You know what’s really expensive? A ticket to the F1 Grand Prix this weekend. You know what’s not expensive? Enjoying music around the city of Miami — if you know where to look.
Yes, even Race Week brings some free-with-RSVP headline sets to the 305, but all month long, there are block-rockin beats to be enjoyed, from Opa-Locka to Little River, even as far north as Broward.
Grab your swimsuit, prepare to nod your head to the beat, and leave a little room for dramatics, because this month’s free concerts include hip-hop, R&B, goth, new wave, Brazilian crooners, queer disco, and more.
Lion’s Den Race Weekend Ft. Felix Da Housecat and Denis Ferrer
Ravers, start your engines. The immersive sound space above Persian restaurant Fooq’s in LIttle River has an action-packed weekend lineup to celebrate the F1 Grand Prix. Friday brings a headline set from electroclash legend Felix Da Housecat, and Saturday follows up with soulful house guru Denis Ferrer. Lion’s Den is free with RSVP, but it’s not a big space, and these will be first-come, first-served parties, so be sure you’ve got pole position if you’re trying to cross this finish line. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, at Lion’s Den, 150 NW 73rd St., Miami linktr.ee/lionsdenmiami.
“La Vienese” Classical Music meets Tango in a Venetian Masquerade Concert
If fancy car races aren’t your thing, maybe you’re more of an antiquity-comes-alive kind of reveler. In that case, don’t miss this most romantic slip into the past. Leave your everyday self behind and enjoy live symphonic sounds from around the world, transporting you by candlelight to a simpler, more exotic time. This all-ages event is elegant fun for the whole family, but be sure you’re in the doors before 7:30 p.m., as they will be promptly closed and admittance will be paused, so as to let the mood really take over. 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at Miami Beach Community Church, 1620 Drexel Ave., Miami Beach, eventbrite.com.
EL Kiosko’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party
El Kiosko Latin Cafe invites one and all to start the Cinco de Mayo celebrations a little early. Saturday’s block party promises live music, a free empanada to all who enter, and if you’re still hungry, the chance to compete in an empanada-eating contest for a prize of $500. There’s also a raffle for a 75″ TV and other prizes. 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at El Kiosko Latin Cafe, 13290 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami, eventbrite.com.
Warm Leatherette Cookout
Cool things happen in Fort Lauderdale, too, you guys, and to prove it, Connect Record Shop is hosting a daytime cookout with vinyl DJ sets from Lisa Frank, Nat Smallish, Sarah Myers, Vinyl Cutie, Lemz, Hispiniola, and Angela. There will also be drag performances by Gia “Deluxx” Olsen, a seafood boil by Bottoms Up Podcast, grills and inflatable pools on site, and the ability to grill your own food stuff! Expected sounds include disco, new wave, classic house, and other soulful synth explorations. 2 p.m. to late, Saturday, May 9, at Connect Record Shop, 718 NW 5 Ave., Ste. 1021, Fort Lauderdale, ra.co.
Blood Club at Las Rosas
Who is ready to dance the ghost with some of the modern goth-rock scene’s slinkiest sonics? Chicago’s Blood Club is bringing the God Fearing Tour to the gritty glamour of Las Rosas. The bilingual post-punkers will fill the air with echoing drums and moody blues, accompanied by New York’s Stare Away and Miami’s own superstar Blood Orchid. DJ Rippin Kittin will touch the decks to fill dead air with genre favorites. 9 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at Las Rosas, 2898 NW 7th Ave., Miami, instagram.com.…