Into the Night

Unfolding under this Thursday evening's new moon (and every Thursday to follow) is an event that sounds so much like Miami it's almost cruelly coincidental that it was transplanted from New York: Cafe con Leche at KGB (637 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-5420). For years Cafe con Leche was a huge night in New York. Now in its third week on the Beach, the caffeine seems to have kicked in nicely. The folks operating the door offer a glimpse of the mixed crowd Cafe has been attracting so far: a wacky drag queen, a sharply dressed hombre, and a lovely girl. On the inside DJ Merrit spins techno and Latin-influenced house; on the patio you'll find strictly disco and Latin; in addition, live performances are scheduled weekly (though no info at press time for this week). On Sunday at Salvation (1771 West Ave., Miami Beach, 673-6508) Great Expectations salons and Fashion Spectrum magazine are sponsoring an AIDS benefit T dance. Power 96's Carolyn will do the honors as emcee, directing a variety of entertainments, including a fashion show, a fantasy hair show, crooner Michael M belting out his latest ("Move Up"), and the stellar presence of Betty Butch, Felicia Fester, and Luna. All those eighteen years and over are welcome with a twenty-dollar donation. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. with a rum bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Thursday
Squeeze, "Ladies Night." DJ Guy spins the best in alternative dance songs for everyone from clean-cut college kids to tattooed and pierced fetish fanatics. 2 S. New River Dr., Fort Lauderdale, 954-522-2151.

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

Friday
Berlin Bar, "Sentimental Journey." Start your weekend off with an exclusive cocktail hour. Vocalist John Reubens (with Niki Blacker at the piano) takes you on a melodic journey to a time when tunes were really tunes -- from the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and many more. 661 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 674-9300.

MG. Rise above the crowds (literally) at the only nightclub remaining on the Drive. MG features a rooftop pool bar and dance floor -- the perfect place to kick back and grin at all the tourists below shuffling along the jammed sidewalk. 524 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 532-8420.

Swirl. This indoor/outdoor attitude-free zone won't be around much longer (it closes later this month), so take in some dancing under the stars while the front door is still open. 1049 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-2060.

The Forge. A tasty crowd of internationals and club strays gather for drinks, dinner, and revolving homages to the model world. 432 41st St., Miami Beach, 538-8533.

Saturday
Bee Hive, "Hot Wax." No, it's not anything kinky. At least that's not the specific intent. At a minimum, though, DJ Chilly will be in the back lounge on the hi-fi, pumping out the funk, hip-hop, and acid jazz. 630 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 538-7484.

Bash. If you yearn for velvet ropes, it will be hard to resist the draw of this five-year-old institution of nightlife flash. DJ Marc Sacheli is in the main room keeping it hot, and in the Magic Garden DJ Roberto Costa cranks up the world-beat groove. 655 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-8858.

Mac's Club Deuce. Want a break from the weekend hype? Grab a drink at this venerable Beach watering hole. Construction workers, pretty boys, detectives, impostors, models, and professionals (many different types of professionals) will be there fueling up for whatever's next on the agenda. 222 Fourteenth St., Miami Beach, 531-6200.

Doc Dammers. Bilingual singer/songwriter Pilar and her four-piece Mondowow Band delight one and all with her quirky and always entertaining brand of music about love, life -- and hamburgers. 180 Aragon Ave. (Colonnade Hotel), Coral Gables, 441-2600.

Sunday
Zen, "Fat Albert." You'll say hey, hey, hey when funk and soul provide a provocative background for naughty acts. 1203 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 673-2817.

O'Hara's Pub, "Sunday After Dark." Dr. Lonnie Smith, Danny Burger, and special guests entertain the crowd with finger-poppin' straight-ahead jazz. 722 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-524-1764.

Monday
Rose's Bar & Music Lounge, "Open-Mike Night." Locals test their best before a crowd of happy regulars. 754 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0228.

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

Tuesday
Ciga Lounge, "Simply Jazz." Tonight through Saturday life moves at a slower pace with the Free to Five jazz band performing mellow favorites. 2669 S. Bayshore Dr. (Grand Bay Hotel), Coconut Grove, 858-9600.

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

Wednesday
MoJazz Cafe, "Brazilian Jazz Night." Get over the Wednesday hump with the cool sounds of the the Brazilian Voices Quintet. 928 71st St. (facing the Normandy Fountain), Miami Beach, 865-2636.

The Living Room at the Strand, "Midweek Model Mixer." Bring a smile and something tight-fitting to this model and fashion-industry grip and grin. 671 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-2340.

Polly Esther's, "Culture Club." A supermad night of psycho Eighties tunes and phunky funk to take us all back in time. 841 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 535-5633.

-- By Larry Boytano

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