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VELVET UNDERGROUND

How 'bout a caipirinha there, cowboy?

lank@aol.com

In a nocturnal version of an exchange student program, the Euro jet-setter crowd of Laurent Bourgade's Wednesday night Sounds of Life cocktail and dinner a-go-go has settled into the sprawling space that is Texas de Brazil, while a new monthly party known as Samba e Alegria will debut Saturday at the decidedly Euro-fab Badrutt's Place. It's an interesting juxtaposition of cultures that works in a city like ours, where everyone is from somewhere else. Badrutt's homage to Brazil, presented by Moleca Cachaca, will feature samba dancing and caipirinhas -- two for one from 10 p.m. to midnight. A live samba band and Moleca samba dancers will force the elegant slummers to at least rise to their feet, if not to actually move them. For RSVP, e-mail info@moleca.net.

For those who prefer lounging to lunging, The Raleigh's Algonquin-esque Alma Lounge returns Thursday with special musical guest Elastic Bond. According to a press release, The Alma Lounge is hosting ''a slightly political, super-sexy cocktail mixer to raise voter registration awareness within the Latino community.'' Host Deborah Magdalena and DJ The Brass King will rock -- or funk, rather -- the vote in between swigs and swipes. Doors open at 8 p.m. Valet parking and one drink is $20.

For those who like to stumble out of Club Space at 8 in the morning, instead of going to Starbucks, consider some coffee and baked goods at the Bakehouse Art Complex on Saturday, during a historic meeting between iconic Miami artist Purvis Young and renowned D.C.-based muralist Byron Peck. This event is part of several projects between Artoconecto and the Bakehouse and is also an ideal, if not crack-of-dawn, way to kick off to Saturday's Wynwood and Design District Art Walk that begins at 7 p.m.

Over in South Beach, we happened to stumble into Teodora's Cafe, an unassuming eatery at 959 West Ave. serving what we think may be the best pizza on the beach -- sorry Primo lovers. While gorg-, er, analyzing the pizza, we met owner Umberto Gallo, owner of several spots on Hollywood Beach, who informed us that Wednesdays are Ladies' Nights at Teodora's. From 7-11 p.m., the fairer sex drinks free wine and beer while everyone gets free hors d'oeuvres. Something being given away on West Avenue besides parking tickets and dog doody! Excellent.

Not too shabby either is the new Morton's The Steakhouse Coral Gables, in the Westin Colonnade, whose new Bar 12.21 offers happy hours Monday through Friday with bar-sized signature dishes -- petite filet mignon sandwiches, mini burgers and oysters, among other things -- ranging from $1.50-$5 from 9:30-11 p.m. Why so cheap? Nostalgia, that's why. The bar pays homage to the opening of Morton's original Chicago location on December 21, 1978. Cue the disco and stuff your faces. We're so there.

Across the bay at The News Lounge at 55th Street Station, is a new Sunday evening party. Good Life is hosted by DJ Jody McDonald and featuring guest DJs, acoustic performances by the likes of drag doll Shelly Novak and complimentary sunset champagne toasts with social supernovas like Merle Weiss. Every Sunday there is a $6 cocktail, a $4 beer and a community luminary sunset toastmaster. Party is from 6-11 p.m. and there's free parking, too.

Just as News Cafe is a legend, so is Lincoln Road's TiramesU, which celebrates its unheard-of 20th anniversary from 7-11 p.m. Thursday with a massive cocktail party for 1,000 guests at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, produced by events company We.d. Co-owner Graziano Sbroggio will receive an official proclamation from the city of Miami Beach and Mr. Miami Beach, Michael Aller, will welcome attendees. The party is allegedly invitation-only, so crash at your own risk. For those scratching their heads trying to remember TiramesU's humble beginnings, the restaurant opened its doors in 1988 at the corner of Ocean Drive and Fifth Street. It moved to Lincoln in 1997.

Correction on the goings on at the Fontainebleau -- we erroneously reported that Las Vegas-based Pure was opening at the mega resort, when in fact, the name of the club is actually Liv, and it comes from David Grutman and Brian Gordon of Miami Marketing Group fame. In addition to Liv, there will be a Japanese lounge and an adult pool called Blade. It's like Vegas with humidity and without casinos -- an exchange we'll gladly accept.

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