The Divine Miss “M”- That’s Morabito - Returns to South Beach
By Joshua Head

Miami Beach Fl, August 21, 2008, --- On August 31, 2008, a true musical master returns to South Beach for Edison Farrow’s second Amnesia Tea Dance at Opium Garden.  Edison’s Amnesia Ten Year Reunion party last month was a resounding success, drawing almost 1000 partiers to dance away Sunday afternoon and evening.   A few nostalgic fans even flew in from around the country for the event to relive those long lost glory days.  Even with the threat of rain that day, Edison was able to deliver on the hype.  The previous Amnesia Tea was billed as a reunion, an event that transported many back to the days when South Beach was King or “Queen” in some cases.  Labor Day weekend’s Amnesia Tea Dance promises to build on that and take us forward into a new era.  To do that, Edison has enlisted the amazing talents of none other than Susan Morabito.  Morabito’s morning parties at Crobar during Winter Party Festival and White Party Week are legendary.  She is able to take you on such an amazing musical journey that so few can.  And what a special treat to take that journey at the beautiful outdoor space that is Opium Garden

We welcome Susan Morabito back to South Beach and had the chance to ask her a few questions.

Susan’s absence from the South Florida scene has been a noticeable one.  When asked about her return to “the great sandbar”, Susan says, “It’s been about two years since I’ve played Miami and I’m very much looking forward to it.  Amnesia T-dance is a big part of Miami gay history and tradition. Being a proponent of gay dance history and traditions I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Susan has such a unique style and has never shied from spinning different genres of music in her sets.  I asked her how she will incorporate her special style into the Tea Dance and what we can expect from her musically.  She says that “T-Dances should be light and uplifting and [I] would like to go in that direction if the majority the crowd will trust me and let me take them there.” 

Susan has played an almost infinite number of events, but if she had the chance to play an event just once more, she says, “The club would be Octagon and the events would be both “Climax” Gay Pride Weekend and “Equinox” Black Party Weekend.  Both of those after-party events were magical.  Octagon’s dance floor was circular and circles create an intimate feeling of unity.  Both Equinox and Climax were events about celebration and community and each consisted of a full musical journey from beginning to end which included the down trip.  The full musical journey is rarely a part of the dance experience these days.  And the down trip is unheard of.”  I asked her if she saw the club scene improving or even dying out and she responded, “I don’t see it improving, at least not anytime in the near future… but it is changing.”

Changing it is, as we all know too well.  There was a time when many cities, including Miami Beach, could support mega-clubs with thousands dancing each weekend night.  Over the years, some DJs have changed jobs and left the business all together.  I asked Susan if she wasn’t a DJ, what she would do.  She says that she has no idea, “but most likely something else in the music industry.” 

Susan began spinning in 1982, making her longevity in the business pretty remarkable in and of itself. I believe the only female DJ who has been around longer than her is Wendy Hunt. I asked her to what she can attribute her incredible staying power, in an industry that is dominated by men and has a reputation for rapid turnover of talent.  Susan replied, “Playing records is a spontaneous art form, it’s interactive, and it’s a give and take. I think I’ve maintained longevity because I truly understand that. I’ve always evolved with my music; my evenings are a full musical journey that takes you somewhere. They consist of a beginning a middle and an end. I’m told I present a unique sound and journey that’s very different from what you hear on the circuit today.”

She continues, “And at the risk of sounding arrogant I believe I am truly talented and that I’m a musical leader that performs through emotion and conviction. I’m not commercial, I don’t have gimmick.  It’s just me and the mood I create.”  Susan feels that she may not be for everybody, and possibly not even for the majority, but she adds, “[I would] like to believe that for all the reasons above,  I’m for enough people who have supported me throughout the years and have given me that staying power.”

DJs retain huge musical libraries so I asked Susan what type of music she listens to.  She says that she mostly likes to listen to what she calls “granola music”.  According to her that would be Simon and Garfunkel, Nick Drake, Tracy Chapman, Cowboy Junkies, David Berkeley, Iron and Wine, R.E.M., Everything but the Girl, Tindersticks, Emmylou Harris, K. D. Lang just to name a few.

We here at SOBEGAYINFO.COM want to thank Susan Morabito for taking time out of her very busy schedule to chat with us.  The Labor Day Amnesia Tea Dance promises to be an extraordinary event not to be missed.  We look forward to the return of the Divine Miss “M” to South Beach, and her amazing ability to take you on an unimaginable journey through music. 

Amnesia Tea Dance
Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 4pm to 10pm

Opium Garden

136 Collins Avenue

Miami Beach

305.534.5488

$15 Advance tickets available at Halo or

www.BrownPaperTickets.com. Tickets at the door will be $20.