NY DJ'S COME TO L.A.

Nicky Siano at El Cid and Joe Claussell at Grand Star

Comments (0) By Lina Lecaro Wednesday, Dec 9 2009

Two revered New York DJs come to town this week, and both are spinning in surprisingly intimate, somewhat divey dance dens. Best known as the DJ at Studio 54 (Bianca Jagger’s famed b-day bash, no less!), Nicky Siano has been pumping up NYC parties and producing his own material for decades. His sets are as much about ambience and energy as they are about mixing and selecting, and while he spun in L.A. last year (La Cita) his appearance at the suitably riotous A Club Called Rhonda this week is a can’t-miss kiss-off: It’s part of his “final tour” before retiring from the decks. El Cid, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd.; $10 (or $5 with RSVP to rhonda@rhondasays.net). The stage is always set for disco drama on the Grand Star’s light-up dance floor, and Joe Claussell’s appearance there for the monthly Spirit L.A. event is sure to bridge the gap between euphoric escapism and innovative deep house exploration, just as his label (Spiritual Life Music) and own club (Body & Soul) have done so well. The holiday spirit will be in full effect for this one, with the rest of the DJ roster (on two floors), including Kristi Lomax, Don Guapo, Kaleem and Kerry gifting the grooves. Grand Star, 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown. $15 advance; $20 at the door. myspace.com/SpiritLA or universal-rhythm.com. Both events are on Sat., Dec. 12.