Category for 

Music

Havana Fusion Underground at PAX by Bob Quesada

The sound is flawless. The melody emanating from the twelve musicians known as: Charanga Tipica Tropical is as good as good will ever get. This is a cohesiveness which can only be achieved after nearly forty years of playing together. It is the fusion that we know as “salsa”, being played the way it was meant to be played; with violins, flute, piano, trombones, bass, and of course: percussion, plenty of percussion.

On the dance floor some of the best dancers anywhere are going all out. Now, this is not the watered down stuff that you see on some tv shows, nobody here is dancing for ratings, they are dancing for the sheer enjoyment of moving their bodies to the rhythm of the music, and the moves are simply amazing. The dance floor is big enough to accommodate pros and amateurs alike, everybody has a smile on their face.

“Havana Fusion Underground” is the brainchild of Rene Gueits, a salsa dancing master himself and owner of “Salsa Lovers”, Miami’s premier salsa dancing school (98,000 students so far…and counting). Gueits has brought together the band, cigar rollers, a dance art exhibit, a dance showcase by the salsa lovers student team and even a latin food truck to make this an unforgettable event in what could easily be described as the most eclectic place to party.

We are at the Performing Arts Exchange or “PAX”, a venue preferred by some of the best known international artists such as Ricardo Arjona, Chino y Nacho and Gaby Moreno just to name a few. There’s reason for these artists to want to perform here. Roxanne Scalia, one of the founders explains it this way: “PAX is about finding the authenticity in art…everything we book at PAX is very scrutinized…we are an independent performing arts center…we focus on latin and world music …we have over 740 yards of acoustic sound” she adds: “My whole intention of opening this place is I want every customer to walk out with something more… when you give good art, you walk out that much smarter”.

 

To find out about Salsa Lovers:  www.salsalovers.com

To find out about events at PAX:  www.paxmiami.com

If you cannot see the images click on post title.

Share

CALL TO ARTISTS! DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 30th. Fundraiser benefitting Camillus House is seeking artwork for display.

The Miami Artists Exchange is proud to announce “Covers for the Cold”, a fundraiser benefiting Camillus House at Will Call Miami, Friday Dec 14th.

The purpose of the event is to collect warm clothing/ food

donations as well as cash donations to feed and clothe our city’s

homeless population during our winter months, when temperatures

unexpectedly dip.

The night will feature live local bands performing cover songs as well

as original music, visual art displays, comedians, a raffle, and

silent art auction.

We are seeking artwork with themes of :

hope

community

peace

love

generosity

kindness

for display and sale during the show. Please let us know if you would like to donate a piece for the silent auction.

We are also seeking live painters and body painters.

There is no commission for any artwork sold. Donations benefiting the fundraiser will be at the artists discretion and greatly appreciated.

Please send images of the pieces you would like to submit to:

themiamiartistsexchange@gmail.com

or

tatianaenriquezart@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-miami-artists-exchange/call-to-artists-deadline-is-november-30th-fundraiser-benefitting-camillus-house-/238770006250199

Thank you so much for your support!

Share

Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge 2012

Last night I went to the Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge at The Blackbird Ordinary in Miami. Five bartenders had to create two drinks each and do so based on the inspiration of a particular song.

I’ve already written a detailed and more personal account of the evening on my blog, but I wanted to do a recap here to show you tons more pictures. Also, you know, because my bosses James and Annette were there and they are very demanding about my performance!

Local bartenders Cricket Nelson, Ben Clemons, Nick Nistico, Richie Petronzi and Rob Ferrara each created two unique cocktails featuring Appleton Reserve. The drinks were very complex and creative, and all of the competitors really went all out with their performances. My favorite drink on the night was Richie Petronzi’s Die Die My Darling, though I enjoyed all of them.

In the end, the judges voted to send Ben Clemons to New York for the US Finals, with that winner going to Jamaica for an international competition. I met a lot of fun people, stumbled into some old friends, and drank rum with Rum Royalty.

I hope you enjoy these photos. They are about 10% of the ones I took. The rest are blurry and/or terrible. If you are giving free photography classes, please contact  me!

 

Share

Miami Music Television Showcases South Florida


Miami Music Television show serves as a platform to feature musicians, bands and performers from the South Florida and international markets performing all genres and styles of music. The program will also include celebrity guest appearances and interviews from the music and entertainment industries. Miami Music Television targets the very desirable 18 to 39 year old demographic with strong numbers in older 65+ demographics as well.

ABC Television Saturday night on WPLG Channel 10 Miami Florida, Atlantic Broadband, Comcast Cable, Dish Network, Direct TV at 1am.
MCB Network Houston Texas Channel 55.4 Saturday night at 8 pm.
Hot TV Network, New York, Seattle, Dallas and Ft. Worth Saturday night.
Tele max 5 Haiti, Saturday night at 8pm on the #1 TV station in Haiti and .5 million online in Miami.

Any artists or musicians interested in appearing on the show go to www.MiamiMusicTelevision.com and send your information.

Share

Dear Bar 721, I Love You.

Bar 721
721 Lincoln Lane North
Miami Beach, FL
www.bar721.com

By Talmage Thornhill
Please bear with me while I get very excited. Bar 721 makes me unreasonably ecstatic. It is the best bar in Miami Beach, hands down. My enamorment with this establishment is fueled by several crucial factors I shall outline here.

Smoke free? Check!
Amazing happy hour? Check!
Friendly staff and clientele? Check!
Appealing, full liquor cocktail menu with exotic drinks? Check!
Comfortable couches? Clean venue? Nice Decor? Check, Check, Check!
WELCOMES MY DOG!?!?!?!? CHECK!!!!!

