It’s The Weekend And I’ll Party If IWAN To

Seriously, how the hell can we possibly attend all the great events in Broward this weekend? Here’s the lineup. Choose wisely.

THURSDAY

Digital Love hosts an incredible doubleheader tonight: Miami’s emerging Panic Bomber and the sophisticated punk rock duo Pocket Of Lollipops. Check out the sidebar for some Panic Bomber tunes and our latest compilation (track #8) for a Pocket Of Lollipops ditty. Normally, Digital Love has no cover, but tonight it’s $10. Luckily, if you mention “Mig” at the door you get in for FREE. Also, if you’re a regular on Thursdays you’ll get in for FREE. Party starts at 10 at the Green Room.

Laser Wolf has a excellent lineup tonight. Unfortunately, it overlaps the above mentioned Green Room party, but it’s our local bloggers duty to mention it: Live performances by Travalonia, Chris Horgan, Pretty Please, and Atlanta garage rockers Carnivores. No cover.

FRIDAY

Based on past reviews and word-of-mouth, this Friday’s Mai-Kai dance party is not to be missed. Popular vinyl DJs Sensitive Side, James Brown’s Sweat, and Mikey Ramirez will be spinning everything from funk, soul, and punk. Last go around, the party was over capacity, but no worries, the place has taken the initiative to fix the overflow problem by opening another section of the restaurant. Party starts at 9pm and ends at 2am with a happy hour running from 10 to midnight. No cover.

SATURDAY

Your weekend headliner, IWAN’s The Bubble’s 2nd Birthday Bash, is a can’t-miss event. Just in case you haven’t dropped by the artsy warehouse, the New Times sufficiently described the venue in their post about this event. The Bubble’s grand opening 2 years ago was a contributing factor in my interest in FTL’s burgeoning arts scene, and by default, a contributing factor in starting this Broward-focused blog. It’s a place worth celebrating. Come out and party at one of (if not the best) place for creative types to get together in our city. The massive band lineup includes Alexander, Dooms De Pop, Pretty Please, Radar-vs-Wolf, Low Visibility, Raffa Jo (of Raffa & Rainer), Rob Elba (of the Holy Terrors and Hearing Damage), Travalonia, Brady Newbill, Black Weather Shaman, and Loxahatchee Sinners Union. In addition to all the live music, there will be tons of local art and goodies. There will also be a mysterious “fun booth” by Penelope Lane Photography and indie tunes by Andie Sweetswirl and myself throughout the night. Bands start at 6pm. $5 cover, plus another $5 for an all-you-can-drink keg cup. The warehouse is located at 810 NE 4th Ave, FTL.

I’m not sure why the warehouses don’t get together and plan their parties so they don’t overlap, but SWARM is having a big bash at the same time as the Bubble. If for some reason, you hate me and want to disregard my above suggestion, this party should be great as well. Performances by K-the-i??? (do I have that right?), Stereo 13, Verble, and Sully. There will also be tons of art, DJs spinning, skateboard demos, and a prize wheel. Party starts at 9pm. This warehouse is located at 500 SW 21st Terrace, FTL.

The Gold Coast Beachside Bombshells opening game is against the Gainesville Roller Rebels. The match is at War Memorial Auditorium and tickets start at $10.

SUNDAY

Watch the Heat drown the Celtics.

If you don’t like basketball and skipped all the great nightlife on Saturday night, wake up early and support Mothers Against Drunk Driving by joining their walk/run at Huizenga Park. Details on the official MADD website.

The FTLC Presents Digital Love Mixtape, Volume I

11 tracks from the musicians that have played Digital Love at the Green Room

Readers of this site are probably well aware of the FTLC’s love of weekly Thursday party Digital Love. Just about every week, we name-drop the party in our weekend previews and/or music-related posts. Yes, it’s true — I’m one of the two resident DJs of the party; however, that’s not the main reason why we continually plug the event on a multi-post basis. The fact is, Digital Love has hosted some amazing local musicians from all over our tri-county area (and in 1 case, all the way from Chi-town, track #11). To celebrate the inaugural 2 & 1/2 months of the event that’s re-inventing FTL Thursday nights, we’ve decided to release a mixtape of all the musicians that have graced Digital Love’s raised stage.

If you enjoy what you hear, make sure you ‘Like’ this post to help spread the word on some of our local acts.

FYI: Panic Bomber (track #10) and Pocket Of Lollipops (track #8) perform this coming Thursday, April 28th.

Download the entire compilation HERE or stream below.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/739617″ height=”300″]

 

 

Like: Fitness Chain Owner Hoping To Capitalize On Niche

From Sun-sentinel.com

A no-hassle gym that’s affordable and isn’t pretentious? Sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. Youfit is a new chain of gyms offering $10 month-to-month membership with low sign-up fees as well as a $20 option for unlimited tanning, unlimited access to all locations, unlimited guest privileges, and half price drinks. Additionally, the gym utilizes energy-efficient appliances and lights, water bottle recycling, and has recycled tire floors. Check out a blurb from Sun-Sentinel here, and visit the Youfit website for locations, hours, and more info.

By Strawberry Jam

Friday, April 22, Is Earth Day

By Strawberry Jam

With a steady increase in pollution, toxins, and population, every day should indeed be Earth Day. Here are five hand-picked events to “officially” stand up for Mother Nature this weekend, from a gardening workshop to kids activities to cooling off indoors mesmerized by the beauty of nature on the big screen.

Birch State Park Earth Day 2011 FlierCheck out Birch State Park’s Earth Day Everyday extravaganza of activities, food, and entertainment. Highlights include kids crafts, free veggie dogs, and a “Didgeridoo Orchestra”. The event runs from 9am-6pm on Saturday.

Learn about growing fruits and vegetables and how to turn your turf into an “Ec0-Yard” by attending the Growing Green Earth Day Workday and Lecture at Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek on Saturday.

Born To Be Wild IMAX ImageCheck out a nature flick in 3D on the extra big screen at IMAX Ft Lauderdale- Born To Be Wild or The Ultimate Wave: Tahiti.

Visit a National Park in Florida for FREE this last weekend as part of the National Park Service’s National Park Week.

Yellow Green Farmers MarketPeruse the vendors at Yellowgreen Market in Hollywood for some unique artisan goodies, mostly local. Check out our blurb from October here.