HAPPY HALLOWEEN + BARACK THE VOTE!!

Dear friends,

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! There are lots of amazing things to do all over Miami tonight. At The Vagabond, we are extremely psyched to present an incredible event....Jim Rose of the legendary Jim Roses Circus hosts THE MOST INTERESTING SHOW IN THE WORLD!! He's bringing "performers from the furthest reaches of the globe, including Japanese robotic dancers, acrobats, fire jugglers, Russian dancers and Italian burlesque singers"!!!! We've also got ZOMBIES! ORGANIZE from West Palm performing live in the Garden and doors are open early this week at 9pm. There WILL be a huge line so we advise you to get there early so you don't have to wait around in your cute costume...

Sweat will be closed this evening (it's Halloween people - go party!) but we'll be open tomorrow and hosting some neat stuff. Come to Sweat around 8pm for an event called "STYLE YOUR SOLE" from TOMS SHOES. Buy a blank pair of these canvas kicks, decorate them with the art supplies provided, and for every paid sold Toms will donate a pair to a child in need. Cool and compassionate!! Then stay for a live in-store performance by FAT KING BULLA.

Btw, last week's RACHEL GOODRICH show at Fridays at The Vagabond was AMAZING. Ask anyone who went, it was one of the best concerts - local or national - in Miami all year. If you haven't picked up her album yet we've got it at Sweat or you can download it from iTunes. Support local music!!

Last but certainly not least, if there is ONE thing you do between now and Tuesday, YOU MUST GO OUT AND VOTE!! Bring a book or a magazine or a gameboy or a friend and wait in that line to cast what might be the most important ballot of your life. As community organizers ourselves, we wholeheartedly endorse Barack Obama and everything his campaign stands for. We don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the very future of our people and our planet depends on it.

Cheers,
Lolo, Jsin and the Sweat crew

FREE Giant Obama *HOPE* Posters at Sweat!!

Dear friends,

Drop by Sweat this week, have a nice warm beverage, maybe pick up some local music, and score a free piece of political art.

These are big and beautiful, suitable for framing, wheat-pasting (holler at us if you want to hit the town), or whatever you like.

Less than one week! Make sure to vote!

xo,
Lolo

Rachel, Origami, Reverb + Zombies!!

Dear friends,

Last weekend wrap-up: Coltoberfest was AWESOME. The bottles were truly works of art and over 400 people came out throughout the night. Thanks to AHOL for all his hard work. If you missed it you can peep the slideshow here: Coltoberfest 305

Tonight at FRIDAYS AT THE VAGABOND, we are honored to present the Official RACHEL GOODRICH CD Release Party Show!! If you haven't seen this girl live yet, tonight is the night. She'll be performing in the Main Room with a full 7-piece band at 11pm!! Her album "Tinker Toys" is finally out and you can pick up a copy tonight or exclusively at Sweat Records until it's released next Tuesday.

Tomorrow at Sweat, we've got a cool all-ages in-store with live performances by ALUKARD, NACHO, and THE 2AM MOVEMENT!! Lots of other nifty in-stores coming up so scroll down to see them all, there's something for everyone. Like...

ORIGAMI NIGHT!! By popular demand Sara will be returning to teach the Japanese art of paper folding to anyone who'd like to learn. The holidays are coming up and beautiful handmade origami items make great cheap-but-awesome gifts! We'll be folding simple boxes, gift envelopes, and the ever-popular STARS!! There's a $5 materials fee and it starts at 8pm on Wednesday, November 12th.

Also, the SWEAT BOOKS BOOK CLUB has a new selection!! This time around we're going for a little less political policy and a little more BRAAAAAAINS by reading "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War" by Max Brooks!! The meeting is on Wednesday, December 10th at 8pm, and we'll also be playing excerpts from the excellent audiobook. Be there AND be square.


Coming up next week...

Next Wednesday, Gen Art - a great non-profit that supports emerging creatives of all sorts - presents a music event called "REVERB" at The Vagabond. Catch live performances by THE DARK ROMANTICS and MOUSE FIRE with between-band tunes by yours truly. It's 8pm to midnight and the door cover includes free beer and wine 'til 11.

Thursday night is the New Times IRON FORK event at the Museum of Science, and then the pre-Halloween edition of (((SHAKE)))!! We've been having a hell of a good time over there so swing over, check it out, and maybe enter the weekly quart-drinking contest...

Next week at Fridays at The Vagabond it's HALLOWEEN and oh boy do we have a super-duper-double-whammy for you - a live performance in the Garden by ZOMBIES! ORGANIZE from West Palm Beach, and in the Main Room... the legendary JIM ROSE hosts "THE MOST INTERESTING SHOW IN THE WORLD!!" The show features Japanese robotic dancers, acrobats, fire jugglers, Russian dancers and Italian burlesque singers and more. It's going to be insane and THE place to be on Halloween.

Last but not least - an announcement... It wasn't an easy decision but we've officially closed Rag*Trade. The location wasn't exactly ideal for us and we hope to resurrect it one day in a space connected to Sweat. In the coming weeks we'll be starting a Rag*Trade etsy.com (the best website ever) vintage store to vend our best retro goods. We'll keep you posted and thanks to everyone for all the support. On a related note, Sweat Records will return to normal hours - noon to midnight Monday through Saturday - as of Monday, October 27th.

