Dancing To Beat the Cold, Ghost and Pho Style

Now that longjohns weather has arrived, I'm even more likely to keep those nighttime excursions local, local, local. That said, music remains key, and one need not stray far to catch some up-and-comers, two acts of which with new releases dropping soon, on both DJ and the live music fronts.

Friday night at Synchro, Denise Benson's weekly at Andy Poolhall, guest DJ Pho (dude's blog is sick) joins the fun to throw the always-packed house a taste of his Bonjay project, remixes of Brazilectro funksters Bonde do Role and other new beats coming on a February release. Though accompanying singer Alanna can't make the preview party, as DB notes, Pho's sure to deliver. ($5)

Saturday night's show at the Tiger Bar (414 College, entrance off Lippincott, but don't go shouting that) brings together indie pop and avant-rock outfits The Incidentals, Jetplanes of Abraham and -- my favourite local mayhem-makers since last year at CMW -- The Ghost Is Dancing. While their instrumentation (including violin, horns and accordion), "collective" feel and songwriting have drawn Arcade Fire comparisons from many music critics, including CBC Radio's Michael Barclay on DNTO, Ghost Is Dancing have their own on-stage, off-the-hook jams. This gig celebrates the completion of their new album, so this'll be a treat: fresh new tunes in an intimate venue. ($5)

Be prepared for those lineups, just in case.

Image from The Ghost Is Dancing's MySpace.