Clubs: Highlights

THE CANAL CLUB

Birmingham's clubs dominate in the west Midlands but one of the best gigs in the area can be found in nearby Wolverhampton. DJ heavyweights including Boy George list the venue as one of their favourite gigs while Pushca thought so much of the place, they agreed to stage their only non- London residency there last year.

The collaboration has now finished but the club remains a gem. Style- wise, no stone is left unturned, from the burning torches that light the entrance to the transvestites who delight in performing emergency hair and make-up procedures in the ladies loos, The Canal offers great music played by the UK's top DJs. A top clubbing experience - just try and avoid falling in the canal water that runs through the venue.

Fri/Sat, British Waterways Yard, Broad Street, Wolverhampton (01902 711545) 10pm-2.30am pounds 10.

JACKPOT

@ Subterania

Jackpot are the record label who brought you Sasha, Digweed and Cox so you could say that they know a thing or two about dance music.

Their mission statement for their first venture into regular club promoting is to bring back the fun and excitement which is still lacking from so many of the capital's dancefloors.

The tunes played here cannot be pigeon-holed. Drum n bass, garage, disco and underground house all take a turn on the Technics in the space of five hours.

Carl Cox, LTJ Bukem, Karl `Tuff Enuff' Brown and Basement Jaxx have already displayed their wares. In rotation with residents Jools Bettle, Phil Perry and Danny Howells the dancefloor looks set to be heaving.

Saturdays, 12 Acklam Rd, London W10 (0171-610 2100) 10pm-3am pounds 10.

THE SANCTUARY

One of Birmingham's biggest venues (holding over 1300) The Sanctuary attracts a young and vital crowd who ram the club until early morning. Numerous local students pay the price during early morning lectures on Mondays.

This venue is so big that it actually boasts a smaller club, The Dance Factory, within its walls. Saturday night offers a predictable brand of bangin' crowd-pleasing house while Fridays usually offers harder beats with a strong techno edge.

The dancefloor here is vast but also offers punters the chance to brush up on the latest dance moves from the above balcony. As you'd expect from a venue this size there are plenty of excellent chill out areas where you can recoup lost energy.

Sanctuary, 78 Digbeth Street, Birmingham (0121 2461010) 10pm-3am pounds 8/pounds 6 concessions.

SUNDAY 17

333 Life and Times An exclusive with Les Petit Orb. 9pm-late. pounds 5. Old Street, EC1 (0171-739 5949) Old Street.

THE COLOSSEUM Twice As Nice House, garage and R&B featuring DJ Spoony, Mr Jones and Fitzroy The Buzzboy. 9pm-3am. pounds 8, pounds 5 before 11pm, mems pounds 6, pounds 4 before 11pm. Nine Elms Lane, SW8 (0171-720 9200) Vauxhall.

THE GARDENING CLUB Sunblessed John OO Fleming is joined by Skol and Kelly. 8pm-3am. pounds 7, mems/ before 10pm pounds 5. The Piazza, WC2 (0171-497 3153/4) Covent Garden.

PROPAGANDA Select at Propaganda Garage with S.O.S and in the Fusion Lounge, hip hop, Latin disco and R&B and live jazz. 7pm-late. pounds 8. Great Eastern Street, EC1 (0171-613 3070) Old Street.

THE VELVET ROOM Arvo Funky deep house for a mainly gay crowd. 4pm-10.30pm. pounds 6, mems pounds 4. Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0171-439 4655) Tott Ct Rd.

MONDAY 18

BLUE NOTE Swaraj Boundary bustin' breakbeats and drum'n'bass with Bobby Friction, Pathaan and Round Eye. 9pm-3am. pounds 5, concs pounds 3. Hoxton Square, N1 (0171-729 8440) Old Street.

THE GARDENING CLUB Club Tropicana Phil Brill and DJ Alice introduce new DJs. 9pm-5am. pounds 5, mems pounds 3. The Piazza, WC2 (0171-497 3153/4) Covent Garden.

TUESDAY 19

BAR RUMBA Rumba Pa'ti Salsa rap, techno other Latin mutations and dance classes 6.30pm-8.30pm. 10pm-3am. pounds 6, pounds 3 club only. Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0171-287 2715) Picc Circ.

THE SPOT It's About Time Purist jazz, Brazilian, be-bop and Cuban with Nick Hosier and Andy Ward. 8pm- late. pounds 3, free before 10pm. Maiden Lane, WC2 (0171-379 5900) Covent Garden..

WEDNESDAY 20

NOTTING HILL ARTS CLUB Fish With Four Feet Performers, dancers, poets and DJs, including Diversity Of Life DJs. 7pm-late. pounds 5, concs pounds 4. Notting Hill Gate, W11 (0171-460 4459) Notting Hill Gate.

THE VELVET ROOM Swerve Funky jungle and breakbeat with Peshay and Fabio. 10pm-late. pounds 6, NUS pounds 4. Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0171-439 4655) Tott Ct Rd.

