Inspired by the lack of variety in dance music in Tacoma, Calvin Murphy and Omar Stokes founded Ocean Grooves Entertainment in January 1999. They started off strong that February with Monday night shows at the 6th & Proctor Bar & Grill (now Hell’s Kitchen) and dedicated it to underground dance music — showcasing various DJs from Seattle, plus Tacoma favorites such as Donald Glaude and DJ dAb.

Over the past 10 years Ocean Grooves has held regular nights in all the major Tacoma clubs, spinning underground techno and introducing the likes of DJ Cyphers, Mr. Clean, J. Fresh, Jason Diamond, Sonic MC, Charles Feelgood and DJ Flave to sweaty bodies working off frosty beverages.

Friday, Ocean Grooves throws 10 candles on the cake, and Glaude, Omar and dAb behind the turntables, for a party Tacoma hasn’t seen since, well, Ocean Grooves’ ninth anniversary.

Congrats Calvin and crew.

[The Swiss, Friday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., $10, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]