As usual, loads of fun stuff going on this weekend, especially on Saturday. Here’s just a sampling of some of great events in Broward for the next 3 days.
Friday
Fright Night on Las Ola
Save The Tatas, a charity event at Monterey Club with a bunch of bands
Last week, S Jam wrote a post about her 2010 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival (FLIFF) movie recommendations. Given the overwhelming amount of films at this years festival, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give you a few more picks, this time by yours truly. Anybody who knows me personally knows I that I have an unhealthy passion for frightening films. Unfortunately, horror movies are nonexistant in this year’s lineup; however, I was able to find a slew of quality flicks that are worth your hard earned greenbacks.
Before buying a ticket to Paranormal Craptivity 2 this weekend, here are 7 Mig-approved, FLIFF movies to watch at Cinema Paradiso (click the title of the movie for showtime info):
127 HOURS is the new film from Danny Boyle, the Academy Award winning director of 2008’s Best Picture, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. 127 HOURS is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s (James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolate canyon in Utah.
A bizarre and unsettling mystery thriller revolves around the discovery in Europe of a teen who vanished three years earlier from Louisiana. He is brought back to the States and reunited with his dysfunctional family headed by the troubled matriarch.
In the course of seven incredible Tuesdays over seven tumultuous years, eleven New Yorkers are transformed by love, desire, art, ambition, fury, grief, faith, fear, hope and, ultimately, connection with each other in the rousing indie rock musical drama, CLEAR BLUE TUESDAY
Fanny is a developmentally disabled 39-year-old living in a home for dependent adults. Her world starts to implode when the candy factory where she works goes bankrupt.
“You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!” This sentence was one of the advertising lines used to promote Robert Wise’s production of “The Haunting,” listed as “number one” on Martin Scorcese’s list of the “11 Scariest Horror Movies of All Time” compiled by the filmmaker for “The Daily Beast” in 2009.
In the Sumatra jungle, a pompous British TV anthropologist stumbles onto a new species of plant – but before he can disclose its whereabouts he is killed by angry locals led by mysterious Danish national Severin Gertsen. Danish Prison System criminal psychologist, Adrian, is sent to Jakarta to interview Severin (who is now in police custody) and establish a defense of insanity
(There might be a trailer to this, but it’s impossible to find because of that damn Pirates Of The Caribbean movie with the same title)
For the most part, I try and take it easy during the week. With the onslaught of concerts and events in the past month, it’s been hard to hit the sack at a decent hour for work the next day. This Wednesday is no different; a couple days ago the New Times reported that Dos Equis sponsored The Most Interesting Show In The World is hitting Revolution this Wednesday. Holla, also known as Bikini Guy on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, has nothing on some of the freaks performing on this tour. Acts include a Hungarian escape artist, some guy named Bubble Man, an erotic performace of houserobics (whatever that is), and a lively performance by party starter Andrew WK (remember that popular song Party Hard. Yeah, that guy). Most importantly, it’s all FREE. Even the Dos Equis is free of charge. Get up to 2 free tickets by clicking on this link. This party should be provide more than enough midweek relief for the hectic work week.
Following RSS feeds of local blogs is my preferred method of acquiring information about local businesses, bands, artists, and events; however, because of my undying need to know everything happening in my neighborhood, I also follow countless, relevant Twitter accounts and Facebook pages/accounts. So maybe 162 followees on Twitter is overkill. Maybe 300+ local fan pages is ridiculous. And maybe I have a problem because I subscribe to 25+ RSS feeds and check them multiple times per day. Ok, I admit it…
My name is Mig and I have a social media addiction.
Now that I got that off my chest, I’d like to introduce you to a new segment entitled Essential Local Social Media (I’ll work on a snazzier name). In this series of posts, I will highlight quality forms of social media to follow in order to know ALMOST everything going on. Each post will include one blog, a handful of related twitter accounts, and couple of active Facebook accounts.
Again, this list is not the be-all end-all. Go find a blog. Start a blog. Recommend a blog. Make your own tweets. Search for tweets. Use Facebook for more than stalking. You get the picture.
