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Arts & Culture Insider Edition 2027

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Arts & Culture The Arts & Culture Insider for Greater Miami & Miami Beach

2027 EDITION


ART. CULTURE. COMMUNITY.

FIRST FRIDAY

GABLES GALLERY NIGHT FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH 6 – 10 P.M. Coral Gables art galleries open for Gables Gallery Night. Explore galleries, meet local artists, and experience creativity throughout the City Beautiful.

CORALGABLES.COM/GALLERYNIGHT


WELCOME Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a best-in-class destination for arts and culture that inspires and captivates with its spirited energy and contemporary vision. Every year in early December, Art Basel Miami Beach draws thousands of artists and collectors. All year long, the destination’s dynamic gallery scene encompasses mainstream, thought-provoking and emerging artists. Galleries abound in the Miami Design District, Allapattah, Little Haiti, Downtown Miami and South Beach. In the Wynwood Arts District, a kaleidoscope of works by groundbreaking artists can be seen throughout the neighborhood and at Wynwood Walls. In Downtown Miami, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a must-visit for its impressive collection of contemporary art of the Americas. Miami is also an exciting performing arts destination. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Downtown Miami hosts touring Broadway shows as well as performances by its resident companies: Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera and the New World Symphony. The New World Symphony also performs at the New World Center, its cuttingedge space in South Beach designed by Frank Gehry. Miami’s science and history museums open up new worlds for exploration. At the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Downtown Miami, you can visit the planetarium and check out the 500,000-gallon aquarium. Visit Museum of Miami to delve into our vibrant past. Explore Miami’s rich Caribbean and Latin American culture in Little Havana and Little Haiti as well as its fascinating Black history in Historic Overtown and Liberty City.

Arts & Culture The Arts & Culture Insider for Greater Miami & Miami Beach

BOARD CHAIR Julissa Kepner PRESIDENT & CEO David Whitaker CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Rolando Aedo, CDME SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & TOURISM Gisela Marti DIRECTOR, ARTS & CULTURE TOURISM / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Copeland DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES Junia Parodi SENIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER, PUBLICATIONS Robert Franzino CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Tito Monsante SENIOR MOTION & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Luis I. Reyes MARKETING COORDINATOR William Abreu This publication was produced by:

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU MiamiandMiamiBeach.com

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS MiamiDadeArts.org The Department and its 15-member volunteer advisory board, the Cultural Affairs Council, develop cultural excellence, diversity, access and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations and the approximately 2.8 million residents and millions of annual overnight visitors who are their audiences. VisitMiamiArts.com

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CONTENTS 04

HIDDEN ART AND CULTURE GEMS IN MIAMI

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MIAMI’S SOUNDSCAPE GUIDE: EXPLORE VARIOUS GENRES

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MUST-VISIT PLACES FOR MUSIC LOVERS

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DISCOVER MIAMI’S ICONIC ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

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YOUR TICKET TO MIAMI’S THRIVING THEATER SCENE

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ULTIMATE ART LOVER’S GUIDE TO MIAMI

The Arts & Culture Insider is produced by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau with support from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. © Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau - The Official Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami & Miami Beach. CS-05605

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Arts & Culture Insider

Cover photo by Felix Mizioznikov

ABOUT THE FRONT COVER The John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Downtown Miami brings world-class artists across every genre to its stage. It’s also home to signature series like Jazz Roots, Flamenco Festival Miami and Gospel Fest Miami. With an adjustable acoustical canopy and unobstructed views, the venue offers an intimate experience both visually and sonically from all 2,200 seats.

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Hidden Art and Culture Gems in Miami By Angela Caraway-Carlton

Greater Miami & Miami Beach is known for its prestigious art fairs, well-regarded cultural institutions and gleaming performing arts centers. But explore deeper, and you’ll discover under-the-radar museum gems, independent galleries and intimate performance centers that will surprise and inspire. Here’s your insider guide to Miami’s lesser-known cultural experiences.

The Betsy Orb, The Betsy – South Beach

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CUBAOCHO MUSEUM & ART CENTER The Cubaocho Museum & Art Center in Little Havana is a hybrid art gallery/bar. While it’s a museum by day with revolving Cuban art exhibits, once the sun goes down, the art-filled space transforms into a venue for live Cuban music, salsa dancing, food and rum-based cocktails.

Seek Out These Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums

DORAL CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM (DORCAM) Head to Doral for a healthy dose of culture at the Doral Contemporary Art Museum (DORCAM). The museum regularly hosts diverse art exhibitions, short films and performances that mix art, architecture, design and technology.

