Amika's Tsunami Fundraiser

February 1, 2005 11:14 AM
by

Writer Joseph Conrad once stated: “The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.” On December 26, 2004 his belief was devastatingly realized.

As the waters receded along the shores of the hardest hit areas in Indonesia, the death toll kept rising. 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000… Weeks after the indescribable tragedy, the elation of school kids were soon muted by the rows of empty seats in their class.

35% of school-age children in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh (located on the NW tip of Sumatra), are thought to have been killed as reported by the BBC.

The silver lining to this disaster? The international aid effort has overwhelmingly “succeeded in avoiding the second wave of death (due to disease),” according to UN chief emergency co-ordinator Jan Egeland as reported by BBC News.

Fast forward one month and “half a world away” since the Tsunami, to 1532 Washington Avenue.

Amika Lounge and Discotheque continues to play host to a plethora of quality events. From Shawn Rudnick’s extremely successful Friday night parties, Roland’s new residency, to guest appearances by Brian Tappert and Charles Feelgood, “Great tunes” has become synonymous when mentioning the popular locale.

Tonight, would once again continue that tradition with a “side order” of generosity to boot. As Tony Guerra and the Amika family along with the American Red Cross, joined in the Tsunami “World Relief Benefit,” with proceeds going to help those displaced by the worst natural disaster in recent history.

Multicolored globes hanging from the ceiling, lasers stating : “Thank you for your donations,” and the Miami Heat Dancers logo splashed on opposite sides of the room, greeted me as I strode in.

The center VIP area, empty at this yet early hour, was the destination of choice for six scantily clad Miami Heat Dancers. Enjoying the hypnotic sounds of Juan Mejia, the Heat dancers, dressed in their familiar skin-tight red outfits, seductively danced in formation a few times much to the delight of the gentlemen in attendance.

First taking control of the main room was Pawn Shop resident DJ Juan Mejia. Ranging from Progressive to funky house, Juan’s attempt to educate the masses to his unique blend of house….a success!

From Joeski’s “Diss You,” and Jay J and Halo’s “Make My Heart,” to “Entra mi casa” (Halo, Chus and Penn mix), Juan’s track selection was fresh and impressive. The Regionalists “Live Nude Rhodes,”(Juan’s favorite track at the moment), elicited a warm response from the growing crowd.

Delivering a high energy set replete with vocals and even some latin house, Rocky Castro continued the musical onslaught. Joeski’s “Rumpiendo,” and Rune’s drum pounding, trumpet blaring track “Calabria (Steve Mack remix), to “Bocariba” (Antraig & Pons remix) whetted the revelers appetites’ prior to Friday night resident Shawn Rudnick’s arrival.

Between 12:15 am and 12:30 a.m., it was as if the Red Sea itself had parted! In a matter of minutes, between the conclusion of Rocky’s set and the commencement of Shawn Rudnick’s, the main room went from half-full to slammed -packed.

Playing a smorgasbord of “crowd pleasing” house tracks, Shawn Rudnick’s set took the energy that was slowly building and quickly unraveled it, inciting the crowd in a dancing frenzy.

From Danny Howells’ “From Dusk Till Dawn,” to DJ Antoine feat Terri B’s “Back and Forth,” accompanied by the Amika siren and smoke machine, the Fundraiser was now in full effect!

Recurrent club anthems, “Lola’s Theme” and Gadja’s “So Many Times,” electrified the crowd, eliciting shouts of praise and exuberance.

The Amika dancers seductively worked their way through the crowd to the four platforms surrounding the center VIP area. Ranging from Oriental garbs with Traditional Chinese Paper Umbrellas to Mediterranean-styled belly-dancing outfits, (undulating hips not included)…they were the perfect “visual treat.”

Shawn’s set continued to “pound” the crowd into submission. Rhythm Divine’s “Get Up and Rock The Club,” and “Bakiri Ban” to Kilombo’s “Palmares,” helped ready the crowd for DJ Bruno’s upcoming high-energy tribal set.

Though a short set, DJ Bruno alongside his friend, Nelson Diaz (Club Envy resident), left his “mark” upon Amika, dropping a standard “Brunoesque” tribal set. Dr. Kucho’s “Bahia,” and Fuzzy Hair’s “Stay,” in particular, got many of the sexy ladies in attendance dancing on the platforms and DJ booth table itself. Thank You Bruno!

Before departing for the evening, I briefly chatted with DJ Juan Mejia as Shawn Rudnick once again took over “his” main room.

Never forgetting those who have inspired him, Juan praised Oscar G for helping carve the way for so many of the locals in Miami. He also told me of a conversation he had once with Danny Tenaglia. Danny had told him that “the way to take control of your audience is through volume control. Without the knowledge of when to crank up the sound system, the DJ’s ability to control the room would be lost.” Great advice from one of the world’s premier House DJ’s.

Finally, Juan Mejia gave massive kudos to DHM’s Steven Flynn (Aquabooty), stating that he was one of Miami’s most talented DJ’s.

Though the Tsunami Fundraiser at Amika was a huge success, half a world away those picking up the pieces of their lives still need a great deal of help. Whether it be through Fundraising events such as tonight’s or by directly donating to such organizations as the American Red Cross, every “penny” counts.

Bob Hope once said: “If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” Those who co-coordinated the Amika Tsunami Fundraiser and the patrons who donated tonight, have no signs of heart maladies on this day.