These are just some of the sources I use to follow FTL’s ongoings.
The Most Important Blog In South Florida: South Florida Daily Blog
No other blogger in South Florida follows as many RSS feeds as Rick at South Florida Daily Blog. The best part about Rick though, is that he shares only the best information via short summaries on his blog. Not only does he do that once a day with his Morning Sifts, he also has Mid Afternoon Sifts and Evening Sifts. For most people that would be good enough, except that he also posts his own material (usually political), as well as funny Colbert Report and Daily Show clips. Heck, even his blogroll is up to date and thorough. Any respectable list of essential Dade and Broward blogs needs to start with SFDB. For all the times that he’s linked to us, South Florida Daily Blog is due for some love from the FTLC. Thanks Rick for keeping us informed.
Local Music Twitter List
Here’s a twitter list I compiled of some of the music related twitter accounts that I follow on a regular basis. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a tweeter to see this list. If you want, bookmark the page and check back periodically. Although, it’s probably just easier to join Twitter. My only gripe: when you sign up for a Twitter account, try and provide the twitosphere with valuable content. My rule of thumb is it’s useful if a stranger can understand and comment on it.
Broward Music Venues on Facebook
These venue Facebook pages will help you know where the local music is happening:
With so many tough choices to make this weekend, we decided to give everyone a headstart on the decision making and preview Friday’s festivities a day early. Here are three events this coming Friday that caught our eye:
Island Water Sports’ Annual Midnight Madness
Unless there are Charm City burgers being served, it takes a lot to drag me out to the northereastern border of Broward County. That is, unless there is a free block party with quality local music, live skate demos, free swag, and cheap clothing on sale — oh yeah, and no cover. Island Water Sports’ annual Midnight Madness is being held on a closed off portion of A1A off Deerfield Beach by the Island Water Sports store from 8am – 11pm (if you’re wondering, it’s called midnight madness because the surf shop will be open to 12am). The band lineup is headlined by Alexander, along with BLORR, Buffalo Gun, Darkhorse Saloon, Hanna, Because Greatness Belongs, and Cadence. We aren’t sure about the alcohol situation at this event, but I’m guessing there won’t be any beer vendors based on the glaring absence of any mention of booze on the event website. I’m all for getting drunk on life, but it is Friday and we aren’t at work for 3 more days…pack an emergency flask.
Technically, they’re not local, but we’re big fans of BLORR (Bastard Lovechild Of Rock n Roll) after seeing them perform at 1921 a couple times and the Poorhouse. This Jacksonville dance-punk duo always induces wild dancefloors. Here’s a video of BLORR performing Hallelujah I’ve Been BLORRn Again.
Art/Heart October Live at Stage 84
Founded this past February, Art/Heart is an organization that focuses on giving back to the community through art. This Friday, they are throwing a big bash at Stage 84 in Davie with the proceeds of the party going to His House Children’s Home, an orphanage that is housing some displaced Haitian children and needs some help. For a $5 cover charge, you’ll get to see art by 15 different artists, as well as live music from What Glorious Things , Jennie Mahood, and Deejay Sensitive Side.
Here is Jennie Mahood’s music video for her song Seven.
Rocktoberfest: Beer and Music Festival
Last but not least, is downtown Fort Lauderdale’s drunken inclusion into the October 15th festivities. The Third Annual Rocktoberfest is back with it’s $20 all-you-can-drink/eat ($25 at the “door”) October party in Riverfront. Throw in some lineup of local music, and it’s an all around good time. This year’s musical lineup consists of The Freakin’ Hott, Fourth Dimension, Ghosts of Gloria, Audio Heist, Big Bang Radio, and Recover South. Like Art/Heart’s event, this event’s proceeds also go to charity.
Here’s a live performance by The Freakin’ Hott:
So I’ve stayed up too late adding myspace pages and youtube videos to this post. I hope I’ve given you enough media and details on these events to make an educated decision. At the very least, I hope I’ve provided enough links to keep you busy at work for an hour or so, checking out some local music.
