Jon Cowan deserves a lot of credit in recent years for keeping alive some hope of quality dance music on the Beach. Back in the '90s, he was known for spinning around town and co-promoting the Bliss parties at Groove Jet, which were responsible for beginning the tidal wave of progressive house in the city. via residentadvisor.net
Several years ago, though, Cowan took over a chunk of the operations of the Shelborne (which his family has long run), and got to work turning it into a dance music lover's playground. The past five years of Winter Music Conference parties there have been among WMC's best -- this year's pool parties were especially killer -- and Shine, inside the hotel, remains one of the last classy venues for one-off house music parties on South Beach.
These days, though, it seems like Cowan has missed the decks a bit and is stepping back into the spotlight. He's held down a monthly residence at Gryphon, in the Seminole Hard Rock, and in an unusual departure, tonight heads further down the beach to headline Cameo. The gig kicks off an international tour this summer that includes a mini residency at Pacha Ibiza.
11 p.m. Friday, April 23. Cameo, 1445 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $20 in advance from wantickets.com; age 21 and up. 305-532-2667; cameomiami.com