PICK OF THE CLUB NIGHTS
GRAVITY
The Store, Guthrie Street,
Saturday, 11pm-3am, £8/£6(NUS),
0131-220-2987

A scientist will tell you Gravity is a natural occurrence, rhyming off a lengthy explanation to bore you to tears. However in club land terms when something heavy is dropped it carries quite different connotations.

A killer tune blasts through the speakers, resonating, you feel the pressure build. What brainiac's call 'cause and effect' results in a dance floor phenomenon, hands thrust in the air, cheering and feet pounding the floor.

Club promoter Desiree Dawson favours the science of clubbing, aptly entitling her techno night Gravity.

Dawson enthuses, "Last month Dave Angel's stellar performance had everyone going crazy, the shouts for one more tune was deafening. Saturdays gig's going to be equally massive, as this time we've got Chris Colburn headlining".

Colburn's relentless techno takes the listener on a deep hypnotic journey packed with punchy beats and grinding grooves. He was recently signed to Alan Fitzpatrick's 8 sided dice label, best known for cutting edge techno music.

So head to The Store this Saturday and witness Colburn smash Isaac Newton's laws of gravity, "What goes up must come down" or at least having a great time trying!

Words: Grant Paterson

PICK OF THE CLUBS: Madame Belles @ Lulu


EDINBURGH’S George street is the perfect setting for a salubrious night out.
However, with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and clubs, it can be difficult to find somewhere special.
Not any more... just head for Madame Belle’s, every Thursday at Lulu. 
Trendy, smart, with wall to wall glamour, the venue’s custom-made decor adds visual depth to the masquerade ball vibe that the night promotes. 
Feel free to dress up in corsets and masks if you are feeling fruity to get into the swing of things - women, too. 
Perfect for the forward- thinking revellers, Madame Belle’s tends to attract a good mix of smart students, young professionals and, of course, those who are up for a midweek party at midweek prices.
Just ask this week’s featured Edinburgh clubbers (above). 
Madeleine Barratt (21), Stephanie Barratt (21) and Daena Lorne (20) were out celebrating a birthday. Lorne says, “We love the party atmosphere here, it’s a luxurious and comfortable club, a perfect place to have a good time”.
Like the club’s regulars, the girls had a great time, dancing with friends long into the night courtesy of resident DJ Jez Hill. 
Hill is occasionally joined by various guests  and mixes up a massive party playlist featuring the best in hip-hop, funky house, bouncy electro and big room anthems.
There’s something for everyone, and if you are feeling flush, look into the VIP area with table service offering the best bubbly to add sparkle to your evening. Madame Belle’s has it all...  just bring your own mask.
 WORDS: Grant Paterson

Pick Of The Club Nights: Ultragroove 
Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street, Saturday, 11pm-3am, £6-£8, 0131-220 6176

 

ON Saturday night, Edinburgh’s longest running house night Ultragroove takes a bold step forward with a controversial proposal... they have NO big name DJs. 

There’s not the slightest sniff of a New York chilli-dog or the hint of a swaggering London boy, instead, promoter Gareth Sommerville has chosen to go back to basics and build a night around local, home-grown talent.
Ultragroove’s back-room DJ duo Lel Palfrey and Carina Ramos headline the event. Known for their tag team-style, spinning funk, soul and disco, they’ll be changing their music policy a little as Ramos explains.

“We’re booked for the Main Room on Saturday night, so we’ll be introducing house with some cheeky edits. Four to the floor kind of gear played alongside our trademark disco-boogie stuff, for which we’re better known.”
The duo know exactly what they’re doing, having warmed up crowds for biggies such as DJ Sneak, Frank Trope, Honey Dijon, Mark Farina and Craig Smith. 

Palfrey adds, “The past year has seen us rack up a number of regular spots in The Newsroom, City Cafe, Sygn, Bon Vivant, Wash Bar, Livingroom and The Outhouse.
“We love playing Ultragroove, the crowd are so open-minded and up for a party. The place is always buzzing and we’re both really looking forward to Saturday. It’ll be great to be back on the decks together.”
No reason not to support your local DJs then.