If you haven’t already started, it’s time to start planning out your next month and a half of cinema. For their 25th anniversary, the Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival will show 185 films from 36 countries over 46 days. Student memberships are $35 with a valid ID (non-students 18-30 years old are $60) and include discounted admission ($4-5 off films) and some free events. The festival runs from September 27 to November 11. Browse the complete schedule by date here and pick up your free FLIFF guide at FTLC favorite Brew, or any of these fine locations.
Here are just a few of the many films that sound promising:
Cafe Du Pont- World Cinema- FR- 2010 Sat., 10/30 2pm; Thurs., 11/11 12pm
This very simple and delightful tale captures a slice of life during a nostalgic, sometimes sweet, sometimes hard period of French provincial life in the 40’s. Unlike typical narratives, you watch the film as if you are witnessing the events firsthand as a patron of the cafe. The film captures the French love for the countryside, the routines of family life, the workings of the village and more in a delightful, easy going, day by day style that is as refreshing as it is distinct.
Kids With Cameras- Documentary- USA- 2009 Sat., 11/6 12:30pm
Kids With Cameras follows the progress, challenges, and triumphs of a group of Autistic children aged 11 to 19, as they attend a film camp hosted by non-profit organization Actors for Autism, and taught by award-winning educator Brad Koepenick. The film takes viewers on an illuminating journey, poignantly demonstrating that creativity is an essential step to connecting the increasing Autistic population with the rest of their- and our- world.
Listen To Your Heart- American Indie- USA- 2010 Sat., 11/6 2:45pm
A sweet film about following your dreams no matter what the consequences. Kent Moran who stars and co-directs along with his brother Luke and Matt Thompson, gives a magnificent performance, underplaying his role and injecting a naturalism to the piece which is the strength of the film. His musical contributions, singing, playing guitar, and writing the heartfelt ballads add greatly to this modest but moving work.
Empire of Silver- World Cinema- Hong Kong- 2010 Wed., 11/3 6pm
A dynastic saga, a passionate romance, and a moral parable drawn from historical events. It tells the story of a banking empire on the “Wall Street of China” a century ago, through the tumult of the Boxers’ Rebellion, the invasion of the Allied Armies, and China’s Republican revolution.
Made in Dagenham- World Cinema- UK- 2010 Sat., 10/30 6pm
Based on a true story, Made in Dagenham portrays a decisive movement in that decade of upheaval, when the fight for equal rights and pay was led- unexpectedly- by ordinary working-class women with one foot in the kitchen, one foot on the factory floor, and ears glued to the pop coming over the radio and telly from far-off London (19 kilometers and a world away).
As If I’m Not There– World Cinema- Macedonia/Ireland/Sweden- 2009 Sun., 10/31 1pm
As If I’m Not There is about a remarkable woman who endured the most frightful and traumatic situation suring the Balkan wars in 1992 based on the acclaimed book by Slavenka Drakulic. Amidst the tragedy, nightmare, and darkness of Balkan conflict, a young woman struggles to cling to humanity and to seek and eventually find a reason for hope.
No, I didn’t misspell the word “city” in the title of the post. The word Citi is a reference to the uniquely designed Citibankbuilding on Oakland Park Blvd and US1 — the same building that now has a new nightclub attached to it called Sky Nightclub. Don’t worry scenesters, we didn’t know about it either until yesterday evening. The club is hard to miss if you’re driving through the Federal/Oakland Park Blvd intersection after sun down — the multi-colored spotlights swirling on the building won’t let you drive by without rubbernecking. And even though that particular strip of Federal Highway is no stranger to spotlights, particularly the bright Bat-signal that leads the local horndogs to the boobies at Solid Gold, you can’t help but hit drive grandma speed and gawk at the bank-turned-discoteca.
