I’m back from the Winter Music Conference in Miami, and finally catching my breath. This is my third trip to the conference with local promoter Mike Kitchen. The annual conference draws DJs from around the world for workshops and most of all parties. It’s an opportunity for house music fans to hear some of the top deejays spin at parties at swanky hotels on South Beach.
My favorite joint was the Delano. The hotel’s back patio was ridiculous. There was a giant wading pool surrounded by beds which faced the main stage. Women danced in the ankle-high wading pool. A printing company made custom T-shirts on site.
My favorite party was the day party on Saturday at the Shelbourne Hotel. DJ Jazzy Jeff played everything from Stevie Wonder to old school hip-hop. Initially, the predominately white audience wasn’t feeling the old school R&B, but eventually they warmed up. Besides, he spun an extensive Michael Jackson set, and who can resist MJ?
The DJ to see last weekend was Black Coffee of South Africa. Kitch and I stumbled on his set on Sunday after a day of shopping. Black Coffee headlined at a party in front of the cafe SegaFredo on Lincoln Road. The party was on the patio in front of the restaurant, but partygoers took over the entire sidewalk in front of the restaurant and in front of surrounding stores. People danced and grooved everywhere. Black Coffee lived up to his hype. He’s best known for his vocal track, “Even Though,” but his DJ skill can’t be ignored. If you ever get a chance to hear him spin in a nearby city, get there fast.
