What a sad day for the Miami independent scene. Studio A has shut down its doors for good! AS reported by the Miami New Times Crossfade Blog, the best mid-sized venue to catch live shows and indie or hip-hop parties is now gone.

It lasted a good two years, creating a great vibe which was hard to replicate in other venues. They had a great stage, and just a nice overall setup with nice space allowing people to either dance it up, or chill on the couches to the side. Many memorable artists graced that stage, including Pharoahe Monch, KRS-One, Buckshot, Kid Sister, Stephen Marley, Cool Kids, M.I.A., Prefuse 73, DMX, and a bunch of other people I can’t remember right now. Plus, Studio A had many great party nights, including the short lived Misfit Fridays, 90s Hip-Hop Nights, and the legendary monthly Bass Sessions by DJ Craze, who brought out some of the best DJs in the world like A-Trak & Klever.

Not sure what the problem was, but that shooting a few weeks ago certainly didn’t help. Now we gotta wait and see who will pick up the slack in Miami, and make a good venue for live shows. PS14 and all these other shitholes ain’t cutting it. Sorry.

Miami has a history of many indie hip-hop weekly’s popping up with some staying for the long run, and most bailing out after a couple months. MURK’d is the newest one and they hope to be around for a while. With party hosts Parable and MovieBoy, and resident DJs Madame Turk and Salami Fingaz they might have a chance.

This week is a special MURK’d because the party host himself will be performing. Parable spent two years traveling and dominating the national battle circuit, including gaining high ranks in Scribble Jam and the World Rap Championship. Now he returns to show Miami that there’s more substance to his aggressive battle raps, with thought-provoking songs containing vivid displays of life, struggle, love and hate.

Also performing this week are Fresh Basil familia The Leftouts. The crew consists of Miami heavyweights Wrekonize, Myagi, and DJ Sharpsound. Even though this is their first live performance, these Miami veterans have been building a strong buzz within the Miami hip-hop scene with their solid songs. Local MC Thousand Thoughts will also be performing.

So come check out the good vibes on Thursday night starting at 10pm. Its an 18+ night, with cheap drinks, and a sexy ass pool table. RSVP at murkdmiami (at) gmail (dot) com!

The Deuce Crew fam will be starting a new weekly at Jazid. It starts tonight, and will be every Tuesday here on forward. This week, party starters DJ Mike Deuce and DJ DS363 will be joined by special guest DJ Obi of Money Shot fame. The night will definitely pop off right.

For those that never been to Jazid, its good times. Nice lounge area in the bottom, with a nice pool table upstairs and a solid dance area. And by just looking at the video, you have to go! Best video ad ever!

MARCH MADNESS HAS BEGUN! Get ready, TIS the season for SPRING BREAKERS AND WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE 2008! This month is sure to be packed with the best of the best parties of the season as WMC celebrates its 10th year anniversary!

The weekend starts fresh with brand new HAPPY HOUR SPOT on Friday nights brought to you by Tony Dominguez® at BADRUTT’S PLACE in Brickell for the newest and hottest in Pre-Party Destinations. Also a plus is you can skip out on the Spring Breakers taking over South Beach.

If you’re feeling Sexy and Sassy, I suggest ¨Fashion Fridays¨ at PRIVÉ, hosted by some of the sexiest models from the most prestigious agencies in Miami. Put you’re A-Game on and strut your stuff! You’ll be rubbing shoulders with models that have been featured in Maxim, Ocean Drive, 6 Degrees, Lincoln Road Mag, FHM, and more. It’s 2 rooms filled with Eye-Candy, decide whether you want to rock out in the house room or bust a move in the hip hop room. Both Ultra chic!

Another destination you don’t want to miss tonight is happening at MANSION! Join the Opium Group as they bring you Grammy Award Winning Special Guest DJ Jermaine Dupri for one night only! Let’s show him the Miami Love!

