March 24-28 are the most important dates on the world dance music calendar: It's the annual Winter Music Conference in Miami, where legions of DJs, dance music and techno fans and music executives hold huge parties and call it a business meeting.
The event includes the Ultra Music Festival on March 25 with more than 200 artists and DJs on 10 stages and 40,000 music fans in attendance
This is where deals are made and some of the biggest records of the year will debut. In addition to the named events, there are more than 300 bacchanals taking place several days before and after those dates.
Super clubs like Nocturnal will host the week's hottest parties. And the Remix Hotel, the country's biggest music technology showcase, will be open 2-10 p.m. daily at the National Hotel, 1677 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, starting March 22. It is free and open to the public with live entertainment by some of the popular artists and DJs each evening.
But expect to pay wads of cash for any of the big parties, and dress to kill if you want the bouncer to let you by.
Get the basics at www.wintermusicconference.com.