34 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 BEST EVENT CURATOR Original Jeanie instagram.com/originaljeanie The curator behind Red Rooster’s Friday night weekly, “Thank You,” Jeanie J. is as ob- scure as she is omniscient. You’ve probably seen her gliding through the hotspot’s thick weekend crowds or managing the entrance at the speakeasy. But to those who know her, she’s a meticulous event curator who is pas- sionate about creating community through culture. Just two years in, her R&B and hip- hop weekly is a staple where people can find a vibe unlike anywhere else in the city. Since her days as part of the popular Art Mob collective, she’s created a lane for her friends in nightlife, whether she’s hosting a Miami Art Week pop-up or bridging fashion and music at her “Sumthin’ Special” activations. Her recent venture? A ladies night at Mangrove aptly called “Please.” Next time you stumble across a new event putting a spin on classic nightlife experiences, check the fine print. Jeanie is most likely the brain behind the brand. BEST DJ Rahsaan “Fly Guy” Alexander instagram.com/aflyguy If you’ve experienced Miami’s nightlife since the late aughts, chances are you’ve partied to a DJ Fly Guy set. Born in Guyana and raised between New York and Miami, he got his start with a three-year residency at the now defunct Love Hate Lounge on South Beach where he spun hip-hop cuts at the Classic Sunday weekly. He appeared on the third season of VH1’s Master of the Mix in 2013 and eventually formed an invaluable part- nership with the man behind LIV on Sun- days, Michael Gardner. In 2021, the pair launched Doo-Wop, a popular R&B series that’s toured across the country and hosted celebrities like Summer Walker, Jamie Foxx, and Damson Idris. Last summer, he was en- listed as the tour DJ for Tank’s R&B Money Tour, and this summer, he’s bringing the Doo-Wop experience to the iconic Roots Picnic stage in Philadelphia. Whether he’s blending throwbacks and R&B newbies at Doo-Wop or spinning hip-hop traditions at his latest series, Crates, Alexander is a DJ’s DJ who’s etched an incomparable legacy in Miami’s nightlife culture. BEST DJ (DANCE) Spell instagram.com/soundsbyspell Spell doesn’t just spin tracks — she casts them. With an ear for the deep, driving pulse of dance music and a reputation for curating transcendent sets, DJ Spell brings a hypnotic energy to every Miami dance floor she graces. Spell can be found hyping up crowds all across the 305. Whether in a warehouse or a roller rink, she keeps the night alive and bod- ies in motion. BEST DANCE CLUB Mad Radio madradio.co Some clubs are redesigned out of old Soviet factories, others were built with slabs of marble and a dash of luxury. Mad Radio, however, inhabits a portion of the Selina Miami Gold Dust Motel in the MiMo District in Miami's Upper Eastside. Down- stairs, the club is this year's win- ner — the sound system goes hard against the strip of dance floor and tables on each end, all under low, deep red lighting. The DJs, largely local talent, spin house and techno, and each set is recorded and uploaded to the club's YouTube channel. Up- stairs, the restaurant offers premium food and a DJ spinning funk all night long. The only checkout time Mad Radio needs you to worry about is the 5 a.m. closing. BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL Jazz in the Gardens jazzinthegardens.com The two-day Jazz in the Gardens festival at Hard Rock Stadium is the stuff of headline- writers’ dreams. It features super-influen- tial artists in the biz, but it also cultivates and celebrates community. It kicks off with an annual opening night party and the Women’s Impact Luncheon, drawing locals and visitors to honor influential figures in R&B, gospel, and soul music. One of the lon- gest running R&B festivals in the nation, past performers include luminaries and chart-toppers like Chaka Khan, Usher, Anita Baker, Toni Braxton, H.E.R., and Doechii. It launched in 2006, but after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, its come- back caught the eye of Gary Guidry, the CEO of Black Promoters Collective, a coali- tion of top independent concert promoters. The following year, city officials handed over promotion and talent booking to BPC, who began revamping JITG into a cross- generational cultural experience. This year’s edition continued its evolution with the U.S. return of dancehall icon Beenie Man and a viral moment of Lauryn Hill per- forming alongside