CORAL CASTLE Escape to Homestead to check out the architectural marvel that is Coral Castle. The question you’ll keep asking is: How did he do it? It’s fashioned entirely of coral rock and was amazingly completed by one man in an attempt to regain a lost love. Wander the sculpture garden and check out spectacular design feats like a coral-rock sundial, celestial carvings and a nine-ton gate.

VisitMiamiArts.com

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Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART NORTH MIAMI At the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, you can expect thought-provoking exhibits by up-and-coming artists as well as a solid permanent collection featuring art legends like Keith Haring, Alex Katz and Purvis Young. Locals flock to the free Jazz at MOCA concert series, which takes place on the outdoor plaza the last Friday of every month.

WORLD EROTIC ART MUSEUM AND THE MUSEUM OF SEX If you’re looking for a unique museum in South Beach (and you don’t blush easily), the World Erotic Art Museum is home to a large private collection spanning over 2,000 years. Move on to Allapattah and step inside the warehouse that’s home to the Museum of Sex, which showcases rotating exhibits exploring sex in art, science and history.

Museum of Sex

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Arts & Culture Insider


Independent Galleries Worth Discovering

MINDY SOLOMON GALLERY A trailblazer in the Miami art scene, the namesake independent gallery of Mindy Solomon in Allapattah is the place to view contemporary emerging and mid-career artists’ paintings, ceramics, photography and video. Solomon is known for introducing art enthusiasts to new artists she’s discovered, some of whom are from far-flung places.

LAUNDROMAT ART SPACE Laundromat Art Space, tucked away in a former laundromat in Little Haiti, presents work by in-studio resident artists and showcases a diverse range of contemporary art exhibitions featuring pieces by local as well as international artists.

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REEFLINE Not all art in Miami is on the surface. REEFLINE is a seven-mile underwater sculpture park submerged just offshore of Miami Beach that also serves as a reef for marine life. Currently, snorkelers and divers can see artist Leandro Erlich’s “Concrete Coral,” which is an underwater traffic jam of 22 cars, with more art installations to come.

Break Out of the Ordinary With These Unique Public Art Installations

THE BETSY ORB Talk about innovative art that’s hidden away... Head outside after dark to catch The Betsy Orb light up with new digital art each month. The egg-shaped art platform connects the two buildings of The Betsy – South Beach hotel and features immersive projections that are free for the public to enjoy.

MAURICE A. FERRÉ PARK In Downtown Miami, you’ll recognize major museums like Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. But venture through surrounding Maurice A. Ferré Park along Biscayne Bay and you can stroll the “Dogs & Cats Walkway,” lined with more than 50 colorful sculptures of our favorite pets. It’s a favorite among families and kids. Continue along the bayfront to see more art sprinkled throughout the open-air museum.

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Plan your day at frostscience.org

1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132 | 305-434-9600 | frostscience.org | @frostscience The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County. This project is supported by the Building Better Communities Bond Program and the City of Miami. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.


DEERING ESTATE

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

James Deering’s brother, Charles, also built a home along Biscayne Bay in the early 20th century. Today, the Deering Estate, located in Palmetto Bay, is a treasured South Dade landmark spanning 444 acres. The historic estate honors Deering’s legacy by highlighting the area’s natural beauty, arts and culture while serving as a museum featuring significant works from his personal collection. Its Artist-in-Residence program welcomes visual, literary, performing and multidisciplinary artists, while a year-round schedule offers rotating exhibitions, artist talks and concerts.

Housed in a historic 1939 building that formerly served as the Old Police and Fire Station, the Coral Gables Museum offers an engaging look at the history, architecture and cultural evolution of Coral Gables. Through its exhibits, the museum explores the city’s distinctive heritage, with an emphasis on urban planning, environmental conservation and community involvement.

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Uncover Miami’s Past

VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS Tucked along Biscayne Bay between Downtown Miami and the heart of Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a celebrated landmark of Miami’s architectural and cultural heritage. The Italian Renaissance-style estate combines elegant architecture with beautifully landscaped gardens. Completed in 1916 as the winter retreat of industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya features a magnificent villa, lush gardens and an impressive art collection.

MUSEUM OF MIAMI

FREEDOM TOWER

As part of the prestigious Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, Museum of Miami (formerly known as HistoryMiami Museum) in Downtown Miami offers an engaging experience featuring more than 13,000 artifacts. Visitors can explore fascinating exhibits showcasing the area’s history, including “Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida,” the museum’s permanent exhibition.

The Freedom Tower isn’t exactly a hidden gem – it’s a prominent feature of Downtown Miami’s skyline – but it should be included on any itinerary. Built in 1925 to house The Miami News, the Spanish-style building became known as the Ellis Island of the South when it helped nearly 300,000 newly arrived exiles from Cuba in the 1960s and 1970s. It is now home to permanent exhibitions curated by Miami Dade College.