THURSDAY 21

THE AQUARIUM Mink The Creatures (Siouxsie Sioux) and A1 People perform live alongside Claude and Adil spinning bleeps and breaks. 9pm-2am. pounds 5, concs/mems pounds 3. Old Street, EC1 (0171-251 6136) Old Street.

BLUE NOTE New Beats Volume Three Launch party for the third installment of this jazz-flecked drum'n'bass, hip hop and bigbeat fling. 9.30pm-3am. pounds 7. Hoxton Square, N1 (0171-729 8440) Old Street.

THE GARDENING CLUB NASA Deep trance with Richard Taylor and guests. 10.30pm-3am. pounds 5, NUS pounds 4, pounds 2 before 11pm. The Piazza, WC2 (0171-497 3153/4) Covent Garden.

HANOVER GRAND Next Big Thing London's beautiful and damned shimmy to house and dance with Derek B and Neil Charles. 10.30pm-4.30am. pounds 12. Hanover Street, W1 (0171-499 7977) Oxford Circus.

SUBSTATION SOHO Monster Tunes from Princess Julia, Tasty Tim and Martin Confusion. 10.30pm- 3.30am. pounds 4, pounds 3 mems/flyer. Dean Street, W1 (0171-287 9608) Tott Ct Rd.

FRIDAY 22

BAR RUMBA Mad Styles and Crazy Visions Launch night of the new Barely Breakin' Even salsa-disco-house compilation. 9pm-4am. pounds 10, pounds 6 before 11pm. Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0171-287 2715) Picc Circ.

BLUE NOTE DJ Cam Soundsystem Bad b-boy basslines and innovative samples from France's main player. 9.30pm-5am. pounds 10, mems pounds 8. Hoxton Square, N1 (0171-729 8440) Old Street.

THE COLOSSEUM Liberty UK garage with Mr Jones, Noodles and Martin Larner and US house from Danii B. and Jon Manning. 10pm-6am. pounds 10, pounds 8 before 11pm. Nine Elms Lane, SW8 (0171-720 9200) Vauxhall.

THE DOGSTAR Pablo's Discobar Funk, disco and house from Rob Da Bank and Richard Welch. 9pm-3am. pounds 5, pounds 4 before 11pm, pounds 3 before 10pm, mems pounds 2. Coldharbour Lane, SW9 (0171-733 7515) Brixton.

THE FRIDGE Escape From Samsara Trance from Mark Sinclair and Chris Liberator with circus acts, veggie food and a healing area. 10pm-6am. pounds 12, pounds 10 in adv. Town Hall Parade, SW2 (0171-326 5100) BR/ Brixton.

THE GARDENING CLUB Whoop It Up! House from Gordon Kaye and the residents. 11pm-5am. pounds 8, NUS/mems pounds 6. The Piazza, WC2 (0171-497 3153/4) Covent Garden.

THE IMPERIAL GARDENS No Rest For The Wicked Part IV Evil from Mike `Ruff Cut' Lloyd, Micky Simms, Kenny Gee and more. 10pm-6am. pounds 10, pounds 7 before 12midnight. Camberwell New Road, SE5 (0171-252 6000) Oval.

ICA Audiogenics Drum'n'bass, hip hop and beats with F Double Zero and Boyracer. 9pm-1am. pounds 2.50, concs pounds 2. The Mall, SW1 (0171-930 3647) Charing Cross.

LEGENDS Discrete House and garage from Danii B, Dave G and DJ Mikey at this swish Mayfair club. 10pm-4am. pounds 10, mems free before 12midnight. Old Burlington Street, W1 (0171-437 9933) Picc Circ.

NOTTING HILL ARTS CLUB Inspiration Information Soul, funk, disco, jazz and breakbeat night with Pat Forge and Phil Asher tending the vinyl revolutions. 5pm-1am. pounds 5, invites pounds 3. Notting Hill Gate, W11 (0171-460 4459) Notting Hill Gate.

SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE Club Nice With Howard Marks Celebrity drug smuggler is joined by special guests to mix bigbeats with current indie, featuring Kris Needs. 7pm-2am. pounds 15, pounds 8 club only (starts at 10.30pm). Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 (0181-740 7474) Shepherd's Bush.

ST MORITZ Alien Night Life Nineties indie abandon with drinks at pub prices. 10pm- 3.30am. pounds 6, pounds 5 with flyer, NUS pounds 4. Wardour Street, W1 (0171-437 0525) Oxford Circus.

SUBTERANIA Rotation Funk, hip hop, Latin and soul from Femi-Fem, Dodge, T-Money and Alex Baby. 10pm-3am. pounds 8. Acklam Road, W10 (0181-960 4590) Ladbroke Grove.

TURNMILLS The Gallery Featuring Tall Paul, Judge Jules, Junior Cartier and electric funk. 10pm-8am. pounds 10, mems/before 11pm pounds 7. Clerkenwell Road, EC1 (0171-250 3409) Farringdon.

