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1663-41 Art Deco/Preservation W -.��.--. , __ .- _ _ __ .. . v 0 ducal' o SECTION G , FRIDAY MAY , ` • • - MOVIES In Being Human, ; ` � ; t ,_� Robin Williams is fi Hector, Hector, — :it' Hector, Hector and �. r , Hector MUSIC 4G Nana Vasconcelos headlines Brazilian festival weekend 15G . K----_____. .., ( 2- .-471 ' II IHC 1 tj 1 1 c S D 0 T ..._, ,..... ,,g,...,,,,,,,,, .. , '.. ,::: rry t.„..- ,, , f °R . '?—,--.FY aj` 4, Fj ..�, l -,1<-,.4-,r F1'Sv ,,4 , , -'iti41'%;-7' C [ 0 D C II A III I. ';'-.4.'• ..yk"/4k . s � Tara Solomon looks at summer nightlife. A clue: It's hot. „� 20G . , . . . r ♦ 1./•I fr^ f ♦ 1 • 0 I . > ! 1 I ! 1 I ! f t y ____. _ _- ._._._ _.___. .._ - 20G TFRH1pFlEYiRAMLADY o 1994 WEEKEND / NIGHTLIFE •^ v ■ J1jj4' 7 ., - * ,., - I[ I - - -- 1 [ tit ■ With high I.. . ..]::,!:, 1 J season winding . •. • cillii . ciii\iii. • a to a close, Tara `� p :% ...t; , : } Solomon ,, p . surveys the `r� � .. � �... a s ' • s : � By TARA SOLOMON expect as the new season unfolds �'':' • Special to The Herald this fall. y ' 4 f Glam Slam: When Prince's play- summer stock of '. r ` f ith all the sudden £� 1 <: ;' , ground opens July 4 at 1235 • n<< `.' openings/clos- Washington Ave., look for a Beach nightlife. f l y ,; ��. ings/transitions in warmer, sexier feel, according to iN •. `. Vis, $t,Z` South Beach's design consultant George Tamsitt. Andyou know ,F k M F, : Clubville, the Tamsitt, who designed Warsaw 1' `- ,gi streets are positively buzzing and Kremlin and is working this ' '' „.. ; r with rumors. Even well meaning time under Prince's personal set what? It's _ i ' .- ' yet ill-informed cabbies are vol-, designer, Cliff Cunningham,tells us tz unteering their versions of the to expect the same basic layout pretty hot fi top-secretplans for Prince's new. s but lots of h- painted murals, py club,the old Paragon. a permanen, .,rncert stage (two I r • No, it's not going to be a con- to three major shows are planned ��', ' s cert hall. And the name is Glam per month), and a retractable 3 ” .4, `< Slam!,not Wham Ram,OK? neon proscenium that will rise 40 g Meanwhile, Amnesia will close feet to the incrediblyhigh ceiling. . " T in July for the summer. And The original sound system,put in +' • don't be surprised if a parking by New York's Sound Factory for .-' . garage stands atop Velvet before Paragon, remains;a separate sys- I next season, and the upheaval tem will be installed only for con , z _ s€ continues at the old Washington Certs. Construction begins this .':;:...::,'A!?'; Square spot. month. r ' 4 These are just some of the La Voile Rouge: This St. Tropez A.BRENNAN INNERARITY/Herald Staff changes in store for our beloved export at 455 Ocean Dr. had one 0 1 1 C AT AMNESIA:Jody McDonald's T-dance packs the place on Sundays;the rest of the week,there's a largely straight, Bohemian party isle. Here, we of the most-hyped openings of chronicle the buzz on what's new the season.A self-contained play- European-style crowd. A huge mall of a disco. this season,what's being changed ground for the rich and famous, for the summer and what to the complex includes a hotel, ii ri_ii i 11[i I]Iii . something out of a Nine Inch Nails particularly on muggy nights.On on some Caribbean island. haunts.The theme here is"Get video.Wear black and you'll fit right weekends,the place is overrun by Cameo,1445 Washington Ave., Fed,Get Rocked,"which means in with the decor. fun-hungry tourist types and cause- 532-0922:On South Beach,some you can come in and enjoy nouveau This Beach club was Amnesia,136 Collins Ave., way crawlers.During the festive, nightclubs come and go with blaz- Southwest cuisine until midnight on compiled South Staffbguideer 531-5535:Since its opening last carnival-like atmosphere of the ing speed(remember Hell?The Liz- weekends.After that,the tables are Rene Rodby e Heraldr ldCver charges February,this sprawling,open-air Sunday afternoon T-dances, and Lounge?Impyrean?)and oth- swept away,the music gets vary. dazzler has generated a lot of talk. Amnesia is representative of every- ers,like the