Socialmiami.com activities

ArtCrowd Event - Rock Stars of the Art World
Thursday
March 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Turn up the volume on your culture dial and scope out the biggest art superstars of the past five decades at 2 cutting-edge galleries in the Wynwood Arts District. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. join ArtCrowd at Gary Nader Art Gallery, 62 N.E. 27th Street, for Frank Stella - Five Decades of Paintings and Sculpture. The group then moves to the Center for Visual Communication, 541 N.W. 27th Street, to hear Bill Goldston talk about what it's like to work side by side with great artists of our time, Rauschenberg, Rosenquist, Johns and more, and to see 120 of the "greatest hits" from the archives of the legendary studio ULAE. Tear it up with ArtCrowd and check out the delicious offerings of bin no. 18, and cocktails by UV Vodka, courtesy of AMC Liaisons. Admission is free for ArtCrowd members; $15 for others. Space is limited so RSVP please!



A visit to two galleries
Wynwood Arts District
305-673-7530, Ext. 1015




In the Mood for Pop
Thursday
March 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Beginning in London in the mid-1950's Pop Art - a visual arts movement expressing popular mass culture - found artists using themes influenced by advertising, everyday products and comic books. Opera Gallery's exhibition "In the Mood for Pop" features the exciting and kitschy works of contemporary masters, like Warhol, Wesselmann, and Lichtenstein, along with the paintings by emerging international avant-garde artists. The exhibition's opening reception offers an international mix of art and music with celebrated guest DJ Benjamin Franklin in honor of the Winter Music Conference. The reception is by invitation only so to be included, you must call 305-868-3337. See In the Mood for Pop through April 13. Pictured: Tom Wesselmann; "Bedroom Face with Orange."



Opera Gallery at Bal Harbour Shops
9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour
305-868-3337








Six Degrees Night featuring Gaudi and Jef Stott
Thursday
March 27 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

London-based Italian-born Gaudi's music, an organic fusion of dub, electronica and worldbeat, has been topping the charts in the UK. Gaudi himself is an in-demand producer and remixer for some of the most important names in music. Jef Stott, a founding member of Lumin and Stellamara, will perform a moody Middle Eastern piece with dub elements that was specifically designed for this event. He is a trained anthropologist and studied with master musicians from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Iran and Turkey, and their music and instruments figure in his compositions and production work. Accompanying is Zeb on oud and light percussion. Bob Duskis and The Worker from Six Degrees Records will DJ before and after the sets. Part of the Rhythm Foundation 20-year Retrospective. Admission is $10.



CIFO Art Space
1018 N. Miami Avenue, Miami
305-672-5202 (Laura Quinlan)




Jazz at MOCA
Friday
March 28 at 8 p.m.

Mantra World Music Ensemble will perform at Jazz at MOCA, the museum's monthly free outdoor concert. A perennial favorite on the South Florida concert scene, Mantra is known for their unique blend of original and classic music that is a high energy celebration of jazz, Latin and Afro-fusion rhythms. Under the direction of percussionist and vocalist Marlon Moore, Mantra is composed of musicians from Spanish, South American, Afro-Caribbean and American cultures. MOCA will be open from 7 to 10 pm so visitors may tour the exhibition Pivot Points, Part 1: Defining MOCA's Collection. Jazz at MOCA, held the last Friday of every month, is the longest-running free jazz concert series in South Florida. It is generously sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company and the City of North Miami.