BRENTFORD

WATERMANS ARTS CENTRE Galore! Non-stop nonsense for lesbians and their gay male friends. 16 May, 10.30pm-late. pounds 5, NUS pounds 3. High Street (0181-568 1176)

KINGSTON

THE LOUNGE SOS Hard house with Alex Sparrow (Athletico). 16 May, 10pm-2.30am. pounds 7, NUS pounds 6, pounds 5 before 10.30pm. Global Heights/Freeze Garage for an older crowd. 17 May, 9pm-12.30am. pounds 3. Club Classics Club anthems from Bambo and Nick Dare. 21 May, 9pm-2.30am. pounds 2, free before 11pm. Richmond Rd (0181-392 0242)

ROMFORD

HOLLYWOOD'S Strictly Rhythms Commercial dance, swing and R&B. 16 May, 9pm-3am. pounds 7.50, pounds 6 before 11pm, mems pounds 6, pounds 4 before 10.30pm. Atlanta Boulevard (01708-742289)

SOUTHALL

SOUTHALL COMMUNITY CENTRE W.S.P Muscular dub and roots with Tribulation & Full Krew vs Entebbee Sound. 22 May, 9pm-late. pounds 6. Merrick Rd (0181-574 3458)

SATURDAY 23

333 Off Centre State Of Bengal play fast eastern jungle, Patrick Forge plays funk and Brian G (V Records) guests. 10pm-5am. pounds 10, pounds 5 before 11pm. Old Street, EC1 (0171-739 5949) Old Street.

BRIXTON ACADEMY Essential Nine-hour dance marathon with Carl Cox, Josh Wink, Grooverider, DJ Hype, Adam Freeland and Dee Jay Punk Roc. 9pm-6am. pounds 20 in advance on 0990 344 4444. Stockwell Road, SW9 (0171-924 9999) BR/ Brixton.

CHOCOLATE Melt Happy house with Nick House and Lauren Stone. 10.30pm-late. pounds 10, concs pounds 5. Berkeley Square, W1 (0171-499 7850) Green Park.

CLOUD 9 Strawberry Sundae Hard house party with Luis Paris, Pete Haslem and Watford Gary. 10pm-7am. pounds 10, NUS/before 11pm pounds 8, pounds 5 after 1am. Albert Embankment, SE1 (0171-735 5590) Vauxhall.

THE CROSSBAR This Is Supersonic Bigbeats, guitars, sitar-hop, b-boy rants and funk from Dan and Jon Kahuna. 9pm-3am. pounds 4, free before 10.30pm. Pentonville Road, N1 (0171-837 3218) King's Cross.

THE DOGSTAR Pact Deep house and techno with Sally Manda, Shifta, Moveya and guest Matt Brown (Sancho Panza). 9pm-3am. pounds 5, pounds 4 before 11pm, pounds 3 before 10pm, mems pounds 2. Coldharbour Lane, SW9 (0171-733 7515) Brixton..

GAIA Shaft Funk, soul, jazz, disco, plus house, garage and R&B with Steve Wren and Ash Selector. 10pm-4am. pounds 8, pounds 5 before 11pm. Hanover Street, W1 (0171-355 1545) Oxford Circus.

THE IMPERIAL GARDENS Temple Of Dance House excess with Adrian D'Age, Dreadlock Mick and The Captain (Blackmarket). 10pm-6am. pounds 10, mems pounds 7. Camberwell New Road, SE5 (0171-252 6000) Oval.

INNOCENCE Savage 1st Birthday Techno celebration with Ian M (Trade), Luke Brancaccio and Darren Poole. 10pm-6am. pounds 12, pounds 10 in adv, info: 0958 407 178/07970 251 387. Shand Street, off Crucifix Lane, SE1 (0171-378 9828) London Bridge.

LEISURE LOUNGE Cookies & Cream Garage with Fen and Micky Simms and R&B with Lloyd Life and Shortee Blitz. 10pm-6am. pounds 12, mems/before 11pm pounds 8. Holborn, EC1 (0171-242 1345) Holborn.

THE MONARCH Super Elastic Bubble Plastic Party DJ Geoff spins 1960s garage and psychedelic, with downstairs Nancy Sinatra and the sounds of 1960s London. 8.30pm-2am. pounds 5. Chalk Farm Road, NW1 (0171-916 1049) Chalk Farm.

THE POWERHAUS Mudlumz Hip hop with Bury Crew, Shortee Blitz and The Usual Suspects. 10pm-4am. pounds 6. Seven Sisters Road, N4 (0171-344 0044) Finsbury Park.

PROPAGANDA Discrete Lush decor, live statues and DJs Danii B, Kashmir and Dave G. 10pm-4am. pounds 10. Great Eastern Street, EC1 (0171-613 3070) Old Street.

STRATFORD REX World Cup Fever '98 Three arena massive with drum'n'bass, old skool house and funky garage from DJ Hype, Randall, Mike "Ruffkut" Lloyd and many more. 9pm-6am. pounds 15. Stratford High Street, E15 (0181-215 6003) BR: Stratford.

THE VOLANTE Voulez Vous Disco with Johnny Boy Disco and Lady Penelopy. 9.30pm-3.30am. pounds 10, pounds 8 w/advert, pounds 6 in 1970s gear. Marylebone Lane, W1 (0171-224 4488) Oxford Circus.