rock-steady Cameo, cranked up,and those looking for a Nearby residents hate all the noise thing South Beach is known for. continue to pack them for eternity. little wine and light conversation go and are making some of their own Pricey but worth it. The former moviehouse has been scurrying elsewhere.The dress AJAXX Industrial,841 Washing- to the city,but this seasonal club's Bash,655 Washington Ave., snazzily transformed into a multi- code here is casual,like the atmo- ton Ave.,673-3020:The things you huge popularity indicates it won't 538-2274:This place sports one of level dance palace complete with sphere,and the music has a wel- can do with a little black metal grill- be quieting down anytime soon— the funkiest decors of any South lots of balconies ideal for voyeurs, come rock'n'roll slant. work nowadays.AJAXX Industrial at least until they close down for the Beach hang—even the bathrooms so many bars you can't take three Club Deuce,222 14th St., is currently hot-hot-hot—on a summer(they'll be out of action are splashed in vibrant,kaleido- steps without sidling up to one, 673-9537:The eternally popular recent Saturday night the mob July 17-Oct.20). Elegant Mediter- scopic colors—but it's the eter- groovy'60s-style psychedelic pro- Deuce,with its horseshoe-shaped waiting to be let in was so thick it ranean architecture,one of the best nally diverse crowds and the little- jections on the walls,and lots of bar and well-worn pool table,is a interrupted traffic on Washington light shows on the Beach,bleach- bit-of-everything music mix that thumping bass for the Power 96 popular spot for a quick drink in Avenue.What's the big deal? er-type seating areas ideal for keep it hopping.The owners crowd.The Cameo's ever-popular between club stops.Thirstier souls Those precarious-looking but very crowd-scanning,and comfortable include Sean Penn and Simply Red Sunday Disco nights remain for can stay the whole night—and hip catwalks that line this small couches and covered lounge areas singer Mick Hucknall,and their those who ache to do the Bertha many do. dance club. If you're afraid of on the second level for more inti- showbiz friends like to visit often, Butt Boogie one more time. Club One,1045 Fifth St., heights,you might want to stick to mate conversation.Since things so it's a good place for celebrity Chili Pepper,621 Washington 534-4999:Miami is known for Latin ground level—the platforms are are al fresco here,you won't choke sightings.On our visit,we didn't Ave.,531-9661:The giant cartoon flavor, but at most Beach clubs,the dizzyingly narrow in spots—but on second-hand smoke and you recognize anybody but had a great panels on the walls of this restau- beat is strictly techno-house-trib- everyone else won't be able to can carry on a conversation without time hanging out in the rear open- rant/club hybrid give the place a al-trance.Not so here.Club One is resist exploring the nooks and having to bellow—though we'd air"patio,which has such a lilting distinctly bright,cheery feel that's a just the thing if you're in the mood crannies upstairs.The atmosphere hate to see what happens when it tropical feel we would've sworn— welcome change from the cavern- for some salsa and merengue is strictly ice-cool tech noir,like rains. Dress nicely but comfortably, after a couple of drinks—we were ous ambience of most South Beach tossed in with your disco. Patrons 7 ----- ___ o ., {. WEEKEND'/ NIGHTLIFE FRIDAY,' MAY 6 1994 D THE HERALD 21G lR 3 S sax`y.@ r�3.c ti • rs" yy,,„y ,y(j$ Lam` n,. AV;: mg'Fad' rt `4..+»..,..... ......,.:;.... ''.;01400:00$0."'"""*"-""--,. . .,:,, , : .......! ...,.. . ... • • • the Y ` 0 -we - 191.6 lqiy • • 0. .,":„...„...<4,:,."•,,o,4e,.., ....,...wm-ov.z .::::;,.::- .:,iA.,.,...,•,,..;.:-.4. ... .. . .-g,24, ..., :.:,,,...---... x£� +r f x.. _:.4..r::,..,, �,, ., . +� fj Kis a wd (• *" ,..7.,,;.:7.,-.44.....„.v..7..7::..,...:.••5 � {.4%,....::::,:.,..,.-;:•::::✓ ,x ,. i. .s f \ ¢ ,p. cC%% iF gip! �� ".."7.:4::*, yY5 SAY �. / : '.P^ 'a + _-C V. ... :!,'.i.i..:c. c c'�y '�'�'c S �� y.,, 3 Y� zL ,. S r. J Stati - M*.,-,..w...:, f . . '�xz ,.. �pgERGMN Herald AM ' SOt 1II B K .... t .... ,.. . ..:, �� .. "..45W5*.vk.... STARS WITH STRIPES: Left, i TARA SOLOMON ..:13.y.,,,...,,,,.....,.. a two clubgoers dance atop the .