Into the Night

Are you in the mood for live music? If so, Churchill's Hideaway (5501 NE 2nd Ave., 757-1807) has the perfect mood enhancer: the Miami Rocks Festival, all month long. They're already halfway through the musical marathon; about 50 bands have played, but there's no sign the rock is starting to crumble. The fest has occasional theme nights, and this Friday the ladies take the stage for "Gotta Have a Girl Night." Two of South Florida's premier divas, Diane Ward and Amanda Green, who, according to Churchill's owner Dave Daniels, got their start in his bar, will headline a show with Bionix, Monostat 3, and Nicole Miranda. If the South Florida women's rock scene were a family, these acts would be some of the darlings. A few of the bands on Saturday, however, would be the black-sheep vixens. Although the night doesn't have an official title, there will be lots of femme fatale angst and rebellion with the Livid Kittens and the Gargirls; also on the bill are the Drug Czars, Egg, Sofia, Goth Chix in Vinyl, Pittie Korn, and all the way from Ohio, the Leftovers.

Thursday
Liquid, "Bass Mint." The NFA runs three rooms that blast you with acid jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and house rhythms, with guest DJ Clark Kent. 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-9154.

The Grind, "Descarga." You won't need this coffeehouse's beans to get you movin' when local rockeros en espanol ANada? narrate the Latin open mike, but a tasty jolt of caffeine just might be as good a way as any to start off your weekend. 12573 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami, 899-9979.

Friday
Alliance Cinema, "Bill Orcutt's Goodbye Party." The man at the helm of the coolest little movie house in South Florida is going to California to pursue other interests in film. Help send him off, welcome the new executive director Joanne Butcher-Zbornik, and maybe even sign up as a volunteer. 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. 927 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 534-7171.

Salvation, "Culture Anniversary Party." The promotional business is tough. To celebrate its second year in the throes of partyland the people from promo group Culture are having -- what else? -- a party. Some of the twenty DJs heating up the wax will be Noel Sanger, Stylus, D-Extreme, VooDoo, Clueless, and AK 1200. Giveaways and a live percussionist will keep you busy with boogie-down, hip-hop, jungle, funk, and house. 1771 West Ave., Miami Beach, 673-6508.

Zanzibar, "Latin Rock Night." The Latin masses join forces for some hot and heavy musica dispensed by DJ Gus. 615 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-6688.

Splash, "Bliss." High-energy dance party full of debauchery, drinking, and tabletop dancing girls for the ladies who prefer ladies. 5922 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami, 661-0917.

Saturday
Club Kays, "Techno Babble II." An all-night party in a club with an all-night liquor license. Sounds more like trouble than babble. DJs Sandy, Rob-E, J-Luv, Jason Brown and R-Fresh will keep the place humming. Laser Matt makes a special appearance and a feature film about the Florida underground rave scene will be shot. 1710 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale, 954-456-5297.

Bee Hive, "Hot Wax." No, it's not anything kinky. At least that's not the specific intent. At a minimum, though, DJ Chilly will be in the back lounge on the hi-fi, pumping out the funk, hip-hop, and acid jazz. 630 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 538-7484.

Mac's Club Deuce. Want a break from the weekend hype? Grab a drink at this venerable Beach watering hole. Construction workers, pretty boys, detectives, impostors, models, and professionals (many different types of professionals) will be there fueling up for whatever's next on the agenda. 222 Fourteenth St., Miami Beach, 531-6200.

Doc Dammers. Bilingual singer/songwriter Pilar and her four-piece Mondowow Band delight one and all with their quirky and always entertaining brand of original tunes about love, life, and hamburgers. 180 Aragon Ave. (Colonnade Hotel), Coral Gables, 441-2600.

Sunday
Wet Willie's. After broiling on the beach in the summer sun and swimming in the 87-degree water, many consider one of the slew of potent slushies built into a wall of this bar a must. Beach bums and bunnies enjoy the cool cocktails and ocean views, but motorcycles almost outnumber bathing suits. 560 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 532-5650.

Society Hill, "The Pyramid of the Rising Sun." DJ Sesame gives a thorough lesson in the finer elements of the three Rs: roots, rap, and reggae. 627 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-9993.

Monday
Lua, "Bad-ass Bitch." The original South Beach lounge is back and bitchin' with Myckel Stevens hosting a night of deep house music with DJ Kevin. 409 Espanola Way., Miami Beach, 534-0061.

Tuesday
Lost Weekend. Air hockey, Space Invaders, PacMan, and other cheesy-but-fun games take a back seat to a too-cool pool tournament with a $100 grand prize. 218 Espanola Way, Miami Beach, 672-1707.

Stella Blue, "Lighten Up Your Blues." First lady of song Maryel Epps performs R&B and blues classics, two shows nightly. 1661 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, 532-4788.

Wednesday
Chili Pepper. Live music on South Beach is not plentiful, and good live music is even more scarce, but tonight the industrial metal edge of Nation of Fear (with frontman Brian Tutunik, formally of Collapsing Lungs), Endo, and the pop rock of Big change all that with a musically varied show. 621 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 531-9661.

Yuca. John Reubens and Niki Blacker keep the music of the original glamorous days of the Beach alive with tunes from Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin. 501 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 532-9822.

-- By Larry Boytano

Send information regarding special "one-nighters" to "Into the Night." Fax material to 571-7678 or call 571-7572.