Hey Folks, Mr. Entertainment here coming to you from the original 305 in Hollywood, Florida. Yes, the 305 reached far and wide back in the day, peeps. In fact, the entire state from the inception of area codes in 1947. In the 1950’s, the state started getting more area codes, and in 1988 Palm Beach County receded to 407, while Broward County was still the 305 until September of 1995. Previous to area codes, phone numbers used a phrase and numbers… My Grandparents’ Hollywood phone number was WABASH 92700. What does this have to do with Make Music Miami? Just follow me.
My grandparents were pioneers in South Florida. My grandpa Elvis moved here in the late teens or early 1920’s and my grandmaw Charlotte not much after. Elvis grew up in “Mi-Ya-Ma” as Charlotte used to call it, and went to what became Miami Edison High School but was originally known as Dade County Agricultural High School. He was a saxophone player in the band there and became a hardworking farmer in Hollywood after graduating. See, my family has been making music in Mi-Ya-Ma for over a century.
So, what does this have to do with anything? I, Mr. Entertainment, and my merry pranksters, The Pookiesmackers, are playing Make Music Miami on June 21st, the summer solstice. Make Music Miami is an event associated with a worldwide event started in Paris France called Fete De La Musique which started there in 1982. It is a celebration of free music to welcome in the summer. In 1997 Make Music Miami began, and in 2018 it went countywide.
The project is in collaboration beween Buskerfest Miami, The Rhythm Foundation, Villa Albertine, Olympia Arts Miami, and many more civic partners. Last year I dragged it out of being only countywide and brought it to Dania Beach for a performance at My Mama’s Books and Records. My partner in rhythm and rhyme, MLE, and I have been involved with this event since at least 2017. We’ve played street corners, empty fields and backyards. This year we break out the rock band version and give you the modern Mr. Entertainment and the Pookiesmackers. Our event starts at 5pm with a performance by Timothy LaRoque, followed by the Pookies at 630pm. There will be music all over Miami-Dade County all day long. Check out the Make Music Miami website for details. I advise taking a long lunch or quitting your job to enjoy some free music and support your Mi-Ya-Ma music scene.
My Mama’s is at 218 E Dania Beach Blvd.
