Into the Night

Those of you who love to complain about Miami the cultural wasteland now have no excuse for missing the scene at Backstage (12202 NW Seventh Ave., North Miami, 688-1898), an artist-friendly place hosting live performances Wednesday through Sunday. Tonight (Thursday) Jomo, South Florida's master of the African thumb piano (the mbira), brings his enchanting music to the stage. On Friday local fave Cedrick Brooks moves in a reggae band to rock the house. Show up at 9:00 p.m. both evenings. Other nights the club offers poetry readings and open-mike sessions. On Saturday, May 3, L.T. Productions injects South Beach's Rose's Bar & Music Lounge (754 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0228) with some phunk via Urban Palooza III, the third in a series of showcases highlighting local unsigned urban talent. Twelve hours of hip-hop, acid jazz, jungle, funk, and reggae will put your head in the perfect spin. Starting about 11:00 p.m. you'll hear Submomentum, Hash Brown, the Juan Turros Ensemble, and the New Jazz Society. Cover is a mere five bucks. And beginning tonight a transformation takes place at the MoJazz Cafe (928 71st St., Miami Beach, 865-2636). After a two-week spring vacation, Mo Morgen's hipster hangout reopens as a venue exclusively for Latin jazz. The club's name may or may not change (Morgen seems open to suggestion), but the music definitely will. Among the new regulars: the Luis Miranda Quintet with Stuart King; the Sinigual nonet with Maria Medina Serafin; "Latin Meets Jazz" weekends with Ira Sullivan, Oscar Salas, Silvano Monasterios, and Ranses Colon; Johnny Conga and Mario Marrero's All-Star Latin jam on Sundays; and the Brazilian Voices Quintet on Wednesdays. Why the switch? "Why not?" says Morgen. "It's Miami, right?" 'Nuff said.

Thursday
Groove Jet, "Groove Girl." Eclectic locals gather for mayhem and mischief with resident DJs Carlos Menendez and Chilly spinning musical fun for everyone. 323 23rd St., Miami Beach, 532-2002.

Marsbar, "Retrospect." The hinterland alternative club hurls musical classics at the paint-it-black crowd, all dressed up and looking for angst. 8505 Mills Dr.(Town & Country Center), Kendall, 271-6909.

Jazid, "Jazz It." Vocalist Maryel Epps and her special guests perform smooth tunes for an appreciative crowd. 1302 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 673-9372.

Friday
Club Tropigala. Pianist Enrique Chia takes you on a romantic musical journey tonight through Sunday with master of mambo Israel "Cachao" Lopez making a special appearance tomorrow and Sunday. Available with or without dinner package. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 672-7469.

Amnesia, "Suburbia." It's college-night madness as the lounge lizards gear up for an open bar from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and DJ Mike Siegel dispenses high energy disco dance tunes. 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 531-5535.

Cheers, "Velvet Webb." An evening of gothic and industrial music with music guidance by DJs Storm and Dracula's Daughter. 2490 SW Seventeenth Ave., 857-0041.

Cameo Theatre. Twisted pleasures, solidly in the tradition of the Cameo's dance-crazy crowd. 1445 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0922.

Saturday
Bermuda Bar. South Florida's biggest dance party is broadcast live on Y-100 with DJ Jade Alexander taking the reins of party culture and giving them a good pull. 3509 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach, 945-0196.

Baja Beach Club, "Dance Till You Drop." The party you love is live on the air with Power 96; hot and heavy fun for the masses. 3200 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, 954-561-2432.

Twist. The bar for boys, always brimming with excess and overindulgence, hosted by dancemaster DJ Charlie Mercado. 1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-9478.

Sunday
KGB, "Hercules." DJ Rad pumps out solid grooves of acid jazz, funk, and soul, too cool for mortal comprehension. 637 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-5420.

Liquid, "X-Tra Large." Men, men, and more men -- on a night where nothing else much matters. Jack Benggio and Marvella host this men's-travaganza while DJ Jo Jo Odyssey spins humongous grooves. 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-9154.

Bash, "Disco Night." The best in disco, swing, funk, and soul with French DJ Christian Hernant. 655 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-8858.

Monday
Evangeline Creole Bar. Dave Camp stirs things up with his brand of 'Nawlins style swinging blues tonight and tomorrow. 211 S. Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-522-7001.

MG Club, "Cozy Monday." Party promoter Brigitte Andrade presents a night of hot jazz and cool people. Tonight Leesa Richards pumps out soulful tunes. 524 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach 532-8420.

Tuesday
Cafe Iguana, "Superfly Ladies Night." Ladies night amusements with trashy disco cover songs by the Polyester Pimps. 8505 Mills Dr. (Town & Country Center), Kendall, 274-4948.

Sticky Fingers, "Jazz Night." Saxophonist Larry Pomilio and friends jazz things up with everyone's favorite traditional and avant-garde tunes. 3000 Florida Ave. (Mayfair), Coconut Grove, 461-3313.

Jillian's, "College Night." Drink specials, cheap chicken wings, and pool, the essentials of youth entertainment. 12070 N. Kendall Dr., Kendall, 595-0070.

Wednesday
Chili Pepper, "Planet Jungle." DJs Christian and Element stir it up with strictly jungle rhythms. 621 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 531-9661.

Howl at the Moon Saloon, "Beat the Clock." Fast and furious drinking is the order of the evening, as drinks start out at only a buck and increase in price every hour on the hour. 3015 Grand Ave. (CocoWalk), Coconut Grove, 442-8300.

-- By Liz Martinez

Send information regarding special "one-nighters" to "Into the Night." Fax material to 571-7678 or call 571-7572.