Underground dance music venues in Calgary
Dance music lovers who travel abroad often conclude that Calgary’s dance music scene has a level of eclecticism seldom found elsewhere. Whether you like dubstep, Chicago footwork, house, or drum and bass, the city’s skilled DJs present the latest sounds from international hotspots. The clubs and other venues listed here are pillars of the city’s underground dance music scene.
Bespoke Nightclub
736 10 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B3Bespoke is a relative newcomer to the club scene, marked by an ambiance of upscale sophistication. Its weekend programming features a variety of music, including a Saturday-night residency featuring former DMC World DJ Championship winner DJ Disoriental. Outside of its regular programming, the venue hosts one-off underground dance-music shakers that have featured the likes of Botnek, Simon Doty and the musical force of nature known as Duke Dumont.
Habitat Living Sound
1217 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0V3Habitat showcases and actively creates dance-music culture. This DJ owned and operated space fosters emerging artists while presenting a large roster of local DJs and international artists from across the dance-music spectrum, from house to techno and bass music. The venue has no dress code and respectful staff put the focus on the music and community. Although the lineup changes weekly, popular branded nights include Mi Casa, Nu Movement and Percolate. Once a month, Studio Social showcases music by local producers, and the club is also the haunt of Noctilux Collective, promoters of bass music culture.
Hi Fi Club
219 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A4On Thursdays, Hifi’s founding duo Smalltown DJs present Hai Karate, a night that pre-dates the existence of the club. The tracks have remained energized and worthy of a weeknight outing. Every Friday, Turntablism champion DJ Pump presents Set It Off covering a variety of genres and some of the city’s most technically skilled DJs. On Sundays, DJ Rice (another house pioneer) hosts Sunday Skool. Calgary’s longest-running DJ residency, it’s a night celebrating some of the most influential house tracks ever created. Hifi has also shocked the population with bookings such as DJ EZ, Todd Edwards, Crimson and Brenmar.
Ten Nightclub
1140 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B6Ten is the local stomping ground of Boodang and Supreme Hustle, two promoters that have helped make the city’s dance music scene what it is today. The club typically holds its electronic music nights on Fridays, and this year it has hosted drum-and-bass heavyweights including Spectrasoul and Calibre plus other notable figures like Claude Vonstroke and Kastle. Ten’s in-house PK sound system and expertly crafted, big-screen visuals make the party feel much bigger than its mid-sized space.
The Twisted Element
1006 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G3This redbrick Design District venue caters to the city’s LGBTQ community, although everyone is welcome within its doors. Twisted, as it’s colloquially known, presents both local and touring DJs who cater to the unique energy of the LGBTQ scene. Further entertainment includes Friday’s classic drag show, Wednesday karaoke and Thursday’s sexy shorts contest.
BassBus
1920 18th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2M 0X7The BassBus is both a mobile music venue and artist think tank. Throughout the year, the BassBus group hosts pop-up stages at local outdoor events and throws musical dance parties at a variety of venues around the city. BassBus happenings don’t adhere to a regular schedule, but for a small, annual fee you can follow these one-off events by subscribing to Root Connection Passport.
My Website