Tim Sweeney’s WNYC radio show, Beats in Space, is probably the closest thing the US has to the BBC’s legendary and long-running Essential Mix series: a weekly DJ mix scanning the worlds of dance and electronic music and beyond, featuring world-class guests from DFA/LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy to Detroit techno legend Carl Craig to rising Chilean-American star Nicolas Jaar. Sweeney holds his own alongside such talent by being both an exceedingly affable host and an impressive DJ in his own right, a deep and eclectic crate-digger with ace tastes in both classics and up-to-the-minute tracks. Tonight, Sweeney headlines new monthly dance night The Beat Down, with local DJs Nark, Recess, and Kadeejah Streets, plus host Lisa Dank and live vibraphone percussion from the Mystic Vibes. ERIC GRANDY

Thu., July 12, 9 p.m., 2012