The Deep End

Though downtown Fort Lauderdale currently thrives on hip-hop and rock, it wasn't that long ago that throbbing dance beats were a significant presence. The venue was the Edge, and its resident DJ, Mike Sharpe, catered to hard-core revelers by throwing all-night parties in the mid-'90s. These days, the South Florida native is candid when contemplating the local landscape. "I don't think there is a scene here, to be honest," he says. "When I left, Fort Lauderdale became hip-hop."

If there has ever been a credible source for such commentary, it's Sharpe. A DJ since age 13, Sharpe began his career at Kendall's Mars Bar before commanding the decks at the Edge. Though he laid low as the Edge became Chili Pepper and then Revolution, there's reason for the nostalgic to rejoice. This Saturday, Sharpe leads the Battle of the Immortalz, a strictly old-school event showcasing Miami bass, house, and drum 'n' bass battles.

"They're doing a throwback to the Edge days and wanted me to do stuff only from that time period," Sharpe says. "Sometimes it's best to rely on the past."

The Battle of the Immortalz starts at 9 p.m, Saturday, February 5, at House, 2041 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, featuring TC Izlam, Mike Sharpe, Danny Bled, Mr. Mendez, and live acts including ATF, Ghost in the Machine, and Inner Realm. Open to 18 and over. Admission is $15 before midnight. Call 754-254-6133.