Elect Ron: Morelli is resident president of cosmic disco.

Editor's Picks

Delta Phi Disco & Nightwatch

It may be summer vacation, but school’s in session at UPenn for one night this Friday. The subject: disco music of past, present and future. The teachers are the best DJs from Philly, New York City and beyond with knowledge of the genre that goes even deeper than their crates. They’ll spend the night lecturing on the sheer awesomeness of the music that gave us Donna Summer, Studio 54 and the blueprint for dance music to come. Sadly, disco has become a punch line over the past three decades, denigrated by rock journalists and ignored by most music fans. Thankfully, DJs like Ron Morelli, the former Philadelphian who gave us the Paradise and Reagan Disko Headache parties, and artists like Norway’s Lindstrom are breathing new life into the music, spinning old gems and updating the sound for the digital age. Cosmic disco, as the new stuff is dubbed, sounds like the soundtrack for a nighttime beach party in paradise. While Delta Phi Disco’s location is not exotic like an Ibizan beach, it’s exotic in that it’s confusing to outsiders: “punk” frat house (I know, I know) Pi Lam. It’s Paradise Garage meets Delta Tau Chi, a return to disco essentials—sweaty dancefloor, amazing music and hopefully debauchery worthy of a mirror ball. Remember what disco legends Chic sang: “Dancing helps relieve the pain, soothes your mind, makes you happy again.” Disco dead? That’s so ’80s.

Nightwatch

Recovery
Fri., July 25, 10pm. $5. Tritone, 1508 South St. 215.545.0475. www.tritonebar.com
OMG Wall-E flier.

Bleached Black
Sat., July 26, 10pm. Free. Medusa Lounge, 27 S. 21st St. www.myspace.com/bleachedblack
Oh man, Sparks Power Hour from 10 till 11.

Shake Your Tambourine
Sat., July 26, 10pm. Free. Institute, 12th and Green sts. www.institutebar.com
Billy W spins ’80s, funk and early hip-hop.

Send party info/fliers/corrections to listings@philadelphiaweekly.com