Jose D. Duran The Cat’s Pajamas. In the final installment of the graffiti I documented at the Margulies Collection in Wynwood, here is what the backside of the building looks like. Unprotected by a chain-link fence and barbwire, it’s exposed, inviting graffiti artists to tag it…
Here’s one from the vaults that all but the most dedicated heavy music geeks in South Florida have probably forgotten about. And those guys were possibly all at that recent Opeth show at the Fillmore. (I’m not going to pretend I knew about them this whole time; thanks Juan from…
All Food, All the Time Let them eat pancake!: Great writing from Lee Klein in “Flapjack Flip-Off VIII” (June 5). I’m not much of a pancake fan, but I feel drawn to both the Icebox Café and Original Pancake House after having read the article. Thank you for providing me…
Kerry Ball A few weeks ago I received a e-mail from Miami photographer Kerry Ball, who specializes in photographing graffiti around the city. She pointed out a series of hearts that have been popping up all over town, particularly in the Downtown, Wynwood, Midtown and Overtown areas…
Miami’s blogosphere has sprouted a new ass-kicking government watchdog. Investigation Miami started off slow with only four postings this past April, but the blog’s unknown author has consistently been on point recently, digging deep into the self-serving escapades of Miami city commissioners, particularly mayoral candidate Tomas Regalado and wannabe populist…
Here’s an old school jem from way back in the day. I remember the first time I heard the track, “A Lo Cubano” while I was on holiday in Managua and it blew my mind. The groove is all hip-hop and African via Cuba and Colombia with just the right…
It’s been a while since I’ve gotten one of these Lost and Found requests, but I’ve actually managed to reunite a few musicians (thanks Internet!) so I hope this one works out as well. Steve Satterwhite is looking for a fellow musician who goes by either Nes, Raraavis, or Nestor…
Here’s an oldie but goodie from the disco years. Foxy was formed right here in Miami in 1976, led by the Cuban-born Ish Ledesma — and also featuring Tito Puente’s son Richie on percussion!. The group’s big-time hit, “Get Off,” was released in 1978, and hit number nine on the…
Family Fun How do you say “rip-off” en español?: I read Janine Zeitlin’s article “Adults Only” (May 29), about the La Cosa Nostra Spanish TV show. It’s just a cheap, second-rate imitation of Family Guy. You notice it’s in the same 11 p.m. time slot, but Family Guy is so…
Sweet, I thought, upon seeing the band Vampire Weekend’s name online the first time. New cheese goth rock! From the first download, though, I realized I was so, so wrong. With their Columbia University pedigree, these guys were more Patagonia fleece than morbid black. And the music sounded, well, like…
When it comes to concocting bad government policy, Miami-Dade government officials are head and shoulders above everybody else. Last week, county commissioners Bruno Barreiro and Barbara Jordan floated the idea of asking voters to approve an additional half-cent sales tax to bail out the county’s mass transit boondoggle, otherwise known…
Jose D. Duran Mural on the side the Margulies Collection at NW 6th Avenue. So when I woke up last week to find a subject to feature, this was originally what I had in mind. The mural, on the side of the warehouse that holds the Margulies Collection, is located…
I’ll be honest — I had more or less forgotten about Yngwie Malmsteen’s existence until recently, while riding in a car with a Swedish metal type. “So where does Yngwie live?” he asked out of nowhere. And that’s when I remembered — Oh yeah, that swifty-fingered guitar legend with the…
Gotta give it to Nas for having great videos. This one is an old favorite…half hip-hop/half Goodfellas. Something to enjoy on a Tuesday. –Jonathan Cunningham…
Best? Give It a Rest Another great “Best of Miami” issue (May 15), with a few exceptions, but one glaring fairy tale of note: Best Criminal Conviction of the Past Year. Do you honestly expect us to buy this souped-up crock-o-crap? State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is a political blowhard,…
The story went this way: Stuck at MIA en route to Houston, flyweight Miami Commissioner Johnny Winton gulped down 16 drinks — wine, whiskey, amaretto, and beer. Then he got loud. Delays stink, he carped. The airlines are worthless. A nervous gate attendant called the cops. When two very large…
Standing in a weirdly calm commercial kitchen and looking both bemused and amused, Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara grabs a tray with two Polish sausages. Then he delivers an important message to the YouTube audience: “Make sure you check out DennysAllNighter.com!” Lazzara, you see, has just scored a coup…
Jose D. Duran Sidewalk on the corner of NW 28th Street and NW 6th Avenue. Waking up early this morning to realize I had nothing for this week’s StreetWorks meant I had to drag myself out of bed to find something to talk about. I hopped into my car and…
In this week’s New Times, I report on an internal investigation of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Lisa Hart, who wasn’t showing up for work yet still getting paid. The investigation is based on an anonymous complaint filed with the Miami-Dade Police public corruption unit. Here you will find a copy…
Best or No? In response to “Best of Miami” 2008 (May 15): I’ve noticed a trend in your yearly “Best Of” editions, especially when it comes to the restaurant listings. Whatever the “hot” restaurant or “restaurant-of-the-moment” is in a given category at the time of publication, it appears that particular…
LaShunda Flowers, a.k.a. Shunda K, is simultaneously black, gay, devoutly Christian, and the writer of songs such as “Kryptonite Pussy” (refrain: “Yo’ punanny better make that moneyyyyy!”). And the founder of the Tampa-based electro-rap outfit Yo Majesty is totally, comfortably outspoken about all of these things. If punk was originally…
While by no means is this in any shape or form graffiti, this mural easily is one of the most identifiable symbols of Miami’s Design District. It has been there for what seems like forever, draped across the posterior of the building which is occupied by retail spaces selling expensive…