Grammy-award winner Doechii. Guidry plans to keep growing JITG’s presence as a cultural force at the start of festival season, solidifying it as a lo- cal and national gem. BEST JAZZ NIGHT Armstrong Jazz House 271 Miracle Mile Coral Gables 33134 305-488-9955 armstrongjazzhouse.com Forget the typical Miami nightlife scene for a second and get into some smooth jazzy sounds at Armstrong Jazz House. This Mira- cle Mile spot is preserving the art of jazz through live performances seven days a week. It offers dinner and a show in an inti- mate but bustling atmosphere. Trust us when we say, make a reservation in advance. The menu is all organic and local, featuring fun plates like a classic “French Quarter onion soup” to “jazzy chicken francese.” This Coral Gables gem also preserves the genre by offer- ing free jazz instrument lessons for kids, en- suring jazz isn’t just the soundtrack to a lovely night out, but the sound of future art- ists flexing their sonic skills. BEST SPORTS PODCASTER Wes Goldberg, David Ramil Locked On Heat lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/ locked-on-heat Wes Goldberg and David Ramil have quickly become the go-to voices for Miami Heat fans seeking to stay informed. Locked on Heat has become more than just a polished-looking podcast — it’s become appointment listening, whether you caught the game or missed the action and need a trusted recap of what went down. From the instant analysis of last night’s game — good or bad — to super-insightful breakdowns of what to expect ahead of the trade deadline or off-season free agency, Goldberg and Ramil have made it their job to get you up to date on what to expect from the Heat. They manage to be deeply informed and highly entertaining in an almost odd- couple way and each brings their quirks and insight to the table. Their chemistry and can- dor make even the toughest 27-point blown lead losses feel like part of the ride. As the sports media landscape has evolved, more voices that may not have had a platform in the past have emerged. Locked on Heat is a shining example of why that’s a good thing. If you live and breathe Heat basketball, this podcast belongs in your daily rotation. BEST SPORTS SIDELINE REPORTER Jeremy Taché instagram.com/jeremytache If you’re even remotely paying attention to the landscape of South Florida sports, Jeremy Taché is everywhere. In a single day, you can turn on your TV to see him on the Miami Heat sidelines, on your recommended YouTube page as a mainstay member of the Le Batard and Stugotz crew, and all over your Twitter timeline dropping interviews of Miami Marlins players. It’s like the best episode of Black Mirror — he’s everywhere, always, all at once. And that’s a good thing. Taché does it all with charisma, professionalism, and a unique South Florida son’s style of energy. He’s earned his reputa- tion as one of the most versatile voices in South Florida sports media by doing what few can: blending sports knowledge with authenticity and a touch of cheerleader. It would take six people to replace Taché in the workplace, but no one could ever truly replace what he’s brought to the Miami me- dia landscape. BEST SPORTS TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT Miami Heat instagram.com/miamiheat No team in South Florida understands the internet quite like the Miami Heat. They’re more than in on the trends — they elevate them. Whether it’s inviting “Routine” guy and local content creator Ashton Hall to be part of their social media campaign court- side or utilizing the latest troll on their “Win- ning” postgame celebrations, they’re dropping content like no other local team. The Heat have consistently found ways to stand out in a crowded content room. Some- thing essential amidst a season where the sub-500 on-court product hasn’t always given fans as many reasons to smile as they have become accustomed to in the past. Grabbing social media mindshare is an ever- moving target, particularly with politics and less escape-worthy subjects flooding the space, but the Miami Heat have made it a point to make you pay attention in all the right ways. BEST TV SPORTS ANCHOR Clay Ferraro Local 10 instagram.com/claywplg Clay Ferraro makes following the journey of every South Florida sports team each season more about the storylines and humor that accompany the scoreboard than the results on the field. And that might be the best com- plement you can give a sports anchor. Fer- raro is in your home and on your Twitter