Words: Grant Paterson

PICK OF THE CLUBS: 
Edinburgh Rocks Summer Garden Party (Feat. Dirty Vegas & Joey Negro), Princes Street Gardens, Sunday, 12.30-7.30pm, £25, 0131-225 6844

EDINBURGH Rocks is back with another massive party in Princes Street Gardens this Sunday.
On the bill for the seven hour bash are Dirty Vegas, Joey Negro, Arno, Studio Punks, Derek Martin, Gareth Sommerville, Mister Smith, Sioux City Boys Club and Donna Love.
Headline act Dirty Vegas are Grammy Award-winning British house trio Ben Harris, Paul Harris (no relation) and vocalist Steve Smith.

They are best known for their chart-breaking debut Days Go By. The hauntingly yet uplifting track achieved international success in 2001 sealing their future in an otherwise impossible US market.
Ahead of the gig, Ben Harris enthuses, “We have always loved playing in Scotland. The crowds are great and so into the music that we feed off them.

“We are buzzing about playing The Gardens... right below Edinburgh Castle, it’s going to be amazing.”
No stranger to Edinburgh either is co-headliner DJ Joey Negro (aka Dave Lee), the godfather of UK house and disco.

“It’s always nice to be playing during the summer, lets hope it’s sunny,” he laughs.
“I always enjoy visiting Edinburgh and will be armed with some great music to rock the crowd.”

Words: GRANT PATERSON

Guilty Pleasures

Electric Circus, Market Street,Saturday, 11pm- 3am, 0131-226 4224

GUILTY Pleasures, the non-stop pop spectacular, is heading to Electric Circus on Market Street, with an Easter treat for Edinburgh clubbers. Having reigned supreme 


throughout the 2010 Festival Fringe here in the Capital, Guilty Pleasures established itself as the one-stop shop for a great big party. 
Over 16 nights during the biggest arts festival in the world Guilty Pleasures kept the city dancing all night long. Now it seems the lure of Edinburgh has proved too great and Guilty Pleasures is back to “drop their glittering musical bombs upon the city once more.” 


From its humble beginnings as a five-minute spot on Sean Rowley’s radio show, Guilty Pleasures has evolved into a fully fledged, all-singing, all-dancing pop music experience. Jason Clarkson, director of Electric Circus, promises, “It’s not your bog standard DJ-behind-thedecks- looking-a-bit bored night. Guilty Pleasures is packed with DJs, dancers and performers who unite in their love of pop music, celebrating it to euphoric dizzy heights.”


Words: Liam Rudden

PICK OF THE CLUB NIGHTS
Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project - Miami 
City Nightclub, Market Street, 10pm-3am, £10 on the door

THE best of Miami’s nightlife comes to Edinburgh on Saturday as part of the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, and City Nightclub is the place to be.


This unique event is the second stop of the longawaited Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project - Miami Tour. Clubbers will be treated to a live performance from one of the hottest DJs of the Miami scene, Damaged Goods, who will be jetting in especially for the one off show.


A true pioneer of the dance music scene, Damaged Goods has gained a reputation as one of the premier DJs in Miami, with his residency at infamous Miami nightclub Mansion, as well as regularly playing the Miami Winter Music Conference.


Party goers can expect a mash up of dance floor fillers spanning the cream of electro, house, hip-hop, dub step and trance to create a night to remember. Clubbers will also be able to sample an authentic Miami experience with palm trees overhead in the main room, Latino dancers and carnival entertainment. It’ll be just like Miami Vice... without the vice.

Cottam @ Heavy Gossip 

Medina, Lothian Street, tomorrow, 10pm-3am, £5-£8, 0131-225 6313

TOMORROW sees Edinburgh club night Heavy Gossip celebrate its first birthday with the arrival of a special guest - Cottam. He’ll be joining Edinburgh house legend Craig Smith on the decks. An excited Nick Yuill, who runs the popular club night, says, "We’re delighted to be hitting our first birthday. It’s been a very quick year and a lot of fun. I’m really pleased with how the night has grown and obviously the artists we have involved but our crowd is truly where it’s at. They’re the best and ensure that the vibe remains strong." 