Cheers,
Lolo, Jsin and the Sweat crew

RORY Tonight, COLTOBERFEST 305 Tomorrow!!

Dear friends,

Today's email comes a bit late because (((SHAKE))) last night at Vagabond was so much fun!! Come out next Thursday to groove to the best hip hop in the main room, and enjoy BBQ, contests and all sorts of other antics on the patio. Read a great article about the party here: Bringing It Old-School: (((SHAKE))) Thursdays at The Vagabond

Tonight at Fridays at The Vagabond, we are proud to bring you special guest DJ RORY PHILLIPS all the way from London!! He's gonna tear up the dance floor tonight so come before 11 for free admission and $1 beers ('til 12) AND to hear the new album by OF MONTREAL!! We've got posters and cool stuff to give away too. Next Friday...you've been asking for it...the Official RACHEL GOODRICH CD Release Party Show!! You won't wanna miss it.

This Saturday is an awesome one-off art show and party at Sweat!! Come celebrate COLTOBERFEST305!! Curated by local art hero AHOLSNIFFSGLUE, this show features over *80* painted/decorated/reimagined Colt45 32 oz. bottles by artists from Miami, New York, Georgia and beyond. Starts at 9pm at Sweat and those that buck Miami tradition by actually getting somewhere on time will be able to snag complimentary Colt. After-party following next door at Churchill's with live performances by Pool Party and more!!

A little further ahead... Music Movie Monday this week is on a Tuesday!! We've teamed up with the Art Institute to present a screening of "SANTA SANGRE" - the surrealist film by acclaimed director Alejandro Jodorowsky!! Seating at 8, movie at 8.30.

Other randomness:
- By popular demand we are finally creating the Sweat Media List for all you awesome journalists/bloggers/etc. who'd like to get a heads up. If you'd like to join you can sign up here: Sweatlist
-The Miami Craft Market is Saturday at the Upper Eastside Garden from noon to 5pm. Support local and buy handmade!
- We are looking for someone who'd like to acquire Sweat's organic coffee grounds for their composting needs. If you know anyone please be in touch! We'd love to be able to give them to someone who can use 'em.
- GUERRILLA GARDENING is starting again on the regular sometime soon! We'll keep you posted...
-THREE delicious kinds of Earthcakes Vegan Cupcakes currently in stock! Stop by for Double Chocolate, Banana-Walnut with Chocolate Icing, and the best-seller COOKIES 'N' CREAM!!

Cheers,
Lolo, Jsin and the Sweat crew

Events, New LPs + Casa De Ha-Ha Tuesday!!

Dear friends,

Long time no see! As you might imagine we've been busy around here... Thanks to everyone's help we finally got a kick-ass security/alarm system installed in the store! Up next, a second-hand store computer and a new AQUARIUM!!

Well, well, well... There are events coming out of our ears in the next week so here's a quick rundown:

-Tonight at FRIDAYS AT THE VAGABOND we are psyched to present a newer Miami band called AXE AND THE OAK!! Highly recommended if you dig goodness like early Cure, Nick Cave and Jesus and Mary Chain (tunes at myspace.com/axeandtheoak). Showtime is midnight in the Garden and is followed by our awesome DJs spinning tunes til 5 in the morning.
-Saturday night is PURE IMAGINATION LIVE at Sweat!! This is the 4th installment of this awesome spoken word/storytelling/live music event and it kicks off around 9.30 so stop by after gallery-hopping...
-Monday night is the debut of local film CLOSING TIME at Music Movie Mondays!! This film peeps into the lives and artworks a slew of esteemed Miami artists, musicians and creatives. Starts at 8pm.
-And let's not forget Tuesday which is the 2nd monthly CASA DE HA-HA STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWCASE at Sweat!! The first one was freakin' packed and freakin' hilarious so come out and catch some of Miami's best working and up-and-coming comics. Starts at 9pm.
-Last but not least, next Thursday the 16th is the debut of a brand new weekly party we're happy to be a part of!! (((SHAKE))) is a real live hip hop party brought to you by Que Pasa M.I.A., Sweat and The Vagabond and it's Miami to the MAX. Expect food, fun, and muchas sorpresas every week and classic/new school hip hop spun late into the night by residents Doormouse, Mike Deuce and special guests!!

Besides all the events, we've also got a TON of RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME RECORDS just in at the store. Pick up new LPs and reissues from: Kraftwerk, The Flaming Lips, Islands, Joanna Newsom, Dungen, Tortoise, Primal Scream, LCD Soundsystem, Velvet Underground, Cocorosie, Elliott Smith, Otto Von Schirach, Lali Puna, DJ Qbert, Rufus Wainwright, Scott Walker, Sonic Youth, MGMT, Soul Jazz Records and MUCH MORE. Also back in stock: the Friends With You MALFI dolls and MAP Magazine Issue No.5!!

Finally on a sadder note, a good person in the Miami music scene tragically passed away on Wednesday. ALEX DEL BUENO will be truly missed and there's a big fundraiser next week to help his family with funeral expenses. It's on Friday, October 17th at Churchill's so please make it out if you can.

Much love and be safe,
Lolo, Jsin and the Sweat crew