Friday, August 8:
*Florida's only working Joy Division tribute act, 3 One G, plays at the Vagabond. You sort of have to be a superfan to care, but JD superfans are legion, so you should click here to read more about these guys from Winter Haven.
*Further north, more tribute action: Classic Albums Live plays at the Paradise Live in the Seminole Hard Rock. Tonight, they'll re-create, note for note, Hendrix's Are You Experienced? Click here to read more about it.
*In the news of old bands actually reforming in real life, Bad Company plays tonight at the Hard Rock Live, featuring original members Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirk, and Mick Ralphs. Weirdly, this South Florida gig seems to be a one-off. Click here to read more about it.
*"Crazy Fingers" Sanchez leaves aside his usual band, Ozium, for a solo gig at Tobacco Road. In case you couldn't guess by his name, yes, it involves a keyboard. Click here to read more about it.
*Brazilian pop-jazz chanteuse Maria Rita plays at the beautiful Gusman Theater in Miami. Again, promoters: Please use this venue more! Click here to read more about Maria Rita.
Saturday, August 9:
*The female-fronted, pop-rock-R&B-mashup act Raging Geisha plays at Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern. This band's refusal to stick in any one slot sadly gets them passed over, but their licks and hooks are radio-ready and their live show ultra-high-energy. Old-style record execs, get a clue. In the meantime, the rest of us can enjoy 'em in intimate venues.
*Damn, Ontario-based dance producer Deadmau5 really loves Miami -- tonight marks his second gig at Mansion in three months. He brings along fellow Canadian Sydney Blu. Click here to read more about it.
*Local surf-punk god Laramie Dean plays in Ft. Lauderdale with other South Florida acts To Be Hated, O.P.S., Brain Damage, and special guest Kenny Millions. Weird address: 5933 Ravenswood Dr., Unit 10B, Ft. Laud. -- an apartment or warehouse show perhaps? Visit www.newartschool.net for full details.
*Down on Corre Guay, La Bodeguita del Medio features the tropical stylings (and Spanglish name) of Michelle y su Power Band.
*Miami Libre, the musical stage revue featuring local favorites Tiempo Libre, continues at the Arsht Center. Act fast if you want to catch this; next weekend is the show's last.
Sunday, August 10:
*What's up with all the classic rock this weekend? The big event on Sunday is the so-called "Hippiefest" at the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre. The highly specific names of the acts on the bill alert you to the dubious nature of their lineups, but hey, at least it's the version of the Animals with Eric Burdon in it. Other acts: Melanie (well, it's impossible to fake her), Jonathan Edwards, Jack Bruce, and "The Turtles feat. Flo & Eddie" and "Badfinger feat. Joey Milland." I'll be honest, I hope my current favorite bands never hit the nostalgia circuit in similarly reduced form. Then again, ask me again in 30 years, who knows.
*For the younger and infinitely weirder, Peasants with Feathers presents his occasional Circuit Sundays event at Churchill's. You know that creepy dude with the gigantic fake boner and shamanic robes lurking at the edge of the stage during Otto von Schirach gigs? That's Peasants with Features, and Miami New Times will reveal more about him in the coming weeks. Anyways, Circuit Sundays involves some kind of laptop thing, he says. I didn't really get his explanation, but it promises to be a super-leftfield evening.
