration to underground parties that won’t finish until the wee hours of the morning.

Thursday, August 27th 

You read the time for this event correctly – rise and shine early for some yoga and good food, and stay for the music and dancing to set yourself up for the best day ever! First Unitarian Church is always hosting interesting events, and their morning parties have been getting tons of great reviews, so wake up early and check out sets from Philly electronica and global beat selectors MAMBISA and Teknacolor Ninja. Bring your own mug for the coffee bar and be a sustainable dancer while you’re at it.

6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., $10-15 advance, $20 at the door

Kamasi Washington with Korey Riker & Darla, World Cafe Live

Collaborating with artists ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Lauryn Hill to Quincy Jones, saxophone virtuoso Kamasi Washington steps out from behind the scenes to lead his own band in support of his monumental three-hour album "The Epic." World Café Live will be buzzing from this one, as Kamasi’s album has received praise from music lovers of all genres, and will also feature sets from Philly jazz and funksters Korey Riker and Darla. (Learn more about Washington here.)

8 p.m., $15-24 advance tickets

Drag Wars 6 Semi Finals: Disney Week, Voyeur

This is your fiercest Thursday night option in town, as seven semi-finalists remain and duel it out for the title of Philadelphia’s NEXT DRAG SUPERSTAR. Each queen is required to make their own costume from scratch (with no store-bought materials) while adhering to the theme of the week, which this week is a Disney ball. Voting is now open via text to save your favorite contestant – what are you waiting for?

9 p.m. – 2 a.m., $8

Extra Credit with Kieran Loftus, The Dolphin

Philly born and raised, Kieran Loftus has been making ripples in club music circles well beyond the 215, making the list of prestigious FACT Magazine’s “10 club producers to watch in 2015,” while earning co-signs from UK’s Gang Fatale and New York’s Purple Tape Pedigree and racking up thousands of Soundcloud plays in the process. Join Kieran, and Extra Credit residents Jansen and Eagle, as he plays material from his new EP "Kensington Dance Music" for a night of booty-bouncing dance bliss.

10 p.m. – 2 a.m., free

NIGHTWORKS, Ruba Club Studios

NoLibs after-hours joint Ruba Club is opening up the ping-pong, pool and card tables for free to create an underground hideout vibe and the club’s first-ever monthly DJ event, featuring $1 Narragansetts, visual projections, and disco future-funk vibes all night long. The party organizers have also got some surprises that will be announced the day of the event, and suggest that you watch the Foot Clan scene from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to get a feel for the type of vibe NIGHTWORKS is going for.

10 p.m. – 3 a.m., $3 before 1 a.m., $5 after

Friday, August 28th

Spanish dance treasure Pional takes over The Dolphin decks to bring his signature sound to South Philly for Try It Out with funky DJ duo Risky Disko. Noted for releases on Hivern Discs, Yong Turks and Permanent Vacation, the same label which released Philly guy Alex Burkat’s “Pay The Rent” EP, Pional has earned a ton of critical praise since coming onto the scene in 2006. Happy belated birthday to Crouse, ½ of Risky Disko.

9 pm – 2 am, $10

Philadelphia in the Summer of 64 The Phold, Sarah's Place

Brewerytown hangout Sarah’s Place is bringing it back 50 years to August 1964 when the Phillies were number two in the league, but inexplicably went on a two-week losing streak known as “The Phold.” This is the final episode in a unique series of parties combining the visual imagery and sounds of the famous summer of 1964 for a night of historic dancing and revelry with hand-picked video projections and music sets.

Doors / DJ set 7:30 p.m., performances 9 p.m., free

Brother.ly with Maggs Bruchez, DEL, Frank Sriracha, Fernando, The Philadelphia Collective

Take a peek into Philly’s vibrant underground music scene at this monthly fourth-Friday producer showcase, which also streams online at brother.ly. Lavish attire (whatever that means to you) is encouraged, as funk-house up-and-comers Maggs Bruchez takes the decks alongside disco vet DEL, Frank Sriracha and Fernando to provide the soundtrack. Rumor has it that there will also be a complimentary chocolate fountain with dip-able items to sweeten the night!