VisitMiamiArts.com

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Intimate Performance Spaces That Will Inspire

Little Haiti Cultural Complex

Flamingo Theater Bar

LITTLE HAITI CULTURAL COMPLEX

FLAMINGO THEATER BAR

Known as the heart of Miami’s Haitian community, the colorful Little Haiti Cultural Complex offers a robust calendar of events, from art exhibits to music and dance performances. The contemporary dance company Dance Now! Miami often performs original works at the complex.

Nestled in The Four Ambassadors condominium building in Brickell, the Flamingo Theater Bar is an intimate space where you’ll be captivated by live Latin music and stirring dance. Depending on the schedule, you could hear everything from tango to flamenco and salsa.

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SEMINOLE THEATRE The glamorous Seminole Theatre opened in Homestead in 1921, showing silent films. It is now a hub for theater, music, dance and more. Catch everything from Broadway-style shows like “In the Heights” to jazz performances and even ballet interpretations of classics like “The Wizard of Oz.”


Miami’s Soundscape Guide: Explore Various Genres By Arlene De La Torre

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Mi-a-mi… the word itself has a rhythm. Wherever you go in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, music is close by. There’s no such thing as a day without music here. Come with us as we explore the rhythms and places where you can experience Miami’s myriad musical riches.

Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

Soundscape Park

CLASSICAL, WITH A FRESH TWIST More than just a pretty place, Miami boasts significant cultural heft; it’s home to seven orchestras and one opera company. But these aren’t your classical orchestras of old. Anchored at the magnificent Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of MiamiDade County in Downtown Miami, the Florida Grand Opera is one of the oldest opera companies in the United States. Founded in 1941, it has entered 16

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New World Symphony

a bold new era, honoring the past while fostering the next generation of talent and creating experiences that connect Miami’s diverse community through music and voice.

Saturdays, WALLCAST concerts are projected onto the Center’s 7,000-square-foot exterior wall for all those within earshot of the bordering Soundscape Park to enjoy.

In South Beach, the vibrant, internationally recognized New World Symphony strives to make the classics fresh and appealing to all. It features young, postgraduate musicians from around the world performing unique musical repertoires at the acoustically impeccable, Frank Gehry-designed New World Center. On select

The Nu Deco Ensemble is another innovative interpreter of what an orchestra can be and how it can perform. Over the past decade, it has blended music genres and collaborated with a diverse range of award-winning musical guests, such as Wyclef Jean, Macy Gray, Luis Fonsi, Jacob Collier and Common.


The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO)

FROM GARDENS TO GRAND HALLS: MIAMI’S CLASSICAL CIRCUIT Miami’s talent is hard to contain. You’ll find many of our finest orchestras performing at various venues. Orchestra Miami was formed to bring families together through affordable musical concerts. It stages performances at the Banyan Bowl amphitheater at lush Pinecrest Gardens and presents the Beethoven on the Beach series at various locations. The Miami Symphony

Orchestra (MISO), the official symphony orchestra of the City of Miami, performs at the Adrienne Arsht Center of Miami-Dade County. Other distinguished companies spreading the musical love include the Alhambra Orchestra of Miami, a volunteer orchestra of trained musicians who pursue professions outside of music but contribute their talents for the love of art; the South Beach Chamber Ensemble, comprised of a core string quartet and a piano group; and the female-founded South Florida Symphony Orchestra.

Orchestra Miami at Pinecrest Gardens

Nu Deco Ensemble

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JAZZING IT UP, MIAMI STYLE Miami has hosted many jazz greats over the years. Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr. and many other luminaries lit up the Lyric Theater in Historic Overtown from the 1920s through the 1960s. Today, Miami’s jazz scene is still swinging. From Thursday through Saturday, head to the Greystone Bar in South Beach or The Biltmore Bar in Coral Gables. Enjoy Sunday brunch at The Setai hotel in South Beach or weekend concerts at boho-chic

Palapa in Upper Buena Vista. You’ll also find nightly music at speakeasy-style Armstrong Jazz House on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, at Lagniappe near the Miami Design District and at The Betsy – South Beach, plus monthly concerts at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami and the WDNA Jazz Gallery. Annual festivals add another reason to linger in Miami, with the South Beach Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival Miami and Jazz in the Gardens bringing nationally and internationally known performers to town.

Palapa

Montreux Jazz Festival Miami

WDNA Jazz Gallery

South Beach Jazz Festival

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Ball & Chain

Mango’s Tropical Cafe

INFECTIOUS AND UBIQUITOUS LATIN SOUNDS It’s almost impossible to visit Miami without encountering Latin music. The destination pulses with salsa, bachata, merengue and cumbia, each rhythm reflecting one of the many Latin communities that call Miami home.

