*** Hey all. Happy Friday the 13th. Isn't that like the fifth one of those we've had this year? Creepy. 2013 dying hard. Still lots to do this weekend, if you're not busy going to holiday/"going away" parties for people who will be gone for like 10 days-one month. You might recall from last week that we have a double dose of Shanghai Live sound coming through: experimental rock duo The Other plays tonight at XP and Saturday at Blue Stream. Meanwhile, mysterious hooded live electronic duo DesToys hits Dada tonight along with local heads Sulumi, Guzz, and Billy Starman. You've got two stellar Chengdu indie bands, Sound & Fury and Hiperson, on Saturday at XP. And there's a Street Fighter tournament thing at new retro gamer bar 8-Bit, also on Saturday. Here are a few more options: ***

FRIDAY

I'm gonna say this is the big shaker on tonight. Pet Conspiracy — already known for their over-the-top stagecraft and live performance theatrics — are upping the ante in collaboration with new curatorial platform 8actagon Projects for a multimedia spectacle called Shadow Beats. Come from 8pm for a photography exhibit featuring works by local-ish artists Matthew Neiderhauser, Matjaz Tancic, Joe jo, Nicola Longobardi, and Lin Pan. There will also be a photography book called Pet Conspiracy: 2007-2013 available. That's followed by a screening of a PetCon Euro tour documentary, then a live show featuring a laser show, then informal DJ sets by fun people. Ticket's 100rmb, or 80rmb if you show up before 8. ***

SATURDAY

This annual expat shitshow is pretty straightforward. Dress up like Santa and drink your way across Beijing by foot, bike, or di tie. There's not really a super solid structure to this one, but The Local is the more or less official east-side starting point for the citywide pub crawl. They'll have mulled wine and cookies on hand from 10:30am. Meanwhile, Pyro Pizza hosts west-siders with an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and other specials for Santas beginning at 11am. In between… pretty much every expat bar worth its salt will have something on. Go to BeijingBoyce.com and throw a dart at your screen and I'm sure you'll find a Santacon drink deal. Stay safe. *** Slow Boat Taproom Turns 1 Oh, one thing about SANTACON: it kind of skips the area inside the 2nd ring road. Different expat tribes I guess. If you're on the hutong tip, check out Slow Boat Brewery Taproom as it hits the one-year mark tomorrow. They're celebrating with an all-you-can-drink deal. They say: "For 200RMB, come enjoy a selection of great craft beer at a great price starting at 5pm and going until close. Come celebrate our Taproom turning one the way one-year olds do: drink too much and spit up on yourself! Just kidding, please don't do that (again -- you know who you are). Do come and celebrate with us!" Even I know who that is. Expect at least two of that guy/girl at the party. That's what makes it a party! *** Five Part Plenary Session Vol. 1 @ MAO Alright enough of this shit. Where's the rock'n'roll? Answer is: Mao Livehouse. The inveterate D.O.G. crew continues its proud tradition of launching brand new concert series sporting increasingly long and ridiculous names with "D.O.G. Five Part Plenary Session Vol. 1." They back it up with a killer lineup, though. Five great bands with totally different styles: Lure, PB33, The Reason, Mr. Chelonian, and the almighty Hedgehog. Think this is only the second Beijing gig of the year for the latter. Worth checking out. 100rmb at the door, 9pm start. *** Dim Sum Disco 2nd Anniversary @ Migas On the later end of things, Beijing's go-to disco consortium Dim Sum Disco hold court at The Bar at Migas and give its brand new sound system a thorough workout. Come by for "another eclectic dance cruise through sleaze, cheese, pumping beats, and disco heat." Dim Sum's Tobias Patrick and Boflex churn out the old school/nu/italo disco bangers from 10pm til the last person stumbles out of coat check. They add: "Also, expect some festive free shots and CD giveaways for those keeping the dance floor hot and the DJs happy." This one oughta put the "X" in "Xmas." 30rmb cover. *** By this point you're probably already off work or have left yourself mindless, nominal tasks to complete before you get your holiday payoff. So why not come out drinking with us on Monday, when we screen A Nightmare Before Christmas at Dada? Perfect timing, I'd say.