DJ IDeaL's Month of EDM Love

February's not just for lovers -- it's for dancers, too, and DJ IDeaL has your best bets on where to be

Love is in the air, even if it feels like we’re stuck with rain for a little bit longer as we enter the month of love.

On Friday, Feb. 8, celebrate and dance in the Garden of Love as Mr. Koolaid, one of the founders of Sublevel and the LA underground dance scene, plus yours truly, join up for a fun-tastic event benefitting Digital Cocoon. The gathering brings love and music together in a very intimate setting at Kava Lounge with a full TurboSound system!

As you jolly up the street to Old Town, the Let's Be Friends tour lands upon San Diego at Spin Nightclub. Featuring Destructo and Flava D, the dance floor will be rocking till 4 a.m. Continuing with the house-rockin' beats, it’s Ardy Pardy time featuring Dirtybird’s Ardalan along with special guest Sepher, with the Bay Area representing at Bang Bang on Feb. 9.

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, techno master Carlo Lio drops by for an unexpected specialty show at Pacific Beach’s Avenue. With massive support from Jimbo James, make your way toward the beach for this unique tech experience.

Feeling the love through music, legendary Jeno drops by Henry’s Pub downtown with house music in his soul for Valentine's Day (Thursday, Feb. 14). With early influences from his roots in London and San Fransisco, he became a fierce artist to be reckoned with through the Wicked! Crew underground "free" Full Moon parties they shared with all. Celebrate with your sweetie on the dance floor, and break it down with Pabulum and Yodah on support duties.

FNGRS CRSSD doesn’t hold back from start to finish on Friday, Feb. 15, as they get things heated up at Spin in anticipation of their big March festival. Featuring an all-star lineup of Lee Foss, Nathan Barato, Lauren Lane and one of my present-day favorite producers Eli Brown, the house vibes will be vibrating through the sweat-filled walls and plentiful smiling faces.

After a day of rest, Music Is 4 Lovers continues on their quest to make your Sundays blissful with plenty of dancing in a beautiful sunset setting (Feb. 17). For this edition, they’ve invited Elrow’s Santé, who'll deliver a special three-hour set with support from Jimbo James and friends at Firehouse PB.

Taking on a different approach to a dance music event’s typical production, Cinema Techno puts a twist to the visual aspect of entertainment and pairs it with the rawness of techno on Friday, Feb. 22. The new pop-up event series will be fully curated, from music to visuals to decor and lighting, combining carefully selected, visually interesting films and some of San Diego’s best underground artists. Location will be announced day of the event through Digital Cocoon's social media.

With so many options for the month of love, the highlight pick is truly one of a kind: From self love, to friendship, to the love of community and family, you’re invited to celebrate love of every kind with Daybreaker SD on Feb. 23 at Quartyard (go here for more information) -- keeping in mind that while we dance, we’ll remember that when we choose love, we are one and the same. With a global theme of "One Love," the Saturday morning, sober yoga and dance party kicks off at 9 a.m. With plenty of free kombucha, breakfast bites by Manitoba Harvest, live performances and other special surprises like a guest yogi, this will be a party like you’ve never experienced before. Come dressed in red, ready to frolic in the love knowing that your dancing will benefit the One Love Foundation as a climate-positive event courtesy of CHOOOSE -- which is helping offset more CO2 than the carbon footprint for the morning.

Keeping on with your Saturday vibes of love and dance, Enter the Tech presents Daytime Delight Saturday afternoon at the Rail in Hillcrest on Feb. 23. Uniting the colors of the city through love and house music, the beats will be heard rumbling through the streets teasing you to enter the dance party led by Florida’s Noel Sanger, the Weekender’s Oscar P, Donald Thump, Rock the Discotek and many more! The after-party takes you back down the hill to Little Italy’s Music Box for Kaleena Zanders & Friendz. After a spectacular kick-off for the soulful diva’s talent showcase, Kaleena brings along PRXZM, Box of Beats, Hotfire and SiLVA for a well-rounded night of dance music beats.

With more than plenty of choices for you to spend your Valentine's Day (month) dancing up a storm or finding yourself a dance partner, make sure to keep it fun and most of all, keep it safe! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to tune in to my mix show Friday and Saturday nights on ALT949’s Glow San Diego on the Radio.com app! Stay classy, San Diego!

DJ IDeaL's Top EDM February Events

  • Feb. 8: Digital Cocoon ft. Mr Koolaid and DJ IDeaL @ Kava Lounge
  • Feb. 8: Destructo @ Spin Nightclub
  • Feb. 9: Ardy Pardy with Ardalan @ Bang Bang
  • Feb. 12: Carlo Lio @ Avenue PB
  • Feb. 14: For the Love of House Music ft. Jeno @ Henry’s Pub
  • Feb. 15: FNGRS CRSSD presents Lee Foss, Nathan Barato, Lauren Lane, Eli Brown @ Spin Nightclub
  • Feb. 17: Music Is 4 Lovers ft. Santé @ Firehouse PB
  • Feb. 22: Cinema Techno @ Location TBA through Digital Cocoon
  • Feb. 23: Daybreaker SD presents One Love @ Quartyard
  • Feb. 23: Enter the Tech presents Daytime Delight @ The Rail
  • Feb. 23: Kaleena Zanders & Friendz ft. PRXZM, Box Of Beats, Hotfire, SiLVA @ Music Box

Tomas Serrano, aka DJ IDeaL, is the electronic dance music correspondent for SoundDiego, covering the best of San Diego's electronic music events and culture. Follow his whereabouts on Facebook, Twitter or contact him directly.

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