SouthFlorida.com | City Link Magazine

Miami survived the MTV Video Music Awards only to encounter hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. Now, Will Smith's favorite city can finally stop hurricane-watching and go back to star-searching Sunday when the seventh annual Source Awards hit the James L. Knight Center. This is the third year in a row The Source Awards have come to Miami to give props to the biggest and baddest artists in hip-hop.

Started by The Source magazine in 1991, the awards show has offered some of hip-hop's most memorable televised moments, including Tupac's straight-outta-prison appearance in 1994, OutKast's winning its first Source Award in 1995 and, of course, the onstage riot that broke out in 2000. This year, Miami rapper Trina, a.k.a. Liberty City's "Diamond Princess," will host the show along with Big Tigger, who is the host of BET's Rap City: The Bassment and a DJ for 103.5 The Beat. Comedian Kevin Hart will crack jokes throughout the night, and Juvenile, Lil' Flip, Lil Wayne and Mase are set to perform during the show, which will air Nov. 30 on BET. And in true Miami tradition, it ain't a 305 party unless Fat Joe, Trick Daddy, Lil Jon and P. Diddy are gettin' tipsy right next to you in the clubs.

Following is the lowdown on the parties, concerts and other Source Awards-related events that will take place tonight through Sunday.

TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY)

Opium Garden 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/531-5535, www.opiummiami.com Think pink at the Welcome to Miami party hosted by Gisele, Dawg E. Slaughter and Alison Hinds. Chill to the music of Soca Warriors, Steelie Bashment, Jabba of Massive B. and DJ Khaled from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tickets cost $20 and will be available at the door or through 305/438-9488.

THURSDAY

Teasers 524 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach 305/532-8420, www.teasersamerica.com The White Affair takes off with music by Soca Warriors and Jabba, Rupee, Bunji Garlin, Papa Keith, Gisele and Dawg E. Slaughter will host. Doors open at 11 p.m., and everyone drinks free before midnight.

FRIDAY

Downtown Miami The Source Hip-hop City New-Product Expo Although there was no confirmed location at press time, the public is welcome to attend this one-stop shopping experience for all things hip-hop. Call 786/888-0060 for information.

Bayside Hut 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key 305/361-0808 The Madhouse Jouvert Block Party/International Flag Night will start at 10 p.m. and go all the way to 10 a.m. Rappers Fat Joe, Machel Montano, Xtatik, Alison Hinds, Bunji Garlin, Maximus Dan, Rupee, Dawg E. Slaughter and Gisele will perform, plus you can jam to reggae tunes by Money D., Massive B., Steelie and Lady Terra and bounce your booty to the fresh bass beats of DJ Khaled. Tickets cost $20 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com, but if you dip out, don't expect the Terror Squad to let you in -- no re-entry will be permitted.

The All-New Club 112 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/532-7726 The Official Awards Party Series will start at 10 p.m. This is going to be a hardcore VIP event, but if you're wearing the right Versace getup, you may be able to sneak in with Diddy's entourage.

SATURDAY

Downtown Miami The Source Hip-hop City New-Product Expo From noon to 6 p.m., the public is invited to check out truckloads of hip-hop gear. There wasn't a confirmed location at press time, so call 786/888-0060 for more information.

The Riande Continental South Beach 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/531-3503, www.riandecontinentalsouthbeach.com Get your swim on with Fat Joe when he hosts his Wet and Wild Pool Party. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and ladies who sport their sexiest swimwear before 6 p.m. will score some free stuff. Call 305/438-9488 for admission price.

Crobar 1445 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/531-5027, www.crobar.com Hip-hop will meet house grooves when DJ Bad Boy Bill and DJ Boris spin the night away. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased on the Web site or by calling 305/672-8084.

Bayfront Park Amphitheater 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305/358-7550, www.bayfrontparkmiami.com Kick your afternoon off toasting with Lil Jon at the Power 96/Cingular Wireless Koochie Krunk Festival. He and the East Side Boyz, Trick Daddy, Ying Yang Twins, J-Kwon, Ciara, Mr. Vegas, Akon and Pitbull will take turns at the mike. The show will start at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 305/358-5885.

University of Miami Convocation Center 1245 Walsh Ave., Coral Gables 305/284-8686, www.umconvocationcenter.com Jadakiss, Twista and D.O.D. will bring their Hip-hop Explosion concert to UM after postponing it in September because of Hurricane Frances. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $16.75 to $43.50 and can be bought at www.hiphopexplosion.com.

Miami Arena 701 Arena Blvd., Miami 305/530-4400, www.miamiarena.com The S.I.P.H.A./Hip-hop Summit Action Network's Get Out the Vote Political Youth Rally will start at 2 p.m., followed by the Hip-hop Block Party from 5 to 7 p.m.; both are open to the public. Expect some very special surprise guests to make a cameo at the latter. Then, the Source Youth Foundation will host its celebrity basketball game at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $11.50 to $101.50 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. During the same event, The Source Unsigned Hype National Championship Battle will go down, which means the next big name in hip-hop could be discovered right thurr.

Radisson Miami Hotel 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305/374-0000, www.waderobsonfans.com Pop Starz Inc. will host a hip-hop dance workshop from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Britney Spears' choreographer Wade Robson, Beyonc�'s instructor Brian Friedman, You Got Served star Chris Jones, Pop Starz artistic director Glenn Douglas Packard and choreographer Shane Sparks. Company auditions will also take place during the event. Cost is $95. Call 561/997-1188 to register.

The All-New Club 112 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/532-7726 The official 5 Mic Council/Source Sports Celebrity Basketball Game afterparty will start at 10 p.m. at this all-new club.

SUNDAY

Bicentennial Park 1075 Biscayne Blvd., Miami www.miamicarnival.org From noon to 11 p.m., it'll be Mardi Gras Miami-style for Miami Carnival 2K4, as more than 20 costumed bands take over the streets. Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires, Machel Montano and Xtatik, and many more will perform. The parade will start at Northeast 36th Street and Northeast Second Avenue and proceed south to Bicentennial Park, where the fiesta will take place. Tickets cost $20 and are available online or by calling 305/653-1877.

Radisson Miami Hotel 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305/374-0000, www.waderobsonfans.com Pop Starz Inc. will host another hip-hop dance workshop with Wade Robson from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $65. Call 561/997-1188 to register.

James L. Knight Center 400 S.E. Second Ave., Miami 305/372-4634, www.jlknightcenter.com Be the first to see what Lil' Kim is -- or isn't -- wearing when the red-carpet arrivals for The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards Show begin at 4 p.m. Doors will close at 6:30 p.m., and the show will start at 7.

Opium Garden 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/531-5535, www.opiummiami.com Ciara, the first lady of crunk, will show off her "Goodies" during a release party for her debut album of the same title. Cover charge and start time were still to be decided as of press time.

The All-New Club 112 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/532-7726 The Official Source Awards afterparty will begin at 10 p.m. This hip-hop-star-infested shindig will be tough to squeeze into, but hey, we figure it's still worth mentioning.

MONDAY

Bayside Hut 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne 305/361-0808 Elephant Man will host this camouflage-themed get-together along with Mr. Machel and Friends. Fire Links, Jabba, Steelie Bashment and Six Pac will also attend to keep the Jamaican flavor going from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tickets will be available at the door.