Museum of Contemporary Art
770 N.E. 125th Street, North Miami
305-893-6211




World Premiere of NIGHTSPOT
Friday – Sunday
March 28 – 30

NIGHTSPOT, Miami City Ballet's first major commission, involves two of the most celebrated artists of our time. Twyla Tharp has created some of the most memorable and innovative dances in the modern repertory and has also worked extensively on Broadway and in Hollywood. This commission is Tharp's first major work for a ballet company in 5 years. For it, she has joined forces with Elvis Costello who is providing an original musical composition. Costello's musical curiosity is expansive: besides rock and roll, it ranges from classical to jazz to country. Tharp created NIGHTSPOT on 18 MCB dancers, and Costello's composition, which features new music intertwined with various motifs and quotations from existing songs, is written for a 9-piece onstage dance band and a 32-piece orchestra in the pit. Isaac Mizrahi, one of the world's most famous fashion designers, created the costumes for the new work. Also on Program IV are three outstanding ballets by George Balanchine: Square Dance, a classical ballet set to baroque music by Vivaldi and Corelli; Balanchine's homage to Italian folk dancing with the dynamic and speedy Tarantella, set to music by Gottschalk; and the French-style Sonatine, set to music by Ravel. A pre-performance talk by Edward Villella and/or his artistic staff will be conducted, free to the ticketed audience 45 minutes prior to curtain. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Friday (program does not include Sonatine to accommodate festivities related to the premiere); 8 p.m. on Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range from $125 to $19 and are available through MCB Box Office, the Arsht Center Box Office and Ticketmaster. Pictured: Callie Manning and Carlos Guerra; photo by Bruce Weber.



The Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
1-877-929-7010








arteaméricas
Friday – Monday
March 28 – 31

Merrill Lynch arteaméricas, the premier art fair from Latin America, will return to Miami for its sixth year. See the latest in paintings, sculpture and multimedia from contemporary artists as well as renowned, established artists. Seventy of the best galleries from the Americas, selected by the fair's advisory committee of art experts, will be in attendance, displaying works by internationally celebrated artists, including Fernando Botero, Wilfredo Lam, Jesús Soto, Rufino Tamayo, and Joaquin Torres-Garcia, to name a few. Among the vanguard contemporary artists whose works are on view are José Bedía, Tony Bechara, José Pedro Costigliolo, Eduardo Chapela, Bastón Díaz, León Ferrari, Carmen Herrera, Kcho and Hugo Zapata. Supported by South Florida's prestigious art institutions, arteaméricas has year after year exceeded all expectations with outstanding exhibits and excellent sales while maintaining its intimate boutique feel. The art offered for sale ranges from $2,000 to $1 million. arteaméricas is open from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday; and Monday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door. Admission is free from noon to 2 p.m. every day.



Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall A
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
305-854-3050




3rd Annual Women's International Film Festival
Friday - Sunday
March 28 – April 6

Ten days of films, art, workshops, discussions and fun are being presented by the Women's International Film & Arts Festival, kicking off with "Steam," starring Ruby Dee, Ally Sheedy, Kate Seigel and Chelsea Handler, at the Gusman Center. This year's festival line-up features more than 100 films from 15 countries. Through the films presented by the festival, issues are explored that affect, empower and celebrate women. Visit the website to view the entire line-up of films and special events. Tickets range from $7 for members to $55 for opening night film, concert and party.



Various Venues in South Florida
305-653-9700




Books by Design: Amazing Structures
Saturday
March 29 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Make a book out of one single sheet of paper! Fold, cut, and decoratively stencil; transform a single sheet of paper into your own unique book. Based on early Japanese fold or maze books - hence the name a-mazing structures - this art form will be taught at The Wolfsonian-FIU by Miami artist Maria Gonzalez, who has taken courses on this technique and also invented her own style of creating these unstructured books. This 3 hour workshop will give you the how-to, and provides all the materials necessary. Once you make the book, you decide on the content, be it a book of poetry, a personal journal, favorite photographs, whatever is special to you. Limited space; RSVP required. Workshop cost is $10 for members; $20 for all others.



Wolfsonian - FIU
1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
305-535-2644 (Julia)










Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Saturday
March 29 at 7 p.m.

