Whenever a DJ plays longer than the requisite two hours, promoters always tout the long set as another reason to revere a DJ. (Trance DJs are most guilty of this crime.) But the fact remains most DJs aren’t interesting enough that you’d want to listen to them for longer than an hour (something trance DJs are also guilty of). The Mon-Daze posse doesn’t have that problem with this week’s guest. Second-wave Detroit techno producer and DJ Carl Craig emerges from hiding for a four-hour set at the small LES spot. Only the very brave tend to make it to this party (after the weekend, first day of work), but those who do get a nice helping of “who’s who” without the ‘tude. Past performers like Frankie Bones, John Howard, Onionz, and Roger Sanchez have commanded the ones and twos. With resident Brian. Monday @ 10, Sapphire Lounge, 249 Eldridge, 777-5153.
Winter’s almost over, and you don’t need a groundhog to tell you. All you have to do is take notice of the various parties and promoters coming out of hibernation. The N’ICE folks left their Centro-Fly digs and are moving to a new space in DUMBO. Their first guest before their official relaunch is Roy Davis Jr., whose last CD, Traxx From the Nile, bubbles with percussion and borrows heavily from tribal rhythms. It’s very “adult house music,” if you know what I mean. Saturday @ 10, 66 Water, DUMBO, Brooklyn, 718-625-9352.
Though you wouldn’t find me anywhere near a party with goa trance blaring over the speakers, there are many people who like the stuff—so many that trance promotion crew Tsunami keep on kicking like the Energizer bunny. They have a new home at renovated Club Shelter with Tranceformation taking place in the club’s lower level. Glow sticks, psychedelic artwork, and wiggly squiggly 303 noises will no doubt be everywhere, and goa trance heads can shake it to the sounds of Talamasca, Indiadrop, and Rayan, Club Shelter (downstairs), Saturday at 11, 20 West 39th, 719-4479. —