NYC party planning guide: Essential gear, clubs and party playlists

Empire Beats' Juke Joint Revue Rhythm & blues combo Empire Beats, featuring vocalist Camille Atkinson, is back for another night of music, burlesque, comedy and more at the lovably divey Parkside Lounge. Temple of the Virgins We'll have to take their word for it regarding the virgins bit, but this monthly burlesque night—held in a Mexican restaurant—certainly showcases a caliente array of talent. Broadway Brassy (“The Golden Throat of Burlesque”) is the evening's host. Hotsy Totsy Burlesque: Star Wars Holiday Special Cherry Pitz and Joe the Shark return with their night of scripted burlesque (subtitled "The Home for Wayward Girls and Fallen Women"), held monthly on the Bowery. In this episode, the crew revisits Star Wars (or, more specifically, 1978's mind-blowing Star Wars Holiday Special), with contributions coming from Handsome Brad Lawrence, Brief Sweat, Clara Coquette, Hard Corey, Ivory Fox, Jenny C'est Quoi, Rosey La Rouge and Ms. Pitz herself; Tiger Bay serves as the stage kitten, and additional go-go action comes courtesy of Erika Rodgers. Bushwick Burlesque: Albert Cadabra, This Is Your Life! Burly-Q types, alt-sideshow stars, and admirers of both genres head to Bushwick's Bizarre for this night of ecdysiast antics hosted by Darlinda Just Darlinda and Scary Ben. This evening's gala serves as a homage to sideshow star and MC extraordinaire Albert Cadabra, with Apathy Angel, Cheeky Lane, Foxy Squire, Kinky Demure, Minnie Tonka, Miss Em, Ray Valenz, the Schlep Sisters

Sankeys Saturdays: Kerri Chandler House hero Kerri Chandler has been releasing his thumping New Jersey–bred tunes since the late ’80s, but he's had something of a career renaissance in the past few years—including a residency at Ibiza’s famed Circoloco party. Needless to say, he's been a great DJ all the while. Cem & Rg, along with Autobrennt's Mateo, lend support; in the cellar, Reda Briki, Kramer and Deep Woods lay down yet more house beats. The Bunker: Mathew Jonson + Hrdvsion + Derek Plaslaiko + Thema Nights The busy Bunker bunch is back with more underground electronics, this time presenting one of techno's most innovative artists, Wagon Repair head honcho Mathew Jonson, as the headliner. Just to make the night even more special, the crew is also bringing in his sibling Nathan, better known as Hrdvsion; the pair crafts low-slung techno together under the moniker Midnight Operator. Bunker resident Derek Plaslaiko will also be on hand, and the three will have the entire night together to pretty much do as they please. Over in the Panther Room, Lenny Posso's Thema label takes command, with Circus Recordings' Dave Aju and the veteran Elbee Bad (from the Rush Hour family of artists) joining Posso in the booth. Rinsed Year III Pt. III: Rinsed Live All good things come to an end, and tonight marks the finish of Rinsed's third-birthday celebration. But the underground-dance-music crew is wrapping up the festivities in high style: Residents Dan Wender and Blacky II are unve

Listen to DJ mixes of house, techno, dubstep and more from the best local or international spinners—including Gilles Peterson and Greg Wilson. Want to check out hot DJ mixes from some of the world’s best spinners? Of course you do! Here are some of the best sets that Time Out has recently (and not so recently) run, with clubland notables of all stripes—from international superstars such as Greg Wilson and Dimitri from Paris to New York underground vets like Danny Krivit and everyone in between—serving up the beats.RECOMMENDED: New York nightlife guide 2013 Featured DJ mixes DJ mix: George FitzGerald The bass-loving house honcho gears up for a date at Output. Interview and music: Sherwood & Pinch Dub trailblazers Adrian Sherwood and Pinch join forces at Deep Space. DJ mixes: Wolf + Lamb, Soul Clap, No Regular Play and PillowTalk Wolf + Lamb and their extended family play the Crew Love party. Interview and DJ mix: Ben UFO Hessle Audio's Ben UFO plays at Mister Saturday Night and mixes the latest FabricLive compilation. DJ mix: Thugfucker Hear a great DJ mix from Thugfucker, then check out the duo in action at the Blkmarket Membership boat party. DJ mix: The Black Madonna Chicago's fab Black Madonna spins the next Discovery bash. DJ mix: Will Saul/Close Aus Music mastermind Will Saul goes deep with his Close persona. Mix: Hyperdub's Ikonika The Hyperdub label's Ikonika fetes her new album with a live set at Output. All DJ mixes DJ mix: George FitzGerald The bass-loving house ho

Got the urge to party, but don't know where? Here are TONY's favorite dance-worthy events, with house, techno, dubstep, hip-hop and more all on the bill. Toca Tuesdays Mixtape maestro Tony Touch is on the wheels of steel at the intimate Sutra every Tuesday, spinning hip-hop, funk, reggae, house and more. Major-league guests regularly roll through to contribute deck-wrecking action. DJ June opens; downstairs, DJ Butta L rocks the reggae rhythms. Twin Peaks Tuesdays Francine "The Lucid Dream"—the force behind Pink Room: David Lynch Burlesque—and her pals invite you to celebrate Twin Peaks, a show that's acquired a permanant and prominent place in cult-TV history since it first ran in 1990. The fun includes screenings, burly-Q performances, trivia contests—and, of course, doughnuts. Westgay A cute, hipstery crowd flocks to this weekly party, presided over by Frankie Sharp along with resident DJs Jonjon Battles and Nita Aviance. Offline: Q-Tip The erstwhile A Tribe Called Quest frontman rocks the decks for a set of what's being described as "real music" (none of that fake stuff for the Queens native, it seems). Expect a fun dance floor at this Giant Step–powered party. Props Rich Medina and DJ Akalepse, from APT's long-running Little Ricky’s Rib Shack soiree, lug their funk-heavy record crates to Le Poisson Rouge's Gallery Bar for a weekly all-night dance session, with major-league guests rolling through regularly. Roots Two of the city’s veteran house heroes, Masters at Wo