If you are in a chillen mood and want to vibe out but don’t feel like getting all glammed out; hit up LOVE HATE in SoBe for it’s “NO HASSLE WEEKEND” party, NO COVER and doors open at 9pm. Enjoy the tattoo inspired décor and sounds by famous DJ Mateo.

If your in Ft. Lauderdale make sure to check out VOODOO Lounge where you can jam to house, electro, Break Beats and Live Acts. DJ Dave Dimitri in the main room, JPS spinning Hip-Hop/R&B/Reggae in the ENVY room and DJ GQ bringing you a Rock/Hip-Hop mash-up in Rodman’s Rehab.

This weekends weather is looking to be amazing so don’t just head out at night, ENJOY the SPRING BREAK excitement and enjoy the rays at the beach. Sunday head to NIKKI BEACH where the festivities last all day starting at noon! Enjoy pitchers of Mojitos while relaxing in the sand, or get up and dance to house music all day long and well into the night!

I gave you a quickie of what’s to come this month, Party Patrol is in overtime to get you in the loop for what’s poppin’ off this month for all the WMC 08’ events, including the pool parties at the Catalina, the Hotel Victor, and the SHELBOURNE, and night events at newly remodeled SHINE, and making its DEBUT, will be the GRAND OPENING of AEROBAR brought to you by Tony Guerra. Stay tuned for more and remember, keep it clean, be safe, stay fly, and do as I do best… PARTY YOUR CARES AWAY!!!

WooHoo! The weekend is here again! Time for us all to come out and play and celebrate yet another day! Miami’s the spot to be, this weekend is filled with all kinds of activities to keep you busy and happily entertained day and night.

Starting Friday night, Pedro Meurice and the Union Group bring to you; Recording Artist Sean Kingston will be at CIELO GARDEN & SUPERCLUB located in Coconut Grove. Sit back relax, and enjoy sounds by resident DJ Miguel G. Ladies enjoy complimentary dinner for free with advance reservations. What better way to kick-start your weekend then to enjoy a delicious meal, some wine, great music and a LIVE Performance by SEAN KINGSTON!

That’s not the only live performance going on tonight; Ginuwine is back and will be PERFORMING LIVE at MANSION Nightclub! Ladies you can stop drooling, my suggestion is buy your tickets early to see this sexy R&B Vocalist right in front of you!

Friday the festivities continue, these are some of the best local spots for you to choose from. Here’s my list of suggested parties to venture to on this lovely Friday:

Good Life Fridays at NIKKI BEACH, with DJ JP Regaud & DJ Erasmo Almangno

Stereo Fridays at PARKWEST, now with the newly opened “REHAB BAR”

Fashion Fridays at PRIVÉ, hosted by Top Miami Models every week

Flash Fridays at CAMEO, with music by legendary DJ Irie

These are just some of the great parties going on Friday night. Stay tuned for what’s going on for Saturday and Sunday! Plenty more to see this weekend I PROMISE! BE SAFE!

Its Saturday night… but, do you know where your party is? Look no further, I have come to the rescue giving you a line-up of what’s to come of this amazing Saturday evening, so put on your big girl panties and let’s ROCK IT! We have a fresh Saturday night filled with Anniversaries and Live Appearances, so sit back, relax, actually no, STAND UP and put on your dancing shoes, we’re going out to PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!

There are many places to see and be seen this weekend, but the three main events in my eyes revolve around CAMEO, THE FIFTH and last, but definitely not least SPACE! Louis Puig, Ken Smith, Emi Guerra, and David Grutman, invite you all to attend the festivities at CAMEO in honor of the 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of “A Rockin Good Time!” Enjoy sounds by DJ Shawn Rudnick and Special Guest Cedric Gervais, previously know as, “King of South Beach”. Known for his previous residence at Crobar and countless after hours sessions at the legendary Space, Cedric Gervais, has been a staple in the Miami party scene. He has brought you the hits, “Pills” featuring Second Sun, “Spirit In My Life”, and has worked with superstars such as Oscar G of MURK, Tony Choy, Steve Lawler, David Waxman, and a dozen more. This is definitely looking to be a celebration you don’t want to miss!