Cottam may have shot on to the house scene in 2009, but his DJing career dates back to the mid 90s. If ever proof were needed that DJs are like a good bottle of wine - they get better with age - then look no further than Cottam. Originally from a hip hop background he immersed himself in disco, funk, soul, house and techno, savouring the best each style had to offer. 

Looking ahead to year two, Yuill teases, "As for the future, well, we’re sure to surprise... all will become apparent very soon but we must ask you to hold on and keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks. We’re developing some heavy gossip that will be dropping imminently."

WORDS: GRANT PATERSON

PICK OF THE CLUB NIGHTS:
Art Department @Rendezvous 
The Lane, Queensferry Street Lane, Saturday, £10-£12, 0131-629 9891

THIS Saturday sees Edinburgh club night Rendezvous celebrate its first birthday, and what better way to mark the occasion than with the album launch of The Drawing Board, the latest release from house maestros Art Department. 


Art Department is the brainchild of Canadian techno/house legend Kenny Glasgow and Canada’s fastest rising star (and owner of house label No.19) Jonny White. 
Together they are regarded internationally as two of the most forward thinking, relevant underground producers around today. 


The album, which will go on general release on 25 April, has been long anticipate and previews have been creating a similar stir to the seminal Daft Punk album Homework. Expect something a bit special at Rendezvous as these guys are creating the new sound of electronica, and their appearance on Saturday night will be nothing short of ground breaking. 


Rendezvous resident and promoter Ryan Harrower says, “I really like their sound at the moment. I’ve heard a few tracks from the forthcoming album and they’re excellent. “The Rendezvous Team are very excited to celebrate our First Birthday with Art Department.” 


WORDS: Grant Paterson

PICK OF THE CLUB NIGHTS:


Dare!
The Speakeasy,
Cabaret Voltaire,
Blair Street, Saturday,
11pm-3am, £5, 0131-226-6176

JON PLEASED WIMMIN is a legend, yet, having played the coolest, most stylish parties throughout the world for the best part of two decades, he began to feel stale.


He didn’t want to admit it, but he was finding clubbing boring. Something had to give, so he decided to reinvent clubland and rekindle his passion for electronica. He did so by daring to be different, and on Saturday he returns to Cabaret Voltaire’s Speakeasy with the result - his monthly residency Dare!


Now in its second year, the club night attracts an eclectic mix, from artists to musicians, fashionistas to clued-up clubbers. All are eager to hear Jon’s incomparable soundtrack, which has been described as nothing less than genius. 


“It’s important we get the mix right. We encourage gay, straight, older and younger people to come and socialise as well as getting down on the dance floor,” explains the DJ. On Saturday, expect to hear him blend tracks by the likes of Georgio Moroder, The Human League and Depeche Mode with all the current hits from the likes of Tiga, LCD Sound System and Daft Punk. 


He adds, “I want to show the lineage of where the music I currently love has come from, rather than just play a load of MP3s that have been gathered from the latest buzz charts.” 


This weekend Jon will be joined by resident warmup DJ, Adam Le Chic.


Words Grant Paterson

Club: Andy Blake @ Wasabi Disco
Venue: Sneaky Pete’s, Cowgate, 11pm - 3am, £3, 0131-225 1757

THERE’S a hive of activity on the third Saturday of the month down at Sneaky Pete’s.

A raw energy and vibe that suggests something hot is going down. Club night Wasabi Disco is well named and boasts one of the most eclectic play lists you’ll find in Edinburgh. 


It’s a play list Kris Wasabi describes as “mutant disco meets sleazy electro.” He explains, “The music policy at Wasabi has always been to play good music, no matter how old or sub genre it might be. “It’s great when we invite a guest to play and they just ‘get’ it.”


‘Getting it’ this Saturday will be the enigmatic Andy Blake, who runs vinyl-only label, Cave Paintings and co-runs one of London’s most talked about party nights, World Unkown, which takes place in a disused railway station in Brixton. Wasabi continues, “Getting Andy Blake to DJ here is a bit of a dream come true. No other label in recent years has captivated me more than his mysterious Dissident imprint with its limited runs of 200 one-sided vinyls. 


