#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Music Week 2015

Miami is in the peak of tourism season right now so naturally everything here is absolutely insane: the traffic, the people, the amount of activities going on at once and, as a result, our schedules. This week in particular has been a whirlwind of chaos, which explains why we are a day late in talking about the topic du jour: Miami Music Week. The internationally anticipated celebration of electronic music began unleashing its heavy bass and sick beats yesterday and, according to social media, the energetic masses are raging harder than ever before.

This year we're choosing where we spend our energy carefully so we've been keeping a watchful eye on the announcements and marquees. Here are the three events we are most looking forward to this year:

What: Winter Music Conference at the Deauville Beach Resort

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Saturday, March 28

Where: 6701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: As Miami Beach celebrates its first hundred years, there is no better place than this historic Miami Beach hotel to throw the 30th Annual Winter Music Conference (WMC). As the official WMC host, the Deauville will welcome some of our favorite EDM heavy hitters (i.e., Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki). Additionally, for the first time, the host hotel will bridge WMC's business and party worlds by not only holding pool parties and DJ spin-offs, but also exhibits of the music industry's newest technology and the International Dance Music Awards. For WMC tickets and more information, please visit http://wintermusicconference.com/.

What: Miami Music Week at Basement Miami

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, March 29

Where: 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: Ian Schrager's Basement Miami, in partnership with THUMP, is kicking off its first Miami Music Week with a stellar line-up. We are particularly psyched for the weekend sets featuring Questlove, DZA, and Dennis Ferrer. On its closing night, Basement Miami promises the appearance of a very special guest. If their track record is any indication, we anticipate the caliber of this special guest to be worth the gamble. For tickets and more information, please visit http://basementmiami.com/events.

What: Miami Music Week at Mansion Miami

When: Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, March 29

Where: 1235 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Why: Since we left college, we rarely make appearances at Mansion. However, every once in a while, they surprise us with a killer event or headliner that we just cannot miss. This year's Miami Music Week line-up includes Armin Van Buuren, Fedde Le Grand, Martin Garrix, and Nicky Romero so we're dusting off our tightest bandage dress and heading to Mansion. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.mansionmiami.com/dev/.

Which Miami Music Week events are you most looking forward to? Will you be attending any of these events? Who are you most excited to see perform? If Miami Music Week is not for you, what do you plan to do instead? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami.

#ThankYouMiami for Themed Weeks - Miami Music Week 2014

Miami loves celebrating. Our parties are themed, our weeks are themed, even our months are themed. And in the bevy of year-round celebrations, none is more anticipated internationally than Miami Music Week. Every March, thousands upon thousands of electronic music aficionados descend upon our beautiful city to witness world-class DJs make music history in our venues and to party like nobody's watching.

Then how is Miami Music Week different than every other Miami weekend? In South Beach, the Miami Beach Convention Center hosts Winter Music Conference (WMC) which, in addition to throwing amazing parties throughout the city, offers seminars, technical workshops, and networking opportunities for music industry professionals. In Downtown, the heart of our city is transformed for a weekend into a grid-locked mess to deliver a one-of-a-kind electronic music experience known worldwide as Ultra Music Festival or Ultra.

If you like Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and you haven't been to WMC or Ultra, your opportunity is here! WMC starts today and runs through Sunday, March 30. Ultra will take place from Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30.

Here are the events that I am most excited for this Miami Music Week:
 

RaMBunktious Records presents REWIND at Kill Your Idol

Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
RSVP: Not required, free admission

Kill Your Idol is one of my favorite places to visit on the rare nights I go all out (i.e., my wedding weekend). So, I am psyched that this party is during the early days of WMC when I won't be as sleep deficient. RaMBunktious Records artists Jay-j, DJ Mark Brickman, Dan.k, Frankie Shakes, and Alan Epps will set the stage for Miami Music Week with classic house from the 80's, 90's, and 2000's. After all, you can't appreciate the new, new until you immerse yourself in its roots.

RAZON Eyewear Launch Party
Date: Wednesday, March 26
RSVP: By Invitation Only

On Wednesday, March 26, Miami-based luxury lifestyle brand, RAZON, will unveil their signature collection of wooden sunglasses at a private party. The line's launch could not be more perfectly timed - not only is WMC Co-Founder Bill Kelly a local brand ambassador, but also sunnies are a must-have accessory during Miami Music Week. Make sure to stop by www.seetherazon.com next week to shop RAZON's sleek aviators in Bamboo, Ebony, and Rosewood and to read more about their "Eye for an Eye" philosophy.

Wakeup Star, S. Renee & All Like Minds Present #MiamiGotNext: Sound Check at Scratch DJ Academy
Date: Thursday, March 27
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
RSVP: wakeupstar.com/soundcheck, free admission

The first event of the two-night #MiamiGotNext Artists Showcase offers an entrepreneurial forum for artists, producers, brands, and others interested in the music business. Arrive at 7 p.m. for your chance to check out Scratch DJ Academy's digs during the open house and stay from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. to learn from a highly-qualified panel of local music industry professionals: DJ Bre, Honey's Money, Jedi Nemesis, Vince Valholla, and Lee Castro.

Wakeup Star, S. Renee & All Like Minds Present #MiamiGotNext - Underground Report II at Majestical Lips
Date: Friday, March 28

Time: 8 p.m. to Close

RSVP: $10 tickets at door, $7 tickets available for 24 hours here.

The second night of WMC's #MiamiGotNext Artists Showcase brings us an extra dose of local love. South Floridian STEFisDOPE hosts this event that celebrates and highlights Miami's rising MCs featuring the killer sounds of Miami locals like The Pyrvmids, J. Nics and Flight School Preps. If you haven't had the chance to stop by Majestical Lips, then this indie hip hop showcase is the perfect excuse to stop by!

Essential South Beach at the Eden Roc

Date: Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29
Time: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
RSVP: General Admission tickets are on pre-sale for $20 - $30 here and VIP tables can be reserved by e-mailing info [at] rambunktious [dot] com

RaMBunktious Records brings Miami Music Week full circle with more of the basics. For two days, iconic Miami Beach hotel, the Eden Roc, will be graced by the legendary sounds of Miguel Migs, Danny Krivit, Andy Caldwell and a long list of other incredible talent. I can't decide if I am more excited to dance, to witness the stacked line-up firsthand or to lounge poolside at the Eden Roc Miami-style.

Skinny Kings / Slap & Tickle / Freehand Miami present Don't Worry Baby
Date: Sunday, March 30
Time: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
RSVP: Required, info [at] skinnykings [dot] com

One of Miami's most beautiful venues (see, #ThankYouMiami for Photogenic Venues - Miami Beach) is at it again. On Sunday, March 30, local fashion guru Amanda Del Duca will be hosting another much-anticipated party at the Broken Shaker featuring Anna Lunoe and special guest Pirate Stereo. The event will also feature pop up shops of Miami-based businesses, including Amanda's new online retail store Slasher Girl and lifestyle boutique ISHINE 365. I am in it for the music, but also the shopping, the cocktails, the venue, and the vibe.

Which Miami Music Week events are you most looking forward to? Will you be attending any of these parties? If Miami Music Week is not for you, what do you plan to do instead? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami.