Yet, in the middle of this grand spectacle where velvet-rope exclusivity dominates, Keepin' House Alive is doing something different. On March 27, La Fabrikita in Little Havana will host a warehouse rave that strips house music back to its essence: community, rhythm, and the kind of freedom only found on the dance floor.
The event's creator, Patricia Castellanos, who DJs under the name Pati, has no interest in chasing big-name headliners or industry hype. Keepin' House Alive is her answer to a scene that she feels has become more about exclusivity than experience, more about VIP wristbands than the pulse of the dance floor.
"I was a total booth rat," she says, laughing, describing her early days when she spent nights dancing behind DJs, absorbing music in its purest form. Wanting to learn the craft, she enrolled in classes at Miami DJ Academy to study DJing and production and was soon able to transfer her passion to the airwaves, where she launched Keepin' House Alive, a Miami Community Radio show exploring house music's roots.
The concept soon expanded. During Miami Art Week in 2024, she brought it to life as a time capsule experience at Féria Clandestina, honoring the genre's underground legacy. Most recently, Pati stepped behind the decks at We Belong Here, the boutique dance music festival on Virginia Key. Now, she's channeling that momentum into her biggest Keepin' House Alive project yet: bringing house music back to its origins.
"House was born in warehouses, not in VIP sections, not on overpriced festival stages," Pati says. "It was built in the dark, where people came together to dance without barriers."
La Fabrikita has an open floor plan built for movement, inviting people to dance freely.
Photo by Cassie Martinez
Hosting the event at La Fabrikita is no accident. Located in the heart of Little Havana, this cultural hub is known for its intimate yet dynamic atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for Keepin' House Alive. More than just a warehouse, it's a space designed for artistic expression, with walls covered in local artwork, a well-crafted bar, and a pool table that adds to its laid-back, communal vibe. An open floor plan built for movement invites people to dance freely, embodying the very essence of house music. Set against the backdrop of Little Havana's rich cultural history, La Fabrikita offers an experience that's both immersive and deeply rooted in Miami's underground scene.
"House is ever-evolving, and it will always change — that's the nature of life," says Pati of the genre. "But it's become so flashy, so social media-driven, that I feel like a lot of it is starting to sound the same, and that sameness isn't really linked to the roots. I want to keep its roots alive, not because one version is better than the other, but because when you keep the foundation strong, there's so much more you can create from there."
In addition to Pati, the night will feature music from DJs Nel. and Ruben Pagan. Each brings a unique style shaped by Miami's rich musical history, from soulful grooves to disco beats, creating a set that feels both nostalgic and undeniably fresh.
"There's no dress code, no rules. Just come as you are and feel the music," Pati emphasizes.
Keepin' House Alive Warehouse Edition. With Nel., Ruben Pagan, and Pati. 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at La Fabrikita, 752 SW Tenth Ave., Miami; lafabrikita.com. Tickets cost $24 via eventbrite.com.
Find the full list of Miami Music Week 2025 events here.
