What’s up, SeoulGrid? Hope you’re feeling well-rested: we have another three-day marathon party session this weekend. We’re looking at a First Thursday’s Aftework Party, guest DJs from Paris, Syndney, and NYC, and a professional beatboxer from England. Sound interesting? Read on.

Thursday (April 1st)

First Thursday’s Afterwork Party

If you haven’t attended one yet, this event is consistently one of the best private parties in Seoul. And they only happen once a month, so unless you have a really hot date or something, you have no excuse to miss this party. [Actually, even that's not a good excuse. Bring your date with you -- this will be a million times more fun than that boring dinner / movie combination you were planning.]

Since this is a private party, you need an invitation to attend. You can get one by filling out a short form at the Afterwork website. This is an upscale champagne party aimed at Seoul’s professional crowd, so if you’re not a hardcore partier, don’t worry — this event has a very classy feel to it. Stop by with your coworkers to unwind after work, socialize, and do some networking. Oh yeah, and drink copious amounts of champagne, if you’re so inclined.

Where & When:

Copacabana in Cheongdam. [Click the link for more information and directions.] This is one of my new favorite lounges in Seoul.

The party goes from 8:30PM until 1AM, so stop by after work and finish in time to sleep off your hangover before work on Friday. [And hope the coworkers you brought don't rat you out to your boss... I just knew Lester was a tattle-tale.]

Prices & Tables:

Cover charge is free with an invitation. A bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial will run you W130,000, and Hennessy VSOP W200,000. Beer and cocktails are your standard lounge prices, around W10,000+ per drink.

Tables are only available on reservation, contact 010.9337.0275.

Again, this is one of Seoul’s most consistently fun parties, and I can’t really think of a valid reason to miss it.

Friday (April 2nd)

Friday’s a bit tame this week.

Heaven: “The Real Party Vol. 1 — First Taste”

Guest DJs (Korea): KnOb, WU, SoUL

Take note, dear reader: this is “The Real Party.” Because, you know, the parties we’ve been attending all this time have merely been “fake parties.” We’ve been deceived!

My caustic sarcasm aside, I may find myself at Heaven on Friday night if for no other reason than lack of a better option. I’ve never seen these DJs spin, and can’t find much info about them online.

Club Heaven: More Information & Directions

Eden: “Le Local Series: Revolver 69″

Guest DJ (Korea): Revolver 69 a.k.a. 류승범 (DJ Ryoo)

I’m a bit confused — previously “Revolver 69″ referred to a joint effort between “DJ Ryoo & DGuru,” but this party advertises DJ Ryoo alone, so I’m not sure whether to expect the duo or just a solo act. Anyway, Ryu Seung-Beom is a Korean-actor-turned-DJ who goes under the name DJ Ryoo. Here’s a sample of his style:

Club Eden: More Information & Directions

Answer:

Answer hasn’t posted a schedule for Friday. Answer’s resident DJs usually play Electro.

Club Answer: More Information & Directions

Saturday (April 3rd)

Saturday has a few interesting options:

Top Pick: Club Answer

To be honest, I feel like I’m being biased choosing Answer three weeks in a row as my top pick, but what am I supposed to do? This will easily be the best party of the weekend — the other clubs just aren’t bringing in interesting acts.

Michael Canitrot is being brought to you from Paris by HSK Management, the same team that hosts the First Thursdays Afterwork events. I’m also a big fan of DJ Yoo, who will be playing a set as well at some point during the night.

Michael Canitrot’s style is funky, soulful house — and totally danceable. [My spell-checker is marking "danceable" with a fat, squiggly, red underline, but I think it's totally a word. "Able to be danced to." Right?!] You can hear more of his style on his MySpace page: Michael Canitrot MySpace.

Club Answer: More Information & Directions

Mansion (Hongdae): Killa Kela (Live Beatboxer)

This one definitely wins the “most interesting pick of the night” — Club Mansion in Hongdae is bringing in a live beatbox artist from England.

Definitely an interesting change of pace from the typical night at the club, if you’re interested.

Club Mansion (Hongdae): More Information & Directions

Eden: “Buzzed About Series 1007: Peter Bailey”

Guest DJ (NYC, USA): Peter Bailey

Check out Peter Bailey’s MySpace for more of his music. His style seems to be pretty consistent with what is usually played at Eden.

Club Eden: More Information & Directions

Heaven: “Turntable Lab Seoul with Push & Kick”

Foreign Guest DJ (Syndney, AUS): Jamie Doom

Other Guest DJs (Korea): Fin, Shut Da Mouth

I really can’t find any decent music samples from the guest DJ. As a side note, what’s with Club Heaven’s ridiculously long titles for their shows? This one is formally “Turntable Lab Seoul with Push & Kick Featuring Doom (Bang Gang Deejays), Fin, and a Closing Set by Shut Da Mouth.” Amazing.

Club Heaven: More Information & Directions

Closing Remarks:

Next week, we’ll finally see Club Volume re-open with a bang: Paul Oakenfold is coming to Seoul.

Stay tuned, SeoulGrid. Party hard, and I’ll see you all next week! Cheers,

James