“He’s into pretty special… left-field disco, old-school acid and electro, and his sets are no different. That’s why he’s perfect for Wasabi Disco.” Blake adds, “I’m already picking out records for Saturday and am massively excited about making my Edinburgh debut at Wasabi. I’m told it’s an excellent little sweatbox.”

Substance vs. I Love Acid @ The Store

EDINBURGH’S underground techno club Substance joins forces with London outfit I Love Acid on Saturday. Expect a mix and match night of techno and electronica. Substance co-organiser Adam Richardson explains, “Basically we are hooking up with the guys from London’s I Love Acid who run a really cool party based on a similar principle to our own.” That principle is simple: bring together an up-for-it crowd and create a blinding party which isn’t ruled by the latest fads in electronic/dance music.


Saturday night will see a mixture of musical styles filling the dancefloor, drawn from each club’s individual tastes. The result, promises Richardson, will be “a right good old rave-up.” No big names, he adds, instead a roster of four guest DJs will play live sets . “It will be quality from start to finish,” insists Richardson.


The night will kick off with uber cool Coloruid and Cynthia Stern, from Sweden, taking to the decks to offer the best in wonky techno and electro. Next up will be Global Goon, with his deep and dark acid/off-the-wall electronica. The duo Posthuman will bring glitchy dubstep infused techno to the
evening. Finally, residents Wolfjazz and Substance’s other Richardson, Gavin, will finish the night off with a furious finale


Words and Pick: Grant Paterson

Louie Vega @ Soul Heaven 

Hawke & Hunter, 

Picardy Place, 

tomorrow, 10pm, £10, 

0131-557 0952

LOUIE VEGA is ‘da man’ who turned DJing into an art form. From selecting the right tunes to spinning the records he has honed the art of communicating positive, spiritual emotions through house music. Vega, who plays Soul Heaven at Hawke &Hunter tomorrow night, started out in the early 80s, spinning at block parties in the Bronx. He broke into the Manhattan club scene in 1985, taking inspiration from the late great Larry Levan, a DJ who put his heart and soul into creating an emotional connection with the crowd. Vega watched and learned. Levan saw something in him and gave him a shot.

Twenty years on, he’s as inspired as he was then. “I am really looking forward to playing Edinburgh again. It’s always a very special party over here in Scotland as the crowd understands my music and lets me play how I want to. It’s always agreat experience to connect with the fans and I’m looking forward to checking out Hawke &Hunter.”

Hawke & Hunter’s Lindsay Anderson says Vega is just the first of many big names the venue hopes to attract, “This is the first time we’ve put on such a big DJ at Hawke & Hunter and we are tremendously excited about it.” 

Soul Heaven DJ, Craig Smith adds, “I’m really pleased to have Louie back in Scotland again, he is consistently one of the best DJs around so it should be an amazing night!”

Words: GRANT PATERSON

Octopussy 
HMV Picture House, Lothian Road, 11pm-3am, £4, 0131-221 2280

OCTOPUSSY boasts that it is licensed to thrill. It’s also the biggest student night in Edinburgh right now and Nicky Shevlane, Octo manager, is pretty excited about the new term kicking off tonight.
“It’s a new year and the students are due back today so we decide to re-run The Bells with our infamous Octo Relives NYE Party, complete with countdown and piper. Magic.”
Shevlane’s enthusiasm is what gels Octopussy. Genuinely passionate about helming the best student night in the Capital, it is her quirky ideas that keep the clubnight interesting.
So far students have enjoyed everything from a school disco night to an annual beach party.
”Our Edinburgh DJ is DJ Liam, and he is a huge hit with the crowds, playing a great mix of old skool dance anthems mashed up with the coolest tracks of the moment.
“We also have guest DJ Johnny Whoop popping up every so often to mix it up,” says Shevlane, who believes rotating the DJs helps her give people what they want. It’s a recipe that keeps them coming back.
“I would hope that in 2011 we can bring even more fun to Octo and keep making the students happy.
“There will be the same madness with some crazy twists this year, but over all we will keep doing what we do best... party.”


