Music

In Clubland

Freddy Cole and more

A A A Comments By Larry Boytano Thursday, Mar 23 2000

Clubland is all electric this week for the Winter Music Conference. The Beach is saturated with DJs, about a zillion of whom are listed on this page and the next, so take your pick. (Plus see "Music" for more in-depth coverage of select events.)

Freddy Cole

More About

But if you don't feel like being submerged in DJ culture, there are worthwhile alternative fetes to check out. South Beach interior designer and nightlife luminary George Tamsitt died March 12; this Sunday several gatherings will celebrate George's life. Warsaw Ballroom (1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-532-8030 -- yes Bacchanalia is gone, and Warsaw is back -- for now) is the site for a memorial service, then a postservice party takes place at Score (737 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; 305-535-1111). The Warsaw event begins at 1:00 p.m.; the Score party is expected to start rolling about 2:00 p.m. Even if you didn't know George, you more than likely had a cocktail in a club he helped design, such as: Score, crobar, Laundry Bar, the Pier (Fort Lauderdale), and a slew of other places that are no longer around. George's estate requests that in lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made to his memorial fund at the Dade Human Rights Foundation (3510 Biscayne Blvd., #201, Miami, FL 33139; 305-572-1841).

Things continue to steam along in area jazz clubs. On Sunday and Monday, Freddy Cole (Nat King Cole's younger brother and Natalie Cole's uncle) is at the Van Dyke Café(846 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; 305-534-3600). Cole has distinct, darker phrasing than his brother and prides himself on individuality. Part of the scene since the early Fifties, Cole writes his own material and is supporting his latest release, 1999's Grand Freddy. The music begins at 9:00 p.m., and table charge is ten dollars.

Sunday also is a chance to see the man behind the voice. WTMI-FM's (93.1) legendary jazz DJ China Valles guest hosts a Sunshine Jazz Organization party at Champagne's (1060 NE 79th St.; 305-754-6036) with the Billy Marcus Swingtet, featuring Brenda Alford and Eric Allison. Cover charge is ten dollars for SJO members and twelve for nonmembers. The party rolls from 8:00 p.m. till midnight.

Check out this week's featured ad for Music