With underground gigs, pool parties and swanky charity bashes this fortnight, Andrea Yu gives you 11 reasons to save your sleep for October

The Global Party
Play, Thu 15; Privé, Club Cubic, Fri 16
Two London hedge fund managers have launched an exclusive party concept inspired by Around the World in 80 Days. More than 80 parties across the globe will be hosting elite parties on September 15 and 16, but the only way to get in is by making a £3,000 donation to one of the benefitting charities. Let’s be honest, the vast majority of us probably can’t afford this hefty cover charge, but at least we know the money will be put to good use, going to charities supporting vulnerable children in Lesotho, marine conservation and education in India.

Samiyam
XXX, Fri 16
Sam Baker’s Seuss-like alias is already a familiar name to fans of experimental hip-hop producer Flying Lotus. But Samiyam has been busy in his own right, after releasing the self-titled Sam Baker’s Album this year on FlyLo’s Brain Feeder label. Expect way more than your typical hip-hop set for Sam’s live show. He’ll be spinning, sampling and generally working the hell out of the decks, so make sure you nab a spot near the DJ booth. Yao, Enso, DJ Jumbo and Rolec support.

Corona Pool Party
Wet Deck, Sat 17
If you’re looking to air out your summer bikinis and swim shorts one last time this season, head to the W. While they regularly hosts parties at their newly revamped rooftop pool, we have a feeling this Corona-sponsored bash will be one not to miss. This Mexican-themed party features an ‘aqua studio’ with underwater installations and a photographer at the ready, Mexican nibbles like beef taquitos and W’s resident DJ Angus Wong spinning pop, dance, electro and more.

Nick Warren
Club Lotus, Sat 17
Whether he’s one half of the mega production duo Way Out West (alongside Jody Wisternoff) or an accomplished progressive house DJ on his own right, Nick Warren spins great house tracks. He’s been cranking them out since the early 90s, with his compilations for the Global Underground series the most notable. Expect some deep underground house beats for this Macau gig.

Summer Daybreak
The Backyard, Langham Hotel, Sat 17
Autumn may be upon us – but, judging by the sweat patches under our armpits, it sure as hell still feels like summer. The boys over at PUSH, our city’s favourite techno crew, are sending out the season in style with the second Summer Daybreak. With nearly 700 house and techno lovers in attendance last year for the first Daybreak, we can only expect bigger and better this year. Dan F, Frankie Lam, DJ Ball and more will be at the decks all evening long.

Grandmaster Flash
dragon-i, Wed 21
Along with the Furious Five, this master of hip-hop was credited with creating what some say is the greatest record to date in the genre – The Message, in 1982. His iconic breakbeats and hard-hitting lyrics are a first for hip-hop and continue to influence rappers today. Dedicated fans be warned – his 2010 gig at dragon-i was way more mainstream than we would have hoped for, but he gains back his street cred with dropping plenty of classic hip-hop tracks and, of course, his wicked scratching skills.

Boy George
Club Lotus, The Venetian, Fri 23
The Culture Club frontman-turned-DJ mixmaster handed his microphone in for a set of decks years ago, but the glam stage make-up is still there, as well as his iconic hats and flamboyant style. It seems that the karma chameleon is so enamoured with our SARs that he’s already back despite gracing our shores in April, as well as May last year. He was looking a bit weathered during his recent Hong Kong gigs, but still had a smile on his face, addressing fans and pulling off a set of house and electro-based club bangers that pleased the crowds. We’ll see if Mr George can do it again this fortnight in Macau.

Eric Lau
Insenses, Fri 23
The name of this Londoner’s debut album New Territories is no coincidence. The Hong Kong district is where Lau’s family is from, and a place he still frequently visits. His productions are known for being chilled-out, soulful hip-hop tracks featuring flittering female vocals, and his most recent release Quadrivium continues along this vein. If his track record, boasting collaborations with the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Dudley Perkins, isn’t enough of a testament, we urge you to check out his upcoming gig at Insenses for yourself.

Splash Vol 3 – Benny Benassi
Hard Rock Hotel, Sat 24
The Hard Rock poolside will be bumping for the last time this summer, with Italian DJ extraordinaire Benny Benassi spinning plenty of satisfactory hits by the poolside. His name generally lends greater association to mainstream tunes, thanks to collaborations with Chris Brown and the club hit Satisfaction. But his sets will appeal to many, spinning dance chart toppers along with electro house classics and remixes aplenty.

Splash Vol 3 – Naughty By Nature
Club Cubic, Sat 24
Many-a stock party DJ has Naughty By Nature to thank for giving us the crossover hit Hip Hop Hooray that gets everyone and their grandmothers’ hands up in the air. The Jersey trio had their heyday in the early 90s, but their iconic tracks are still frequently referenced as a part of pop culture. Amazingly, these guys are still making singles and mixtapes, with a new studio album slated for a late 2011 release. If you’re down with O.P.P., then don’t miss Naughty By Nature’s live performance in Macau this fortnight.

Sander van Doorn
W Hotel, Sat 24
As Tiësto and Armin van Buuren can attest, the Dutch know their trance music. Sander van Doorn is no exception. Currently ranked number 12 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 list, Sander brought his Dusk til Doorn show to Hong Kong’s Club Sugar last summer, spinning to a modest crowd of dedicated fans. Even if you thought you weren't a fan of the genre, we think his latest album Eleve11 could make a trance convert out of most club-goers.