Words: GRANT PATERSON

PICK OF THE CLUB NIGHTS
Zzzap! (feat Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke)
Liquid Room, Victoria Street, Tuesday, 11pm-3am, £10, 0131-225 2564

KELE OKEREKE is no stranger to Edinburgh, his band, Bloc Party, having played some stupendous gigs here over the years.
On Tuesday night, the singer and guitarist with one of indie’s most consistently interesting and progressive acts returns to these parts - though in a different guise.
This time he’s showing off his DJing skills at the launch of Zzzap!, a new club night for Liquid Room.
With his band on a hiatus, last year saw the release of Okereke’s solo album The Boxer, on which he focused on the more dance-orientated direction of later Bloc Party singles like Flux and One More Chance.
After making the album, he admitted to having a meltdown. “I was doing a Britney,” he says. “I’d had enough and I needed to start again - I was having a meltdown. I was attacking photographers with my umbrella and not being so good to myself.” Okereke’s interest in dance music can be traced back to his 2005 collaboration with The Chemical Brothers, Believe, and he teamed up with superstar DJ Tiesto in 2009 on the track It’s Not The Things You Say - so you’d imagine he’ll know exactly what he’s doing behind those Liquid Room decks.
“I don’t really go to gigs so much any more,” he says. “But through DJing, I’m exposed to clubs - albeit from a different perspective. It’s made me a lot more on the ball about new music and listening to how frequencies operate.”
Words: GARY FLOCKHART

WHERE TO GET IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD THIS HOGMANAY:

"I'M totally up for it and looking forward to getting down with the Scottish crew this New Year's Eve. We are gonna go deep y'awl." So promises Edinburgh's Jason Robertson, better known these days as house producer/DJ Aqua Bassino, Famous for blending elements jazz, soul and blues into his deep house mixes, Robertson is set to return from a four year stay in Spain to headline The Newsroom NYE Party, on Leith Street, alongside Craig Smith, Harry Bennett and Ross Hutchison.

"This year is made all the more special because I'll be DJing with my closest friends. It's gonna be a party out of this world," says Robertson.

It'll be a fitting end to a busy year for the clubbing legend. "I've got a lot going on at the moment," he reveals. "I just put out a track with Chez Damier under my own name, Jason Robertson. The track is called Me Realizo, check it out.

"I don't want to let the cat out of the bag too much, but I've been working with vocalist Paul Randolph and focusing on my own projects while living in Spain. Now however, I'm back and they're ready to be unleashed, I'll be dropping some of those jams at the Hogmanay bash at The Newsroom."

The return of Aqua Bassino to his native city is just one of the highlights of Edinburgh's Hogmanay clubbing scene.
At The Voodoo Rooms there's a two for one welcome. As The Ballroom gets funked up classic stylee for Motherfunk, Shebang Rave Unit will take over The Speakeasy. With an all female cast of DJs intent on a ripping good party, this is a night surely not to be missed.

Not too far away you'll find City Nightclub, on Market Street. To mark the end of one year and the start of the next they will be dazzling crowds with a display of pyrotechnics, confetti showers and UV balloons along with a host of special guests, including breaks n' beatz stars Pendulum, who will be bringing in the New Year. They'll be joined by Kissy Sellout and the steadfast sounds of the Colours DJs.

On Holyrood Road you can catch the Bongo Club NYE Special, featuring a collective DJ pool selected from the Bongo's club roster. The percussive vibe will continue deep into the Cowgate as the cavernous Caves welcome the Departure Lounge Hogmanay Party. With artists such as the Rumba Caliente Afro Latin Orchestra, Norndog Brass Band and The Edinburgh Samba School joining Astro Boy, Jiminez, Mr Zimbabwe and DJ Wastepicker, expect a night of inspired tribal groove and a world themed vibe.