>. '. bar at the Cameo.Above, the condos, lush pool and a cabana tively divvied up via imaginative ifs' view from the Cameo balcony. ws area opening onto beachfront, art sets. < with dance club, piano bar and • Britto Central: Not a club, but restaurant. What more could an definitely a viable entertaining their over-decorated living room. elitist want? venue, where Absolut artist Rom- Velvet: No one will lay a hand Amnesia: Imported from the ero Britto has been throwing someon this hot dance club, which than the current club, Greg Brier and acid jazz (but no dance south of France, this monster mean fetes, including a Cuban arrived on the scene last fall, says. Designers will be brought in floor), the Blue Room is to open club has proven that high-season feast for Marisa Tomei and the until Sept. 1, when developer to create a movie set-type space in July. South Beach can support a club Miami debut party for POZ, the Tony Goldman, who owns air (tracks set into the floor, etc.) so Ajaxx:This dark and sexy dance as large as a shopping mall. But national HIV awareness maga- rights to property,will likely start walls and major props can be club, which opened last month, is instead of chancing it for the zinc. At 818 Lincoln Rd. to build a parking garage over the changed daily. the new talk of the Beach,at least summer, Amnesia is closing July Lua: South Beach vets all building. (Being a historic struc- (As if that weren't enough, the until Glam Slam opens. World I7 and reopening Oct. 20,just in remember Semper's, a bordello- ture, it's protected from being Briers arc opening an alternative tunes pulse throughout the steely, time for the models to migrate like basement club with a Jin de demolished.) At that point, how- dance club in Miami's Design two-story club, equipped with south for the winter. .►iec•!e attitude. Everyone's saying ever, owners Greg Brier and Nicole District. A Fire& Ice for the '90s? overhead catwalks for maximum Dune:Opened two months ago Lua, at 409 Espanola Way, is the Bilu-Brier will already have moved Look for it in August.) exposure. Sandwiched between this Euro-targeted club is in the Semper's for the mid '90s. Velvet and readied the new space The Blue Room: Named and storefronts at 841 Washington. space formerly occupied by Le Owned by Gary James, Jorge Nunez and be popping champagne modeled after Velvet's VIP Kremlin: Formerly Third Rail, Loft, (also The Loft), a pc•ire Euro and Nicky van Tscharner, Lua has a corks. Velvet's new space, Greg room, the Blue Room will be at which was formerly Hippodrome, dance club that opened in 1990 crowd of trendies, socialites and tells us, likely will be a stone's 437-445- Espanola Way, at the this Lincoln Road storefront and ran its course. Owned and trust fund kids who would rather throw from yet another new Brier northeast corner of Drexel, space was starting to get a cursed operated by a group of Euromen, sip champagne than dodge venture, the Blue Room (see across from the Toy Gallery. reputation until this gay club Dune offers a cozy, lodge-like feel, sweaty bodies on a dance floor, below). Planned as an intimate lounge with a wide open space effec- and tend to treat the space as It'll be a wide open space larger space with Mediterranean decor PLEASE SEE QUEEN, 22G like to dress up,the weekly live bartenders are always up for some quick—but the tourist-heavy rev- bilia and a nice-size dance floor. that's hard to match.Crowds tend . entertainment features top-name conversation. eters don't seem to mind. Make Slap Mickey Rourke's name on the to be on the young side here,which Latin music acts and the decor is Kremlin,727 Lincoln Rd., sure to check out the tiny TV marquee,and suddenly everyone gives its crowded dance floor a upscale if unremarkable. 