After a raucous performance by UK trancecore band Enter Shikari at Culture Room, Fat Hand, Young Turk, and myself staggered across the street to grab an another beer at this mysterious locale. Located on the second floor, accessible via an entrance near the roundabout in front of the building, we entered into a swanky main room, totally underdressed (Turk was wearing an old school Phoenix Suns jersey. I was wearing my ‘hangout’ shorts and a sweaty tee from a BBQ restaurant. An old man laughed at me when I walked in). According to a flier I picked up off the ground near the entrance, the dress code is strictly enforced — clearly, our confident swagger superseded any rules for acceptable attire. The small-to-midsized, circular interior was covered in hues of red and purple lights. A few couples were on the dance floor, completely immersed in the latin music blaring from the speakers. The ceiling was painted with columns, leading to the center where there was a fake sky — slightly disappointing that they don’t have an actual moon roof revealing real stars. I’m not complaining or anything, but it seems a little odd to name a bar Sky that’s neither on the top of a building, has a good view of the city, or provides a glimpse to the Earth’s atmosphere through a window on the roof. But I digress.
Sitting at one of their sleek bars, enjoying a Wednesday 2-4-1 drink special (I’m pretty sure girls drink free), we chatted with the friendly bartender Melissa who provided us with some info, along with some icy cold, vortex’ed Miller Lites. According to our source, the club has been open for about a month, and although many nights have been slow, they’ve had some well attended events and are expecting bigger crowds as soon as the word gets out. On the weekends, the DJ spins house and hip hop; during the weekdays they’ll mix it up with more Latin music (this particular night, we were graced with salsa). As of now, they’re open to 4am everyday of the week, except for Sunday and Monday. I’m rooting for them to do well, but their business hours seem a little over ambitious for a club in Fort Lauderdale during the middle of the working week; don’t blame me if you stumble from a lap dance at the Solid Gold to Sky at 3am on a Tuesday night and it happens to be closed.
In such a competive industry, the only way they’ll stay in business is to get the word out. I read on a daily basis every active Broward blog, the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald, and various local websites, and I had never even heard a mere mention of this nightclub. That can’t be good sign for them. For starters, a well designed website would help, along with some social media presence to announce upcoming events. Get the New Times, popular blogs, and newspapers to review or preview your club. And even with all that, it will be tough because, at the moment, the only aspect of this club that is truly unique is that it’s attached to a bank. I mean, geez, could you pick a more generic name for a club?
On first glance, the main room has potential for a midweek indie dance party, which I mentioned to one of the promoters that night. The owners probably won’t bite on my recommendation, but who knows? Maybe DJ Mig will spin there one night — our readers would be the first to know.
Check out Sky Nightclub for yourself, even if its simply out of curiosity. In my opinion, Sky is a hard sell and will need some luck to succeed; I’ll be rooting for them to do well though.
It’s impossible to completely dislike Miami. It’s the yin to our yang. It completes us.Without the Magic City, we’d be one dimensional. I could continue to ramble on about how much I hate it when Ft. Lauderdalians say they hate Miami, when they really just dislike South Beach, but I won’t. I’m writing this post for a particular reason….
Since the day they installed it not too long ago, I’ve hated it. In a bar that attracts local musicians, artists, and people who enjoy cutting edge music, why have a jukebox that has a catalog that consists of American Idol winners, cookie cutter contemporary rock, and your run-of-the-mill top 40. Look, I’m not trying to dictate what’s good music and what’s not; I’m just saying that the music on that jukebox is not catered to its audience. If you want to hear anything worthwhile, you have to do a Supersearch on the jukebox and pay $1 per song, versus the usual $.50 (which I still think is outrageous). If no one picks a song, it plays random songs — songs from such artists as David Allen Coe, Clay Aiken, and Eiffel 65. How does this tie into the intro?…..
A series of recent trips to some of downtown Miami’s popular hangouts Vagabond and Electric Pickle have made me realize that we don’t have a nightly bar or club that plays indie or non-mainstream alternative music over the house speakers. The few times I’ve been to some of these venues in Miami, I find myself frequently trying to Google on my phone the lyrics to songs that the DJ plays so that I can find the artist or name of the song to legally buy (always) on iTunes when I get home. It adds a whole other aspect to going out — hearing new music that can’t be found on a radio station that isn’t 88.5 . Even Palm Beach county has Respectable Street, which in my opinion is just as good, if not better than the above mentioned locales.
