MiamiNights - Miami Night Clubs, Nightlife

The Miami New Times finally released its Best Of Miami issue, perhaps one of the most anticipated issues every year. But let's go over shit that actually matters to us here, their choices for Best Bars & Clubs, which I've included my choice had I been able to call it. Oh and full disclosure here: I'm technically a New Times employee, even if it's just part-time.

Best After Hours

Their Choice: Space Saturdays (and Sunday afternoons)

My Choice: Space Saturdays (and Sunday afternoons)

Come on, there is no contest here.

Best Club DJ

Their Choice: Induce

My Choice: Induce, Danny Daze, Matt Cash, Contra, Ross One

That's like asking me what do I like better: sex, drugs or rock 'n' roll? I could never decide.

Click here to read full article..

So guess who i bumped into last night at The Vagabond? Er, well, I'm guessing by the post title you know it was Lazaro Casanova. I've known him casually since my days of going to Revolver, so it was nice to come across him and chat for a while about all the things he's doing. If you don't know, MSTRKRFT has basically taken him under their wing, and he is releasing his own music and DJing all over the globe. Literally this guy is poised to become part of the new generation of Miami DJs going big (my other two picks would be Danny Daze and Otto Von Schirach).

It seems like he is rarely in Miami anymore, so I knew there had to be a good reason he was in town. He mentioned that this Thursday he'll be spinning at Dream. Now, his sets are nothing like the ones he used to spin at Revolver, instead he is playing gritty and dirty house music -- but good house music. If you like DJs like MSTRKRFT, Felix Cartal, Erol Alkan, Boys Noize and the likes, you'll love his shit.

Lazaro also has a new single available now on iTunes called "Venganza". Check it out, I think you'll be pleasanly surprised.

I haven't been this fucking excited for a Wynwood Art Walk since probably Basel. Saturday, Miami Art Space will be hosting Hexagon (a hex is gone), a collective exhibition featuring Friends With You, Bhakti Baster, Jose Mertz, Kiki Valdes, Purvis Young, Phillip Toledano and 1st Ave Machine. Friends With You and Baxter will be doing an interactive dreamworld playground, which if you've NEVER had the chance to play in our of FWY's playground, it's probably the funnest time you'll ever have during an art exhibition.

The exhibition is brough to you by arc. and sponsored by Hennessy, Media Stage, Bawls Energy Drink, Open Zine and Leemer. And in case you don't know where the space is located, it's at 244 NW 35th St., Miami. Also the afterparty is at Poplife at White Room. Can't wait for Saturday!

Call it the worst kept secret, but the Chicago DJ duo Flosstradamus will be at Money Shot tonight. These guys are amazing and always blow the roof off any place they play. Last time I saw them was at the Revolver anniversary party at the Boutique Room in Pawn Shop Lounge and they had everyone dancing their pants off. I'm guessing the duo is in town thanks to the Chromeo show tonight at the Fifth; they've been touring together since last year.

So if you have any plans tonight, scratch them and hit up The Vagabond. Tonight also marks the return of DJ Contra to the Money Shot lineup and everyone knows Contra is a crowd-pleaser, so you've got two great reasons to go.

Update: Apparently this is the official Chromeo afterparty, not the one at Love/Hate.

Hot Chip "Ready For The Floor"

Few songs melt my cold icy heart -- this is one of them.

I was going to post this yesterday, but my fingers couldn't bare to put the letters W, M and C together one after the other. But I always like to give my opinion on things, so it wouldn't be me if I didn't tell you how wrong you are and how right I am. So without further ado, here are my picks for the best, worst and the just plain awful at WMC.

Best Party Fixed WMC Freakout @ Studio A

I would have given this to the Fool's Gold party at White Room except their sound system sucked. Still, the lineup Saturday at Studio A was superb and the fact that the venue had a wall of speakers to basically punched you in the face was just an added bonus. Boys Noize definitely was the star that night, but Simian Mobile Disco and Erol Alkan also brought it home.

Worst Party Any Beach Nighttime Events

All I heard was tales of woe from people who attended beach events. Rude door staff, super-expensive drinks and horrendous traffic killed the party mood for many. I'm tired of telling everyone Downtown is where it's at.

Biggest Surprise Fool's Gold Showcase Lineup

The published lineup was just a tease of who would show up to spin at White Room. Others who stopped by included Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT, Tommie Sunshine, Chromeo and from what I hear Groove Armada as well. There were reports that Justice was going to show up as well, but not sure if that ever materialized.

Most Underrated Drop The Lime

This guy is pretty fucking amazing. He blew me away at Downtown Riot, but really hit it out of the park at the South Seas pool party and the Scion event at the Raleigh. Definitely check him out!

Most Overrated Ultra Music Festival

I don't think I need to explain myself.

Breakthrough Calvin Harris

Mark my words, this guy will be big in the states in 2008. His performances during WMC only cemented that. I wonder if he is going to do a North American tour soon?

Most Overexposed MSTRKRFT

I would have given this to Boys Noize, but a lot of people really didn't care how many times he performed, they wanted to see him spin each and every time. However, with no new material released since 2006's The Looks, MSTRKRFT still managed to be everywhere during WMC. Really now? Actually they have a newly released track on iTunes called "Bounce" featuring N.O.R.E. which I'm not sure how I feel about.

So much to do on Saturday, so little time! One thing is for certain, skip Ultra's boring as hell lineup that isn't worth a dime. Instead focus the surrounding parties that will probably knock your damn socks off.

Fixed WMC Freakout @ Studio A

Hands down the best lineup of any party during WMC. It's almost unfair really to compare it to anything else. Simian Mobile Disco (LIVE!), Boys Noize and Erol Alkan alone make this event worth attending.

Calvin Harris @ White Room

This guy is already pop royalty across the pond. Here? Not so much. But catch this guy in probably the most intimate setting ever because I have a feeling after WMC Calvin Harris will be a superstar here in the States as well. And you can always say, "I remember when I say Harris at White Room before he was big."

Undocumented Artists @ Rokbar

MSTRKRFT, LA Riot and the Bloody Beatroots will all be in attendance to blow out the speakers at Rokbar. Also in the mix is hometown hero Lazaro Casanova who's star is rising fast. I'm already saying, "I knew Lazaro when he was just a resident DJ for Revolver." 

I should have posted this yesterday but WMC is kicking my ass, so deal with it. Here are the list of event you probably want to check out tonight:

The Social @ Snatch

It's Miami Nights approved so you know it's going to be good. DJ Mehdi, Annie Mac, VNDLSM and more rock the house tonight, plus Snatch's cozy environment gives you a break from all those damn mega-clubs.

Payback @ Charcoal Studios

Warehouse party! Whoo-hoo! There is nothing I like more than a warehouse party because it always has a certain dangerous feeling to it like you are doing something illegal. Well I think this one is pretty legit so no fear here. Switch, Blaqstarr, Cosmo Baker, Blu Jemz and more will all be in attendance.

Ultra Music Festival Day 1 @ Bicentennial Park

I give props where props are due and while overall Ultra's lineup is disappointing, Day 1 is exciting enough on its own and worth attending. Justice will be make their only appearance during WMC tonight (well rumor is at the Radio 1 pool party as well, but whatever that has yet to be seen). Also in the mix Junkie XL, Erol Alkan, Deadmau5, M.A.N.D.Y. and Digitalism's only live performance.

Fool's Gold Showcase @ White Room

Who says nothing is free during WMC? Well nobody told the Fool's Gold label. DJ Mehdi headlines with a surprise special guest a "Noizy Boy?" -- hmmmm. Plus A-Trak, Sinden, Treasure Fingers and more ALL FREE! 

So tomorrow we really start to get into gooey center of Winter Music Conference. Choices start to get harder and harder, but don't worry I'm here to separate the good from the bad. So here are my choices for not-to-be-missed parties for Thursday.

Get Physical 2 @ Studio A 

Come on people, this party was killer last year so you know it's going to be a killer this year as well. And with M.A.N.D.Y., Junior Boys, Heidi and more you know that shit is going to be like a Berlin warehouse party. Ze party iz good.

Wish You Were Here @ Suite/Snatch

With the SMAC and Money Shot crews behind this venture you know this is going to be one hell of a party. A-Trak, Craze, Klever, Eli Escobar, Blu Jemz, Tittsworth and Treasure Fingers are just some of the names on the bill. Plus Roxy Cottontail is pulling hosting duties -- sweet!

Banana Split/Flamingo Nights @ Set

Steve Aoki brings his famous LA party to Miami for conference. On the bill is the man himself plus MSTRKRFT, LA Riots, Eli Escobar, DJ AM, Pase Rock and the act that makes this event worthwhile, the Bloody Beatroots. While all of this is happening upstairs, in the mainroom Fedde Le Grand, Green Velvet and more will be bringing in the house beats.

Now leave you with a video in honor of the Get Physical party. Sorry I can't think of the Get Physical label without thinking of the Olivia Newton-John song. Let me here your body talk -- masterpiece. 

Are you retarded? I'm not about to tell you to go anywhere else tomorrow except for the Downtown Riot 2 party brought to you by Embrace, Future Mob and Poplife at Studio A where Miami Nights will be celebrating its 2 Year Anniversary. If you go anywhere else, puppies will die! Do you want to see puppies die?

Switch, Sinden, Jesse Rose, Annie Mac, Duke Dumont and Drop The Lime will all be on hand to pump the jams. And as an added bonus, you can stay at Studio A for the afterhours Dirtybird party featuring Claude Vonstroke, Justin Martin, Worthy, Christian Martin, Tanner Ross and Riva Starr for no extra cost! So party until noon if you'd like!

See you there!