Culture Pop
A truly tremendous street party magnificently manifesting our city’s character, there’s no more extra a soiree than Carnaval Miami, taking place on Mar. 11. Already a 5x Guiness World Record holder (for largest conga line, biggest piñata, longest cigar, largest number of domino players and largest image constructed with flags), who knows what record-breaking revelry this year’s Calle Ocho carouse will bring; CarnavalMiami.com.
Fun Factor
Cultural commentator. Prolific stand-up comedian. Black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. Host of a show where people are coerced into eating a bunch of gross bugs. Bearer of these hats and many more, watch pop culture phenomena Joe Rogan delight the crowd at The Fillmore Miami Beach with his own patented brand of acerbic wit during the Mar. 16 showing of his Strange Times Tour; FillmoreMB.com.
Irish Chugs
Devout or secular, Irish or simply admiring of their propensity for shots and pints, in the true universal spirit of our city, everyone is welcome to make St. Patrick’s Day a time to blearily recall at the Wynwood Pop-Up Beer Garden on Mar. 17. Free and open to the public, from their dedicated DJ’s to their endearingly ironic green beer, there’s no hotter block party to be where everyone is sure to get lucky. RSVP ASAP for a chance at a free shot and beer to jumpstart your evening; StPatsWynwood.com.
Nothin’ But Net
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an ideal outing for the modern Miami family, this Mar. 18 will welcome the 20th Annual Miami Heat Family Festival, a rare chance for youth to experience intimate encounters with our region’s most masterful athletes. Featuring food from over 50 of our area’s finest restaurants, performances by the Miami Heat dancers, and, of course, beloved mascot Burnie, even those not overly-enthused by our city’s top sports team will find plenty to entertain themselves during this 3-hour fun-filled extravaganza; NBA.com.
Olé!
While it might be hard to tell beneath our ultra-modern exterior, Miami (and much of the surrounding region) was once a Spanish colony of significant importance, and a bearer of all the cultural richness that accompanies that once unassailable European power. Interested in all things Iberian, and wish to celebrate that portion of our city’s pedigree? Then the Flamenco Festival Miami, a 4-day exploration of all things involved in the magnificent music genre, is most definitely worth checking out; Mar. 8-11; ArshtCenter.org.
Concert Power
A powerfully programmed event that always brings the finest in hip-hop, R&B, soul and jazz to our very own southern slice of heaven, Jazz In The Gardens will once again enlighten Miami Gardens on Mar. 17 & 18. Featuring such titanic talents as legendary soul singer Smokey Robinson, eminent enchantress Chaka Khan and iconic R&B legend Anita Baker, fans of all kinds of music will find themselves belting out their best at this totally triumphant array of artists; JazzInTheGardens.com.
…And All That Jazz
A refreshing retrospective for history hounds and entertainment seekers alike, every Thursday sees the gaslights of gay old Paris glimmer at Rouge Miami Beach’s La Nuit Du Chat Noir, a headlong foray into the cabaret traditions of yore. Featuring professional pianist David Attelan and the accompanying vocals of Anastasiya Shachkova, relive the golden age of crooning and cocktails while enjoying classical performances of song and stage while feasting on this venue’s victorious take on French and Moroccan cuisine; RougeMiamiBeach.com.
Sky’s The Limit
Chic circus school Les Ailes Du Desir invites interested parties of all ages and abilities to their Introduction To Contemporary Circus Arts Class on Mar. 3 & 4. Live out your childhood dreams while under the watchful eye of their teaching staff within a space devoted as much to artistry as to acrobatics. A truly not-to-be-missed event for the entire family; LesAilesDuDesir.org.
Louder, Please!
A mainstay in the blossoming techno scene of his hometown of Atlanta, Kai Alce is an often underrepresented genius at the 1’s and 2’s whose melodic soundscapes and old-school, roots-first appreciation of house music makes his a set always worth listening to. An understated auteur who prefers to showcase consummate musicallity over more gimmicky effects, Alce will be enlivening and enlightening Prohibition-inspired Floyd Miami this Mar. 10 in a show sure to maximize this artist’s finest grooves and beats; FloydMiami.com.
Wherefore Art Thou
An accomplished Latin vocalist known for both solo and ensemble works, former Aventura member Romeo Santos will bring his latest & greatest selection of bachata, pop and R&B to the AAA on Mar. 14. Responsible for placing seven #1 songs on the Latin charts and touring on the success of his latest album, Golden, who knows what artists might make cameos on stage as Santos works through a set list featuring collabs from such reputable songsters as Daddy Yankee and Julio Iglesias; AAArena.com.
Rhyme & Punishment
An eminently woke artist responsible for so many facets of modern hip-hop culture, New York-based Boom-Bap proponent and activist/educator KRS-One will bring a rollicking reflection of a life entwined with one of American’s finest musical genres during his show at decadent dive bar Churchill’s Pub on Mar. 3. A polarizing political figure as recognized for his outspoken beliefs as for his decades rocking the mic, even people unfamiliar with KRS’s pedigree should enjoy this energizing show; ChurchillsPub.com.
Pour Me
An artistically-adorned expression of Miami’s finest philanthropic interests, there’s no better way to spend your Thirsty Thursday than VeritageMiami’s 22nd Annual Craft Beer Tasting held at the Wynwood Walls on Mar. 8. A direct beneficiary to the United Way of Miami-Dade and showcasing the finest artisanal ales from both home and abroad as well as bites from a few of South Florida’s finest restaurants, tip a couple back secure in the knowledge you’re enriching your community while having a good time; VeritageMiami.com.
Paradise Found
A fun-filled, family-focused fair as sunny as the island it inhabits, Key Biscayne’s Families In Paradise event on Mar. 4 at Village Hall will feature a fantastic array of hands-on activities for Key Rats of all ages, all while showcasing many of the businesses that make the island the sought-after spot it is. With an ever-growing list of participants and what’s sure to be a dynamite spread of food and drink options, you’ll simply have to stop by to truly experience all of the excitement for yourself; FamiliesInParadise.com.
Eminent Interiors
A fantastic opportunity any true devotee of the décor trade would be loath to miss, the biggest news pouring off titanic home improvement expo The Miami Home Design & Remodeling Show is that none other an august personage as Vern Yip, award-winning interior designer and star for the newest upcoming season of Trading Spaces, will be in attendance. Answering questions and signing autographs all throughout the show, Yip is just one of the many top-tier designers making a cameo at this annual expo; Apr. 6-8, HomeShows.net.
Street Smarts
An ambitious exhibition craftily curated by HistoryMiami, Mar. 16 will see the opening of Avenues Of Expression, a display that intimately details the religious, political and civic forces that are best expressed by our common street life. Featuring artifacts, video interviews, interactives and all the other accoutrement that make exploring our city’s finest historical institution a pleasure, the exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in reacquainting themselves with Miami life at its most raw; HistoryMiami.org.
Five-Star Savings
Star-rating site Yelp gives back to its many users and fans during Yelp Restaurant Week on Mar. 18-24, giving devotees of this particularly poignant piece of internet engineering a chance to save up to save 30% off participating restaurants simply by checking in on the app. An excellent chance to either support an old standby or explore bold new gastronomic territory, there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t save during this feast-filled week; Yelp.com.
