With winter finally in apparent retreat, it's going to be a great Saturday evening to join the Midnight party. Why? Well, we've got DJs DuJour, Vlad, and Panic spinning; Brass Tactics vending; extra prizes in the drawing; super drink specials; and much more planned for you...

IN THE DJ BOOTH

From 9:00 p.m. until we're compelled to pull the plug around 3:00 a.m., our DJ team is sure to get you out on the floor:

* Vlad has served as a resident DJ and/or promoter for some of the area's best club nights in the past, and he's currently part of the crew that brings you III (http://www.myspace. com/iiidcnight) monthly . He has also spun at major American scene gatherings such as Dracula's Ball, Eccentrik, and Drop Dead, as well as for European events.

* DuJour (http://www.live365. com/stations/ djdujour) made her professional debut at The Meeting Place in 2005; and you may also have caught her since then at The Dawning, Bound, Umlaut, Ascension, The Blue Iguana, etc. Like Vlad, she can always be counted on to spin some of the very best new scene music.

* Panic has run and spun numerous Gothic/industrial events over the last decade or so. "The king of stompy music", he's currently a resident for Bound (http://www.bound. org) and Dunkelheit (http://www.myspace.com/dunkelheitdc ). Panic also occasionally takes his talents on the road, making guest appearances in N.Y., Boston, etc.

With these three on board, you should definitely come prepared to dance!

SATURDAY'S DRINK & FOOD SPECIALS

During our opening hour, 9:00-10:00 p.m., The Meeting Place will again be serving two-for-one drinks. Order one qualifying beverage (check with your bartender for the few exceptions) before 10:00, and you're entitled to another of the same free any time before last call at 2:45 a.m. Afterwards, from 10:00 on, TMP's drink specials for the evening include:

* $3.00 + tax -- Bud and Bud Light drafts
* $4.00 + tax -- all "rail drinks"
* $5.00 + tax -- all flavored Bacardi rum drinks, Blue Hawaiians, and vodka Red Bulls

If you arrive or grow hungry, ask your bartender for a copy of the current menu, served until 1:30 a.m. Don't forget that the appetizer items (fried shrimp, nachos, fries, chicken fingers, etc.) sell for 20% off list price on Saturdays!

IN THE VENDOR CORNER

Over in Midnight's usual vendors corner, you'll find the great folks from Brass Tactics, which offers "jewelry from a steampunk universe: a Victorian era filled with war-zeppelins, mad scientists and bomb-throwing black lanternists. " All its jewelry items "are made using parts from antique machines." Be sure to check out BT's tables.

NATURALLY THERE'S MORE...

* EXTRA PRIZES IN THE DRAWING -- We'll have even more winners than usual in the weekly drawing. In addition to some DVDs, a Red This Ever CD, and a $10.00 food coupon, we'll be giving away some more Black Tape for a Blue Girl CD samplers. Many thanks to DJ Panic from Bound (http://www.bound. org) for donating the latter. If you haven't already heard, BTFABG is part of the lineup (it also includes our friends from Cassandra Syndrome) at the hot Bound party scheduled for Friday, March 12. For a chance to win, just fill out a drawing slip when you arrive and place it in the cauldron on our literature table.

* FREE CAKE -- We have no confirmed b'days for this Saturday (best wishes to Lily), but you can count on free cake slices being served shortly after the witching hour as always.

* ADMISSION DEALS -- Midnight's cover charge never exceeds $5.00, and you may be able to get in for less. Our first dozen guests enter FREE, as does the winner of our "Question of the Week" contest. For the latter, go to our LJ (http://www.livejour nal.com/communit y/dcmidnight) late Thursday evenings. Plus, if you show your current high school (must be 18) or college (includes staff) ID at the cash table, you pay just $3.00.

With its diverse, friendly crowd, great music and drinks, giveaways, and shopping opportunities, Midnight is always your best bet for Saturday evening entertainment. It's where "the" party is!

-- Scott & the Midnight crew

MIDNIGHT SHORTS

* PLANS FOR MARCH 20 -- Mark your calendars to come to Midnight on Saturday, March 20. The lineup that evening includes a live show by Reaver, plus DJs 23 and Valdyr, and vending by Octofoil Records. Don't miss this one!

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, March 5 -- Dunkelheit's Military Fashion Show night at 2010 Lounge (2010 9th Street NW, Wash.) [http://www.myspace. com/dunkelheitdc]

Friday, March 5 -- Puscifer live at The Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street NW, Wash.) [for tickets, go to http://www.930. com]