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Here come the four words many live-music junkies in Miami never wanted to hear: Studio A is closing. Rumors of its demise had plagued the venue practically since its opening in spring 2006, but staff has confirmed that after two years of live shows and alternative club nights, it's shutting its doors for good. When exactly that will happen or what will become of the shows it had booked through June, remains unclear.

As Miami’s only mid-size music venue (with a capacity of around 600), it single-handedly ushered in a new era in the city's flagging live scene. In recent years, Miami always lost to the better-equipped city of Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding suburbs. The venue presented on-the-verge acts like M.I.A., KRS-One, Brazilian Girls, Avenue D, Tokyo Police, Of Montreal, Justice, and Cat Power, as well as established bands wanting to play a more intimate setting, like Maroon 5. At one time it hosted the now-defunct weekly Revolver party, as well as other nights of clubland past such as Plastik Fantastik, Misfit, and SceneWolf.

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Jose D. Duran

Graffiti on the ultility pole at the corner of NW 23rd Street and NW 2nd Avenue.

Just east of Edgewater - that's the real name of the newly christened "Midtown" area - and Downtown Miami lies the creative ghetto better known as Wynwood. Between wholesale clothing operations and mechanic garages you'll find art galleries and collections. So it's no surprise that the area breeds street art.

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It seems that the Dolphins scored a pretty nice draft grade across the board from various experts yesterday. For example, the Star-Telegram called the Chiefs and the Dolphins the biggest winners of the draft and awarded them each the highest grades of all the NFL teams. And CBS Sports gave the Fins an A.

Then there's Mel Kiper Jr. He too is a draft expert. Mainly because he says so. So we'd best listen up. Don't mess with Mel Kiper. He'll beat your ass if you get sassy with him. That Todd McShay is just begging to get the shit knocked out of him. Kiper gave the Fins a B. Then remembered that we drafted Chad Henne and downgraded it to a B-. Fuck him. Kiper criticized Henne's accuracy and immobility. And then said he liked Henne's toughness and intangibles. But gave the Fins a B- anyway.

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E. Gertoshac

Hey, E

No, it doesn’t make a difference that you’re a boy who likes boys. Gay or not, shacking up is a major step and one that takes a huge amount of commitment from both people. But you’re no young philly so I don’t need to tell you that there’s more to the situation than drinking merlot and watching Kate Hudson movies. Or do I, E? You say that you discussed interior design and closet space, but I’m sure you and your guy discussed how you would split the finances and household duties, and what you expect from each other as live-in lovers. Didn’t you, E? If not, that could be the reason for your baby’s cold feet. If you were selling him dreams of a beautiful life without explaining the shitty side, he could be feeling a little uninformed, resulting in his distribution of what you call “lame excuses.” I love how you say he’s hardworking, but then call his “busy” excuse lame; could it be, you’re an asshole and after 2 years he finally realized it and would rather keep the relationship undomesticated? Hmmm.

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Violence and videogames have been together since the beginning of time (or at least since videogames evolved beyond Pong). As we move into an era where the unlikely “uncanny valley,” the idea that as video game characters become more like humans yet not completely so they actually cause revulsion in those playing the games, isn’t so farfetched, I chose to take a look back and pick five game series which took violence to unprecedented levels and then told gamers, “You better like this or we’ll kick you in the throat.” So here they are in all their gory goodness: -- Elvis Ramirez

5. Postal

Postal is one of those games with absolutely no shame. At least Mortal Kombat had a story, a thin one but one nonetheless. Postal pretty much drops a machinegun into the player’s hands and says go kill things. Uwe Boll is making a film based on the game, now that’s an act of violence against the American public.

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The newest numbers from Editor and Publisher show Miami Herald circulation falling faster than virtually any other major American newspaper in the last six months.

According to a story in today's Editor and Publisher, the Herald numbers dropped 11 percent in daily circulation...and nine percent on Sundays. Ouch!

It is no longer among the nation's top 25 daily newspapers. Nor is it in the top 25 Sunday rags.

The drops were among the steepest in the country. Newark and Orange County were in our league....but it's sad to see the bottom drop out here in the Magic City.

Maybe it's time to come up with something creative....A publicity stunt? A giveaway? A lotto ticket in every paper. Hell, maybe a nude centerfold like those English tabs?

Chuck Strouse

Matt Damon spent Saturday afternoon at the Sport of Kings at Gulfstream Park. Though he did not buy into any poker play, the actor stopped by to shoot the shit with Poker Room Manager Scott Poole.

It’s no surprise that the star of a handful of casino-themed flicks frequents the SoFla gambling scene when he has the chance. Although he was not buying into any Texas Hold ‘Em tourneys Saturday, Matt Damon, wife Luciana Barroso and a couple pals headed over to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale for some equestrian action. Although most of the thoroughbreds have left the building for the season, the lack of live action didn’t stop Damon and his party from spending some quality racing time via simulcast. Damon and Co. concentrated on playing horses at the Sport of Kings, knowing full-well where to place bets with his hard-earned cash. A decade ago, Damon bought in for $10,000 at the infamous Word Series of Poker in Las Vegas, just to get knocked out in the first round by Doyle Brunson. Playing it smart, the actor didn’t waste time with cards Saturday night. Maybe he should just stick to “acting” like a pimp-ass gambler while the recession plays out.

