Gui Boratto warms techno's chilly demeanor

For the past three years, "Mighty Breaks" has been the epicenter of San Francisco's strong breakbeat scene, offering up DJs and performers that stretch the genre's definition. Mighty Breaks parties range in offerings from chunky, hip-hop–based party jams and freaky electro beats to blistering drum 'n' bass rattlers. The event celebrates its birthday with its all-star crew of local DJs, including Tamo, Murphstar, the Geometrist, Aaron Pope, and Shissla on Friday, Jan. 25, at Mighty at 10 p.m. Admission is $5; call 762-0151 or visit www.mighty119.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer

Techno music can be wrongly associated with an all-guns-and-bravado attitude, characterized by pummeling 4/4 kick drums and cold, percussive-based arrangements. São Paulo's Gui Boratto does much to dispel that myth. His heady approach to minimal techno yanks your head in first, whereupon your ass just may follow. Tracks like "The Blessing" or "Beautiful Life" from his 2007 album, Chromophobia (on German techno label Kompakt), combine thin, percolating midtempo beats with chirpy synth riffs and glossy, ambient flourishes, creating a warm vibe that works equally well for both dancefloor and at-home listening. Gui Boratto performs live on Friday, Jan. 25, at Fat City at 9 p.m. Admission is $12-$15; visit www.blasthaus.com for more info. — Tim Pratt

"Eggs" is a club night consistently delivering under-the-radar techno and experimental electronic sounds. This month, it plays host to an American dance music icon: Lady Miss Kier, the vivacious lead singer of Deee-Lite, the early-'90s act behind "Groove Is in the Heart." Since that hit's heyday, Kier has stayed active as a DJ, playing a wider range of tunes than the discofied songs that were Deee-Lite's signature. She was even an early champion of London's drum 'n' bass movement. It's a safe bet that her DJ set for "Eggs" will not play it safe on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Mezzanine at 9 p.m. Admission is $15; call 625-8880 or visit www.mezzaninesf.com for more info. — T.P.