673-3150:At one end of this gay screens inset into the columns wants to get in—even those who vitality that is highly contagious. Dune,1439 Washington Ave., dance club,a large,stately bar around the dance floor. Not cheap. aren't French. Both the eternally The long,rectangular lounge is one 672-7111:The old Le Loft site has sports all the elegance and mahog- Lua,409 Espanola Way, hip and the ones who don't have a long bar on the right,dance floor on undergone a major face-lift—the any ambience of a drinking room 534-0061:You may not have heard clue line up outside its doors every the left,and some chairs and tables place now looks like the opulent inside an ornate old palace.At the of this ritzy hangout tucked away weekend,which proves the place for those who want to sit and gawk. den of a wealthy oil sheik,complete other end,a loud,crowded dance on Espanola Way—and they like it isn't merely the tourist trap it The music mix is thoroughly unpre- with palm fronds,billowing curtains floor surrounded by dancing go-go that way. Lua is a members-only seems. dictable—reggae one minute, and lots of camels and sand dunes. boys quickly reminds you just club,an intimate affair where the Paragon,245 22nd St.,534-1235: hard rock the next,synth dance OK,so the last two are only painted where you are.The layout isinge- in-crowd goes to relax and chit- Owners of South Beach's largest tunes after that.A pool table is on the walls—you still get the idea. nious—the place seems bigger chat.Overstuffed couches and gay club sold their former location available for the eight ball inclined. Though the sign says"A Private than it really is.Dancing and chairs,discreet lighting and candle- to rocker Prince and are moving up Rose's Bar&Music Lounge,754 Dance Club,"we got inside with no debauchery are the main virtues light lend this spot the air of an the way to the old Club Nu space. Washington Ave.,532-0228:This fuss.The shiny dance floor is sur- here.Competition is high at the exclusive retreat,and there's usu- Saturday nights in May,they'll be laid-back,leave-the-attitude-at- rounded by plush,well-spaced pool tables,though be certain of ally a familiar face or two among hosting a number of construction the-door joint continues to grow in seating areas,and the whole place the stakes before you play. the patrons.Admittance is parties there,leading up to the popularity,and deservedly so. has an aura of refined cool that Les Bains,753 Washington Ave., restricted,so if you're not a card- Memorial Day weekend grand Plenty of bar seating space,a makes you feel sophisticated just 532-8768:That's French for"the carrying member,make sure you're opening.Those who already miss roomy stage for the ubiquitous by breathing the air. baths,"and you'd better have one looking sharp before you try your the sheer size and spectacle of the musical entertainment,brightly lit Hombre,925 Washington Ave., before heading here if you plan on luck at the door. old locale at 1235 Washington Ave. pool tables,and well spaced tables 538-7883:This cruising bar,once getting in. Dress up,too:The chic Mickey's,1203 Washington will have to wait for the Purple One and chairs make it a great spot to hugely popular,has had much of its crowds here have more on their Ave.,538-1242:Without the name, to take over:We expect big things. simply hang.Dress casually and gay clientele siphoned off by newer, minds than just getting sloshed. this would be nothing but a glorified Rebar,1121 Washington Ave., plan to stay a spell—it's the kind bigger venues.The tiny bar still has Style counts.The club is smaller Bennigan's,complete with full res- 672-4788:One of the Beach's of place where you feel right at its diehard loyals,who love having than it looks from the outside— taurant service,pool tables,ele- smaller venues makes up for its the place to themselves,and the the dance floor gets crowded real gant decor,lots of boxing memora- modest size with an eclectic energy PLEASE SEE CLUBS, 22G q�f C- 22G THEHERA D o 1994 WEEKEND /NIGHTLIFE • QUEEN, FROM 21G netted to Velvet via an outdoor (owners of Society Hill), and Peter �t� _ patio bar, the Bar is a casual, no- Ehrlich aren't exactly sure what moved in. A lush, jewel-toned pretentions-appreciated type of the space at 615 Washington will decor adds to the allure. hangout.