Sala’o

The Little Havana neighborhood is home to several of Miami’s best Latin music venues: Live music is only part of the draw at Café La Trova, where James Beard Award-winning cuisine and one of the world’s 50 best bars share the spotlight. Sala’o revives the energy of Old Havana nightclubs with salsa and Latin dinner shows. Locals’ favorite Hoy Como Ayer has been drawing Latin music

fans and enthusiastic dancers since 1999. Another great spot to try your moves is the legendary Ball & Chain, with a pineappleshaped bandshell on its patio and live salsa music every day of the week. No single neighborhood has a monopoly on Latin music. The Doral Yard brings Colombian and Venezuelan music to the forefront on its Backyard stage. In Pinecrest, the Banyan Bowl at Pinecrest Gardens comes alive during the Tropical Nights Series, showcasing the vibrant sounds of salsa and more against a breathtaking open-air backdrop. And on Ocean Drive, Mango’s Tropical Cafe is one of South Beach’s most spirited clubs, with nightly live entertainment and a Sip & Salsa party for fun, beginner-friendly salsa lessons. VisitMiamiArts.com

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MUSIC THAT MIRRORS THE COMMUNITY

hosts Caribbean and Haitian music events. Sounds of Little Haiti fills the Little Haiti Cultural No trip to Miami is complete Complex with live Konpa bands without Latin music, but the on the third Friday of every month. destination’s soundtrack stretches For rap and hip hop, head to far beyond one genre. NoMi Village in North Miami frequently E11EVEN Miami, a high-energy

24-hour entertainment complex in Downtown Miami. And if country music calls your name, make your way to PBR Miami inside Vivo! Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater for music, line dancing and even a mechanical bull.

E11EVEN Miami

STAGES THAT SPOTLIGHT MORE THAN ONE GENRE

Kill Your Idol

Some of Miami’s most popular music clubs have made their mark by spanning today’s hottest sounds, from rock and R&B to pop, metal, alternative, electronic dance music and beyond. Inside the Arlo Hotel in Wynwood, Midline keeps things moving

YOUR MIAMI MUSIC CRAWL STARTS NOW Miami moves to many different rhythms. The hardest part isn’t finding great music; it’s deciding which beat to follow next. So, check the schedules, follow what resonates and discover Miami’s endless soundscapes with all your senses. It’s an unforgettable experience. 20

Arts & Culture Insider

Midline

with live hip hop and R&B. In Little River, ZeyZey broadens the mix with dance, hip hop, reggae, funk and indie. If you’re after something grittier, head for the dive bars: Las Rosas in Allapattah for rock and wrestling, Kill Your Idol in South Beach for indie, garage and jazz, or Churchill’s Pub in Little Haiti for rock, goth and metal.


From Jazz Greats to Salsa Legends Discover new music at the Banyan Bowl TICKETS ON SALE NOW Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens Tropical Nights Sound Sessions PINECRESTGARDENS.ORG/MUSIC


Must-Visit Places for Music Lovers

By Shayne Benowitz

Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a destination pulsing with music. From classic performance venues to bars and restaurants with incredible live music programs and exciting annual music festivals, music lovers will find a lot to love here. Whether it’s a symphony orchestra, salsa or electronic dance music, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Miami’s great places to enjoy music.

Miami Beach Bandshell

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Music Venues & Cultural Institutions

New World Symphony

ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is a landmark cultural institution for musical performances. From famed musicians to symphonies, orchestras, touring Broadway productions and Florida Grand Opera productions, the Arsht Center is a cultural hub with three performance spaces in Downtown Miami.

MIAMI BEACH BANDSHELL

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

The Miami Beach Bandshell is a unique and enchanting venue. Built in 1961, the amphitheater is on the National Register of Historic Places as a prime example of Miami Modern architecture. Situated oceanfront in North Beach, with string lighting twinkling from above, it’s an incredible venue for al fresco concerts. It features an incredible lineup of both local and visiting artists, like Buena Vista Orchestra, Shakedown Citi and more. Concerts here are made all the more enjoyable by the fresh ocean breeze.

The New World Symphony is America’s Orchestral Academy, performing at the stunning Frank Gehry-designed New World Center in the heart of South Beach. This is the place to hear up-and-coming orchestral talent in state-of-the-art facilities, including a 7,000-squarefoot exterior wall where select performances are simulcast for free in beautifully landscaped Soundscape Park.

