Party over Here, Party over There

If you’re a religious sort of person, you know the Lenten season is fast approaching. If you’re a Catholic, you just might be ready to sacrifice your favorite vice for the 40 days and nights after Ash Wednesday. If you’re a hedonist (and you probably are -- you’re reading New Times, for heaven’s sake), Lent is the last thing on your mind. First you need to wade deep into the various celebrations of Carnival, and Miami being the multiculti city of fun that it is, parades and parties are popping up all over town.

Homestead denizens usually have it rough in terms of events, but today all the jerks who insist on asking “Why do you live all the way in Homestead?” will be eating their words at the Mardi Gras on Krome. The main drag will become party central as a New Orleans-style parade with live musicians from the Big Easy brings the celebration way down south. The fun takes place from 2 p.m. to midnight, and proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s Musicians’ Village in N’awlins. Visit www.homesteadmainstreet.org. The newbies in the Grove are entering the fray with their first annual Carnival at CocoWalk (3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove). This will be a Brazilian-style affair, complete with a live samba band, sexy dancers, and samples of the traditional Brazilian drink moleca from 7 p.m. to midnight. Call 305-444-0777, or visit www.cocowalk.net. Speaking of Brazilian cocktails, the latest big Brazilian import, Leblon cachaca, wants you to know it’s here to take over the city. Witness the inebriating revolution tonight at the Leblon Carnaval Celebration at China Grill, 404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Aside from laughably overpriced Asian cuisine, there’ll be complimentary cocktails from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and half-priced Leblon caipirinha drink specials. Visit www.liveloveleblon.com for details and instructions on throwing a kick-ass bash of your own.
Sat., Feb. 2, 2008