Elsewhere, there's an even more stripped down and minimal night at The Store (formerly The GRV) where Edinburgh's quality techno night, Substance, boasts one of the most eagerly anticipated festive line ups. Resident DJ Gavin Richardson is joined by two kings of the techno scene, Surgeon and Neil Landstrumm. Slabs of hefty techno guaranteed.
At Cabaret Voltaire, the Karnival NYE Party will feature no less than 25 DJs including the best in underground sounds from the likes of Dean Newton (Subliminal), Ryan Ellis (Karnival), Matt Edwards (Karnival), Darrell Harding (Pulse) and Andy Problems (Pulse).

Arguably Edinburgh's hardest working DJ, John Hutchison can be found headlining Moulin Rouge at Po Na Na this Hogmanay. Promoting sexy sounds to get down and dirty too, Hutchison promises a night of classics old and new to keep things hot inside,  even if  it's cold outside.
Fancy a bargain? Tokyo Blu will be headlining at the stylish One Below on Rutland Street on the 31st. The venue is hosting a very special masquerade party and has offered Evening News Clubland readers the chance to gain entry to the night's festivities for *half price - that's a bargain £10 instead of £20. To take advantage of this offer, tickets must be purchased before 30 December by calling 0131-221 9978 and quoting Edinburgh Evening News Clubland.
So, search out a mask - the more flamboyant the better and have a Happy New Year!
*Offer subject to availability.

CHRISTMAS CLUBBING:

IT’S time to plan the Christmas party. To decide where you will be going? Will you be out on Christmas Eve? Or dodging endless re-runs and Bond movies on Christmas Day itself? Or perhaps you’re planning on saving yourself for a Boxing Day bonanza?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you’re clearly a bona fide party animal, set to have a whole lotta fun... and probably a messy morning after. And who can blame you? After all, it would rude not to take a full advantage of those festive licenses.
Read on to discover how you can kick off Christmas Eve at The Lane with Big Bang, or hang off until Christmas night for some techno and house, or even leave it all to one massive party on Boxing night. Then you can breeze into some early evening cheese, courtesy of the immensely lively Trendy Wendy. She’ll be making sure the party vibe continues late into Boxing night with her timeless selection of cheesy tunes guaranteed to have you dancing the night away. If, on the other hand you’re in the mood to lose a few pounds, head to Cab Vol for some pounding beats courtesy of the Soma Crew, back for another techno marathon. 
Next week, we’ll have a New Year clubbing guide to ponder including a special offer for Clubland readers heading to Tokyoblu’s Hogmanay bash at The Rutland.

Christmas Eve:
The Big Bang @ The Lane - One-off event bringing together a collective of Edinburgh’s finest DJs. Queensferry St Lane, 10.30pm-3am, £10, 0131-629 9891
Memorabilia @ The Village - Pop, disco, new wave and glam.  South Fort Street, 9pm-1am, free, 0131-478 7810
Xmas Eve @ Lava & Ignite - The biggest Christmas Eve party the venue has seen. West Tollcross, 9pm-3am, £6.50, 0131-228 3252


Christmas day:
Taste Xmas Special @ Liquid Room - DJ duo Fisher & Price will be mixing up the finest blend of house and techno to burn off those Xmas calories. Liquid Room, Victoria Street, 10.30pm-5am, £10, 0131-225 2564
Bubblegum @ The Hive - If you’re looking for a good party atmosphere, head to the Hive for a great selection of chart, dance and indie/rock. The Hive, Niddry Street, 10.30pm-3am, free (£4 after 11pm), 0131-556 0444
Beat Control @ HMV Picture House - Something different? Then head down to Beat Control for a night of indie and alternative.  HMV Picture House, Lothian Road, 10.30pm-3am, £1 (£5 after midnight), 0131-221 2280


Boxing day:
Tackno ‘Winter Olympics’ @ Voodoo Rooms - Edinburgh’s longest running cheesy club night featuring a soundtrack of kitsch classics and timeless tunes spun by DJ Trendy Wendy.
Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street, 10.30pm-3am (Ballroom), £6 advance /£8 on  door, 0131-556 7060
Karnival’s Boxing Day Soma Records Party @ Cab Vol - With special guests Soma crew, Slam and Silicon Soul. Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street, 11pm – 5am, £12, 0131-220 6176
Coalition @ Sneaky Pete’s -  Join the Coalition crew as they bring a free party to Pete’s, featuring the best in dubstep, breaks and beats. Sneaky Pete’s, Cowgate, 11pm-3am, free, 0131-225 1757 
Words and picture GRANT PATERSON

NIGHT OF THE WEEK: 

The Christmas pre-club experience at The Dome

 Dress Code: Smart, sharp and stylish.

