Velvet Underground: Gonna be a funky weekend, and fun, too

By Lesley Abravanel

www.miamiherald.com - Published: Friday, September 15, 2006

Once in a while, it's nice to host an import that's not here peddling condos or plugging the latest brand of vanity vodka.

And using the adjective ''funky'' to describe the music, not the motive, is a breath of fresh air, as is the case with New Orleans-based Brotherhood of Groove, a fabulous funk band that's in town playing at Jazid on Saturday. BOG is also playing a part in the New Orleans rebuilding process in collaboration with the Backbeat Foundation, a Louisiana nonprofit organization assisting local musicians in preserving the rich and unique heritage of the Crescent City, an effort that has already raised more than $50,000. The band's latest release, BOG Style, was recorded during the 2004 Jazz Fest and produced by Jeff Watkins of the James Brown Band. BOG has also been known to jam with other artists from the likes of Phish and even Kool and the Gang. Check them out at Jazid beginning at 10 p.m. for $10.

If you like your funk with a large side of Latin flavor, La Covacha is hosting Musica Fresca on Saturday, with performances by Yerba Buena, Akwid, Voltio, Radio Mundial and Yahoo! Telemundo's Battle of the Bands. The musical madness begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

And if you're looking to become a member of a group yourself, consider joining the ArtCenter/South Florida, 800 Lincoln Rd., which unveiled its new, albeit sporadic, Thursday night Art and Wine Series this week with its first session, appropriately titled Bacchanalia, in which the art of Greek mythology was discussed in between sips of vino. The Art and Wine series is for members only and cost $35 per person. For membership information, check out www.artcentersf.org.

It's nice to see culture being kept alive here in clubland, isn't it? Thanks to John Hood and Mykel Stevens, the culture continues at Skybar on Wednesday nights with Swank, a cool gathering of literati, glitterati and those who fall somewhere in between. According to Hood, Swank is ''A swellfull hang, among old and new pals . . . We'd like to keep the culture colliding; hell, we'd like to keep some culture period.'' Amen to that.

Another holy experience to some club devotees is tonight's debut of Twilo Fridays, with Ralph Falcon and Stryke on the Phazon-powered sound system. Doors open at 11 p.m. and admission is free if you can wrangle yourself onto the guest list. Hint: twilomiami.com.

Guest stars have made several appearances at Wednesday night's hip-hoppy party, Miami Live at Santo on Lincoln Road. Among them, Christina Milian and Brooke Hogan, who have both gone onstage to sing a ditty or two. Live R&B bands play and random partygoers who can carry a tune are invited on stage to break it down. According to some, this scene is hot for up-and-coming hip-hop artists on the verge of becoming the next big thang.

On the verge of litigation was the Buda Bar and Lounge at 841 Washington Ave. Despite the typo, the owners of the über popular Buddha Bar in Paris, you know, the one that spawned a series of CDs that everyone plays for hip cred, sent the South Beach bar a cease and desist letter, telling them they must change the name, or else. Seems that the owners of the hip Parisian bar have been scouting the streets for a locale that's fit for a, well, Buddha. So Buda Bar is now Indra.

From change of name to change of scenery, Lincoln Road's Cafeteria is hosting Speakeasy on Tuesday nights. Entrance is in the back of the restaurant and music is rock 'n' roll spun by C Cat and Gregg Foreman.

Finally, if all you really want is, like, world peace, check out Earthdance Miami on Saturday at the 7th Circuit Studios, 228 NE 59th St., in which Miami's top bands and artists will gather to benefit ECOMB, a nonprofit dedicated to educating residents on environmental issues. Live acts include Suenalo Sound System, Locos por Juana, Rhythm Flow, Tribe of the Red Moon, Sasa African Dance Theater and more. There are also DJs, live painting by Lebo, and a whole lotta green-themed entertainment. The event starts at 3 p.m. but the live music doesn't start until 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 a the door and $10 in advance. Call 786-597-4015. And no, to our knowledge, there's no eco-friendly vodka sponsoring this event. Yet.

Lesley Abravanel will answer your questions about Miami nightlife. Go to MiamiHerald.com and click on Q&A.