A conga drummer plays at The Raleigh's Alma Lounge, which takes place every Thursday.
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One Night Stand: Thursdays @ Alma Lounge
By Rayme Samuels
Alma Lounge is the Nuyorican Poetry Café splashed with the flavor of the colorful Tropicana club. To translate, the Raleigh Hotel hosts a Thursday night party that's as fresh as enjoying the heartfelt rhymes of street poets in New York City's Lower East Side and as sexy as being surrounded by gorgeous dancers in the Tropicana's historical halls.
This event was created by Melissa Giles, founder of SoulFrito, an organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of urban Latino culture through music, fashion, film, theatre, literary and visual arts. Hosting the annual SoulFrito Urban Latin Music festival at BayFront Park wasn't enough for this pioneer, as she realized Miami was also in need of a stimulating and sexy weekly party. "Miami doesn't have as many lounges as New York City, so this [event] is a great place for a date or to hang out with friends and listen to great music," said Giles.
The upper lobby of the seductive Raleigh Hotel sets the stage for the cozy affair. However, the main attraction at this party is the sexy, funny and entertaining poetry and cabaret show that keeps people coming back week after week. Host Deborah Magdalena, a larger than life Latina from New York by way of Puerto Rico, captivates her audience with remarkable acting and spoken word skills.
Serving as the perfect backdrop to this classy night, DJ and co-host The Brass King spins a unique blend of old school Latin salsa, funk, neo-soul, jazz and hip-hop. With seven years of experience on the South Beach scene, this DJ has mastered and unlocked the secrets to keeping partygoers happy on the dance floor.
In its seventh week, the party has garnered an impressive, mixed following of trendsetters, tourists and Latinos looking for a place to bask in their culture. Drinks flow freely among the crowd as most sip on classic Cuban mojitos, cuba libres and martinis.
Open to the public and with no cover charge, this event fills up quickly, so to secure a table for the evening, it's best to RSVP with the hotel in advance. Getting into this party at one of Miami's hottest hotels is surprisingly effortless, and definitely worth the trip.
The Alma Lounge, Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 305-534-4300; 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Thursdays; for $20 (optional), receive valet parking and one complimentary cocktail.
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Published: 8/08
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