VisitMiamiArts.com

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Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

SWEAT RECORDS

GIBSON GARAGE MIAMI

Sweat Records is a must-visit for any music lover. This locally owned indie record shop in Little Haiti is a true community gathering place. You’ll find a treasure trove of records curated by founder Lauren “Lolo” Reskin (who’s also a local DJ), from old-school hip hop to rock, experimental, metal, folk and punk. The store also hosts occasional live events, ranging from music to comedy shows.

The newest addition to the local music scene is Gibson Garage Miami in Wynwood. The iconic brand brings its ultimate guitar experience to Miami, featuring more than 500 instruments, live performances, authentic Miami culture, exclusive apparel, custom guitar designs and a curated Gibson art gallery.

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Top Bars & Restaurants for Live Music

400 VINYL ROOM

BALL & CHAIN

CAFE LA TROVA

One of Miami’s newest music venues, 400 Vinyl Room, is a 50-seat, speakeasy-style listening room tucked away on the ninth floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences in Downtown Miami, adjacent to Yamashiro, a sleek Japanese restaurant. Channeling 1970s hi-fi culture, classic Tokyo listening bars and Hollywood’s golden age, the vinyl-only music program spans funk, soul, disco and ‘80s Latin, with nightly themed sessions and guest DJs.

The former stomping grounds for jazz greats like Billie Holiday, Ball & Chain is a historic Little Havana bar with a backyard featuring a bandshell shaped like a pineapple, perfect for Caribbean-Latin beats. Whether it’s a nightly set by the Ball & Chain Trio, Mambo Mondays, BachaTuesdays or Salsero Sundays, you’ll find a dance and music party every night of the week. You’ll also enjoy Cuban cuisine as well as tasty mojitos and other rum cocktails.

Under the leadership of award-winning mixologist Julio Cabrera, cantineros mix perfect cocktails that hearken back to Old Havana while simultaneously breaking into dance as a live Cuban band takes the stage nightly at Cafe La Trova in Little Havana. The food, scrupulously crafted by James Beard Award-winner Michelle Bernstein, is an immersion in Cuban culture, with everything from Cuban sandwich empanadas to ham croquetas. Enjoy food and drink as the band plays on – and maybe even get on your feet! VisitMiamiArts.com

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NEME GASTRO BAR

LAGNIAPPE

LUNA STAR CAFE

With live music every night, Neme Gastro Bar on Coral Way is a charming hangout with an emphasis on local talent. The performances are top-notch, with acts ranging from jazz to country to rock. A fantastic menu of wines, beers and craft cocktails, alongside food with a Latin twist, complements the music.

The beauty of the nightly live music at Lagniappe in Midtown is that you can always count on finding new talent – from solo pianists, saxophonists and bass players to samba trios and fivepiece funk collectives. The music starts around 9 p.m. every night and jams until about midnight, giving you ample opportunity to soak up a great set, mingle on the spacious outdoor patio, share a bottle of wine, and indulge in delicious grilled meats and veggies along with cheese and charcuterie plates.

Luna Star Cafe in North Miami is a unique venue for great live music. Snag a front row seat to discover incredible local talent during open jam nights or come out for performances by regular house musicians, all while enjoying a menu of beer, wine and light bites.

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Annual Music Festivals

Ultra Music Festival

March in Miami is a music lover’s dream. That’s when Ultra Music Festival comes to town along with Winter Music Conference to form Miami Music Week. All of Miami gets on board to throw the best EDM parties of the year with headlining DJs at pools, hotels and nightclubs across the destination. Also in March, Carnaval Miami is a festive, multiweek annual celebration of Latin and Caribbean culture culminating with the Calle Ocho Music Festival. Spanning 15 city blocks in the heart of Little Havana, it’s the largest street festival in Miami and the largest Hispanic festival in the country.

Jazz in the Gardens, a weekend-long music festival dedicated to jazz, hip hop, R&B, Latin music and more, also takes place every March at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. And in October, III Points is a not-to-bemissed music festival in Wynwood for indie and electronica music lovers. Headliners have ranged from Men I Trust to Tokischa, Blood Orange and Four Tet. Visit miamiandbeaches.com/events/ concerts-music-events to explore Miami’s complete calendar of music events.

III Points Festival

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Discover Miami’s Iconic Architectural Styles By Sofia Mirandes

Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a destination where culture, creativity and design come together. Its architecture offers a story shaped by history, climate and a rich mix of global influences. From pastel Art Deco buildings to cuttingedge skyscrapers, exploring Miami’s architecture is a journey through time – with plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way.

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ART DECO ARCHITECTURE IN MIAMI BEACH Step into a different era in Miami Beach, home to the world’s largest concentration of Art Deco architecture. The Art Deco Historic District is home to more than 800 historic buildings, many dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. Geometric details, pastel colors and neon lights define this iconic style. For a deeper experience, take a guided Miami Design Preservation League walking tour or explore at sunset when the buildings glow.

