Busy Girl
Jennifer Winston
U2 Review
I did not have $15. I’m at Pro Player Stadium for the U2 show, and it’s $15 to park. I scrounge around in my wallet and come up with $12.75. I’ve got front row tickets and can’t get into the parking lot. I am not happy. I give the parking attendant my driver’s license as collateral and promise to run to the ATM and pay her. She lets me park. I’m supposed to meet my friend at gate A at 8 pm. Afraid I will miss him if I go inside to use the ATM, I wait outside. 8:10 pm, he still isn’t here. 8:20 pm, no sign of him. 8:40 pm, “Could there be another gate A?” I think to myself. I go to borrow someone’s cell phone and lo and behold, at 9 pm he shows up. “Traffic,” he grumbles. “And did you know it cost $15 to park?” We walk around aimlessly for a few minutes, get a beer (yes, one beer, we are poor), and proceed to our seats. Just as we get to the floor, the lights go down. A police officer holds us back, tells us we have to wait. Bright lights flash on and in the classic Famous Person Walking Through A Crowd scene, the band walks right past us, Bono in his blue satin boxing robe, hood on. We try to make it to our seats, but it is total chaos. My friend is holding on to my arm, pulling me through the crowd to the front row. We never got to sit in our seats. (A big thanks to security who did nothing to move all of the people who sneaked up there.) Instead, we stood on the chairs the whole time.
“Pop Mart” did not disappoint. Bono ran around all hunched over like a chimp. Stage props consisted of a huge lemon-shaped disco ball, a 10-story yellow arch, 50-something feet high electronic screens, and a giant olive speared on a tooth pick. Girls in bras sitting on the shoulders of some happy guys waved the Irish flag while the band played “Even Better Than The Real Thing,” “Pride,” “New Years Day,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” sung by The Edge.
Movie and Concert Reviews
I caught a few movies during the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The Emperor’s Shadow was beautifully filmed, but there was a bit too much head-chopping for me (so many were beheaded, the slave had to bring in fresh blades,) while Just Write, with Sherilyn Fenn, was just adorable. Other, non-film festival movies I saw were Starship Troopers, which was probably the dumbest movie I have ever seen. (It’s been two weeks since the screening, and my friend who went to the screening with me is still talking about how stupid this movie was.) Mad City with John Travolta and Dustin Hoffman was good, but pretty depressing.
I froze my tush off at the Fort Lauderdale Blues Festival, and I never saw Coral Sky so crowded as it was the following night at the Fleetwood Mac show. About 20,000 people flocked to see the band, and the 2+ hour show began with “The Chain.” “Second Hand News,” “Go Your Own Way,” and “Don’t Stop” sounded great, and when Stevie Nicks sang “Gold Dust Woman,” a gold shawl draped around her shoulders, she twirled around in her trademark Stevie way, ribbons flying from her tambourine. (I think playing the tambourine gives her something to do.) Lindsay Buckingham is an amazing guitar player and Mick Fleetwood impressed all with his electronic drum-padded vest. I want one.
South Beach Stuff
Some guys in Miami are doing something pretty cool. The Womb is a nonprofit multimedia production house, including a micro power radio station (107.1 FM) featuring electronic music, drum and bass, acid jazz, and house techno 24 hours 7 days a week. Mark Christopher, 29, Director of Operations, told me about the Friday parties at KGB on South Beach raves are often held at Salvation. “If you get up before noon, there is a lot going on,” said Mark. The station has 50 DJ’s who each have 2-hour spots to promote their mixing art. The DJ’s have their regular nights, and spin mostly electronic music. None of them get paid, but they get press and get known. “We give them free reign, as long as they don’t swear and keep it clean and positive,” said Mark. If you are interested in getting a slot, good luck – right now they have stacks of tapes to listen to, but give it a shot. Call (305) 531-WOMB. Program Director Duncan Ross said they will be selling records from their web site soon. Check it out at http://www.thewomb.com
Fort Lauderdale Stuff
The Chili Pepper in Fort Lauderdale will be on Santa’s list this year by hosting two events to support those in need. The Pavarello fund-raiser with Tear Sheet Magazine, The White House and The Black Market will take place on December 13th. Open bar from 8-9 pm, fashion show begins at 9-9:30 pm. Twenty-one and older only. Sorry kids. All door proceeds go to Pavarello, an AIDS food bank. Then on December 20th, The Pepper hosts a fund-raiser for Women In Distress, a shelter for abused and battered women, with Las Olas Models, Alex of Australia Salon, Lounge Lizards, Cacique, Mondo and M. Stirling. 8-9 open bar. 9-9:30 pm fashion show. 21 and older. $10 cover all proceeds from door to WID.
Miscellaneous Stuff
My old friend Eric Knight (Happy Chanukah, Eric!) is almost done with the debut album of Near Life Experiences with the Eric Knight band, which is being recorded at Criteria Studios in North Miami. Engineer Keith Rose (Aerosmith, Soul Asylum) has been working on this since August. “We hope to mix before Christmas. We have to finish up some vocals and have more guitar overdubs, piano and string track to lay down,” said Eric. The album should be released in early ‘98, so keep your eyes and email open. Rec28@aol.com
Thursday, December 18th is the Miami Children’s Hospital/1998 Policeman’s Calendar release party. On Thursday, December 25th, it’s a Bash Christmas party. Tuesday, December 30th, New York invades Miami and on Wednesday, December 31st, it’s a huge New Year’s Eve party! Have a Bash!
I’d like to give a very special thank-you to Zen (1203 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, (305) 673-2817) and Ocean Drive Magazine for hosting a party in honor of People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), my very favorite charity, for the magazine’s season kick-off party. The evening started with a wonderful dinner at Mezzanotte, to celebrate Zen owner Jaye Egilmez’s birthday. Guests in attendance included Ocean Drive Magazine’s Jacquelyn D. Powers, and Salome Edgworth. Over at the club, models from Elite, Next, karin, MMG, Select Irene Marie, Men’s Board, Page Parkes Stellar, and Click Models all played Twister, because, “they would rather play Twister than wear fur!” A special thanks to Tony, Jaye and Larry Vickers for the royal treatment in the VIP room. And thanks to The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, who showed up too. PETA works to stop the exploitation of all animals. http://www.peta– online.org/index.html And speaking of exploiting animals, I hope everyone who reads this will not go to the circus this year. Animals used in the circus are physically and mentally abused. They are beaten with bull whips and electric prods, chained for days, bears have their front paws burned to force them to stand on their back paws, and all animals are denied proper food, water and vet care. The circus is truly the cruelest show on Earth. Have a great holiday and a wonderful New Year.
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Please fax all club and band information to Jennifer at (954)435-1596. And fax early, I’m a busy girl. ◼
