Friday's extended set by Derrick Carter might have been the first great show of 2006. Carter presented no option other than to dive in head-first, since the entire set was all killer, no filler. The crowd was enthusiastic the entire evening, while Professor Carter put on a lecture on the history and breadth of house music. He dipped into disco, touched on some jack-house (very old school and propulsive, as the idea is for you to "jack" your body), and fit in a few very quirky gems as well (a track based on the Bobby McFerrin's Cosby show theme?). It is the best set Seattlest has seen from Mr. Carter in years, and even he was happy with the set, as his last few Seattle appearances were less than perfect. A sizable portion of the crowd made their way to the not-quite-secret afterhours, where Jacob London was doing their Jacob London thing, getting the hipster afterhours set going to some very quality minimal techno. more ›

That's Derrick Carter on that scooter. Derrick Carter the house music legend. Derrick Carter, co-owner of Classic Music Company, one of the most acclaimed house music labels on the planet (and home to Seattle's Jacob London). The Derrick Carter that's been playing house music for more than two decades, starting at the age of nine with disco at family reunions. The one who still drops a perfect mix while barely able to stand; the one that's playing tonight at the War Room for the Gettin' ______* one-year anniversary party. He may play house music, but for being willing to be photographed looking that ridiculous, Derrick Carter is fucking metal. more ›

Fresh from his quarter-hour of fame as a food blogger, Ronald is preparing a giant Spanish torta for a neighborhood party in Belltown. He plans to stalk chef Kerry Sear's cooking class at Cascadia on Saturday morning. On Sunday, he'll make is way into SoDo territory where wine writer/wine merchant Rich Kinssies promises to roast a pig and pour samples of Spanish reds at The Wine Outlet . We hope it goes well with the all the uneaten torta. more ›