Ocean Drive

MIAMI MODERN (MIMO) ARCHITECTURE Known for its retro-futuristic flair, Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture emerged in the postWorld War II era. Look for bold curves, dramatic angles and playful design elements. Iconic examples include the Miami Beach Bandshell and the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Eden Roc Miami Beach hotels. A visit to all three is a must for architecture aficionados.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

TROPICAL MODERNISM – DESIGNED FOR MIAMI LIVING Tropical Modernism blends mid-century modern design with climate-conscious features like open layouts, shaded terraces and natural ventilation. You’ll find this style throughout Miami, especially in residential neighborhoods and cultural spaces that embrace indooroutdoor living. See examples at the Arlo Wynwood and Mondrian South Beach hotels.

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND DOWNTOWN MIAMI’S SKYLINE Downtown Miami’s skyline showcases its evolution into a global hub where sleek glass towers and innovative design define the landscape. A highlight is the futuristic One Thousand Museum residential tower by Zaha Hadid. For sweeping skyline vistas, visit Bayfront Park or the top deck of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

One Thousand Museum

OPEN HOUSE MIAMI Open House Miami, produced by the Miami Center for Architecture & Design (MCAD), offers residents and visitors a chance to explore the destination’s architectural gems. The free festival includes behindthe-scenes tours, lectures, performances and special experiences. The 2027 edition runs from April 2-4. VisitMiamiArts.com

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ART LIVES HERE

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Your Ticket to Miami’s Thriving Theater Scene By Arlene De La Torre

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

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Live theater is the real deal: a singular experience, performed in the moment, for you and your fellow audience members. From its early “Little Broadway of the South” days to today’s lively cultural scene, Greater Miami & Miami Beach has long invited residents and visitors to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves in live performance. The destination is home to top plays, musicals and boundary-pushing productions. Be it comedy, drama, musical, experimental or experiential, let’s peel back the curtain on Miami’s live theater scene. Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center

BIG PRODUCTIONS, MAXIMUM EFFECT The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is a centerpiece of the urban landscape in Downtown Miami. Designed by “starchitect” Cesar Pelli, its campus includes three performance spaces: the intimate 250-seat Carnival Studio theater (which is home to Zoetic Stage), the acoustically perfect 2,200-seat Knight Concert Hall, and the 2,400-seat Ziff Ballet Opera House. The Arsht Center features Broadway in Miami touring shows, plus dance, opera, comedy, jazz, cabaret, and community performances and programs. The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center is a state-of-the-art, 961-seat cultural venue and community gathering place in South Dade. It presents music, dance and theater performances by national, international and local artists. With intimate theaters and rehearsal studios, the center also supports outreach and education initiatives. Zoetic Stage

Broadway in Miami

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THEATERS WITH DEEP MIAMI ROOTS The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater was built in 1913 in Historic Overtown. Until the 1960s, it was the center of Little Broadway – Miami’s version of New York’s Harlem – hosting performances by legends such as Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr. and Josephine Baker. Now renovated and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Lyric presents comedy shows, concerts, spoken word and the monthly Lyric Live interactive talent showcase.

The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater

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At the Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami, there’s just as much spectacle surrounding the stage as on it. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theater opened in 1926 as a silent movie palace, captivating visitors with Moorish Revival design, impressive acoustics and an atmospheric ceiling that recreates a starlit night with drifting clouds. Lovely today as then, it is a must-see sight and experience, especially when it hosts Miami Film Festival screenings.

Olympia Theater

Since 1950, The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater in South Beach has evolved from hosting legends such as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope to becoming a premier Art Deco/MiMo-style venue for big-name productions and artists from Madonna to Bob Dylan. With theater, ballet, modern dance and international music stars on its calendar, it remains a vital part of Miami’s cultural scene.


LATIN FLAIR UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT The Trail Theater/El Teatro Trail is a trailblazer for the preservation and celebration of Miami’s Hispanic culture. Located where Coral Gables meets Little Havana’s legendary Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street), the intimate theater dates to 1948, when it screened first-run movies. As Miami’s Cuban population

grew, the theater began showing movies dubbed in Spanish. Now it presents Spanishlanguage plays, comedy, musical performances and cultural productions highlighting the stories of the Hispanic community it serves. Manuel Artime Theater in Little Havana was built in 1921 as Riverside Baptist Church. Purchased by the City of Miami

in 1975 and renamed for Cuban doctor Manuel Artime Buesa, a leader of Brigade 2506 during the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the neoclassical performing arts auditorium presents opera, symphonic programs, dance recitals and Latin heritage festivals, and occasionally hosts local stand-up comedy and theatrical productions.

