I Don't Go Clubbing, I Go Dancing: Cinco De Mayo Spectacular

​It's Cinco de Mayo! We're going to go ahead and admit that we have no idea why Americans celebrate the holiday other than to over-indulge in margaritas, tacos, and cervezas. As it turns out, though, tonight's schedule of dance parties is more than willing to accommodate.

If you want to get your dose of authentic Mexican music in, start your evening at Mex in the City and Que Bajo's Cinco de Gallo fete at Le Poisson Rouge. Mariachi del Pueblo kicks off the festivities with live norteño (a regional music comprised of accordion and the 12-string bajo sexto), but the night's highlight is a special performance by Tijuana's electronic duo Los Macuanos. The pair warps traditional Mexican sounds with "ominously low frequencies" to create a DJ set of electro folklore, digital cumbia, and tropical space disco. And, as always, Que Bajo residents Uproot Andy and Geko Jones play into the mix as well with all of the above and a some salsa, merengue, and Latin house too. (This pair finds their way into this column somewhat frequently because of their overwhelming nerddom. Listen to Geko Jones' appearance on NPR's Alt Latino to get schooled on the music you'll probably dance to later tonight.) $10 at the door.

If you're looking for a place to sling back drinks without worrying about being out-danced by the couple next to you, try L-O-V-E at the East Village's 2A. Tonight DJs DirtyFinger and Cobra Krames take over the glass-encased upstairs lounge for a night that promises "all genres of party music". We'll go ahead and narrow that down to hip-hop anthems, dance classics, '80s jams, club, bounce, and other booty-droppers. Best of all, the bar projects movies onto the building across the street for those of you who are more content to lounge. (The last time we were there it was Alice In Wonderland!) Free all night. And if it's reggae that you're craving, we'll suggest you head to Happy Ending for this week's edition of Brand New Machine. Federation Sound god Max Glazer holds down the basement with residents DJ Autograph, Whyteboy Chris, and Mountain Doo while Deadly Dragon Sound's crates of rare 45s provide the soundtrack upstairs.

​There's plenty of disco on the agenda as well. In Manhattan, Codek's In Flagranti takes on Santos for an extended set made "strictly for 24-hour party people" with their energetic mix of nu-disco, funk-infused dance grooves, and weirdo house tracks that only your nerdiest of friends will be able to place. There will be electro too, but it's likely to be more of the catchy, synth-laden variety than the glitchy, screamy, sort. (Unrelated: These guys are the kings of using soft-core imagery as cover art.) Tigersapien and resident Matt Cash are also scheduled to perform. Tickets are $5 with student ID,$10 with RSVP before midnight, $15 after.

If you're in Brooklyn for the night, head over to Williamsburg's Public Assembly for the new Discography fete. The night features an all-star lineup of Beats In Space's Tim Sweeney, Liquid Liquid's Sal P, and a special appearance by Tigersushi Parisian Joakim. Expect left-field disco, funk, boogie, and plenty of post-punk from the New Yorkers, with a dose of electro from Joakim. Listen to the latter's "I Wish You Were Gone" to get an idea. Tickets are an astoundingly cheap $5 at the door, we recommend you get there early. And if you're still looking for tropical vibes to close out your Cinco de Mayo, pop over to Toque at Bembe for a night with Mixtape Riot's Captain Planet and Bastard Jazz's DJ DRM. The duo holds down the sweaty corner dive with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and other global beats complete with live percussionists (and chilled watermelon at the bar). Free all night!

Happy Cinco de Maino from IDGC, courtesy Nick Catchdubs:

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