Pints, football, and friends. That's how the Irish and the English fete the birth of their favorite sons.
So come Sunday, Miami's Guinness- and soccer-loving masses will descend upon 5501 NE Second Avenue to honor the anniversary of Churchill's Pub enforcer Nicky Bowe and his doorman buddy Mr. C's emergence from the womb.
Coincidentally, "it's also Mother's Day," the family-conscious bouncer points out. "So everybody should go do nice things with their mums. And then when she goes to sleep 'round 4 or 5 in the afternoon, they can come visit us at Churchill's, the place that's like Cheers on crack."
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To mark their shared special day (although, in fact, Nicky will celebrate his 43rd b-day on May 11 and Mr. C will turn 55 on June 22), "we're gonna have lots of games and prizes," the doorman says. "And we'll have a big pig roast, with some black beans and rice for the Spanish mob."
There will be "a band swap too," Nicky interjects. "You know, everybody wants to play our birthday party. So we decided, with Steven 'Mr. Entertainment' Toth and Betty from Holly Hunt, that all the musicians should turn up, from 6 to 10 in the evening, with their instruments. They'll get a sticker that says 'Hello, I'm a guitar player' or 'Hello, I'm a drummer' or whatever. And then the bands will be made up on the spot.
"That way, no one can give me and Mr. C shit, like, 'Why the fuck aren't we on your birthday party?' Because if everybody played, there'd be 100 fuckin' bands."
Lastly, the night will also serve as a fundraiser for a Churchill's documentary, Little Haiti Rock City, by filmmaker Franco Parente, as well as a tribute to the enforcer and doorman's unique, unbreakable brotherly bond.
"You know, I'm like Nicky's mascot. Wherever he is, I am. And wherever I am, he is," Mr. C explains. "One time, I remember comin' out of the toilet and this girl goes, 'Mr. C! How are you? Where's Nicky?' And I just had to ask, 'Why would you think we'd take a piss together?'
"But it's funny because it's true. We hang out during the week and the weekends and holidays."
Of course, that doesn't mean Nicky and Mr. C aren't also open to new relationships.
"I'm a Gemini and I'm on the cusp," the bouncer (and apparent astrology buff) boasts. "I'm single. And I like to travel. And I like to watch football. And most importantly, I'm an artist.
"Bring yourself. Bring $20 for the movie. And we'll have a laugh."
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Nicky and Mr. C's Birthday Bash. With Buffy, Dyslexic Postcards, Humbert, DJ Russel and DJ Skidmark. Sunday, May 11. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The party starts at 9 p.m. and donations of $20 requested to help with the completion of Franco Parente's documentary Little Haiti Rock City. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com.
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