To the defense of Ft Lauderdale, there are some spots to hear a unique playlist: Monterey Club, sometimes Fat Cats, between sets at Revolution and Culture Room, Brew, the few nights that 1921 is having a party (stay tuned), Roxannes before it burned down, and the nights where the jukebox is turned off at Poorhouse. I’m probably forgetting a few, and feel free to leave them in the comments. Maybe the new Laser Wolf bar that’s opening soon (so I’ve been told) can help fill this musical void (crossing fingers)….
So my message to Poorhouse and other bars in Ft Lauderdale that might want to cater to a grungier crowd: junk the jukebox, plug in an iPod or computer with hipper tunes. Heck, hire DJ Mig or any other hypem junkie to mix some music. I’m not saying it has to be strictly indie either; I’d settle for punk, hardcore, metal, underground hip hop, or any variation of those genres. Just give us a place where we can listen to something different during dead time when the live band isn’t performing. PS: Poorhouse and Monterey Club do a stellar job of booking solid local acts. Keep that up guys.
Here’s a little something I put together for this post. It’s a medley of 4 remixed songs from a band I’m completely with obsessed with these days, Two Door Cinema Club from Northern Ireland.
Some indie dance parties that have caught my attention:
– Noir Wednesdays at Club Cinema in Pompano Beach w/ Marvelous Kendall
– Thursdays at Monterey Club with DJ Sweetswirl (is this still going on?)
– Revel Party at Sea Monster w/ Marvelous Kendall and ??? (is this still going on?)
If you’ve gone to any of the above mentioned indie dance parties, let us know what you thought by commenting below. Maybe you can write a review for us (hint hint).
Yellowgreen Farmer’s Market in Hollywood is set to open this Sunday, October 3rd, nearly a year after it’s initial grand opening was planned. Last November, after investing five million dollars, plans were set back due to “major” safety, electrical, and structural issues, unexpectedly leaving hundreds of vendors at a loss just prior to opening and an empty building until now. After talks of even moving the market to Hallandale, the market is due to finally open Sunday at 7am. The 100,000 square-foot facility will house 300 booths offering food, produce, flowers, baked goods, art, and other items such as crystals.
Yellowgreen Farmer’s Market is located at 1940 North 30th Road, Hollywood, FL. It will be open 3 days a week, Thursday 7pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am – 4pm.
UPDATE: Yellowgreen’s hours as of April 2011 are now Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4pm.
The name Scott Stapp evokes several different images in people’s minds. Some people probably still remember him as the religious, lead singer of post-grunge band Creed, who wrote a heartfelt song for his kid that ended up being the bands top hit With Arms Wide Open. I tend to remember him for his slew of outrageous, negative publicity: the feud with rap-rock pioneer Fred Durst and the boxing match that never happened, the Thanksgiving Day drunken brawl between Stapp and the lead singer of 311 in a Baltimore hotel lounge, the infamous “it’s good to be king” sex tape with Kid Rock (not with each other), and my favorite — his latest, idiotic song about the the Florida Marlins.
In lieu of his acoustic gig tomorrow at Revolution, I’ve decided to grace you with the video for Marlins Will Soar (at the bottom of the post). I know many of you have probably seen this (it’s been mentioned nationally, usually in jest), but it always makes my day a little brighter. In my opinion, it’s still not as bad as T-Pain’s rendition of the Miami Dolphins touchdown song or Jimmy Buffet’s Fins (Dolphin’s Version).
If you’re like me, and don’t like wasting your hard earned greenbacks to watch a washed up, train wreck strumming his wooden guitar — you can do that for free at Briny’s anyway — you might think about checking out 2 talented, local rappers, Protoman and Gaps, at Monterey Club tonight. The event is being heralded as a birthday extravaganza, no cover charge. Below are some song streams. Go to their myspace accounts (click on links above), they have a lot more tuneage and even some free downloads.