Music: Ambient background.

CLUBBING at Christmas is all about having a rip-roaring good time, with all the trimmings. So, what better way to start off an evening than by immersing yourself in the ultimate festive atmosphere? Cue Edinburgh’s best pre-club Christmas venue, The Dome.

Now famed the world over for its lavish Christmas decorations, The Dome is an unmissable winter wonderland at this time of year. Iconic stone columns, decorated by twinkling fairy lights, set it apart from anything else at the east end of George Street and make it impossible to pass by.

Inside, the twin staircases and grand chandelier in the magnificent hall set the tone for what lies in store.
However, for all the theatricality on display, the main talking point of The Dome at Christmas is always the colossal centre piece of the inspired decoration - a dazzlingly beautiful Christmas tree, which dominates the main bar. It glows brightly in contrast to the warm surrounding ambience, looking every bit majestic as you’d expect.

Time now to spoil yourself. Champers anyone? Once in the mood to party, check out the wine list, it’s exceptionally good. The sauvignon blanc is an ideal tipple after the Champagne. The Tempranillo, crisp, rose, and refreshing. For serious red lovers, it has to be the Chateauneauf-du-Pape. That said, you could just as easily work your way through the house selection, as the bar is set high from the off.

If you want to set yourself up for the evening ahead, book a table in advance for one of The Dome’s two dinning experiences. The Grill Room is a lavish and 1930’s affair, the quieter Club Room more modern. Well presented, the food excels. Try the salmon, beef, or sirloin steak - unrivalled, it’s hung for 28 days and cooked to perfection.The Dome also boasts friendly, attentive waiting staff who easily make you feel like the most important person in the room. A perfect place then to spend the evening before a night in one of George Street’s clubs, and perfectly situated for the Opal Lounge, Po Na Na, and Lulu. 

Give it a try, you’ll not be disappointed.

The Dome, George Street, 10am-1am, 0131-624 8624

Words: GRANT PATERSON

Night of the week: Va Va Voom Christmas Special @ Electric Circus
 

Dress code: Rock ‘n’ Roll baby but do add a festive twist, dress to dazzle with perhaps a touch of burlesque.
Music: Retro disco (50s-90s)
DJs: DJ Cassavetes (Italo Black/Cut Hands) & Dee (Itsy/Kabarett)

WINTER’S here, there’s no doubt about that, so what’s the best way to thaw out and then keep warm after a chilly week? Simple, have a hot night out, and they don’t come hotter than sultry club night Va Va Voom, at Electric Circus, the perfect venue for any performance-driven club night as the wide-open bar allows views of the stage from virtually any location.


Normally, Electric Circus is an uber-modern karaoke club bathed in state-of-the-art, mood-enhancing neon lighting - a cyber-disco in fact, with cosy booths and individually themed karaoke rooms. Tomorrow night, however, promises much more with a dream-billing which sees no fewer than four burlesque artists headlining the Va Va Voom Christmas Party. Inspired by decades of exotica, Miss Hell’s Belle, bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to the occasion, while the evening also marks the return of freak show starlet Missy Macabre, who was the rapturous star of the Electric Circus birthday bash this summer.


Also on the bill is Vendetta Vain, one of the UK’s most established burlesque artists, who promises to bring a sense of humour to proceedings with her vibrant, larger than life eccentric characters. Highly skilled burlesque revivalist Cherry Loco completes the bill, mixing her own very special blend of raunchy sexuality with hi-camp comic absurdity, no doubt raising a few eyebrows along the way.


Meanwhile, in the DJ booth, Dee and Cassavetes will be firing up the festivities with their mash ups of jump blues, northern soul, R&B, Motown, neo-cabaret and rockabilly.
So, bask in an eclectic mix of burlesque, dance, theatre and live performance that’s sure to leave you hot under the collar - even if it’s still below zero outside.

