Let's get this party started

13 December 2006

WHERE can you go to get into the festive spirit ahead of the big Christmas blowout?

Here's our guide to the best parties over in the next week or so.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

SAMBLANACO @ The Salmon & Compass, 58 Penton Street, N1. Dave Blackgrove, Chris T, Riley and Simon Alvaro play Latin, funk, disco, jazz breaks, broken beat, house and hip hop. £3 before 11pm and £5 after.

EVERY SATURDAY over Christmas and the New Year.

Posh Funk @ CC Club, Coventry Street, Soho (next to the Trocadero Centre). Matt's weekly residency, playing jazz funk, disco and party classics in room two from 11pm - 1am. Usual suspects George D, Vernon James, DJ Craze and Tony Nicholls play each week with that man Steve Young on percussion and Kev Reynolds on sax. £10 before 11pm, £15 after. 9pm - 3.30am. For guest list or table reservations contact 07753 475464.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

AZULI @ The Cross, King's Cross Freight Depot, York Way, N1. French producer Alan Braxe headlines with David Piccioni, Sean Brosnam and excellent new young talent Dom Chung, Seamus Haji and Twisted Funk all in support. 10pm - 6am. £15.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

SCHPUNK XMAS PARTY @ Pacific Edge, Market Place, Romford. The successful indie, alternative rock and pop Friday-nighter has been going strong all year. 9pm - 2am. Admission for women is free before 9.30pm.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

UNDERWATER XMAS SPECIAL @ The End, West Central Street, WCA1. Underwater boss Darren Emerson hosts, with Yousef joining him in the main room, and Serge Santiago, Bones and Hector looking after the lounge. £16 on the door. 10pm - 7am. www.underwaterrecords.com

BOXING DAY

EPPING FOREST COUNTRY CLUB REUNION, PART 2 @ Faces, Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill. Original DJs Roger The Doctor, Big Lee, El Tel, George D, Vernon James, DJ Marie, Maxim, Jiggy B, Frenzie, Sharkie and Moresy all on the bill. Jimmy Jazz will be on the bongos and Mr Buzzard will be your MC host. For guest list availability call 07753 475464. 9pm - 2am.

MUAK @ Plastic People, 147 - 149 Curtain Road, EC2A. A deep house Christmas special from the east London crew who made their name at The Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel. Resident DJs Zaki, Manish and People Like Us at the controls. £6 before 11pm and £8 after.

PRIMAL @ Turnmills, 63b Clerkenwell Road, EC1. Drum and bass with DJs LTJ Bukem, Fabio, Calibre, Shen, Andy C, Goldie, Marcus Intalex, Skitty, Flava, Grooverider, Mickey Finn, Top Buzz, Nicky Blackmarket, Chef and Ben J. Limited £12 tickets available from ww.ticketweb.co.uk, otherwise it's £15 on the door. www.myspace.com/stealthrollers