The cold snap weekend didn't keep everyone in.

The Shelter’s One Year Anniversary inaugural shows, DJ Co-Ma and DJ Bone, both drew solid crowds. That’s encouraging news for promoters throwing parties there this month; with big headliners playing back to back (to back, even), expats flocking home for the holidays, and degrees falling off the thermometer, it’s going to be tough generating steam for a solid month of celebrations. Might be Mortal Kombat between Friday and Saturday shows.

Not this time, though. DJ Co-Ma displayed his turntable tricks for an enthused audience, although his set wasn’t universally appreciated. Perhaps because he ditched hip- hop for an hour- long cheesy electrohouse interlude? Last time Co-Ma came to town he switched mid- set to drum n bass. Hooray for eclecticism, but inconsistency threw a crimp in the night.

Saturday, DJ Bone kept the room dancing ‘till dawn with deep Detroit techno. It was a great performance and real funky rump shaker; I’ve never seen so many people making out in the back! Thank goodness Void got back on the horse with their promotions, because it would be a shame if such a talented DJ played for a dozen guys. And please, a smoke machine in The Shelter is like an extra assh*le. There’s just no need for it.

In other news, Anar has renovated their back room. They moved the bar to the opposite wall, opening the space up with a bigger dance floor and shorter booths. It's a big improvement, and once again the Friday Hi-Tek after party was a smooth groove. B6 kept the night owls dancing, while the front room chilled out to an animated flick. It was nice to enjoy great music without sacrificing a lung, in the company of a good- looking, well- behaved crowd. Anar can be the missing link between style and substance that we’ve been waiting for if some more promoters give it a shot.

Meanwhile over at the Sin Grand Opening, the invite-only guests were treated with the kind of opulent bells and whistles you'd expect a club going after the high end to provide. Luxury cars on the red carpet out front, African drummers, acrobats, Peking opera singers, free-flow champagne, et cetera. Sin is a big lounge with two floors, house music, and no real dance floor. They were crammed silly with industry peeps for the opening, and they're doing things right so far, but it remains to be seen what sort of regular following they'll earn. Great terrace will be a big advantage when it opens in the summer. Apparently worth checking out, with good bar service and bad coat room.

And rumor has it the Sasha show wasn't too much of a hoot, but this reporter can't confirm or deny the claim. Anybody hit it and have a comment?