Busy Girl

Jennifer Winston

Saw Robbie Gennet at some tiny club in Hollywood. Robbie sang songs about animals just for me. An extra special thanks to the air hockey players who clacked and smacked the puck around throughout Robbie’s entire set. It was very thoughtful of you to add to the rhythm section. Robbie will be at Tobacco Road in Miami on Thursday, July 9 for the Evol Egg Nart’s (don’t even ask me what that is) Release Party featuring Robbie’s song “Downways”. Friday, July 10th, Robbie plays a free, all-ages show at Border’s Books and Music in Kendall. Catch Robbie playing with 7 Mary 3 at Zetafest on Sunday, July 5th at Markham Park before he leaves to tour with the band on July 13th, also Robbie’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Robbie, hope you get a lot of spankings!

Of course, I attended the Free Lolita (the killer whale) benefit at the Albion Hotel on Miami Beach. Sponsored by Ocean Drive Magazine, (Thank you, thank you for all you do for animals!) the party featured former Saigon Kick singer Matt Kramer. Matt sang “Love is on the Way” for the first time in several years. Backed by Howard Greenberg on drums, Jim Camacho from the Goods on bass and Ray Diaz on the congas, the show was very different from Matt’s old stuff. The party benefited the Tokitae Foundation. Said Matt, “It must be terrible for Lolita to be so big and be stuck in a small tank at the Seaquarium.” I agree, Matt. A fashion show by Susan Lazar and an art exhibit by artist Anatasia (she painted a wonderful picture of Lolita in about 7 minutes, dancing to music the whole time. And she was wearing this funky outfit with big wings…) were the highlights of the evening. For more information what you can do to help free Lolita, call the Tokitae Foundation at (305) 672-4039.

I spent my Memorial Day Weekend taping for VH1’s Rock Across America. It was a wonderful two days hanging on South Beach and lounging at the edgeless pool at the Delano Hotel with host (and Calvin Klein model) Antonio Sabato Jr.. The pool water at the Delano is the perfect temperature and the towels are so wonderfully fluffy. Antonio was not too bad either. And I got paid! Life is hard.

Speaking of VH1, Eric Knight of the Eric Knight Band was spotted moonlighting recently for the all-female rock band Katt Michel & High Maintenance. Seems Eric was called in at the last minute to fill in on five songs on guitar and play drums on another for the VH1 Rock Across America concert at Planet Hollywood in Ft. Lauderdale. Also featured on the bill was former Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover, who is out on his own in support of a new solo album. The Rock Across America segment will be aired on VH1 in July. The Eric Knight Band has just finished the final overdubs for Near Life Experience and are in the final mixing stages of the album. The sessions have been moved over to Elysian Fields Studios in Boca Raton where Keith Rose (Aerosmith, Soul Asylum) continues production on the album. “We are looking forward to wrapping up the album in the next couple of weeks. Then it’s off to be mastered at the same time, finishing up the artwork, then off to the assembly line. From the way it looks now we are looking at a late August early September release.” Says Eric. Contact him at 28 Records, 19700 NW 86 Ct., Miami, FL 33015. Phone and fax 305.829.8142 or rec28@aol.com.

I went to the early opening of the Regal Cinemas and The Escape at the new Las Olas Riverfront. The staff was incredibly professional and polite – very Disney-esque. Every step we took we were thanked for choosing Regal Cinemas, to the point that it was almost annoying!) My friend Alan and I had a drink, played all of the games (let it be known I am no air hockey champ), and watched Dirty Work, the dumbest movie I have ever seen. However, the theater (one of 23!) was extremely comfortable. Love those plush, highback chairs with retractable cupholder arms! A thumbs up to Regal, only why didn’t they include a parking garage? Las Olas Riverfront is located at 300 SW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. For information, call (954)522-6556.

Events

I attended the Museum of Science and Discovery’s IMAX theater Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun 2D movie and it was a wild ride! There should be a “Pregnant women and persons with heart conditions may not want to see this movie” clause at the theater entrance. We rode seven roller coasters (360 degree loops and all!) and for a minute there I felt a little sick! It was a fantastic movie though, illustrating how science and technology combine to create some of today’s most thrilling experiences. Tickets for adults are $9, $8 for students and seniors and $7 for kids ages 3-12. The Museum is located at 401 SW 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale. Call (954) 467-6637 for more information.

“Beethoven by the Beach” is back in Fort Lauderdale now till July 15th. Events take place at various locations throughout Fort Lauderdale: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Galleria Mall, Museum of Discovery and Science and Borders Books & Music. Some events are free. Tickets for concerts can range from $15-$32. Tickets are available at the Broward Center box office and TicketMaster. For more Information: Call 930-1812. A little culture never killed anyone.

Art & Jazz takes place on Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach Thursday July 2, 1998 from 6-11pm. The list of who is playing is way too long to include here, but this is one of the biggest street parties you will ever attend! Tons of live music, great food and a lot of great art! For more information, call (561)278-0424.

Local

On July 3rd, The Underground welcomes “A Cheese Metal Thing – A tribute to the 80s." Eight bands including Crease, Load, Groovnics, Cleaner, Spekulum, Drop, Nocturnals, Ball Bags, Bang Toy 69 and Eric Knight Band will be playing all your favorite 80s tunes. The Underground is located at 400 SW 27 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale (954)792-9473. All shows are all ages.

Laura Sue Wilanksy aka the Silver Nightingale makes me wish I had kept up with my flute lessons! I still have that Armstrong sitting in it’s blue velvet lined box somewhere in my closet. Don’t miss Laura Sue at the following locations: Friday, July 10 8-10pm Boarders Books and Music 12171 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation (954)723-9595. Sunday, July 12 9 & 11am solo flute, Unity of Fort Lauderdale, 1800 NE 6th Court, Fort Lauderdale, FL (954)463-4359. Friday, July 17 8-10pm solo flute, Borders Books and music 19925 N Biscayne Blvd. Aventure (305)935-0027. Thursday, July 23, 7:30pm Laura Sue and Ramon Justica’s 7th anniversary concert at Borders Books and music 700 University Drive, Coral Springs (954)340-3307. Don’t miss the great music, yummy food and other surprises! For more information or booking, call Laura Sue Wilansky the Silver Nightingale (954)941-4645.

Concerts

Zetafest takes place on Sunday, July 5, 1998 at Markham Park in Sunrise, located at 16001 W. State Road 84 (the park is located North of State Road 84 just west of the Sawgrass Expressway). Gates open at 10am, the show starts at 11 and should be over by 6:30pm, rain or shine. Zetafest features more than 15 bands on three stages including Black Crowes, Candlebox, Stabbing Westward, 7Mary3, Semisonic, Black Lab and more, including an all Florida Locals Stage! Helpful hints: Wear something cool and comfortable. Wear shoes that you do not care about but ones that will protect your feet from being stepped on. Bring sunscreen, lots of it. Blankets, lawn chairs, alcoholic beverages, picnic baskets, inflatables, noise makers, weapons, projectiles (meaning foortballs and frisbees, etc.) are not allowed.

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Please fax all club or band information and invitations to Jennifer at (954) 435-1596. And remember to fax early. I’m a busy girl. ◼