Next on the agenda, the Fifth where you can dance your ass off to Starkillers with DJ Lemoch performing LIVE! Starkillers, aka Nick Terranova, know best for his awesome combo of nasty bass and sexy seductive vocals, guys keep an eye your chic for sure because he will have them shaking and screaming, and losing their mind! Nick has been named in DJ MAG Top 100’s, has worked with huge stars such as Paul Van Dyk, DJ Dan, Serge Devant, and John Creamer. He’ll be joined by DJ Lemoch, who has been one of Miami’s best dance DJ’s and his talents have taken him to DJ sets in Venezuela, Spain, Ibiza, and many Miami hot spots such as, Space, Gryphon, Oxygen, Crobar, Nocturnal, Tantra, Privé and more. He’s shared the stage with all-stars of the dance industry, Johnny Vicius, Cosmic Gate, Gabriel & Dresden, and mega star Paul Oakenfold, just to name a few. Either way your night will be off and poppin’ if you’re at the Fifth with these great DJ’s!

After you leave either of these two FANTASTIC venues, make sure to make your way to the master of all after hours… Club Space! Bud Light and Space proudly bring you The Sunday Morning Sleaze Show with CEDRIC GERVAIS and DJ PATRICK M. Yep you got it, following Cameo; Cedric Gervais will continue the party at SPACE… all I have to say is WOOHOO!!! Let me not forget DJ PATRICK M, if you didn’t get enough of him at Stereo Parkwest on Friday then come on by. His sets have no doubt been classed as the type that will have you up on stage like it’s nobody’s business and dancing like there’s no one around! You’ll be dancing till the club shuts down, and that…well that my Party Patrol friends is where I step in to the beat till noon or till they kick me out. Then I gots to get my happy ass to the beach or to bed… whether its mine or not…hmmm we’ll just have to see!

Remember don’t forget to keep your FABULOSITY FACE ON and avoid leaving the place looking like a disaster; DO NOT let your night beat you! Guaranteed if you head out Saturday night make sure you check one of these out, I promise you won’t be disappointed, my only warning is, I CAN NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY PERSONS GETTING LOST, TIPSY, NAKED OR DOWNRIGHT DIRTY!!! BE SAFE KIDDIES!!!

Giving you the real deal on some great nightlife from a TRUE PARTY GIRL! These are some suggestions of places that will always have you bumpin’ during the Friday night BREAKOUT from the daily grind of your borin’ ass Monday- Friday 9-5 nonsense AKA the J.O.B. Let me take you on a little escapade.

I start the night enjoying a chill, mellow vibe at GRASS, located in the Design District with the fresh beats provided by DJ Joseph Anthony, whose credits include guest spots at the infamous SHADOW LOUNGE and playing with the likes of George Acosta, BT, Soul Mechanik, and plenty more. It even gets better — ladies enjoy complimentary dinner, just make sure you RSVP. From there lets continue Downtown to the latest addition to the hottest strip in downtown- STEREO PARKWEST. This spot has amazing lights (a complete wall-full of LED screens), a sick-ass sound system, and there’s always some hotties in the bunch. Plus, DJ Shawn Rudnick plays some of the best house packed with funky beats and awesome vocals. Let me not even begin to tell you his background. He’s collaborated with artists such as Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Doug E Fresh, Erick Morillo, Rabbit In The Moon, etc, etc, the list is way too long to continue. He has been a big part of the Miami Party Scene for a good minute and he definitely knows how to keep you moving to the beat with your hands up in the air!

Next stop, the beach. I love to hit up CAMEO… music is always poppin’ with Mr. Mauricio and DJ Irie in the main room. Need I say more?! They’ll have you droppin it like it’s hot and all the ladies wanting to toss out their heals from all the dancing! Lets not forget DJ Louis Dee dropping down mash-ups of 80’s, ol-skool rock, and house in the ultra lavish VICE, an equation built for success. For sure an A+ in the art of spinning beats in both rooms.