�� g become, but it will probably be Twist: Best likened to a gay Dark Room: It was briefly Spo- along the lines of 1992's The Whis- ; „sem„ Cheers (as in the award-winning Dee-O-Dee,but most of us remem- key (in the Carlyle Hotel) — a � „ i sitcom), the two-story Twist has bcr the space at 645 Washington locals bar with pool table, draft become everyone's favorite gos- as Washington Square, a down 'n' beers and enough attitude to ,' sip and-cocktails destination in dirty rock performance space keep undesirables out. ` s : i the late hours. The microscopic where slam dancing was com- Paragon: Prince bid on the reno- dance floor in the rear is all but monplace and handwritten signs vated theater several times in a .,:.14:41,,,..:,,.. i nored. Open 5 to 5 daily and warned patrons against spitting year, according to co-owner Den- F located between The I I th Street and other public displays. At pre- nis Doheny, and the last time was ,:.. Diner and Lulu's near 11th and sent, there are few signs of life at the charm. Now, the obscenely v <> Washington,Twist is, ultimately, the Dark Room; look for a new popular gay megaclub is moving accessible. identity soon. to the former Club Nu space (245 , Snap!: Lincoln Road's newest 560 Washington: Formerly SoBe 22nd St.), which was briefly an . gay bar, in the space of what was Rotisserie & Bar, the sports celeb- installation of Baja Beach Club and. 1 a.;, Peacock Alley, and Bulldogs before oriented restaurant is restructur- even more briefly, Lizard Lounge. that. Laid-back and friendly, ing. South Beach club conceptu- The new Paragon, which opens Snap! reminds a p (, ds us in concept of alist/personality John Hood (the this Saturday, has 30,000 square Twist(in fact,they were named by creator of Fat Black Pussycat) has feet, 10,000 feet fewer than the £ the same person), with entertain- been brought in to serve as image former location.The entire Para- �'' ment provided by colorful locals. coordinator, setting up savvy gon staff, including illustrious �W f : The Ban This sliver of a club at theme nights and contacting the door persona Kitty Meow, will 638 Collins was formerly SoBe necessary hipsters. Food is move to the new headquarters. "� °° Bourgeois cafe, which was for- served on Fridays only. For now,the club will be open on ' merly Chow,a health food cafete- Jessie's Doll House: This bar rat Saturday nights only, for Con- , fi. ria owned by Lee Schrager. Con- favorite is no Inas. New partners struction Parties.After Memorial : Robert Meyers and Lee Schwartz Day, Paragon will resume its V,• Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Tflik r< schedule. .. ,, r x . , a ‘11. iii Freelance writer Tara . f Solomon reports weekly. \ ` � '^ on the South Beach.scene £ i �`. �t • f .liar Weekend. . ' , 4 t • ,.:; • Solomon's indepen- ::.i 'i ,. :'...• -s- it i , +Y�_ dant business ventures :t include hosting Martin, i .A:''a;< , 7`+r+ y : , a. Club on Tuesday nights t q 1 3 rf < 4F �. s e.. at Lua. an event She iu// ,: F '. „ a not(•OI'('1 Iii Illls column. REBAR:Above,at peak times,the t 'r ." „ e' , ; ' `..I. whole club is dance floor, r . < '� Jx ^' { t practically. Right, Loray Mistik fi• ^ yIt V ah r �ts . performs at the Stephen r., '.'-':Y;, f � Talkhouse,which features national , r< ,,. x and local acts. �, c. } ; ^ DAVID eER '� `�� �. ` � y� \ GMAN/Herald Staff y CLUBS, FROM 21G Stephen Talkhouse,616 Collins Uncle Sam's Musicafe,1141 wearing jeans—the stained glass dame of South Beach gay clubs. Ave.,531-7557:Still the Beach's Washington Ave.,532-0973:Not dome over the dance floor alone Crucial to the club's lasting popu- home on your first visit. most popular live music venue,The really a club, but more like a record gives it a snooty,classy touch.The larity are its no-cover Wednesday SNAP!,821 Lincoln Rd., Talkhouse puts the performers— store on steroids.So why is it here, full-menu restaurant,while pricey, nights(with their raunchy amateur 673-8551:The name may conjure regular acts include local faves Nil you ask?Because it's the best adds further cachet to this swanky