Whimsy seems to be a common theme lately, especially at parties and special events (see last week's column on Hotel Victor's Frost Bite Thursday and downtown's Fame Fridays). And don't mistake whimsy for cheesy. Just because someone adds a bit of kitsch to an event doesn't mean it's entirely made of Velveeta.

Take RA Sushi in South Miami, which is celebrating its first anniversary Thursday by throwing a Mad Hatter's Sake-Tea-Ni-Party, featuring flavored hookahs; a Pin the Grin on the Cheshire Cat game (which must get wild after a few cocktails); tunes by DJ Johnny the Boy; a crazy hat contest with gift certificate prizes and drag queen Daisy Deadpetals hosting as the evening's official Queen of Hearts. Head sushi chef Kenny Li and RA's mixologists went down the rabbit hole for some inspiration and created a special menu of chow (Eat Me -- their name, not ours) and cocktails (Drink Me, which includes the Wonderland Mojito, a fusion of white rum, blueberry puree, triple sec, lemon lime soda and fresh blueberries). Food ranges from $7-$11 and drinks are just $6. Two dollars from the purchase of each item from the Eat Me, Drink Me menu will go to the Wellness Community-Greater Miami. The party starts at 7 p.m.

A little less psychedelic but something to be psyched for is the Mandarin Oriental's art and wine event providing expert insight into the French art world. You may want to raise your pinky as you sip at this event. It features international art advisor Sébastien Laboureau of MoonStar Fine Arts Advisors, who will lead a discussion on contemporary French art while sommelier Cynthia Betancourt will pour French wines from Domaines Barons de Lafite-Rothschild. Azul chef Clay Conley will provide the hors d'oeuvres. The event is from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the Azul Bar. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations are required by calling 305-913-8358.

Nearby at Eos at the Viceroy, a Bottomless Drink Brunch runs from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Sunday. Every a la carte dish comes with unlimited Bloody Marys, mimosas, free valet and free admission to Club 50's Brazilian pool party from noon until 5 p.m.

More haute hotel action over at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, where from 8 p.m.-midnight every Thursday through Saturday the four-piece Latin band Grupo Nostalgia plays at the Rumbar. For those who prefer tequila, consider the hotel's oceanfront Cantina Beach where, in addition to guacamole and tacos, there are free tequila tastings at 6 p.m. daily. On Sundays at the resort's swank seaside hangout Dune, an $8 caipirinha menu is offered from 3:30 p.m. until sunset.

From setting suns to setting precedents: Congratulations to Score, which celebrates an unprecedented (in these parts, anyway) 11-year anniversary on Sunday with what some are calling an ``outrageous soiree,'' featuring contortionists, pole dancers, fire breathers and the highly anticipated return of DJ Oscar G, whose turntabling career took off at Score way back when. Following G's spinning will be DJ Abel. Because surviving 11 years on Lincoln Road is a momentous achievement, Grey Goose, Bacardi and Budweiser are gifting revelers with an open bar from 7-9 p.m.

Free cocktails are also pouring over at Oceans Ten on Ocean Drive where every Saturday from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. through August, Alizé sponsors a big party featuring DJ Epps, samples and specials. Party is open to those 21 and over only, of course.

Open to everyone is the voting for best burger on the meaty blog Burger Beast (www.burgerbeast.com), which will celebrate its first anniversary next month with the Burger Beast Awards, aka the Burgies, with categories from Miami's best burger and hot dog to best Cuban sandwich and croquetta. Those picks will be decided by local food bloggers, but you can vote for reader's choice for best burger until Monday at the website. The Burgies Award Show will take place at JohnMartin's in Coral Gables at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. We love our burgers the way we love Miami whimsy: with a little bit of cheese.

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