The fun doesn’t end here, after closing out Cameo you can always find some great after hour spots that let you wind down or just continue the party! All you have to take a little trip over the Causeway back to downtown, hello the only place with 24-hr liquor licenses. DJ QBA and DJ Ivan D can help you dance off the alcohol at NOCTURNAL or head two doors down to PARK WEST where DJ Patrick M keeps all the local house aficionados moving to the beat of electro and house till sunrise. After that, well then you kind of have to go home or do something productive to prepare yourself for the upcoming Saturday night.

That about wraps up my Friday night guide, or should I say night and morning. To think this is only the beginning of my weekend, ONLY INSANITY AWAITS!!! HANDLE IT!!!

Come boogaloo and crack a brew this Wednesday night upstairs at Jazid.

Baby Jam of the JBeez will be the guest on the wheels droppin that original hip-house and classics like the one above. Put on your medallions and step on out!

This past Friday, Prefuse 73 rocked a show at Studio A. We were able to catch up with him at an after party at PS14, where Loop Fridays is hosted by my homie Jake Jefferson.

Prefuse let us know whats up with his new album “Preparations”, and what you can expect from his current tour. Short and sweet. So if you already know P73, then you know the deal. His album is not to be slept on. Same quality material as always. Here is a sample track for those who haven’t peeped the album yet.

Prefuse 73 - Girlfriend/Boyfriend

The video also features local celebrities you can catch at Loop Fridays at PS14. Good times were had, and many more good times are to come.

For those that don’t know, this party goes down every Wednesday @ Jazid, No Cover, live music downstairs courtesy of Latin funk maestros Xperimento, and all the good vibes in the upstairs lounge with classic joints and music you will hear nowhere else, movies on the big screen and weekly drink specials.

The last Wednesday of the month is always a special jumpoff, with myself, Mr. Brown & DJane currently holding down the early month sessions. MCs are welcome as we’ve had cats like LMS, Protoman PFM hold down the mic and all of your favorite local DJs on the decks. Peep the Grand Groove Myspace page , for mooore.

MENTION FRESH BASIL TO THE BARTENDER AND GET A FREE DRANK WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!

Poetry lovers from all over the tri-county area congregate inside Yuca Lounge on Lincoln Road every single Wednesday. like religiously.

Many people are unaware but the Bohemia Room has been providing a stage and a mic for spoken word & recording artists for years. In fact, i got my first peek at Janelle Monae when she performed there and I must agree with Anonyms-she ripped it. So you should def check her out.

Every week, hosts Ingrid B and Alex T. Proctor do it up big by giving exposure and support to a scene that most South Floridians only see on HBO Def Poetry. The BR fam includes Miami Masters Will da Real One, Asia, Poetic Vibes, & Anomaly and house poets Evita, Gookie (haha me, of course, suckahs!), Angelique, Da Youngsta, Nytaina, Truth, Godus, Vernon, Analogy, Honey Bee & Barbara Howard. (poet listing taken directly from their myspace page..so don’t get mad at me if you ain’t mentioned! i know for a fact there more regular poets but there’s wayyy too many to name!)

Here’s a tiny taste of the talent that performs at the Bohemia Room:

Every week, there is a different theme–monthly slams, erotic night, “it’s a man’s world”..so sign up to the email list and add them on myspace so you know what’s going down.

You can also stop by Workmens on Washington & Espanola to get complimentary admission passes..good before 8:30 so get there early..doors open at 8pm, poetry starts at 9:30 but I guarantee you by 9:15..you’ll be struggling to find a place to sit. So..be smart. either get there early (and for freeeee) or contact Ingrid for table reservations! Also check out Ingrid’s blog to find out additional events and news on thangs you should know about!

-Gookie-