Every Thursday, the Beijing Weekender distills City Weekend's database of nightlife events down to the weekend parties, concerts and live shows that you simply can't miss.

FRIDAY

Even though the weather hasn't warmed up entirely, the city certainly has. Friday brings us some of the best parties around, and I'm really not sure how you're going to pick between them. First of all, the long-awaited Nick Curly set at Haze which, if the hype is anything to go by, is going to be one hell of a party. And everyone's favorite mix-makers are bringing their party to the capital, with Ministry of Sound's 4Seasons heating up the dance floor at Tango. You can still win tickets for that here, so get on it! Lantern is launching their Homebase Electric series, with their first effort hosting Beijing techno royalty, Mickey Zhang. And finally, over at Yugong Yishan, ex-Prodigy member DJ Leeroy Thornhill will be doing a set of his signature Miami Bass sound.

SATURDAY

The parties continue their trajectory of awesome-ness on Saturday, with new Sanlitun hotspot The Bar at Migas hosting Dance Dangereux feat. Mike Simonetti, which should be a reprise of the Italians Do It Better representative's last visit to Beijing (on Migas' rooftop last June). Local skweee-masters Verktyget and Black Mansions are at it again this Saturday, too, with 87FEI87: WEEEg Out Edition, where the first partiers get free wigs and your RMB20 gets you entry and a drink. Good deal! And finally, the music scene is heating up, with Split Works' first warm-up show ahead of the official JUE proceedings: indie rock group The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Win tickets here, and don't forget that tickets for the festival's biggest show - Death Cab for Cutie - are already on sale. Saturday night also brings a surprisingly awesome soul/dubstep artist to the hutongs - Jamie Woon takes the stage at Jianghu Jiuba, supported by the British Council. Check out his stuff on SoundCloud before you head out. But for something completely different - and a little classy - Fairmont Beijing is hosting a legend in the jazz world, Diane Schuur. Check out our interview with Diane here.

SUNDAY

And finally, my favorite discovery of 2011, Residence A is releasing their debut album at MAO Live House this Sunday. They've had the tracks for ages, but they're just getting around to releasing them. Sure, the show's on a Sunday night, but it'll be worth it. These guys perform at full force no matter what day of the week it is, so get and rock out until it's officially Monday.