Nightlife

Hot Spots: Matthew Koma at Surrender, National Scotch Day and more

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Front and center: Matthew Koma, the voice on so many EDM hits, makes his headlining debut at Surrender this weekend.

Open Container at Container Park Local breweries take the spotlight at this month’s installment of Motley Brews’ summertime tasting series, with Banger, Big Dog’s, Chicago, Joseph James and Triple 7 all aboard. Sip and savor more than 20 craft beers, laugh along with the event’s film clips and shorts, and then stick around for Container Park’s live music offering: LA-based The Brave Ones, onstage at 10 p.m. July 25, 9 p.m., $20.

Anthony Valadez at Insert Coin(s) If you missed the Insert Coin(s) three-year anniversary celebration in April, you also slept on LA producer/DJ Anthony Valadez, for whom the East Fremont barcade is “by far my favorite place outside Cali to play.” His sets serve as a meeting point for left-of-center beats, soulful house and hip-hop, raw urban grooves and jazzy meditations. In other words, he sounds like a Downtown hangout should. July 24, doors at 8 p.m., free.

Matthew Koma at Surrender “Wasted” by Tiësto. “Cannonball (Earthquake)” by Showtek. “Find You” by Zedd. “Serotonin” by Audien. “Cheap Sunglasses” by RAC. What do these songs have in common, besides all-but-certain placement on a 2014 EDM hits compilation? Their vocalist and co-writer, Matthew Koma, who makes his headlining debut at Surrender on Friday. Resident DJ Mighty Mi supports. July 25, doors at 10:30 p.m., $32+ men, $22+ women.

Transmission at Hard Hat Lounge There’s no better occasion to explore this Industrial Road venue than a dedicated drum ’n’ bass night—and where else are you going to hear some jungle and rumble Downtown on a Friday night? A slew of local drum ’n’ bass talent will take over the Hard Hat, including producers Blacklab and Zaiaku, DJs Madam Filth and BA, and Emcee Typer, among others. July 25, doors at 9 p.m., free.

TopSpin Charity Ping Pong Tournament with Chris Paul at Lagasse’s Stadium The NBA All Star Game MVP ditches the court to pick up a paddle Saturday night at the Venetian sports bar, where NBA celebs and civilians duke it out for the second TopSpin tourney title. First place scores $1,000 and proceeds benefit TopSpin and the Chris Paul and Jump for Joy foundations. July 26, 6 p.m., $50-$100.

National Scotch Day at House of Blues I love scotch. Scotchy Scotch Scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly. Mmm mmm mmm. HOB celebrates Ron Burgundy’s favorite hooch with an Anchorman-inspired bash for National Scotch Day, complete with featured cocktails by Cutty Sark and the Famous Grouse. Take fashion notes from San Diego’s beloved (fictional) newsman and reap the benefits: Patrons in hideous suits score a free drink, with the ugliest outfit winning $500 at Stitched. Count us in for the newsroom brawl. July 27, 10 p.m., free.

Kid ‘n Play at Tao Beach There are, by my count, six major musicians named Chris Martin. There’s the lead singer of punk act Hostage Calm, the guy who you may know as DJ Premier, the reggae/TV star from Jamaica, the Chicago trumpeter, Mr. Consciously Uncoupled who sings that awful “A Sky Full of Stars” song and the DJ from hip-hop-to-Hollywood duo Kid ‘N Play. It’s that last guy, along with his MC partner Chris Reid, who will perform a set at Tao Beach’s Monster Sundays. July 27, doors at 11 a.m., $20 men, $10 women.

Rock Shot Bingo at Green Valley Ranch While blue-hairs normally dominate the bingo parlor, GVR is hoping to attract the club crowd with a party-hearty installment of the classic game of chance. Winners score free shots, local rocker Franky Perez plays an intermission set and a DJ joins the announcer in the bingo booth. Basically, this ain’t grandma’s bingo, so leave those daubers at home. July 29, 8:30 p.m., $25.

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  • From Galantis at Marquee Dayclub Dome to Skrillex at Surrender, where to get your party on the first week of 2016.

  • Plus: M!KEATTACK at Marquee. Get all the party details here.

  • Plus: Steve Powers at Light and Jermaine Dupri at Surrender. Get all the party deets here.

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