So while I calm myself down I’ll also point out that while this is a gay friendly establishment, there has been a mixed crowd every time I’ve visited. It’s large enough to feel spacious but small enough to be manageable and cozy. Music differs from night to night but at times they bring in DJs in the later evening hours. TVs are there and usually on if you would like to watch sports, but no food is served. Friendly staff usually allows you to bring in to-go stuff from local eateries, though.

721 is in the space that used to be the “Laundry Bar.” Please do not let this scare you. There is not a hint of this venue’s former self present any more. Everything has been gutted and it doesn’t resemble the old dive at all. Cheers!

This is a shot of some friends and me celebrating Halloween 2010 at Bar 721, our favorite neighborhood hangout.

Share

ECOMB Opens a One-Stop Shop Recycling Drop-Off Station

ECOMB Opens A One-Stop Shop Recycling Drop-Off Station For Electronic Waste, Batteries, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and all other recyclables.
Miami Beach Center for the Environment
210 Second Street and Collins Court (alley between Washington & Collins Ave.)
Miami Beach, Fl 33139

· General Recyclables = Single Stream (glass, plastic, metal, paper, etc): 24 Hours A Day
· Electronics, Batteries, CFLs: from 10 am to 5 pm, but call us first to make arrangements.

ECOMB HAS JUST MADE IT A LOT EASIER FOR EVERYONE TO RECYCLE!

The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches, ECOMB, in partnership with the City of Miami Beach, eTronic eWaste (www.etronicewaste.com), EcoBatt (www.ecobatt.net) and Smart At Bulbs (www.smartatbulbs.com) is pleased to announce the opening of Miami-Dade County’s first One-Stop Shop Recycling Drop-Off Station for all types of electronic waste, batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs at its new Miami Beach Center for the Environment.

The Center will also accept all other types of Single Stream Recyclables – glass, plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, magazines, junk mail, phone books, etc – for those businesses and residents that do not have a recycling program, thanks to an agreement established between the City of Miami Beach and our local waste haulers: Choice Recycling, General Hauling, Waste Management and WSI.

With ECOMB in the “hood”, its now easy to be part of the green movement. All you have to do is call ECOMB’s office or stop by to visit us.

Why: Because the average American throws out seven and a half pounds of trash each day! And it all end up at the landfills, where it just sits, compacted, buried, taking up space … forever. Recycling is important because it helps keep our resources plentful, not only for us but for our future generations: our children, grandchildren, and so on …

ECOMB is dedicated to the promotion of environmental sustainability and the preservation of our community’s ecology. We are a 501 (c) (3) founded in 1994.
Educating People. Engaging our Community. Effecting Environmental Change.

Share

Ecco Lounge Earns A Few New Fans!

Ecco Lounge
168 SE 1st St # 1A-2, Upstairs
Miami, FL
Website.

By Talmage Thornhill
There’s a new night life venue on the Miami scene, and it made quite an impression on this young woman.

Enter the venue from a downtown Miami street where a bouncer shows you through a small lobby and to a large stairway leading up and into the night’s adventure. Scope the room and note Ecco Lounge is small, though not cramped and feels quite comfortable. The drinks are strong and almost cheap by this sobe girl’s standards. The bartenders and other staff do their job competently and with a smile. On the night of my visit, the music was outstanding so props to the events staff for booking awesome electronic music talents Kate Simko and local Sebastian Cariaga.

The set up of the room lends itself to drinking, dancing and relaxing. The DJ booth is slightly raised and in front of a window facing the dance area and bar behind it. To one side are couches if you prefer to relax and on the other is what I like to call the Washroom VIP. Yes, technically it is just a bathroom, but it’s freakin great! Lovely decor, quite clean, ample stalls, sinks, and supplies, and an adorable seating area. Guys, don’t get suspicious about your girl’s party habits if she lingers too long in the ladies’ room. She’s probably just chatting up her friends in a quiet environment.

My only disappointment is that smoking is allowed inside, but such is the status quo in Florida so my gripe would probably be more useful were it correctly directed to our fair state’s public health department, but I digress.

I hope Ecco Lounge continues to book DJs and plan unique events, because it is quite possibly perfect for my current after dark desires. Volume, lighting, staff, drinks, and even temperature were all on point. Now when was the last time you could say that about a night life venue?

Share

Kaskade Artist Album Dynasty Out Now

Kaskade “Dynasty” Out Now
Kaskade artist album ‘Dynasty’
Buy Dynasty CD on Amazon

Out Now on iTunes with bonus track
Kaskade & Tiësto - Dynasty (Bonus Track Version)
This 12 track journey features collaborations with heavy hitter Tiësto, indie darling Martina from Dragonette, Haley, EDX and more. With tunes like “Dynasty”, “Fire In Your New Shoes” and “Only You”, this album will ignite and inspire your senses.

Amazon Description

Kaskade is the country’s top ground breaking house music DJ. Ultra Records is proud to release his newest artist album “Dynasty”! Considered one of the hottest breakthrough artists in this genre, Kaskade’s sixth album offering follows his stellar previous releases “Bring The Night”, and “Strobelite Seduction”. “Dynasty” is a shimmering collection of lush house tracks infused with vocal-laden melodies and addictive interludes. “Dynasty” delves into a new direction with acoustic elements, while still incorporating his trademark sultry sounds.

Share

Erykah Badu 2010 North American tour dates

Erykah Badu has confirmed dates for her 2010 North American tour, Out My Mind, Just In Time.
Buy Tickets Now.
The tour takes its name from the closing track on the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, director, and actor’s new album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Digital Albums chart and No. 4 on the Top 200 chart

The “Out My Mind, Just In Time” tour begins on May 22 in Baltimore

The tour will feature a revolving cast of opening acts that vary by city, including
N.E.R.D., Bilal, Janelle Monae, and drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson from The Roots

Buy Tickets Now.

By New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh now at Amazon

Share