The best EDM in Denver this weekend

GRIZ @ OGDEN THEATRE | FRI, 3/1/13 Grant Kwiecinski grew up in Detroit, the American breeding ground for finer electronic music, and home to the Detroit Electronic Music Festival. Having been mentored through classes with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Kwiecinski found his sound in the alto saxophone and has managed to hybridize it with hip-hop samples and danceable electronic beats. His affinity for music evolved into an obsession, and before he knew it, he was supporting a Gramatik national tour and promoting his own music under the pseudonym GRiZ. If you've got tickets to the sold-out show tonight, then good for you -- if not, well, here's your heads-up to start scouting. -- Britt Chester

See also: - GRiZ on keeping things interesting live by constantly switching things up - option4 moving on from Lipgloss, which ushers in new talent, returns to original sound - Brennen Bryarly goes Into the Night as option4

JAMES ZABIELA @ BETA | SAT, 3/2/13 James Zabiela is no stranger to the planetary techno scene, and he's rocked stages in Denver before -- but his longevity and consistent relevance to the scene are part of what make him such a draw for party people looking for mind-melting tunes on the dance floor. His first love was breakbeats, but Zabiela quickly realized that one subgenre wasn't going to be enough to sate his tastes, and he's since ventured further into house and tech-house, becoming a household name in the EDM world with his flavor of the latter (lightly seasoned with breakbeat influences). He's widely known for his affection for science-fiction movies and video games, and his sets reflect as much -- mechanical, futuristic samples with trippy bleeps and distorted vocals sprinkled throughout for good measure. But Zabiela's no one-trick pony: He launched a new record label, Born Electric, last year, and we'll no doubt be seeing some quality tracks filtered through that lens. Maybe you'll hear a preview or two at his set at Beta on Saturday, March 2, with Dragon and Marshall Monica opening things up. (9 p.m., 18+, $15)

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

TheHundred launches a new Friday weekly series in NORAD's upstairs lounge tonight, and to kick it off, Them Jeans is coming in from L.A. to give Denver some house lovin' with option4, Alex D. Wolf and Peter Washington switching off at the decks before the main event. (9 p.m., 21+, $5 before 11 p.m., $10 after)

Beta's main floor is once again all about the bass on Friday night with the whomp courtesy of Bare Noize, Goth Trad and Caustik. In the Beatport Lounge, Josh Dupont, Shea Delany and CNR vs Sennapede show the city what underground techno is all about at an EP release bash.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

The up-and-coming techno superstar Joseph Capriati will join Taimur at NORAD (and an after-party to-be-announced) on Saturday night, with Whomp Trunk in the upstairs lounge offering up Fonzie, OhmStyles, Asymptotic and Noah Deep for those hungry for some bass. (9 p.m., 21+, $5 and up)

Passion Pit plays a DJ set at the Larimer Lounge on Saturday night after the act's 1STBANK Center appearance earlier in the evening for what's sure to be a memorable (and intimate) experience; special guests Flashlights will add to the mood. (11 p.m., 18+, $20-$25)

If there's any justice, PANTyRAiD will live up to its name on Saturday night when the duo (comprising Ooah of Glitch Mob with MartyParty) hits the Fillmore Auditorium. Cherub, LowRIDERz (featuring An-Ten-Nae and Laura Low) and Vinnie Maniscalco will support. Get ready! (16+, 7:30 p.m., SOLD OUT?)

Catch ProJect Aspect with Papa Skunk, DJ Rashka, DJ SiRc and Fly Society at Cervantes' on Saturday night. (16+, 7:30 p.m., $15)