strip contests,which are not for the visions of a dance palace, but this is Lara, Mary Karlzen and The Mayer- place on the Beach to go for a joint. But despite all the nice prudish)and its ever-changing Sat- really an intimate bar nestled icks—within arm's reach of the smart drink—one of those all-nat- threads and upraised pinkie fin- urday nights—the current House among the Lincoln Road store- crowd.The acoustics are terrific, ural,vitamin-laden concoctions gers,the proceedings can get of Wong theme draws the straight, fronts, better suited for gossip and the decor is nothing special— that don't taste all that great but downright raunchy here in the wee the gay,and everything in between cocktails.The decor is simple, appropriately reminiscent of a clut- will keep your disco-dancing hours.Fashion shows and live for a thoroughly Felliniesque milieu. merely a long bar running the tered garage—and the bar can be energy cranking all night long.The entertainment are routine,and the The sound system here would make length of this sliver of a space with difficult to reach,particularly when bar serves beer,too,and there's a music of choice is dance-friendly even Helen Keller shout"Turn it seating on the other side.Dark, the place is crowded.But there's pool table and pinball. pop. down!"—the bass is so bone- cozy and tasteful,it appeals as plenty of table seating to be had, Union Bar&Grill,653 Washing- Velvet,634 Collins Ave., crunchingly deep,the highs so much to strolling locals as it does to and the bar service is most effi- ton Ave.,672-9958:One of those 532-0313:Gloom is more like it. downright loud,conversations are its regular gay clientele. tient. places where the ambience Quite possibly the darkest club on liberally sprinkled with"What?" The Spot,218 Espanola Way, Twist,1057 Washington Ave., changes with every other step.At the Beach,good news for those and "Huh?"Those on the dance 532-1682:A South Beach fixture, 528-9478:One of the few places on times,you'll think you've stumbled who are self-conscious about their floor,however,don't seem to mind. The Spot seems destined to live on the Beach that's hopping every sin- into an out-of-the-way English pub lack of rhythm or aren't quite satis- forever. Everyone seems to have gle night,probably because there's —there's even one section with a fied with that ambitious new'do. West End,942 Lincoln Rd., been here at least once,which never a cover and the crowd is so towering bookcase filled with actual The decor is Spartan,mostly some 538-9378:Once the anchor for Sun- explains the bar's legendary aura. friendly.This two-story bar is more books.Other times,like when you fluorescent paint and black lights. day afternoon T-dances,the West Literally anything goes at The Spot, than a mere cruising joint for boys head to the psychedelic dance It's the circus atmosphere and lack End has settled back into its origi- particularly in the later hours—the —though it certainly is that,too. room in the rear,you'll feel like of pomposity—you want razzle- nal identity as a laid-back gay place is too small and too crowded There's a dance floor,a DJ,pinball Alice in Wonderland.The crowd is dazzle,go somewhere else—that hangout.The usual trappings are for any strict observance of social machines and a friendly crowd of young,slack and enamored of makes this a popular favorite here—pool tables,plenty of bar etiquette. Dance anywhere you like, regulars at the pool table. Everyone denim. among locals.An intimate,cozy stools and a great location suited dress as grungy as you like,and seems eager to chat.On weekends, Van Dome,1532 Washington back room has comfortable booths for watching passers-by along Lin- don't worry about offending any- the place comes to jostling life just Ave.,534-4288:The elegance in this big enough for stretching out. coin Road.A popular getaway for one:Everyone is too drunk to as all the other clubs are winding club is deceiving.Sure,the place is Warsaw Ballroom,1450 Collins those tired of the Washington Ave- notice. down. so posh it makes you feel guilty for Ave.,531-4555:The reigning grand nue grind.