Thug Sinatra's Back, Now at Provocateur, Starting Friday

If you read Crossfade or New Times at all, you'll know that John Hood is a regular contributor (and a regular man-about-town). But long ago, before I was his "boss" (although nobody is really the Hood's boss), I happened upon one of his Thug Sinatra evenings, then at the old Harrison's steak restaurant on South Beach.

For a classy group of people, renaissance man Hood crooned, Rat Pack-style, some decidedly un-classy songs. Rick Ross' "Hustlin,'" for instance, takes on new life when sung by a writer in a zoot suit.

Think Richard Cheese, maybe, but less cheesy, and slightly more menacing. For this new go-around of the Thug Sinatra weekly, he's added to his arsenal, with renditions of tunes by Young Jeezy and DJ Khaled, as well as more sensitive material from the likes of Cat Power, and the real Rat Pack.

Check out the debut this Friday, featuring David Kaumann on the keys, at Provocateur, 323 23rd St., Miami Beach. Doors open at 10 p.m., ages 21+ with ID. For RSVP and additional info, call 305-674-4478, e-mail rsvp@theuppergroup.com, or visit www.provocateurmiami.com