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Cake
Every second Saturday at Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N Killingsworth St., facebook.com/cakepartyla.
Now three years running, Cake is consistently packed. On top of the retro and contemporary hip-hop spun by resident DJ and organizer Automaton, the queer-inclusive dance night regularly books some of the city's best hip-hop artists—last week's Pride Party was hosted by the Last Artful, Dodgr.
Sugar Town
The Spare Room, 4830 NE 42nd Ave. See facebook.com/sugartownsoul for upcoming shows.
Founded in 2011, Sugar Town is one of Portland's most established inclusive dance nights. It's also run by one of the city's most knowledgeable vintage soul and blues DJs, Action\Slacks, who spins all vinyl, and has an exhaustive knowledge of midcentury American dance music, whether it's obscure dirty blues or blissful soul-pop classics.
Lez Do It
Every first Friday at Killingsworth Dynasty, 832 N Killingsworth St., facebook.com/lezdoitportland.
Lez Do It is a femme-centric dance night that's indulgently poppy. Run by Mary Charming, a.k.a. DJ Mr. Charming, Lez Do It usually hosts club and house DJs. That includes resident DJ Chelsea Starr, who lobs one electro glitter-bomb after another, from disco to sugary techno.
Slay
Monthly at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., facebook.com/thouslay.
After the ongoing success of Cake, DJ Automaton recently founded another dance night. Slay usually features a similar mix of booty-bouncing hip-hop, but makes an extra effort to welcome an intersectional crowd. Plus, it's hosted at Holocene, which, with two dance floors and high ceilings, feels like an intimate warehouse party on any given night.
Judy on Duty
Every last Saturday at various locations. See facebook.com/judyondutypdx for venues.
Though Judy on Duty brands itself as a hip-hop throwback party, it books a wide range of DJs who frequently branch out into vibe-y soundscapes. Judy on Duty makes an effort to include people from across the queer spectrum. Everyone from the DJs to the poster artists to the people running the door are members of the LGBTQ community. That's truly what makes Judy on Duty special—it's about creating a space for the queer community and giving back to it as well.
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