For the rest of the nation, the first Monday in September marks the unofficial end of summer, but in the Magic City — where the sun apparently never got the memo — LDW is just another excuse for us club freaks to party it up like we're back in dorm rooms.
But before you go on your 96-hour booty-shakin' bender, check out Miami's eight best Labor Day bashes of 2015. Choose wisely.
Nicky Romero. Friday, September 4, 11 p.m. Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-695-8411; mansionmiami.com. Tickets cost $30 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up.
After 11 years of attracting some of the biggest names in the industry to South Beach and hosting some of the wildest ragers in the 305's club history, Mansion is shutting its doors for good. While the official closing, which was slated to happen after this weekend, has been pushed back a few weeks and the date is still undetermined, you can nonetheless reminisce about all the hazy memories and fun times as Nicky Romero plays 1235 Washington Avenue one last time.
Daydream Rooftop Pool Party. With Swanky Tunes, Fuego Beats, Jose Estrada, Kieto, Leyva, Malone, Masf, Rob Vanz, and others. Saturday, September 5, 12 to 9 p.m. Fifty Miami, 485 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305-503-4417; viceroymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 plus fees via eventbrite.com. Ages 21 and up.
As one of the disc jockeys on the ballot for DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs of 2015, the Russian DJ trio Swanky Tunes isn't daydreaming — the bros are livin' the dream. And for their Magic City Labor Day bash, the uhntz-uhntz junkies will be taking their Swanky Tunes to a whole 'nother level — 50 stories above ground, to be exact — at Fifty Miami.
Afrojack. With Mednas. Saturday, September 5, 11 p.m. LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-4680; livnightclub.com. Tickets cost $125 plus fees via flavorus.com. Ages 21 and up.
Summer may be approaching the end, but that's not gonna stop Afrojack from helping you find some summer loving at LIV. So bring out your seductive unicorn mask, "dance all night till it hurts," and fall under the party boy's
Cedric Gervais. On the terrace. Saturday, September 5, 11 p.m. Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-375-0001; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $20 to $35 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up.
Cedric Gervais is a Grammy award-winning DJ-producer, but the self-proclaimed "sexy, f*@kable house music" star is feeling a little blue. To combat his "Summertime Sadness," Gervais is throwing a party at Space where he'll be spinnin' his favorite tracks till daybreak.
All Gone Pete Tong. With Patrick Topping, Baake, and Ms. Mada. Presented by Underground Story. Saturday, September 5, 11 p.m. Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2424; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 plus fees via flavorus.com. Ages 21 and up.
When it comes to DJing, Pete Tong is a real OG. And as the host of BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix and Essential Selection programs, the man has always, as pointed out by us here at New Times last year, "kept a finger pressed on the pulse of global dance music for the better part of two decades." But this week, "the world's chief electronic dance music tastemaker" will be taking his talents to South Beach and taking over the decks at Story with the UK's Patrick Topping and the 305's own Baake and Ms. Mada.
Carnage. With Rascal. Sunday, September 6, 11 p.m. Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2424; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 plus fees via flavorus.com. Ages 21 and up.
Ever since he was hauled out of the DJ booth last year by Broward Sheriff's officers after performing for 45 minutes past closing time, Carnage knew he was destined for greatness. "That's when I was like, Wow, this is, like, real real. I can do this with the big guys," the bass junkie told New Times. So turn up with Papi Gordo and watch the party boy bring his raw beats to Story.
50 Cent. With DJs Stevie J and Don P. Presented by Effen Vodka. Sunday, September 6, 11 p.m. LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-4680; livnightclub.com. Ages 21 and up.
50 Cent may be "In Da Club" this weekend, but homeboy doesn't want you sippin' on "Bacardi like it's yo' birthday." Instead, he wants you poppin' bottles of his Effen Vodka (remember the whole bankruptcy thing). 50's latest booze endorsement (and upcoming album, Street King Immortal) is what's bringing the G-Unit label boss to Liv. And as long as you keep your glass Effen full, you can hang with 50.
Jeezy's Thug Motivation 101 Ten-Year Celebration. Monday, September 7, 11 p.m. Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-2424; storymiami.com. Tickets are available via flavorus.com. Ages 21 and up.
It's been a decade since Jeezy released his record-breaking chart topper, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101. And in those ten years, the trap star, as broken down by our sister paper in Broward-Palm Beach last year, "has released four more solo albums — two debuting at number one on Billboard's Top 200, works as the Multicultural Advisor for Tequila Avion, helped introduce the world to California's YG, and ended a long standing beef with our very own Rick Ross prior to the release of Ross' Mastermind." Sure, the ATL rapper has Seen It All by now, but where would we be without a little Thug Motivation from time to time? Definitely not turnin' up on a Monday. Happy Labor Day!
