by Strawberry Jam | May 16, 2011 | Local Business
By Strawberry Jam
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Over the last few years Radio-Active Records has bloomed into Fort Lauderdale’s darling indie record store, hosting entertainment in the form of various bands, DJs, and other nighttime events, while offering top customer service and musical knowledge. It’s no wonder they’ve been the recipients of Best Of awards and the subject of many blog posts here and other places. Radio-Active is more than just a fad or a place for trendy hipsters to hang though. Below we’ve got some reasons to visit even if you’re not buying vinyl:
1. They play uncommon and/or new tunes you might’ve otherwise never heard. The staff is even happy to hook you up with some music info- whether it’s some rare psychobilly or the new Radiohead.
2. Album art gets much less face time these days- check out Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request or Culture Club’s Waking Up With The House On Fire then go in and browse others firsthand.
3. They carry Uncut, Spin, Wire, Under The Radar, and a few more of the best music mags.
4. You can find out about upcoming community events by either talking with staff there or checking out the plethora of flyers that get dropped off there.
5. They sell Iron Forge Press prints from a variety of local shows.
6. Even if you don’t own any vinyls, you can listen to them on one of the tables there.
7. They keep a pretty impressive collection of local CDs and demos- FTLC favorites Rebel included.
8. If cassettes are your thing they have those too! (Mostly newer artists)
9. You can pick up some black and yellow (stickers, that is).
10. Catch a show! Jacuzzi Boys frequents the place and were last there on Record Store Day ’11 along with Blank Dogs, Merchandise, and Axe and the Oak.
Radio-Active Records is located at 1930 E Sunrise Blvd # B in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Phone number (954) 762-9488
by Strawberry Jam | May 10, 2011 | Local Business
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by Strawberry Jam | May 9, 2011 | Local Business, Music
By Strawberry Jam
We previously posted about the already tasty and lively Field Irish Pub hosting the Hot Rod Show. Read below to find out about their charming duo 2ofUs Beatles Tribute band.
It seems to me that most people either love the nostalgia and music of the Beatles or can’t stomach their “cheesiness” as they might call it. Any Beatles fan would know that the songs go beyond corny and delve into concepts and phases like few others have, from pop to mature experimentation, carving a path that many would follow in one way or another. 2ofUs the Tribute Band seems to appropriately showcase the evolution of the Beatles’ music through a variety of songs, though I admit, maybe dressed a bit cheesy (they wore identical outfits this night).
In no time, it’s evident that the two do justice to the songs lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, not to mention physically look the part (McCartney and Lennon, whose songs they feature). The duo take turns singing separately as well as harmonizing, making up for a slightly smaller crowd than Hot Rod, by filling The Field with the notion that you might actually be watching the real thing years ago in a small pub in Liverpool.
As the cherry on top, their humble (though solid) audience adds to the experience through genuine smiles and other expressions of satisfaction, a variety of tambourines, song requests which were immediately honored, and group drinking. A proper night at the pub.
Side Note: Though The Field’s menu is largely designed for the carnivore in you, there are a couple of fish options and a surprisingly satisfying Veggie Burger. The sandwich, which actually doesn’t taste like it was dusted off in the back before being thrown in the fryer, may very well be made on-site,with chopped onion, whole peas and green beans of some sort visible in the patty. Update: Though it sure tastes homemade, The Field confirms their veggie burger is not made there.
2ofUs Beatles Tribute Band can be seen at various venues including Waxy’s on 17th Street and Lauderdale Grill on Cordova Rd. View all gigs here.
by Strawberry Jam | May 3, 2011 | Local Business, News
By Strawberry Jam
Photo by Strawberry Jam
It was recently announced that the Dania Jai-Alai is set to close in September on an $80 million sale. For some, it will be a bitter end to a vintage sport that has been around for thirty-plus years. But according to the president and CEO of Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming which owns the space, Dania Jai-Alai “no longer fits our current growth strategy.” It is supposedly being sold to private investors through an all-cash deal. You can read the article in Forbes here.
Dania Beach has long been known as a quirky place. It is Broward’s first city (incorporated in 1904), “stuck in the past” some might call it, and known for it’s antiquing. Sorry to say, but it might be time for a facelift. Last summer, the Dania Beach Press (which apparently does not have a website) stated that the Pirates Inn (located just West of the Jai-Alai) was hoping to be marketed to a supermarket of sorts, possibly a Trader Joe’s. You’ll have to take my word for it as we don’t have the actual article and it was in print, but you can read a similar, less specific Sun-Sentinel article about it here. Little information is known at this time as to whether or not live jai-alai will continue.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Many argue that Dania would be one of the last on the list of Trader Joe’s openings, whose current closest locations are in Georgia and South Carolina. At the same time, I think it can be said that Dania is a nice buffer between populated cities such as Aventura and Ft Lauderdale which already have a similar market (Whole Foods). Weigh in on your opinions in the comments.
by Strawberry Jam | Apr 25, 2011 | Local Business
From Sun-sentinel.com
A no-hassle gym that’s affordable and isn’t pretentious? Sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. Youfit is a new chain of gyms offering $10 month-to-month membership with low sign-up fees as well as a $20 option for unlimited tanning, unlimited access to all locations, unlimited guest privileges, and half price drinks. Additionally, the gym utilizes energy-efficient appliances and lights, water bottle recycling, and has recycled tire floors. Check out a blurb from Sun-Sentinel here, and visit the Youfit website for locations, hours, and more info.
By Strawberry Jam
by Strawberry Jam | Apr 18, 2011 | Local Business
By Strawberry Jam
Despite reading a majority of negative Yelp reviews complaining of the new Taco Beach Shack in Hollywood, their website’s mouthwatering descriptions are enough to warrant a trip for any decent taco-enthusiast. Almost all of the complaints dealt with the joint’s slow service but we figure that’s not that bad and what better time to risk it than Taco Tuesday? Well, we soon learned that “Taco Tuesday” was in fact limited to only chicken or beef tacos, subjecting us to the not-so-shack-like prices on the rest of the menu. We mulled over the menu for a while at the bar and waited for a table to open up. There seemed to be no seating or serving arrangements and after finally sitting about 15 minutes, our waiter hurriedly greeted us “So sorry. I promise not to ignore you guys anymore. Pllllease make it quick.” A sign of the night to come, perhaps.
We placed our order: one chicken taco, one beef taco, and a baja fish taco combo platter. Almost 40 minutes went by until our server came and apologized for the wait, offering some chips and guac on the house (normally $4 for a basket and small 4 ounce cup of the green stuff). The guacamole tasted light and fresh and seemed like an appropriately nice gesture by a new restaurant. In all fairness, there was a somewhat large party that ordered before us (5 or 6 people) but it seemed very much like two servers and one cook were taking care of the whole place, which was actually almost completely full.
While we waited we observed the decor of Taco Beach Shack. Is it a taco shack? Is it striving to be a swanky outdoor restaurant on South Beach? Alas, it is both. A shack built upon a luxurious blanket of white sand, with neon signs and expensive-looking wicker furniture, ping pong tables and white drapes. Oh and of course a fire pit.
