Why should the party end just because Summer is almost over? Like it or not, it's basically Summer all year 'round in Fort Lauderdale, and we never need an excuse to party. We'll do it whether or not we're still in a manic frenzy just outta the crazy house, our boob job has yet to heal, or it's Christmas Eve and the kids are at home crying for Santa. This is Fort Lauderdale, and we shall party!
Fort Lauderdale Beach Summer Music Festival took the cue and is setting up shop with live music and a bikini contest next Sunday before noon. The festivities at Da Big Kahuna in Beach Place don't end until Monday morning, either. Well, 1 a.m. Monday morning. This isn't Miami Beach we're talkin' here. We get started early.
We spoke with a few of the musicians about their opinions on this pin-up style bikini contest and what they're looking forward to at the fest.
Because one stage just isn't enough, three stages -- two indoor and one on the deck -- will offer a platform for 28 bands to perform. The variety of genres presented are sure to satisfy all sorts of fans, there's hip-hop, R&B, EDM DJ sets, punk, alt rock, and heavy metal.
If music isn't your thing -- and we can't imagine that's the case -- the bikini contest is sponsored by badseeds.com, a South Florida based movie project. The babe who most makes the crowd go wild goes home with $100 in her pocket, or bathing suit top, in this case. The winner also lands a small role in the movie along with a Bad Seeds T-shirt and headphones. Guest judges include Lista "Lucy" Faircloth, a Lucille Ball lookalike from the enduringly amusing I Love Lucy.
Needless to say, a few of the musicians are excited for the contest. "I think I wanna be a judge!" says Mike Romero, drummer for the Catacomb Crows. Hero, a hip-hop artist from Fort Lauderdale, agrees: "Hell, I want the front row and date with the winner."
Bottles Belafonte, whose musical elements include hip-hop, soul, and reggae, is approaching the show in a "make it or break it" sense. "All I have to say is this is my one and only opportunity to make an impression. I'm looking forward to all the different bands and performers, but more importantly, interacting with all the people coming out to check out the music." Romero says Catacomb Crows is also psyched to show their music to a big crowd and hear other acts. "We're looking most forward to the amount of fun we're gonna have at the fest with all the people and beautiful beach scenery, the excitement of exposure, and also enjoying the other artists."
As if I Love Lucy gals going wild in bikinis and three stages of local music wasn't enough, artists will be adding on to the end of summer mayhem as well, including Priya Rajkuma with henna tats and Ivan Roque with some graphic imagery.
Tickets for this event are more than affordable. "You can get tickets from performers for $3.00 a piece. There's nowhere else that can do a show like this for that kind of money," says Colby W Taylor, one of the main organizers behind this event. Fourteen hours of music, 3 stages, 28 acts along with local art, all for $3, seems worth it. "The purpose is really to be able to enjoy South Florida's best music in a live atmosphere," he adds. "What's more 'Florida' than being (air-conditioned) and right next to the beach?"
Fort Lauderdale Beach Summer Music Festival, 11 a.m., Sunday August 18, at Da Big Kahuna in Beach Place, 17 S. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd. #308, Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $3 and can be bought by contacting the musicians. Call 954-530-4867, or visit Facebook for the complete lineup of bands.
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