Into the Night

We celebrate the not-so-old and the very new this week. On Thursday, September 19, mega music chain Spec's marks the first anniversary of its South Beach location -- its largest store, incidentally -- in true SoBe style, with plenty of musical panache. The store teeters on the brink of being a club by bringing in a DJ, live bands, and much more fun and mayhem, including free food and cocktails. The festivities start off at the music mansion (501 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 534-3667), with groove gurus Planet Soul and dance diva Kristine W. performing, and afterwards rolls over to Bash (655 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-2274) for more of the same high-energy fun for one and all. The event is by invitation only -- of course -- so be sure to call and weasel your way onto the guest list to get a piece of the action. One year is like ten South Beach years and, with any luck, one newcomer putting down roots in our hometown will be celebrating at least that many someday: On Friday, September 20, Liquid (1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-9154) toasts Todd Oldham, designer to the stars and multiple club kids, on the grand opening of Oldham's new South Beach store, a trendissimo boutique where the somewhat quirky designer will be showcasing his young and sexy clublike clothes. His designs, not unlike fabulous thrift-store finds, cater to the young at heart and firm of body. The very VIP fete starts at 9:00 (the rest of the world gains entry at 11:00). With guaranteed sightings of celebs and too trendy locals, the party should be too haute for words.

Thursday
821, "Thursday Cabaret." Mary D.'s Sappho-esque love riot of dancing, drinking, and cruising turns three. Celebrate the big anniversary with an open bar from 7:00 to 8:00 and a special performance by divine diva Maryell Epps. 821 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 534-0087.

Club Tropigala, "The Magic of Music." Take a journey through time with a historic musical revue spanning the last seven decades. Available with or without dinner package tonight through Sunday. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 672-7469.

Abyss, "Gothic Masquerade." An evening of dancing, decadence, and debauchery with musical guidance by DJ Dracula's Daughter. 524 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 673-6297.

Tobacco Road, "The Beast and Baker." Rockin' local music in a down-to-earth setting. Tonight, singer/songwriters Magda Hiller, Kayonne Riley, and Shana perform an interactive-in-the-round session upstairs while Louie Archambeaux rocks the downstairs with his own brand of jazz and blues. 626 S. Miami Ave., 374-1198.

Friday
Speakeasy Bar and Lounge, "Arts in the Neighborhood." Celebrate the happy-hour-style opening of Miamian artist Hannah Lasky's quirky and interesting paintings; with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. 1230 Ocean Dr. (Ocean Front Hotel), Miami Beach, 672-2579.

Niva, "After Hours." The party starts at 4:00 a.m. when dancemaster DJ Charlie Mercado spins energetic dance tunes for the dancing and drinking crowd until the very, very wee hours. 643 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-0230.

Saturday
Warsaw Ballroom, "Disco Delight." A Seventies disco party with a Latin twist -- retro hits thrown in with salsa and merengue rhythms for a tasty mix. 1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 531-4555.

Swirl, "House of Swirl." The music is what matters most when DJ Alex Arzeno and Italian DJ Corrado bring you a Euro and underground house dance and trance party. 1049 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-2060.

Splash, "Men Who Prefer Men." Go underground at a deep-house dance party complete with go-go boys and free drinks from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. -- a party beyond reckoning. 5922 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami, 661-0917.

Kitchen Club, "The Return of Berlin." The haven for the perpetually black-clad crowd brings back its retro night, this time with a more alternative twist. 3701 NE 2nd Ave., 754-0777.

Sunday
Groove Jet, "The Church." Alternative in every sense of the word, with DJs Carlos Menendez, Dracula's Daughter, Charles Arnold, and latest addition Fence the Fish Boy pumping up two rooms of British invasion, industrial dance, and trip-hop tunes. 323 23rd St., Miami Beach, 532-2002.

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, 524-1764.

Rose's Bar & Music Lounge, "The Dark Side." Dance to the underground sounds of DJ Chilly, with live music by the Rio Connection and the C-60's as an added bonus. 754 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0228.

Monday
Lua, "Back-Door Bamby." DJ Gigi spins a sexy blend of deep house mood music for an evening of erotic and not particularly subtle pleasures. 409 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, 672-8351.

Cafe Iguana, "Monday-Night Boxing." Hinterland amusements for the masses with rough-and-tumble challenge bouts, a carnival set in a club/restaurant that runs like a well-oiled machine. 8505 Mills Dr., Town & Country Center, Kendall, 274-4948.

Tuesday
Ready Bar, "Home Cookin'." DJ Mark Leventhal serves up a host of special flavors for a laid-back-locals kind of crowd. 560 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-8847.

Bar None, "Lemonade Party." DJ Corrado goes deep with a night of underground dance hits. 411 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 672-9252.

Wednesday
Comedy Zone. Get over the hump with an evening of interactive laughs. Comedy theater group Punch 59-scripted comedy, character pieces, standup, and -- best of all -- audience participation. 1121 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 672-4788.

Bermuda Bar, "Wild Women's Wednesday." A hot and bothered ladies night with tropical gourmet munchies, dancing till dawn, and cocktail courtesies for women. 3509 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach, 945-0196.

-- By Liz Martinez

Send information regarding special "one-nighters" to "Into the Night." Fax material to 372-3446 or call 579-1572.