It came from Portland. We assume that's the hip West Coast city in Oregon, not the crusty East Coast bastion in Maine. "It" is something called the Clouds and 3D's Ril Music Tour starring States Rights Records folkie-turned-electronica-artist Bobby Birdman and labelmates Yacht, plus DJ Maxx Bass, and the Lucky Dragons. The genre-crossing Birdman will also display his line drawings during "Side Slide," a one-night exhibition also featuring fellow artists Gorilla Tactiks, a 5-man crew that specializes in graffiti and stencils; skateboard and cinema enthusiast/painter Matthew Chambers; and the TM Sisters, who create xerography images (uh, that would be photocopies, kids) in the punk-rock mode. The fun begins at 8:00 p.m. at 50 NW 29th St. Admission is $3. Call 305-382-9109. -- By Nina Korman
Kids Play?
Youth football re-examined
SUN 11/9
Former New Times staff writer Robert Andrew Powell's first book, We Own This Game: A Season in the Adult World of Youth Football, documents two Miami Pop Warner football teams, the Liberty City Warriors and the Palmetto Raiders. Powell sticks with the players and their coaches and families throughout a season. What he discovers may be more bitter than sweet, as boys are forced to act like grownups and adults act like big babies. Still the young warriors mean as much as religion to Miami's black community. Powell discusses his book with fellow writers Don Van Natta and Michael Korda at 2:00 p.m. at the Miami Book Fair International, Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave., Room 2106. Admission is free. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Garden of Good & Evil
FRI 11/7
The Masquerade & Murder Mystery Ball, taking place from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at the former Parrot Jungle site now dubbed Pinecrest Gardens (11000 Red Rd.), might be geared to raising dough for operations and maintenance. But someone or something is destined to be whacked. Who will be the victim? The planned water playground or soccer fields? Whatever it is, omnipresent DJ Le Spam (above, in big mack daddy suit) and his Allstars will be making the scene at the scene of the crime. Tickets cost $100. Black tie is optional; masks are encouraged. Call 305-669-6942. -- By Nina Korman
Pepped Up
Cheer squads battle at flea market
SAT 11/8
Ready-o, let's go! Overly energetic high school girls will be jumping, doing splits, and making a lot of noise at the Flea Market USA Cheerleading Competition. Now in its second year, the event brings together squads from across Miami to battle for trophies and bragging rights. Last year's high school champs, the Lady Pioneers from North Miami, will be opening a can of whoop-ass on their challengers. Watch as the girls cheer on a plethora of flea market savings on hair weaves, killer nails, hot pants, and cha-cha heels. The competition starts at noon at the USA Flea Market, 3015 NW 79th St. Admission is free. Call 305-836-3686. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Breaking Ground
B-boyz bring battle home
SAT 11/8
"Rap works within the parameter of words, but we break the limits of hip-hop with the movement of our bodies," says Bebe Fernandez, international beat box champion. The Kendall native (and MDC student) developed his moves while challenging other b-boyz around the world with different styles. Beat box, after all, is all about the underground exchange of battling others, not about J-Tim's pretty-boy solos. The quick dancing and occasional rapping to old-school Miami bass is what earned his Ground Zero Crew acclaim in competitions from here to Japan. The crew's homecoming starts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday with a theatrical beat box skit, then a set by DJ Le Spam at the Polish American Club, 1250 NW 22nd Ave. Tickets cost $15. Call 305-267-6923. -- By Maya Ibars
Crystal Clear
SUN 11/9
The second annual Holocaust Education Week, presented by the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, culminates at 6:00 tonight at Temple Beth Sholom (4144 Chase Ave., Miami Beach) with an observance of the 65th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Known as the night of broken glass, it's when Nazi youth rampaged through Jewish neighborhoods in Germany, vandalizing homes and businesses, burning synagogues, looting, and beating Jews. A discussion will center on the topic: "Can History Repeat Itself?" Afterward classical pianist/NPR radio host Mona Golabek will talk about her book on the Kindertransport, which helped her mother escape Vienna. Admission is free. Call 305-538-1663. -- Nina Korman
