Def Mix dynamo Hector Romero brings down the house

Hector Romero is an integral part of New York's Def Mix dynasty. The powerful international house music brand was started by genre godfathers Frankie Knuckles and David Morales and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Romero, who lives in Queens, helps run the production company and its umbrella labels and frequently DJs the same global haunts as Knuckles and Morales. San Francisco might not be as exciting as the Italian Riviera or Ibiza (two of Romero's regular stops), but this city has become a regular part of his itinerary in recent years. His next visit is on Saturday, Dec. 22, at Ruby Skye at 8 p.m. Admission is $15; call 693-0777 or visit www.rubyskye.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer

House DJs are always claiming to be deep. But few are on the same plane as Brooklyn's Joe Claussell, whose sets eschew those same old American and European dancefloor beats for worldlier selections. He also produces original music and recently launched Sacred Rhythm Music (an offshoot of his Spiritual Life Music), which released an EP where Claussell collaborates with noted percussionist Bira Reis of Bahia, Brazil. Claussell joins "Salted" resident DJs Miguel Migs and Julius Papp for the party's Christmas throwdown on Saturday, Dec. 22, at Mighty at 10 p.m. Admission is $10 (before 11 p.m.); call 762-0151 or visit www.mighty119.com for more info. — T.P.