Va Va Voom @ Electric Circus, Market Street,  tomorrow, 11pm-3am, £6 b4 midnight (£8 after), 0131-226 4224

CLUB NIGHT OF THE WEEK: EDDIE HALLIWELL @ CITY 

Dress code: Glam for the girls, clubby and trendy for the boys.
Music: Trance, techno, electro & house.
DJs: Eddie Halliwell, Claudia Cazacu, Jason Cortez and Stephen Kirkwood.

It’s so hot that the air is thick with moisture and a cloud of mist forms around the DJ box. Lasers try to penetrate through but still you can’t see him. You know he’s there because the  shouts now become deafening. They hail his name like a legion honouring their god, the lord of the dance is here… Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!


Eddie Halliwell is back, headlining City tomorrow night and he’s sharper than ever. Halliwell’s technical ability is so well respected that the Japanese boffins over at Pioneer drafted him in to help design the revolutionary CDJ 2000 digital turntable. Combining cutting-edge technology with his traditional vinyl skills, his sets are so energy driven that they should carry a health warning. Halliwell uses scratching, looping, remixing and re-sampling all done on the fly. With what seems like a psychic ability to read the crowd, he fires out big tune after big tune with relentless success. Three hours of non-stop dancing is on the agenda, so I recommend dancing trainers.


Halliwell’s style has earned him residencies at the biggest parties in the world, selling out clubs in every continent and DJing prime time radio slots. The result has been countless top DJ poll positions in every relevant clubbing publication that use letters to form words, praised by his peers and with the likes of Paul Van Dyk as his fan base. Halliwell will be joined by Romanian pin up girl, DJ Claudia Cazacu, who intends to fire up the party with her own blend of pumping tunes to get you hot under the collar. Edinburgh lads Jason Cortez and Stephen Kirkwood will be warming up for them, so expect something special.


City is the biggest club in Edinburgh and perfect for a massive party, so get yourself down to see one of the world’s biggest DJ superstars.


Eddie Halliwell, tomorrow night, City, Market St, £15 (plus b fee)/£25 VIP, 0131-226-9560

CLUB NIGHT OF THE WEEK: SOUL KITCKEN @ MEDINA

DRESS CODE: Glam, casual, comfy and cool

MUSIC: Funk, Funk, soul, hip-hop, R n' B and disco

DJs: Dale Lush and Isla Blige

If you are hungry for something fresh, then look no further. Soul Kitchen launches tonight with a generous portion of soul food. DJ duo Dale Lush and Isla Blige have promised to serve up a Michelin star disco platter of old, new and future classics. 

Soul kitchen will be a reunion of sorts as the DJs return to one of their favourite venues, Medina. If you haven't been before Medina is a cosy basement club, catering for those who prefer the warmly-lit ambience of lounge clubbing with a great atmosphere. 

Dale tells us it's that "social element" that will be a prime ingredient in the Soul Kitchen recipe. Dale. resident at Le Monde and GHQ, ran a Sunday night there aptly called Booty. Running for six years, it became a bit of a clubbing institution around town. It was the DJs blend of club classics that set the night apart. Dale had regulars reminiscing the halcyon days of clubbing and the night quickly became more of a social gathering rather than a glam night out. 

Now he wants to create that same vibe while introducing Isla's soulful selection to the mix, she toyed "this is one trip to the kitchen that your hips will thank you for..." 

Blige, also a Medina DJ, played soul-drenched soundtrack at Get Funk'd on Friday nights. Her style is just like her - fun and funky. Other residents include Lulu, Newsrooms and The Voodoo Rooms. 

Expect the kitchen to get very hot with a main course of slow roasting soul, freshly picked funk, a healthy helping oh hip-hop and some devilish disco cuts. Unlike Ramsay's Hell Kitchen, Soul Kitchen looks a much more heavenly prospect, enjoy.

Soul Kitchen, tonight, Medina,Lothian Street, 10pm - 3am, £5/£4

Words and Picture:

GRANT PATERSON