Manuel Artime Theater

PLAYING FOR LAUGHS: also offers comedy, improv and MIAMI’S OUTSTANDING comedy-writing classes for adults and kids. STAND-UP CLUBS Just The Funny has been making locals and visitors laugh since 1999. Located just east of Coral Gables on Coral Way, the theater features three stages, a cabaretstyle lounge and fully improvised shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, all based on audience suggestions. Feeling funny yourself? Just The Funny

Located in the Little Haiti neighborhood, Villain Theater offers a diverse weekly lineup of unscripted comedic acts, musicals, stand-up and free open mic nights where the audience and student comics can join in. Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Villain Theater is also home to a weekly RuPaul’s Drag

Race viewing party, LGBTQfocused feminist and queer performance arts, and the Doll Linkup Drag Show. Proving that laughter is contagious, the Miami Improv Comedy Theater is located in the CityPlace Doral shopping, dining and entertainment complex. The club features local and nationally recognized standup comedians, plus a bar and full dinner menu.

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WHERE ENSEMBLE COMPANIES TAKE CENTER STAGE Coral Gables is a lively pocket of Miami’s theater scene, anchored by Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre and GableStage at The Biltmore hotel. These regional stages bring audiences classic plays and

Miami New Drama is the resident company at the historic Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road in South Beach. The restored

GableStage

Miami New Drama

Miami Light Project

Fantasy Theatre Factory

Miami Light Project commissions and presents contemporary performances across disciplines at venues throughout Miami-Dade County. In any given season, you’ll find innovative dance, music and theater artists from around the world at events like Global Cuba 36

musicals as well as contemporary works. The Jerry Herman Theater at the University of Miami features performances during the academic year by students pursuing theater arts degrees.

Arts & Culture Insider

Fest, which features leading musicians from Cuba and the Cuban diaspora, plus new work by local artists. Experience the vibrant arts scene of Liberty City at the Sandrell Rivers Theater. This venue is home to M Ensemble Company, Florida’s longest-

Art Deco-era theater opened in 1935 and screened military training and propaganda films during World War II. Today, the professional theater company offers groundbreaking works unique to Miami’s varied cultural landscape, with multicultural and multilingual performances relevant to the community and national discourse.

running African American theater organization, as well as Fantasy Theatre Factory. Enjoy live performances from emerging actors and playwrights, including compelling dramas, family-friendly productions and children’s musicals that celebrate creativity and storytelling.


Global Cuba Fest

Miami Theater Center offers live arts experiences and educational opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The Art Deco-style theater in Miami Shores offers summer camps, afterschool programs and classes for kids ages 7 to 15, and opportunities to present original works before live audiences. The Roxy Theatre Group is another organization that offers performing arts classes – including

dance, acting and singing – for children as well as adults, culminating in performances at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center. For the past 30 years, City Theatre has been presenting Summer Shorts – a June festival featuring 10-minute plays – as well as year-round performances at venues throughout Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

Miami Theater Center

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16701 SW 72 Avenue Miami, FL 33157 Deering Estate 305-235-1668 • www.deeringestate.org


Ultimate Art Lover’s Guide to Miami By Angela Caraway-Carlton

If you love art, you must experience it the Miami way. Vibrant murals that transform neighborhoods into open-air galleries. Fascinating museums that sit along the sparkling waters that make Miami famous. The art scene in Greater Miami & Miami Beach runs deep, fueled by an only-in-Miami creative spirit and shaped by diverse cultural influences. Here’s your ultimate art lover’s guide to Miami.

Wynwood Walls

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CREATIVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND CULTURAL DISTRICTS • Wynwood Arts District: For incredible street art and galleries galore, head to Wynwood, a hub of murals and graffiti that splash across nearly every surface. Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum featuring ever-changing murals, is the centerpiece. Another highlight is the Museum of Graffiti, the world’s only museum dedicated to graffiti. • Allapattah: Explore some of the biggest names in the art world in the burgeoning neighborhood of Allapattah, where you can hit two major art museums located directly across from each other: the Rubell Museum and Superblue, an immersive art experience.

