May the EDM Be With You

DJ IDeaL lines up all of May's must-see events and non-stop dance parties

Greetings, beautiful San Diegans! Hope you are ready as we kick into fifth gear for Cinco de Mayo weekend and that you're sipping on cold margaritas all weekend long before going out to get your dance on!

We kick off the month with San Diego’s second edition of "West Coast Weekender." The four-day boutique festival and music conference brings together a large portion of the San Diego music industry, with many out-of-town attendees coming together for events that'll take place at the World Beat Center and Spin Nightclub -- talent includes Marques Wyatt, Purple Disco Machine, Mark Farina, LTJ Bukem, MANIK, Sunshine Jones Live, Oscar P, and many more. The conference will feature various panels touching on industry and culture topics with guest moderators from DJ Times and Give A Beat foundation. With technology being such a key element of the music industry, introductory workshops have also been scheduled, including one designed to uncover the secrets of Ableton Live's intuitive and spontaneous workflow! Food will be available as well as various vendors for shopping, live art and top-of-the-line sound systems. Single-day and multi-day tickets are still available here!

For Cinco de Mayo, if you’re not down in Baja grubbing on lobster seaside, there is no better place to enjoy it in San Diego than listening to some proper house music at Firehouse with the Late Night Jackin takeover featuring Boys Don’t Disco and friends. Resident Jimbo James kicks off the party and has been curating it as a weekly gathering, so if you miss this one, plan to come out next week.

On Thursday, May 11, London DJ/producer Demarkus Lewis makes his way to Kava Lounge. With over 100 singles and releases devoted to the underground, the intimate setting will make for an enjoyable experience.

San Diego’s talent pool keeps spawning future legends, and if you’d like to enjoy one of our hometown's best, get over to Blonde on May 12 with Harvard Bass taking over the decks from start to finish. If you fancy some sunshine while getting your groove on, Joe P, Red Sonya, Rock the Discoteck and more will be providing the music at Daydream. The underground comes alive during the day time too, but you’ll have to search for this one as it is an undisclosed-location day party!

On May 20, the roots of house music will be in full vibration with Nina Flowers at Overdrive. Drag queen, DJ, activist and one heck of a performer will have the circuit sounds pumpin’ loud into the after-hours at Spin Nightclub.

Also on May 20, down on the bay, Lovelife hops onboard the Adventure Hornblower with an special sunset evening event. You’re invited to enjoy Dirtybird’s Worthy and Bay Area favorites Lisbona Sisters for a "Work Out" theme party to rock your dayglow neon stretch pants and workout suits!

With so much to do in the month already, make sure to pace yourself as we get toward the end of the month for Memorial Day weekend! One would assume to be speaking of Las Vegas as we run down all of the talent coming into town -- so get ready! Celebrating their two-year anniversary this month, Omnia doesn’t hold back hosting the world’s No. 1 DJ, Hardwell, on May 26. Over at House of Blues, a special 18-plus/21-plus dance music event features one of trance music’s legends, Paul Van Dyk. Presently on his North American tour with Solarstone, the tour comes in support of "Dreamstate" -- Insomniac Events' latest festival creation.

On Saturday, May 27, an Adult Carnaval awaits you at Horizon Carnaval. Le Youth will be providing the music along with production featuring a Cirque de Soleil spin, as well as a plethora of interactive entertainment elements that will keep you wanting more! The carnival meets the water at the San Diego Port Pavilion and you’ll be able to win VIP tickets through SoundDiego!

Also, May 27 kicks off the annual gathering by LED Presents: “My Life Everyday USA.” No doubt huge production, plenty of confetti, and thrilling special effects will complement the stacked lineup they've curated, ranging from Zeds Dead to fresh-off-the-Coachella-ride Tchami.

You now have no excuses: Make some choices and we’ll see you on the dance floor! 

DJ IDeaL's Top May Picks

May 5: West Coast Weekender Sunset Rooftop with Marques Wyatt, Marshall Jones + more @ Spin

May 5: Late Night Jackin takeover with Boys Don’t Disco and friends @ Firehouse PB

May 6: West Coast Weekender with Purple Disco Machine, LTJ Bukem, Oscar P and more @ World Beat Center

May 7: West Coast Weekender with Mark Farina, Oliver Dollar, MANIK and more @ World Beat Center

May 11: Digital Cocoon with Demarkus Lewis @ Kava Lounge

May 12: Harvard Bass (all night) @ Blonde

May 13: Daydream @ Undisclosed Day Party Location

May 20: Overdrive feat. Nina Flowers and Drew G @ Spin

May 20: Lovelife presents "Stretch" Boat Party with Worthy and Lisbona Sisters @ Adventure Hornblower

May 26: Hardwell @ Omnia

May 26: Paul van Dyk @ House of Blues

May 27: Horizon Carnival feat. Le Youth @ Port Pavilion

May 28: Oliver Heldens @ OMNIA

May 27-28: My Life Everyday USA @ Valley View Casino Arena

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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