Our sister paper Miami New Times and the Miami International Film Festival are bringing a bouquet of artistic enjoyment with Artopia again this year. The venue has changed. The cultural extravaganza will be taking place at the comfortably fashionable Villa 221. For those who haven't ventured south to the gallery/bar, you'll be pleased to find a beautifully converted mansion with a backyard fit for a giant. Packing it with hungry, thirsty art lovers will be no problem on Thursday night.
The Artopia highlights for us over at County Grind are the musical acts. Who doesn't want to see the Notorious Nastie emcee a lineup that includes Pocket of Lollipops, Boise Bob and His Backyard Band, a Roofless Records showcase, Lolo from Sweat Records as DJ, and Miami's IDM golden boy Otto Von Schirach? Nobody, that's who. In order to whet your audio palette, what follows is music you might hear on Thursday night. Enjoy.
Husband-and-wife team Tony Kapel and Maitejosune Urrechaga are always on the art tip. Both make jamming music and awesome art together as Pocket of Lollipops. Make sure to read more about them here.
You don't know what a swampy hoedown is until you've experienced a few minutes of Boise Bob and His Backyard Band. The Broward native and his backing crew bring the salty taste of the Everglades with them wherever they go. Learn more about them here.
Lolo Reskin, owner of Sweat Records, is a big Britpop fan. She even made a mix a while back for other fans of the genre to revel in. Maybe she'll bring the Oasis this Thursday night, but then again, maybe not.
Frequent New Times writer, Roofless Records' Matt Preira has produced more events around South Florida in the past year than it would possible for any one person to attend besides Matt Preira. This video shows a scene from the second-annual Microshow, one of the best musical events we've been to, maybe ever.
Don't expect a stage show like that one up there on Thursday; expect so much more. If you don't know what Otto Von Schirach's performances are like, then you need to learn. Catch him and whatever dark madness he'll be bringing to the stage at Artopia.
VIP guests get free drinks and food for $60. General admission is $20 presale or $25 at the door and grants one complimentary drink and snacks. A cash bar will be available. The event is for those 21 and over. The party takes place from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at Villa 221, 221 NE 17th St., Miami. Visit newtimesartopia.com for information.
