SAT | CEDRIC GERVAIS at BETA | 1/11/14 French-born, Miami-based Cedric Gervais crafts a brand of house that weaves threads of electro and progressive house into a big, shimmery, club-smashing tapestry of late-night abandon. On hits such as "Spirit in My Life," Gervais displays a talent for slick, vocal-driven progressive house that would make fellow Frenchman David Guetta jealous. Then he can turn around and produce a bouncy, blippy, silly sample-driven track such as his remix of George Morel's "Let's Take Drugs," which is almost a throwback to the halcyon days of PLUR rave culture. That he can find success and maintain a DJ-culture buzz on both tracks is a testament to his talent as well as his rising star power. If he continues on the same trajectory, it's just a matter of time before he ascends to the top tier of the dance world. -- Cory Casciato
FRI | ZILLA at CERVANTES MASTERPIECE BALLROOM | 1/10/14 With String Cheese Incident's Michael Travis on percussion, Aaron Holstein on the decks, and Jamie Janover on a handful of instruments, the sounds Zilla creates are perhaps some of the most original you'll ever hear. Holstein, known in dance circles as VibeSquad, lays an audio foundation by working the guitar and bass, in addition to keeping the pace on his digital controls, while Janover holds down the samples and delivers otherworldly sounds with sitar, hammered dulcimer, and whatever other primal instrument he has recently mastered. Travis then sets the pace on drums with a pulse that can go from adrenaline-fueled dance floor mayhem to melodic grooves that entrances the listener. As Zilla sets are few and far between, this is certainly something you'll want to experience.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
Once again, NORAD's got a killer lineup: Noel Sanger, Nytefix and Sim and Sim and Chris Grant on the main floor; Doorly, Danny Marin and Sam Warren upstairs; and Lady Shah, Grym Recon and Jon Owens in the bassment. (9 p.m., 21+, $10-$15)
Schoolboy and Must Die! headline Beta with Coult 45 providing backup. (9 p.m., 18+, $10)
Astro Trio plays a live disco set at Bar Standard with support from Mantaray and Pruitt. (9 p.m., 21+, $5)
UNDERGROUND at Milk will host Ryan Bucks, Seth Nichols and Kevin Callison for your dancing pleasure. (9 p.m., 21+)
Raptor, Lance Phillips and Casper are at the Church for Chromatic: 18th Year Anniversary (9 p.m., $5, 18+)
Kachondo, DJ LE, DJ Charly and Guz are at Vinyl for Viernes De Reventon (9 p.m., $10, 18+)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
The Blend brings Steofan to the Meadowlark to throw down alongside Hoang and Sami T. (9 p.m., 21+, no cover)
Jessie Andrews takes over Vinyl with Need & Necessity and Philthy & Durden. (9 p.m., 18+, $5-$15)
Alex K, Greenie and Jan Van Lier take over NORAD with house and techno grooves. (9 p.m., 21+, free before 11 p.m., $5 after)
DJ Tatiana, Star DJ Gonzo and DJ Javi are at the Church for Noches En La Catedral (9 p.m., $5, 18+)
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