Kyle Woods, a.k.a. Kid Color, is a rather prolific DJ. He plays shows on a regular, even constant basis all over Chicago and beyond. His weekly at Smart Bar, Dollar Disco, continues to gain traction as it books bigger and bigger names, including Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, and Ed Banger founder Busy P. And with all the work Kid Color puts in at the clubs, he manages to find time to work on his ongoing Palette Mix series, of which number five was released today. Per usual, he's put together a quality mix. more ›

A few months back when Azari & III came to Smart Bar (a Weekend Dance Party pick at the time), all reports indicated a pretty lackluster night in terms of attendance. Which, you know, is a shame, considering Azari & III are one of the best emerging house music acts in the world. Lucky for us, Chicago's getting a mulligan and the Toronto-based duo are coming back, this time to Debonair Social Club as part of the Scion A/V Release Tour. more ›

It's a bit of a pain in the ass dealing with Scion's incessant need to seem cool and ultra-relevant in the eyes of consumers, but we aren't about to deny the fact that the company knows what it's doing when it comes to sponsored events. As part of its ongoing touring monthly, Radio 17, Scion will use Subterranean's space to feature a bevy of fantastic DJs including Drop The Lime, Style of Eye, Franki Chan, Gina Turner and Kid Color. With a full slate of house and disco in store, it's up to you where the night will take you. Our bets are on the back alley dumpster with a new friend (which may or may not be a half-eaten piece of cabbage). more ›

Hauck's Just Desserts has seen success at Lincoln Hall, and this ninth incarnation stands as one of the best bills to date. Willy Joy has all but solidified himself as the city's top DJ, particularly due to his ability to command a crowd of any walk of life. He's also got a knack for producing quality tunes, the most recent of which have been released on the indie label Trouble & Bass. He'll be spinning at the Mad Decent Block Party earlier that day, so you have two chances to see this guy work his magic. Along Willy Joy are Charlie Glitch, Kid Color, Gemini Club, Just Desserts and Action/Adventure, who will spin everything from ghetto house to disco to indie rock to hip-hop to electro. It's not often nights can afford this much variety and a lineup to back it up, so this is a pick we especially suggest you not miss. more ›

Pre-parties, after-parties, birthday parties, dinner parties, LOST watch parties, parties you never even knew about. It's festival season and, with Pitchfork right around the corner, there's just about as much stuff to do that's associated with the festival that isn't actually the festival. This Thursday, the Pitchfork Festival Official Kick Off Party at Bottom Lounge is among the first of these associated events, and besides having the ability to pick up your Pitchfork Festival tickets early, the event has a solid lineup and other ancillary benefits. more ›

Kid Color’s birthday is actually Tuesday, but Chicago’s much-adored DJ is celebrating tonight at Smart Bar. Hercules and Love Affair are coming all the way from Brooklyn to give Kid Color (his real name is Kyle Woods) a DJ set for his 24th. Their live performance has never disappointed us before, so we trust they’ll mix up an amazing disco party and get us busting moves like the cast of Saturday Night Fever. With Autobot, Young Josh of Flosstradamus and Only Children by their side, it’s guaranteed to be one wild, sweaty dance party. more ›

When weather like this finally hits, something comes over us. Vital signs spike, moods grow chipper, and our outlook on life becomes that much better. We suggest everyone rides this high while they can, because with the impending bad weather this weekend, you have to appreciate this gem of a day. So take a walk, hit the park, maybe grab a drink or two on the patio with old friends. And just as temperatures begin to dip tonight, warm up with friends at Smart Bar and 5 Dollar Disco, this week's pick for Weekend Dance Party. more ›

Ahem. Well, this is a bit of a landslide pick, now isn't it? Nothing, and we mean nothing competes with Claychella for our pick for this week's Weekend Dance Party. In fact, there really was no point of finding a worthy competitor -- Lincoln Hall will be housing just about every notable Chicago-area DJ for this year's fest, which will be a 14-hour aural bender of all sonic wavelengths. Founded and hosted by Clayton Hauck (known for his party photography at everyoneisfamous.com), this year's Claychella will be the best yet, featuring the likes of Flosstradamus, The Hood Internet, Million $ Mano, Nick Catchdubs, WIlly Joy, Kid Color, Team Bayside High, and our very own Arts & Events Editor, Tankboy! more ›

The two shows we would have suggested be a part of your plans this weekend were Cold War Kids at The Vic and MOSDOOM at Congress, but one is sold-out and the other has been rescheduled. However, when things don't quite shake out the way we want them to, we know Chicago can always deliver an excellent Plan B. On Saturday, Plan B is Abbey Pub, where Hercules & Love Affair and Kid Color will spin DJ sets for your dancing pleasure. more ›

Hey, we already told you that Metric is THE show to see tonight, but afterward we're heading over to Lincoln Hall for the second installment of a new monthly party curated by local photographer Clayton Hauck. Just Desserts seems to follow in the "anything goes" mode of partying fun, and the DJs he's got lined up knows how to pick out party jams and bypass the crap tat you might hear at more mainstream clubs. Think of it as a college house party with less attitude, far less puking, and way more dancing. more ›