social miami events sept 5-15

The Fantasticks
September 5-15

Not many shows can boast the fact they hold the record for longest running musical, but "The Fantasticks" is just that kind of a phenomenon. Nearly half a century old and having been seen in over 12,000 productions worldwide, it is a classic coming-of-age story and a timeless celebration of love - first love, lost love and, ultimately, true love. At the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. With such treasured songs as "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "The Fantasticks" promises to entertain and win you over. Performances at Jerry Herman Ring Theatre run from Weds - Sat at 8 p.m. and Sat & Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $20, and subscriptions for all shows are available.



Jerry Herman Ring Theatre
1312 Miller Drive, Coral Gables
305-284-3355




Free Thursday Night
Thursday September 6
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida hosts an evening of cultural programming in conjunction with its "Water Stories" exhibition, a look at the ever-changing aquatic world of South Florida. Event goers will have their choice of lectures, panel discussions, presentations and delicious hors d'oeuvres and donation bar. Best of all, the event is free!



Historical Museum of Southern Florida
101 West Flagler St., Miami
305-375-1492




Monthly LoweDown Happy Hour
Thursday
September 6
7 – 9:30 p.m.

Art and cocktails, a fabulous combination. This month the Lowe Art Museum's monthly happy hour celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a guided tour of their Pre-Columbian Galleries. It's a great way to peruse the museum's collection, enjoy live music, light Latin fare and cocktails compliments of Bacardi. There will also be a pomegranate liqueur tasting provided by PAMA spirits. Admission is free for Lowe members and $10 for non-members.



Lowe Art Museum at University of Miami
1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables
305 284-3603




Gables Gallery Night
Friday
September 7
7 – 10 p.m.

Join the fun every first Friday when Gables Gallery Night attracts collectors and young professionals to the art galleries, sidewalk tapas bars, fine restaurants and clubs in safe, comfortable downtown Coral Gables. Whisked between galleries aboard free air-conditioned minibus limousines or the city's quaint trolleys, thousands of visitors join local residents at Greater Miami's liveliest monthly event. Enjoy complementary refreshments, stroll through exhibitions of contemporary and modern Latin American, North American, and European art, including paintings, sculpture, textiles, works on paper and photography, along with art books, in a downtown area chock full of fascinating boutiques. Top off your evening in one of Coral Gables' celebrated dining spots - all within easy walking distance! View Participating Member Galleries.



Participating Member Galleries
Coral Gables
305-444-4493




Opening of Karen Kilimnik
Friday
September 7
7pm

Artist Karen Kilimnik is widely considered one of the most influential artists of her generation. In the 1990s, Kilimnik emerged as part of the "scatter" generation of artists (Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Mike Kelley, Cady Noland, and Jack Pierson, among others) who were so-called for their patently punk, deconstructed installation art. This critically acclaimed survey at MOCA incorporates her rich body of work from the 1980s to the present with over 90 paintings, drawings, photographs, assemblage, and installations. Free for members, North Miami residents and employees; $10 for non-members.



Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
770 NE 125th St., North Miami
305-893-6211




Wynwood Bus Tour
Saturday
September 8th
1 p.m.

The Wynwood Arts District is growing both in reputation and the number of innovative galleries. Get to know the notable galleries through a bus tour organized by the Lowe Art Museum Friends of Art. The tour will visit the Pan American Project, the Fredric Snitzer Gallery, and the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery and return to the Lowe at 5 p.m. The tour is complimentary for Friends of Art members, and $30 for non-members. Reservations are required for all guests, please!



Embark at Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables
305-284-6756




A Night of Soul, Rhythm and Blues
Saturday September 8
6 – 10 p.m.

Enjoy a night of soul, rhythm and blues featuring local and international entertainers at the beautiful new ArtsPark starring the legendary Mavis Staples along with South Florida's own Blues and R&B master Joey Gilmore, acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Maryel Epps and Latin R&B sensation Sol! The concert is FREE, just bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of live music under the stars. On-street parking available at Hollywood Blvd. and Harrison St., and garage parking at Van Buren and South 20th Ave. and Van Buren and U.S. 1.



Downtown Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle
Intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and US 1, Hollywood
954-921-3404




Opening Reception: Fire and Ice, Explorations in Color and Energy
Saturday
September 8
7 to 10 p.m.

Miami artist Keith Smith is known for pouring, throwing and scraping the paint onto the canvas rather than traditionally applying it with a brush. He allows gravity, movement of the canvas, and the natural fluid properties of the paint to be his tool. On the rare occasion that he does use a brush, it barely touches the surface of the canvas. This is his technique. As for his style, Smith considers himself a colorist; an artist or designer who uses color in a special or skillful way. Color evokes a feeling or emotion within people. The exhibition will include paintings from Keith's recent series in which he is intently focusing on color and emotion felt through paint via the mixing of colors and varying texture and patterns. Exhibition on view at Lèche Vitrines Art Alliance through October 6.



Lèche Vitrines Art Alliance
3038 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
954-563-2993




Opening of Inaugural Group Exhibition
Saturday
September 8
7 to 10 p.m.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" features the works by nine artists represented by Sacco Gallery - a cross section of emerging and mid-career European and American artists. The exhibition - primarily conceptual and process-based art - is presented through paintings, drawings, video and installation. Artists include Gema Alava-Crisostomo, Heiko Blankenstein, Tom Brydelsky, David Estes, Kevin H. Jones, Jane Morren, Maurizio Pellegrin, Sarah Trigg and Lee Walton. The Saturday opening coincides with the monthly Second Saturday Gallery Walks in Wynwood and the Design District. Meet several of the artists at the opening and enjoy bites from über-cool hot dog emporium, Dogma Grill. The exhibit can be viewed Tues-Fri 11-5, Sat 12-4 through November 10. Pictured: Lee Walton, "Relocating," 2007 Video.



Sacco Gallery
6444 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
305-754-2727




Opening Reception at Locust Projects
Saturday
September 8
7 to 11 p.m.

Argentinean Diego Bianchi transforms the main room at Locust Projects (pictured) with his crazy, sprawling installations of discarded trash, household objects and mass media imagery so that it's thick with political undertones. Bianchi studied at the University of Buenos Aires and now shows with the Luis Adelantado Gallery in Miami and Spain. Also see Frankie Martin in the Project Room and a new mural by Bhakti Baxter. The exhibition is on view Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. until October 27.



Locust Projects
150 N.W. 23rd Street, Miami
305-576-8570




Juan Antonio de Dompablo Benefit Concert
Saturday
September 8
8 p.m.

Peruvian tenor Juan Antonio de Dompablo will perform in concert to benefit the Miami chapter of Asociación Emergencia Ayacucho. This nonprofit volunteer organization is dedicated to helping the underprivileged and orphaned children of Peru. Since 1985 it has helped build homes for children and provide social, educational and healthcare assistance aimed at helping child victims of terrorist violence - all through donations. Support this worthy cause and enjoy the music of de Dompablo who has performed many recitals, concerts, plays and operas in Peru and Italy. Tickets are $30.



Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami
1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables
305-661-9175




Registration Deadline for 2008 youngARTS Awards
Deadline October 1

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) each year invites up to 150 artists to participate in youngARTS Week in Miami, a program of performances, classes, workshops and enrichment activities with renowned artists and arts educators. The opportunity is open to talented 17 and 18 year old high school seniors who win cash prizes of up to $10,000 and the chance to be named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. The final registration deadline is October 1 with all audition/portfolio materials due by November 5. Formerly known as "Arts Recognition and Talent Search," the program was established in 1981 by Ted and Lin Arison.



800-970-2787