Last year, when Little Haiti's best and only sort-of-English pub turned 30, we got a little worried. Would Dave Daniels take the milestone as an opportunity to finally sell Churchill's? The answer was no, and though it seems like Daniels is perennially talking about ridding himself of it, Churchill's is an addiction, after all. Still, every year an independent business is open in Miami is a reason to celebrate, and you never know what'll happen, so take a moment and spend the five measly bucks on the venue's 31st birthday.
The lineup isn't trying to bridge any eras of the club's history, focusing straight on the vintage classics, but it's quality for the money. Noise terrorist Rat Bastard is performing, of course, as well as the notoriously unpredictable Load. In fact, on the club's web site, the band is billed as "(New) Load," so who knows what Bobby Load has got up his sleeves for this one. Headlining is the tricounty area's best rocker-turned-lawyer, Charlie Pickett, who deserves every bit of the musical renaissance he currently enjoys.
31 Years of Churchill's. With Charlie Pickett, Load, the Clockouts, Rat Bastard, and others. 8 p.m. Saturday, September 4. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. Admission is $5; age 18 and up; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com