Dance music might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Canada — hockey, socialized medicine and "about" pronounced as "aboot" take those honors — but our Great White Northern neighbor has quietly become a force in the international scene. With the world-class MUTEK festival and innovative artists such as Cobblestone Jazz leading the way, awareness of that nation's musical resources is beginning to take hold. And that's good news for artists such as Jason Hodges, a house DJ and producer who's worked with DJ Sneak, remixed Kaskade and recently appeared on a couple of the well-respected OM compilations. His work hews closely to well-established house tradition: Funky beats and bass lines, chunky grooves and feel-good sounds populate his work. Now he's coming to the Mile High City for the first time, headlining a special all-day Colorado House Coalition event at Shag Lounge. Head down early this Saturday, July 12, to enjoy BBQ and local house heroes, then catch the up-and-coming star later that night.