Critics' picks - nightlife

NIGHTCLUBS

DJ AM The internationally renowned DJ is back on the road after surviving a recent deadly plane crash. He performs a set of dance pop and mash-ups on Friday. 11 p.m. Dec. 5. $20. The Shrine Nightclub, MGM Grand at Foxwoods. 866-646-0050, www.mgmatfoxwoods.com

THE PILL DJs Ken and Michael V. keep this long-running party whizzing with a mix of Brit-pop and UK indie. On Friday, Boston indie-pop rockets the Lights Out bring the noise, you bring the dance moves. 9 p.m. Dec. 5. $5. Great Scott. 617-566-9014, www.greatscottboston.com

DUBWISE Just when we thought we were caught up on all the latest dance sub genres, along comes UK Funky. DJs G Notorious and Vice T introduce the new multigenre house style to Boston. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Free. The Enormous Room. 617-491-5550, www.enormous.tv

PRIMITIVE SOUNDS The weekly DJ night dedicated to blues, country, and vintage rock celebrates its fifth anniversary Wednesday. Jason Beek and PJ Eastman dig deep into the past for a roots-rock extravaganza. 9 p.m. Dec. 10. Free. River Gods. 617-576-1881, www.rivergodsonline.com

LUKE O'NEIL COMEDY

BRIAN KILEY The Newton native spends most of his time writing for Conan O'Brien in New York, but he'll be doing a set at the Comedy Studio on Thursday (and taping "NESN Comedy All Stars" at the Wilbur Tuesday, see below). 8 p.m. Dec. 4. $8. The Comedy Studio. 617-661-6507, www.thecomedystudio.com

BAD ART ROAD SHOW Museum of Bad Art curator Michael Frank presents a multimedia show, including works of art rescued from the trash or yard sales for the museum's collection. 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Free. Brookline Booksmith. 617-566-6660, www.brooklinebooksmith.com

NESN COMEDY ALL STARS Comedy fans scooped up all the complimentary tickets to the tapings of this NESN stand-up show, which will air in the summer after Red Sox games; the host and lineup have not been revealed. Get there early and you might grab a no-show seat. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-10. Wilbur Theatre. 617-248-9700, www.thewilburtheatre.com

AIMEE MANN 3d ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOW The show features great music from Mann, Grant Lee Phillips, and Nellie McKay, but it's also a variety show starring comic Morgan Murphy and perhaps an unannounced guest or two. 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11. Somerville Theatre. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com

NICK A. ZAINO III

DANCE NIGHTS

EXTREME DANCESPORT The cha-cha and the hustle are always more fun when you've got a Santa hat on. This holiday edition of the monthly dance party covers the bases for all ages and dance levels. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. $15. Extreme Dancesport, 288 Norfolk St., Cambridge. 617-492-2122. www.extremedancesport.com

SINGLES DANCE Just because you don't club hop doesn't mean there's nowhere for you to go dance. Hundreds of 35 and over singles will get together for this popular dance party thrown by Singles Events for You. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5. $12. The Lantana, 43 Scanlon Dr., Randolph. 781-446-0234, www.se-4u.com.

UPTOWN SWING DANCE Swing to the sounds of New York's Gordon Webster Quartet Saturday night. Lindy hop instructors Skye Humphries and Naomi Uyama will show you how the pros do it. 8 p.m. Dec. 6. Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon St., Brookline. 508-435-2363, www.hoptothebeat.com

THE BERLIN COUNTRY ORCHESTRA Celebrate Christmas 1800s-style with the Berlin Country Orchestra. The group performs at a contra dance as part of the Christmas in Berlin festival. The 140-year-old town hall adds atmosphere. 8 p.m. Dec. 6. $5. Berlin Town Hall, 12 Woodward St., Berlin. 978-273-8238, www.geocities .com/brlncountryorch

LUKE O'NEIL