MiamiHerald.com: Velvet Underground

A sneak peek at AURA music fest

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:47 EST

Music festivals are always a good excuse to travel, but that’s not the case with the AURA Music & Arts Festival, a two-day 35-act event in St. Cloud, which apparently isn’t just for Disney visitors anymore. A pre-party for the festival, which takes place March 9-11, will take place at 9 p.m. Thursday at The Stage, where a few of the fest’s headliners — The Resolvers, Ketchy Shuby and Fusik — will perform. A portion of the $10 ticket sales will be donated to Autism Speaks, plus all paying people will get a raffle ticket to win free tickets to the festival as well as band merchandise and more. For information on this jam and livetronic-happy festival, go to www.brotherlyloveproductions or www.auramusicfestival.com.

Game on for some, game over for others

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00 EST

Not having the Super Bowl in Miami is a blessing in so many ways, though we’re sure the assorted chambers of commerce would disagree. Traffic is better, and locals can still participate in Super Bowl-related events going on in their own city. On Sunday, Duffy’s Sports Grill in North Miami Beach, where 200 plasma TVs should be enough for everyone to catch at least a good play or a great commercial, offers $11 domestic beer buckets, $15 premium beer buckets, and the two-for-one happy hour starting at 4 p.m. A winner who “likes” Duffy’s Facebook page will win the Ultimate Big Game Party, giving away a grand prize that includes a 50 inch plasma TV and Duffy’s party platters for 15 people.

Miami’s Borscht filmmakers soaking up Sundance Film Festival

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:28 EST

At the Sundance Film Festival, the eclectic artists who make up the Borscht Corporation are bringing national attention to Miami.

If you liked Mansion, get a load of this

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00 EST

Camaraderie amongst business owners isn’t necessarily a top priority. We know this to be true when Mansion recently put “Mansion Is Closed” on its marquee, and the word trickled throughout South Beach that the longtime Opium Group clubland staple was kaput. Instead of being met with sympathy, the news elicited a perverse reaction from many club people. Much to their dismay, the club reopens Friday to reveal a multi-million dollar renovation.

A lotta shakeups going on in clubland

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:02 EST

The times they are a changin’. Before you could easily occupy a seat at the bars at the Delano; in 2012, former patrons tell us you can’t unless you are a hotel guest. Sort of reminds us of the year the Delano opened, and we had to pose as a New York Magazine writer to step foot into the lobby. But while we’ve received some emails complaining of the neo-exclusivity at the Delano, it’s not entirely the case, say the PR people, who assure us that “During the day, Delano is open to non-hotel guests with confirmed reservations at the restaurant and spa. After 6 p.m., Delano’s new beach club is open via the 17th Street entrance.” As for that new beach club, we’re told it’s not really new, just a bit spruced up.

Miami nightlife has them all a-Twitter

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00 EST

2011 went by in a flash, so we asked some of Miami’s more outspoken characters to reflect on past or future nightlife in a way we’ve become accustomed to in recent years — 140 (ish) characters or less. What follows is a Twitter-inspired collection of deep thoughts, clubland style. Specifically, we asked: “In 140 characters or less, describe what Miami nightlife meant to you in 2011. If it meant nothing, perhaps tell me what you hope, in 140 characters or less, to see from nightlife in the city in the coming year.” Some stuck to the form; others characteristically defied it.

Still not too late to plan that date

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00 EST

Fret not: There’s still time to plan your New Year’s Eve even if some of the more prominent Miami venues have not done so. Confirmed is the Orange Drive Miami Beach Music Festival, from Dec. 30-Jan. 1 between Seventh and Ninth streets and Ocean Drive and featuring performances by Cee Lo Green, Ne-Yo, Boyz II Men, Jermaine Dupri and Pete Wentz, along with DJs Samantha Ronson and Irie in a “lavish and state of the art amphitheater will be constructed and placed on the sand which can hold up to 30,000 party goers each night.” For ticket information, go to www.orangedr.com or follow them on Twitter @OrangeDriveFest.

We’re 99% sure you can get in, maybe

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00 EST

By now, Art Basel Miami Beach is in full swing, and the entire city is drowning — er, bathed — in a sea of visual and aural distractions. While most events are uber private and by invitation only, there are a fair share that are actually open to the 99%. Among them, Spotify’s “Art Loves Music” (sponsored by Perrier and 42Below) at Ricochet Lounge in Midtown featuring performances by Nas, Theophilus London, TV on the Radio and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings through Sunday. No cover and allegedly open to the public, though we are skeptical, so approach at your own risk . For specific schedules and reservations, contact 305-673-3873 or visit www.ricochetlounge.com.

Free popcorn, screening at The Ritz-Coconut Grove

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00 EST

As we get ready for Thanksgiving and all the Americana associated with it, it’s nice to take a bit of a sojourn if but for a night, say, in the form of a free screening of 1988 Italian classic Cinema Paradiso at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. The first in a series of free movie screenings, the al fresco affair features free popcorn and plush couch seating. And if you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, starting Dec. 3, the Ritz will be showing classic holiday flicks.

