Know what time it is, party people? If the answer is an exuberant cry heralding Carnaval Miami and Calle Ocho, we want to inform you that you're talking to a screen or a stack of paper and we can't hear you. But it also means you're in the right place, because below we highlight a few key performances you won't want to miss during the largest annual street party in the nation.
So get your Puerto Rican flag cap, your Colombian soccer jersey, your Nicaraguan flag, or your "I Was a Doctor in Cuba" T-shirt ready. This year is a doozy, with Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull, presiding over the festivities. As always, there's a slew of music talent lined up from one end of Miami's Eighth Street to the other. And this year introduces the Eighth Street Jam, highlighting some of the city's best and brightest young urban fusion acts.
Pitbull Megastage
At SW 12th Avenue
"Dat lil' chico, Mr. 305" has been named king of Carnaval Miami 2010. And it seems all he needed to do was write a song titled "Calle Ocho." Oh, and rep South Florida throughout an international rise to success with singles such as the aforementioned club smash, "Krazy," "Hotel Room Service," and "Shut It Down." (He even nabbed the key to the city along the way.) The Miami native is known for high-energy performances chock-full of infectious hits, and he won't disappoint on his own megastage, billed as starring "Pitbull and friends."
Eighth Street Jam Stage
At SW 12th Avenue
In its inaugural year, the Eighth Street Jam is unlike anything else the festival has offered. It's a private party with tickets costing $20 in advance from 8thstreetjam.com and $30 at the door. Don't balk at the price, though — admission includes free beer from 1 to 3 p.m. and some topnotch auditory entertainment. The party will feature all of your favorite funky local acts, including the Spam Allstars, Nil Lara, Suénalo, Locos por Juana, Xperimento, ¡Mayday!, Jacob Jeffries Band, Fusik, ArtOfficial, Ketchy Shuby, and Lanzallamas Monofónica, as well as a guest appearance by Pitbull.
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians Stage
At SW 13th Court
You can't get your gamble here — that's strictly at the casino. But the Miccosukee stage will still offer good times. Roberto Torres will throw it down, and the Cuban singer is bound to perform more than just "Caballo Viejo." But isn't that megahit enough? Other acts include Aymet la Sonera del Mundo, el Show Andre MC, and Pepito Gómez, who — as any Cuban grandmother worth her salt would say — is well-known in his house around lunchtime.
Power 96 Stage
At SW 17th Avenue
This stage will showcase acts you might expect to hear on, well, Power 96. Trina and Brisco are slated to make appearances, but surefire highlights will be Carol City's own Flo Rida and reggae-dancehall phenom Sean Paul. Paul is making a comeback, and he's been all over Power 96 in the past year with tracks such as "So Fine" and "Press It Up" off his latest album, Imperial Blaze. Now watch him all over the radio station's stage.
Telemundo 51 Stage
At SW 22nd Avenue
This stage boasts a bevy of names we don't really recognize, such as Ricky C and Four Element, as well as a slew of others who seem to have misspelled their own monikers: Chokolate, El K'Risimo, and even Karolina con K, who's the worst of all, because she knows she's spelling it all effed up! The highlight here is the pop-rock outfit Local 34, which recently won Burger King's Tu Ciudad battle of the bands.
Coca-Cola Stage
At SW 22nd Avenue
What would Calle Ocho be without T-Pain? All right, that might seem like it's coming out of left field. But hits such as "I'm Sprung," "Bartender," and "Pass the Guacamole" are just the ditties to keep fans bouncing. OK, we know that last title is just a jingle for a Bud Light commercial, but it's still our favorite T-Pain song. An appearance by Puerto Rican pop singer Ana Isabel sweetens the pot.
27th Avenue Stage
We're sure this stage is sponsored, but damn if we can find out by whom. Anyway, you know where to find it if you're interested in checking out Digital Ninfa, Grandes Ligas, Christian Skala, Indio, salsa-darling-come-lately Marlon, and bachateros Carlos y Alejandra.