A bold new production of Lewis Carroll's classic fairy tale, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, adapted and directed by Stephanie Ansin, will premiere at The PlayGround Theatre. In this version, co-adapted and designed by Fernando Calzadilla, time, space and cultures collide as the precocious heroine tackles the challenges of her ever-changing world in this familiar tale unfolding with a tropical twist. Performances run through April 13 - see complete schedule. Tickets are $15 each, $10 for groups of 20 or more, and $5 when purchased by students through Culture Shock.



PlayGround Theatre
9806 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores
305-751-9550, Ext. 223




Spring Arts Festival
Saturday & Sunday
March 29 and 30

Two days of non-stop activities at Grace Café and Galleries celebrate the thirty-year career of Purvis Young. On exhibit at Grace Galleries since 2006, Young's work has been exhibited at important American art museums, as well as public and private galleries. A collection of over 200 never before seen works by Purvis Young, including important pieces from the 1980's on metal, wood paper and fabric, will be available for purchase. Artwork by emerging and established artists from Europe, South America and Latin America will also be showcased, along with dance workshops, live music from the Peruvian Andres, and a new "Spring in Provence" menu. On Saturday, visit the Tango Cafe between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. to learn the Tango and be part of an extravagant dance performance piece. Join revelers in the mini-Milonga outdoors under the beautiful South Florida skies. On Sunday learn Chacarera, Argentina's lively and rhythmic traditional Folkloric dance, from Master Instructor Claudio Ponce. The Basic Walk Chacarera Part 1 begins at 1 p.m., and at 2:15 p.m. Part 2 features Folklore Technique. No matter your dance experience, Ponce will inspire the dancer within you with his passion and energy. One workshop is $35, and two are $50. If you plan to dance, come wearing comfortable clothes. Saturday's activities are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Reservations please for the dance workshops.



Grace Cafe and Galleries
49 N. Federal Highway, Dania Beach
954-921-1231 (Clare Vickery)




Free Gospel Sunday
Sunday
March 30 at 4 p.m.

The Arsht Center and Gospel AM 1490 WMBM are hosting a monthly series of concerts celebrating great American music and featuring many of this community's best and brightest gospel soloists and choirs. This month's line-up includes: The Woods, Sisturz, Second Baptist Church, Richmond Heights and the New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International. The concert, which will be performed in the Knight Concert Hall, is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling the box office and will also be available on the day of the concert. Free parking in Lots C and E.



Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
305-949-6722




Side-By-Side Concert
Sunday
March 30 at 7 p.m.

Michael Tilson Thomas makes a special appearance at this year's Side-By-Side performance, featuring Miami-Dade's finest student musicians playing alongside New World Symphony Fellows. The jewel of NWS's community engagement and education programs, this event is a guaranteed heart-warmer! The concert is free, but ticket reservations are required.



Lincoln Theatre
541 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305-673-3331




Seeking Original Children's Art
Monday
March 31

Lehrman Community Day School is seeking original works of art from children, pre-school through middle school, for its first Community-Wide Art Contest. The winners of the "Think Outside The Box" Art Contest will be announced by Tom Lollar, Director of Visual Arts for the New York Lincoln Center, at an event on April 10 at the Sagamore Art Hotel. The artwork will be displayed at the Miami Children's Museum, and the prizes are a weekend stay at the Sagamore and Toys 'R' Us gift cards. The work must use a shoe box and a creative mind - no plants, animals, water, sharp objects of food may be used. Drop off the work at Lehrman School on or before Monday, March 31.



Lehrman Community Day School
77th Street and Dickens Avenue, Miami Beach
305-710-7258 (Diane Breslow)




Opening Night Fandango Party
Thursday
April 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Miami Beach Dance Festival kicks off in high style with a party and informal Fandango performance by Ballet Contemporaneo de Oaxaca. It will be a lively evening with music, dancing and audience participation that includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. Admission is free.



Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
305-858-7002




5th Annual Miami Beach Dance Festival
April 3 – 13

Over 50 artists, representing six dance companies, will share their love and enthusiasm for dance through a multitude of performances and activities during the Miami Beach Dance Festival presented by Momentum Dance Company. See Ballet Hispanico's first ever Miami performance; festival newcomer BrazzDance Theater; "Fandango" by Ballet Contemporaneo de Oaxaca from Mexico; a return visit from Florida Dance Theatre, a chamber ballet company; an incomparable collaboration of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa and Breffni Irish step-dancers; and two World Premieres offered by Momentum Dance Company. Visit their website for information about performances, special events and master classes.



Various Venues
305-858-7002




Steve Martin's "The Underpants"
Thursday – Sunday
April 3 – 6

In 1911 Carl Sternheim wrote "Die Hose," which was promptly banned by the German government as immoral. The story centered on a Dusseldorf matron who becomes the center of attention when her underpants accidentally fall to her ankles while watching a parade. Steve Martin's adaptation of the piece is a fast-paced, brilliant and outrageous sex farce - "hilarious and bawdy!" according to the Village Voice after its premiere in New York. It's been making audiences around the country laugh ever since, and you will too at FIU Theatre's production, directed by Stephen Neal. Performances are Thurs - Sat at 8 p.m. and Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors and FIU students and alumni. Pictured: Paul Perez, Cairo Cangas and Josh Dobarganes.



Wertheim Performing Arts Center Studio Theatre
FIU University Park Campus, Miami
305-348-3789




Pre-Opening of "The Mission"
Friday
April 4 at 7 p.m.

New Theatre presents Jules Tasca's "The Mission," a tempestuous 2-character play about life-altering decisions. Within the confines of a penitentiary a trusting priest is drawn closer to the heart of darkness of a prisoner; the results are a double tragedy. Directed by Ricky J. Martinez, the actors, Ricky Waugh and William Gressman, will exchange roles every other night displaying their talent and versatility. The play previews on Thursday, April 3, at 8 p.m. (tickets are $20), and the Friday night performance includes a pre-show reception catered by Catering by Lovables (tickets are $55 for performance and reception). Performances continue through May 4.



New Theatre
4120 Laguna Street, Coral Gables
305-443-5909 (Box Office)




Gables Gallery Night
Friday
April 4 from 7 to 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, sculptures, 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! Click to view participating member galleries.



Throughout the Coral Gables Business District
305-444-4493




Art in the Park Concert Series
Friday
April 4 from 7 to 11 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana with the support of the City of Coral Gables and local businesses is hosting another great Art in the Park Concert Series, a musical element to the already famous monthly art walk. Over 50 artists of growing national and international reputation will exhibit their works and perform live art demonstrations for the viewing public. Made possible by its sponsors and the Title Sponsor, Old Spanish Village, the concert series continues on the first Friday of April, October, November and December. The sounds of Latin funk and Latin jazz, with performances at 7:15 p.m. by the Juan Turros Quartet, at 8:45 Grammy Award winner Negroni's Trio, and at 9:45 Big Brooklyn Red. A musical mix-‘em-ups of Latin des-car-gas! See you all there!



Ponce Circle Park
Kiwanis Club of Little Havana




Ballet Hispanico
Friday
April 4 at 8 p.m.

Miami Beach Dance Festival is proud to present one of the nation's preeminent ambassadors of Hispanic culture, Ballet Hispanico, in its first performance in Miami. Originally founded to provide dance training and performance opportunities for underprivileged Latino youth in 1970, the company's dynamic mission inspires an appreciation for the rich heritage of America's growing Hispanic population. Its 13 dancers perform works by the foremost Latino choreographers of our time, as well as those of emerging artists. The program includes Caravanserai (choreography by Talley Beatty, music by Carlos Santana); Club Havana (Pedro Ruiz, López, Gonzáles, Salim, Prado and Repilado); and Déjame Soñar (Alexandre Magno, Tito Puente, Pink Martini and LaLupe). Tickets range from $25 to $50 for premier seating and $12 for students and seniors.



Dade County Auditorium
2901 West Flagler Street, Miami
305-858-7002