Don’t be afraid to plan early

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00 EDT

While some would say that every day in Miami is Halloween, with various tricks, treats and poseurs, there’s only one All Hallow’s Eve. This year it falls on a Monday, which means a weekend full of parties, many of which are already on sale and about to sell out, like, now. Among those parties is Back in Black, having nothing to do with the AC/DC hit of the same name and everything to do with a stellar lineup of DJs including Swedish House Mafia’s Sebastian Ingrosso, Grammy-winning Erick Morillo, Alesso and Grammy nominee turned South Beach club owner (see below) Bob Sinclar. Taking place from noon to midnight at the 70,000-square-foot Scope Art Arena, 3055 N. Miami Ave. in Midtown Miami on Oct. 29, Back in Black is expected to sell out quickly. Tickets range from $75 to $129 and can be purchased at www.ALWAYSGOBIG.com.

DiLido Beach Club hosts full moon party

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00 EDT

Once in a blue moon something truly extraordinary comes along, but luckily the full moon comes once a month so we don’t have to wait long for the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach’s homage. The swank hotel kicks off its monthly full moon party at 8 p.m. Saturday at the oceanfront DiLido Beach Club with Legends of the Full Moon, devoted to a particular mythological figure or tradition each month. This month’s theme is Chinese, featuring Asian entertainment, cocktails and food, dancers and $10 Far East-inspired snacks including Kumomoto Oysters, Korean-style grilled short ribs and grilled shrimp prepared on robata grills. A DJ will spin lounge music “infused with Asian beats.” What can’t be beat is the fact that there are no velvet ropes, no cover and no $8,000 bottle minimum to reserve a table.

First a bit of culture, then a bit of cool

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00 EDT

Friends of the New World Symphony kicks off its 2011-12 season with an event appealing to even those who aren’t fans of classical music. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the New World Center with Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, the evening takes a turn toward the clubby at 9 p.m. at the official after party in the Fontainebleau’s Glimmer Ballroom, where DJ Walshy Fire will spin and Jorge Mejia and The Green Room will perform . To ward off thirst or social awkwardness, there will also be Grey Goose cocktails, wine and snacks. We’re told the concert is almost sold out, but if you join the organization, your membership will get you eight concerts and eight parties, among other benefits. For membership information, contact Stacey Glassman Mizener at 305-428-6732 or via email at Stacey.Glassman@nws.edu.

A rooftop Fins party every Sunday

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00 EDT

Whether the Miami Dolphins is a good team doesn’t concern us. What we care about is whether a football party is a good one — or at least has the potential to be fun — like the ones hosted by the new Fins Lounge in the Grove, every Sunday during football season from noon until the end of the game on the rooftop of the Mayfair Hotel & Spa. There are slews of specials catering to those not raking in an athlete’s obscene salary, including a bucket of five domestic beers for $20, pizza and a pitcher of Bud Light for $15, $3 domestic beers and 50-cent wings. For the higher rollers, a cabana rental complete with a bucket of beer is $125.

Children’s Hospital goes to The Well

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00 EDT

Though this economy has many a well running dry, it’s never a good time to cut back on charitable donations, even if they may not be as big as they were before the earthquake, the hurricane, the Steve Jobs resignation or your last dinner at Prime 112. Consider donating to a worthy cause at a Miami Children’s Hospital fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday at The Well, the hip newish watering hole next to The Forge. The event will be hosted by Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre and attorney Michael Grieco of Miami Children’s Young Ambassador (MCYA) Leadership Committee, the hospital’s army of young and youngish professionals ages 22 to 45. There will be lots of drinking, dancing and, we hope, donating. No cover.

Finnegan’s party sounds like a blast

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00 EDT

There once was a time when the only sounds you’d hear on the Miami River were the quashed hushes of certain elicit transactions and maybe a boat horn or two. Kicking off Labor Day weekend at 4 p.m. Friday, Finnegan’s River will make a different sort of noise, ushering in a new era with the inaugural Finnegan’s Music Festival, featuring six to eight live acts per day, plus DJ sets by resident DJ Jammin Jorge and special guests in between performers. The fest goes until the late, late hours and resumes at 2 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday. In the lineup: ArtOfficial, PALO!, Jahfe, Elastic Bond, Ketchy Shuby, Suenalo, ¡MAYDAY!, Rosamora (comprised of El Chino Dreadlion, Phil Maranges and Kenichi Ohme), Conjunto Progreso, Rich Kid Sound System, Oigo, Nag Champayons, Johnny Dread, Fusik, Personal Legend, Don Sha, Lanzallamas Monofonica, Saltwater Grass and Xperimento.

Clubland bargains to save the day

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00 EDT

While bargain websites may seem to be a dime a dozen these days, not every one has front row and backstage access to certain deals like the BankAtlantic Center does, which is why they’re jumping on the Groupon/Gilt bandwagon and opening The Vault, a daily deal site offering savings at places like Equinox Gym, Revolution Live, BankAtlantic Center, of course, and all sorts of clubs, restaurants and events. Best of all, The Vault’s creators formed the DCI Cares Foundation allowing them to donate a portion of every single sale to the area’s most worthy charities. Plus, everyone who joins will get to win that month’s “Special Experience,” which includes things like a limo ride and dinner at Mister Collins at the ONE Bal Harbour Resort and Spa with Alonzo and Tracy Mourning. To sign up go to vaultoffers.com or go to the kiosks at, where else, BankAtlantic Center.