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Florida tomato pickers and activists from across the country plan to arrive at Burger King's Miami headquarters at 3:30 this afternoon with 75,000 signatures asking the corporation to kowtow to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers demands to pay pickers more and adopt a zero tolerance for slavery in the fields, the latter of which doesn't seem like an onerous request these days.

Activists will come armed with an eight-story banner, giant tomatoes and paper mache burgers so bring your camera if you go. Burger King offices are at 5505 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami. In other fast food news, the daughter of a Burger King exec blamed her dad for posting anonymous online attacks against the workers rights organization.

Read more here.

Janine Zeitlin

Everyone is saying Miami is starting its summer lull - you know, the time when nothing exciting happens to the city except for the threats of hurricanes? Well you wouldn't know it by this past weekend since I have the liver damage to prove it. With Bon Jovi rolling into town, the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival kicking off and plenty of late night debauchery, the weekend was full of things to do.

Jose D. Duran

The infamous Monday-night party Back Door Bamby came back for an one-night-only Saturday at The Vagabond. Relive the madness here.

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The story began in Africa. Paige Elenson, a native New Yorker, spied African acrobats doing crazy handstands. She joined in. Elenson, who practices an acrobatic brand of yoga, later started Africa Yoga Project to promote well being in Kenya.

Peace-loving, Miami Beach yogis have joined the cause.

Today, they’re hosting an event starting at 8 p.m. that includes devotional singing and instruction on Thai partner massage and flying partner yoga at Synergy Yoga Center at 435 Española Way in Miami Beach.

Sure, it may sound a little scary but we’re assured there’s no experience necessary – just an open mind. The event is free but donations are encouraged.

“If you have no money, whatever,” says Arianne Traverso, one of the local yoga teachers who organized the evening. “Bring some coconuts, bring some organic food. We’re trying to help people have a little sense of happiness.”

If you do have money, don’t be cheap. All donations will go toward the Africa Yoga Project.

-- Janine Zeitlin

For over a year now, eager entrepreneurs have lobbied the Miami Beach city government to allow pedicabs – bicycle rickshaws for hire – to operate on the Beach. Similar outfits are already busy ferrying people around in other South Florida cities – Fort Lauderdale, most notably – but, so far, city commissioners have been reluctant to issue permits on the Beach. Last March, the City Commission, declining to decide the matter definitely, nonetheless noted a near-unanimous sentiment against the pedal-powered vehicles operating on busy Miami Beach streets.

Despite the cold reception, though, two pedicab vendors have been given occupational licenses from the city, Assistant City Manager Hilda Fernandez told the Bike Blog over the phone, and are currently operating in the city.

There are, she cautioned, some catches.

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Sure, the economy's bad here in South Florida. Workers are getting laid off, salaries slashed, homes foreclosed upon.

But have some pity for the poor Deutsche Bank employees in Germany. According to the London Independent, senior executives of the German Bank can no longer expense brothel visits or porn channels in hotel rooms. According to one anonymous bank employee:

"In the good old days, you could pass off a trip to a knocking-shop as a restaurant if the name wasn't too obvious. But we're in an uptight, locked-down new puritanism now."

Murdoch Gears Up To Buy Newsday - Rupert Murdoch has offered the Tribune Company $580 million to purchase Newsday and further solidify his hold on the tabloid papers in New York. If the deal goes through, Murdoch will own 3 of the 10 largest circulation newspapers in the country.

Turnpike Tolls May Increase - Lawmakers have added a provision to a transportation bill that will allow for a 25 percent increase to the tolls on Florida's Turnpike, and the Sawgrass Expressway. The purpose of the toll is to raise money to widen certain roads and build new ones.
Wesley Snipe Sentenced to Three Years - The actor was sentenced to three years for his income-tax crimes. He will have to pay upwards to $20 million in back taxes, interests, and penalties.

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Victoria Stilla Secret

Hii, Victoria

I’m soo happy that you sought out some advice before attempting to seduce this guy wearing a pair of Tweety Bird boxer shorts and an XXL family reunion T-shirt. Maybe a crotchless teddy isn’t quite your bag, but there is something to be said for a bit of visual seduction before you get down to the actual “get down.” After all, you want him to be eating out the palm of your sexy hand from the second he lays eyes on you until he falls into a good ol’ orgasm-induced coma at the end of the night. And if all goes well, the only T-shirt you’ll be wearing will be his, which by the way, you should slip on before you slide into the kitchen to make him a post-coital ham sandwich.

Since your fashion sense swings more to the casual side, when it comes to your big night, don’t try to wear something that strays too far from that. I’m not saying that your guy wouldn’t appreciate something like a pearl thong and a pair of daisy-shaped pasties, but it’ll be harder to channel your inner minx if you’re not comfortable in what you’re wearing.

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