Dance News.

An excellent fortnight just been, with highlights for me being Meat Katie who rocked Sugar mightily. And another action-packed week coming up.

A bit quiet on the international front, but mainly because the long weekend is coming up in a few weeks' time and that promises many a top act. Also, stay tuned to these pages as we feature an interview with DJ MPK, one of the main organisers of Enchanted, discussing the changes to one of Adelaide's most loved raves.

The last Jungle Sector saw some crazy antics such as DJ Switch throwing records around the room and DJ Patch belting out a very interesting MC performance. It's this kind of thing that makes Adelaide d'n'b shows so fun, so if you're up for more, catch Switch, Patch, Fiction, Filter and Grimey at Jungle Sector at Club Feva on Fri 15 September.

The DJ behind Jurassic 5, Cut Chemist, whose album 'The Audience's Listening' was described as "Insane" in these very pages last fortnight, swings into town on Fri 15 September at the Adelaide UniBar. Previously, this has been advertised as being on at the German Club, but the venue has been changed on the venutix website.

Since the dawn of time and the birth of the human race there has been a battle of epic proportions waging. In every sphere of our existence there is a struggle between male and female. This is all about to come to a head at Ancient Tales, on Fri 15 September at Tonic as the girls and boys of d'n'b will go back to back to fight it out! Representing the fairer sex are Rebel, Cryptic and Troub9l, whilst the lads will be represented by Patch, Noddy and Synx.

One of the most socially conscious musical identities in the scene today, and longtime favourite of Australian audiences both as a solo artist and as the frontman of Spearhead, Michael Franti will make his return down under on Sun 17 September at Thebarton Theatre.

The breaks scene in Adelaide is getting bigger and better! ABC Spring Jam features an all-local line-up with DJs John Doe, The Activist, Anzac, Spark and Marty B. Fri 15 September at Sugar.

The Transessions parties are brought to you for one reason - the music. Join Adelaide's freshest line-up of DJs as they take you on a journey of club, tech, psy and hard trance. And for you party people, they've just announced a VIP Members program, which entitles you to half price entry to Transession events and a chance to win prizes each month, including tickets, CDs and merchandise - to sign up go to www.transessions.com and head to their latest party on Sat 23 September at the Col Light Hotel with DJs Slide, Submission, Moo, Nomatix, Gravity and Howlett.

Synaptrix is a spring equinox party featuring areas indoors, outdoors with dub, chill, goa, psychefreq, breaks, electrofunk, progressive, ausuomi, comedy trance and experimental electro acid jazz. Held at the Adelaide Speedboat grounds at Gillman on Sat 23 September, featuring Izwoz vs biofreq, tiphareth, renderon vs neuronic, zowzi (live), noise puppets (live), preying mantra (live) and more. It's an all ages, alcohol-free event and those who come dressed up get in for cheap!

Lastly, I have to mention the inthemix.com.au top 50. Kid Kenobi has been knocked off the top perch by fellow Sydney-sider Ajax. And Teisto is this year's top international DJ. But controversy surrounds the Adelaide list. Although for the first time the drum and bass, arguably the most popular form of dance music in Adelaide, is represented by DJs Patch and Fiction, in the number 1 spot is the relatively-unknown DJ Sarez. Top venue is Venus at the Arkaba, with the Top event being Arkaba Anthems. Something just doesn't seem right. See the complete list at http://www.inthemix.com.au/50/2006/ and hit up their forums to voice your opinion.

Julian Cram