Historic Overtown

• Historic Overtown: Dig deep into Miami’s Black history in Historic Overtown with a visit to The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater for exhibitions and shows. • Little Havana: Immerse yourself in Miami’s rich Cuban culture in Little Havana, strolling Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) to sample authentic Cuban food and coffee. Watch locals playing dominoes in Domino Park or catch a show at the Tower Theater. Wynwood Arts District

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Arts & Culture Insider


The Betsy Orb

ART-FOCUSED HOTELS • The Betsy – South Beach: Art is everywhere you look at The Betsy – South Beach on Ocean Drive. Every inch of the boutique hotel is decked out in artwork, regularly curated by the family who owns the hotel, and the cultural calendar is packed with nightly jazz performances. Digital art with light and sound is projected outside on The Betsy Orb, an eggshaped structure that connects the hotel’s two buildings. • Sagamore South Beach: Considered Miami’s “original art hotel,” Sagamore South Beach is a living art gallery that’s free for the public to view. Explore the sculpture garden and admire Faena Hotel

the art that covers the property from the staircases to the walls. • Faena Miami Beach: Dripping in theatrics and maximalist interiors, Faena Miami Beach in Mid Beach flaunts standout art, including a 24-karat gold woolly mammoth sculpture by Damien Hirst and bold murals by Juan Gatti. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a bygone glam era at the Faena Theater, which presents cabaret shows and artistic productions. • Arlo Wynwood Miami: If you want to sleep with the art in Wynwood, Arlo Wynwood Miami is draped in murals from its exterior walls to its elevators.

Arlo Wynwood Miami

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Pérez Art Museum Miami

MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS

Art Outside

• Pérez Art Museum Miami: See contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries in a setting that fronts the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) in Downtown Miami. • The Bass: The Bass is a contemporary art museum showcasing mid-career and established artists’ work that reflects the international ethos of Miami Beach. Once you’ve finished inside, stroll through Collins Park and other areas of Miami Beach to see the museum’s interactive public art displays, Art Outside. Institute of Contemporary Art Miami

• Institute of Contemporary Art Miami: Located in the Miami Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami is a modern venue and sculpture garden that highlights innovative contemporary art with a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. The best part? Admission is free. • Deering Estate: The Deering Estate in South Dade is a historic 444-acre landmark rich in natural beauty and cultural significance. Once the winter retreat of industrialist, philanthropist and art collector Charles Deering, the estate now showcases works from his collection.

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Arts & Culture Insider


PUBLIC ART HIGHLIGHTS • Miami Beach’s Art Deco District: Located between 5th and 23rd streets in Miami Beach, the Art Deco District is home to more than 800 historic gems that showcase the architectural styles of the 1920s and 1930s. Book a tour with the Miami Design Preservation League to learn more about the buildings’ history and design details. • Art in Public Places: Headed in or out of Miami? Thanks to the Art in Public Places program, you’ll see compelling art at high-traffic places like Miami International Airport and PortMiami. • Miami Design District: In the midst of the luxury boutiques of the Miami Design District, you’ll find an array of public art, from the facades of the Museum Garage to eye-catching sculptures like Buckminster Fuller’s futuristic Fly’s Eye Dome and bold murals.

“Dropped Bowl with Scattered Slices and Peels” at Government Center.

Miami City Ballet

Museum Garage

DANCE PERFORMANCES IN MIAMI

Miami Baila Dance Studio

• Miami City Ballet: Considered one of the country’s top ballet companies, Miami City Ballet has been wowing audiences for 40 years. Dance aficionados can watch the graceful dancers perform classic and modern works at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Downtown Miami. • Learn to Salsa Dance: If the hypnotic music flowing from Miami establishments moves you, take a salsa lesson at the Miami Baila Dance Studio or historic Ball & Chain in Little Havana. VisitMiamiArts.com

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ART-INSPIRED RESTAURANTS AND EXPERIENCES • Torno Subito: At Torno Subito restaurant in the Miami Design District, dine under the web-like “Elastika” sculpture in the historic Moore Building while enjoying chef Massimo Bottura’s Italian cuisine. • Verde: After perusing the Pérez Art Museum Miami, stop for lunch or an art break at the onsite Verde restaurant to soak up its bay views and indulge in dishes made with seasonal ingredients and often themed to match the museum’s latest exhibitions.

Torno Subito at the Moore building

• Palapa: For a cultural trio of music, dining and drinks, book a night at the open-air Palapa in Upper Buena Vista to experience everything from jazz to cabaret shows and DJs.

Verde

PLANNING TIPS FOR AN IMMERSIVE CULTURAL STAY • Check museum times and opening days before going. • Plan your travels around the annual Miami Art Week in early December, when the art world converges here for Art Basel Miami Beach and an array of satellite art fairs. Book hotels and tickets to art fairs at least six months in advance. • Purchase tickets to popular museums in advance. • Carve out an art-filled day by bouncing between the Miami Design District and Wynwood, which are about a five-minute drive from each other. • You can spend an easy half day in Downtown Miami, visiting the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and Pérez Art Museum Miami, located next door to each other. • Use public transportation to get around easily. 44

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