Girl About Town 6.17.2008

June 18, 2008 7:24 AM
by chipi [email]

It seems like the city ignoring parking issues downtown has finally caught up to us. In the past week three people I know, myself included, have had their cars broken into between 11th and 14th street. The kind (albeit sleepy) officer who took my police report said that break-in's have been much more frequent than usual in recent weeks.

That being said, I started off my outing on a bad note, experiencing a bum break in at the parking lot under the overpass off of 11th street. This must've been an incredibly determined and fearless hobo - that lot is bright as day and has a constant flow of traffic. Needless to say it put a damper on my evening and I left before Ladytron even made it out on stage. Luckily my CJ brother was there to handle the camera business for me.

I got things taken care of the next day, although I'm pretty sure there's still broken glass strewn all over my car. Rather than venture back into the belly of the beast immediately, I made my way to Hoy Como Ayer to catch up with the Spam Allstars. It was nice visiting the old neighborhood and refreshing to hear the sounds of my baby days, mashed up with the funk of my current musical reality. The place is bumping on a weekly basis and I'll be dragging the whole Cuban family out with me this week to get some salsa into the blood. It's good for your soul, you know.

The next night I suffered an overextended disco nap and made it into Downtown in time to visit Aramis and company at PS-14. The man behind the beard was handling things on the decks so I stuck around for a few drinks and enjoyed it. I stepped over to the Vagabond to check things out. Ray Milian was keeping things funky in the main room and I hung out with a few regulars. The Sweat Records crew reported that turn out had gone up a few notches after the weeks prior birthday fiasco, as expected. Seeing as I turned up a little late I took their word for it and also took note of a funky new spinning disco light hanging from above in the main room.

Saturday night brought the return of the naughty one as Back Door Bamby made a reprisal of the Vagabond. As the celebration of one of the Vag Family's own special say - Vanessa Ruiz and company were in good form - decked to the nine's and making the scene as per usual. For evidence, check out the gallery - too much sexy.

What's great about the Bamby festivities - other than the scantily clad women, free love attitude and all around slopfest aspects - is that there is truly something for everyone. With house in the main room, psychedelic and mod in the bar and hip-hop and funk in the back, you really can't be left out at Bamby. Unless you listen to country. And even then, do your best cowboy dress up and you'll still feel at home.

After toasting the birthday girl and soaking up as much of the freak show as humanly possible, I made my way to Space for 142 Revisited, the CoolJunkie Old Space revival party. I walked in at the ideal moment - Oscar G was tearing the main room apart, flashing the flood lights and pulling on the train room like the Space vet that he is. This guy has perfected the art of the build up.

I made my exit at around 6am and caught a bit of Lazardi's Terrace action. All of the beautiful people showed up for the 'Tu Madre' master. Way more girls in dresses and heels on the Terrace than I'm used to...not to mention a few more popped collars and beaded Rosaries.

Sunday was spent with the Dad's in my family, fattening up around a good Cuban meal and passing out with food coma. Hopefully, you're lucky enough to have been doing the same.

Check out this weeks picks and have some faith – there are still good times to be had in the city, even if your car gets busted into.

Weekly Picks

Wednesday 6.18 - Hamptons in the Hood for Yo!BBQ @ PS-14
This week Yo!BBQ wants you to step it up with some white linen, button downs, cargo shorts and Polo gear. Bring out the inner Prep and make your way to PS-14 for Hamptons in the Hood. Also, show off your baking skills for the cupcake throw down. As always BBQ will be going down in the back and ride your bike to the bar for insane drink specials.

Thursday 6.19 - Danny Daze @ Rokbar
See the boy wonder kicking it at Rokbar. If you don’t know Daze, he’s the cool looking guy under the hat, probably wearing some form of a Cosby sweater or vest and rocking skin like a baby. A scratch master and self-proclaimed music geek, like it or not, his technical skills exceed most DJs ten years his senior.

Friday 6.20 - Friday's @ the Vagabond – ft. a special performance by Modernage!
This week Modernage releases their new EP Sirhan Sirhan and celebrates with the Vagabond and Sweat Records family on Friday night with a special live performance.

Saturday 6.21 - Paul van Dyk @ Cameo
Paul van Dyk is the Michael Jordan of Trance and CoolJunkie wants to give you a chance to make your hoop dreams come true. Enter the CoolJunkie.com PvD Experience Contest for a shot at tickets for his stint at Cameo and Space as well as a chance to hang out with the man himself.

Sunday 6.22 - Sundance w/ Arno Cost and Norman Doray @ SET
The longest standing Sunday night House Music Party in Miami is bringing Arno Cost and Norman Doray to SET. These French boys want nothing more than to make you shake it so get dolled up and kindly comply.

Monday 6.23 - Exposure @ the White Room Bar
Next Monday Exposure makes its debut at the White Room Bar featuring live DJ sets by Alexander Technique, Sujinho & Cassiano and a live show by Finesse & Runway. On the weekly they’ll have Johnny Strokes, Robot Unicorn, AL B Rotten & Johnny the Boy.

For Live Music Junkies - Monday - 06.23 – Modest Mouse @ the Fillmore
After being cut off early at the 2006 Bang Music Festival, Modest Mouse is returning to South Florida and kicking off their national tour at The Fillmore next Monday. If the only album you know is Good News for People Who Love Bad News you might want to do a little homework before the show. Pick up The Moon & Antartica and The Lonesome Crowded West.

I can't stop spinning...

In my iPod: Adele - Chasing Pavements.
I know, I know. I’m just as tired as you are of hearing about the “new Amy Winehouse”’s of the world. But, here’s the thing – Adele has really got the goods in her own way. The 20-year-old songstress graduated from the BRIT School – which apparently is a great place for A&R to start hanging out (alumni include Imogen Heap, Katie Melua, Leona Lewis, Luke Pritchard, Kate Nash and the Wine-O herself). Her sound has the Jazz and Soul tint that link her to acts like Duffy and Winehouse but it’s a little more classic than sassy. Personally, I’m a fan of anyone who admittedly spent their entire advance on Burberry clothes rather than a new apartment.

On Celluloid: Chop Shop
Screening this week in HD at the Miami Beach Cinematheque, Chop Shop has been drawing comparisons to City of God. The story follows Alejandro, a street orphan in Willet’s Point on the outskirts of Queens - an industrial neighborhood of auto-body repair shops, scrap yards and garbage dumps. As a tough and ambitious adolescent, Alejandro navigates his troubled neighborhood in hopes of a better life for himself and his older sister. Director Ramin Bahrani guides us through this vibrant and dangerous setting in a heartbreaking but hopeful journey that reveals just as much about Alejandro as it does about the people that make up his world.

See you around town junkies.

peace love and music,

chipi

To be notified when G.A.T is updated please click here and send me an email.