9:30 p.m.-4 a.m., $10

Saturday, August 29th 

Two Brooklyn-Philly transplant labels take center stage above the batting cages at 6th and Girard for a very special night of futuristic music, which will also feature movie theatre-sized visual projections, free vodka (while supplies last), reinforced sound and even a full-on disco ball. There’s a healthy supply of electronic heavyweights providing the beats on this bill, as Osaka’s Magical Mistakes celebrates the release of new EP "Cracks In The Surface" and Time Wharp, Obey City, Kuhn, Paul Jones, and even more artists man the decks.

7 p.m. – late, $10

Void Vision, Abandos, DJ Tony Modica, Kung Fu Necktie

You won’t find any computers used in producer/singer Void Vision AKA Shari Vari’s live setup, which uses analog hardware and synths to provide the frequencies. Shari’s unique production style has earned her an album deal on European label Mannequin Records, and this gig will be a unique chance to catch her before she hits the road to tour Europe and bring her icy coldwave productions to life. She’s also brought along her friends Abandos and Tony Modica to deliver sets as well.

10:30 pm, $6

Booty Pop featuring Bare, Swizzymack, Getem, Uncle Ron, SoundGarden Hall

With a nod from Mad Decent boss Diplo for key production work on the label’s latest smash “Dr. Pepper” and hot off a fan-favorite set at the Philly Mad Decent Block Party, Swizzymack continues to rep Philly for the label that started in our city and changed the club landscape forever. Continuing his monthly assault of SoundGarden with all things club, rap and turnt, Swizzy’s enlisted LA electro producer Bare, Philly trap/hardstyle producer-to-watch Getem and Mad Decent vet Uncle Ron to help make the booties pop. 

9 p.m. – 2 a.m., $8

Summer of Summer with Elvin Tibideaux and Kai Fentross, The Trestle Inn

Let’s Play House, MANI/PEDI affiliate and Philly DJ to watch Elvin Tibideaux takes over the booth with Kai Fentross at this Eraserhood dancery for a night of hot and sweaty disco inspired by Donna Summer and Studio 54. Be sure to take advantage of this party’s rare weekend twilight happy hour, which takes places from 8:03 PM to 10:03 P.M.

10 p.m. – 2 a.m., free

Sunday, August 30th

Keeping the momentum going from last year’s block party, which featured Gun$ Garcia (of recent Drake night fame), Katie K-Rex (Factory Girls) and Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line / Vacationer, the crew behind this party have upped the ante and lineup for its second year. Featuring everyone from Strawberry Mansion (Luke Goodman & Muhammad Carr), to Magglezzz (So Far Gone), to Jessie Tyler and Azn Jake of Tigerbeats, bring some extra dollars for the event to support the vendors as you dance it up to some of Philly’s best DJs and stock up on booze and food.

11 a.m. – 8 p.m., free

Magic Death Sounds Block Party, Blair & Dreer (near Frankford & Norris)

It’s just that time of year for block parties, and here is another one to consider up on Frankford Ave. Magic Death Sounds is a collective of (mostly) Philadelphia-based musicians and artists throwing parties and putting out short run tapes and vinyl, so you know the two stages at this block party are going to be bumping throughout the day with local talent. Cover gets you a cup for unlimited beer refills, gourmet grilled cheese and access to all ten musical performances (Aphra, Jo Kusy, Whaler, Little Strike, and more).

Noon – 8 p.m., $10

Sundae with DEL, City Tap House Rooftop Terrace

DEL lived through the disco era and has the musical knowledge and DJ chops to prove it, regularly rocking parties across the country. This Sunday, DEL makes his annual appearance at one of his favorite parties in the world (which is saying something), the longest standing Sunday dance party in Philly, Sundae, from the minds of Lee Jones and Francisco Collazo. Head to West Philly and take in the elegant views on the rooftop terrace as DEL puts in the work to supply the feel-good dance vibes.

4 p.m. – 10 p.m., tickets at the door

Philadelphia Techno Movement & Craft Manayunk present: "Deep Brunch"
For some of the finest in brunch celebrations, head to Main Street in Manayunk, where underground powerhouse Philadelphia Techno Movement partners up with gastropub Craft Manayunk to present “Deep Brunch.” Let the crew of talented DJs Ajai Alai, Salvo, Shearn, Lost Chord, Le Squale and Anthony Van take you away as you enjoy wake-up drink specials, food specials and some quality techno on tap to close out your weekend.

1 p.m., free