Vintage Affair
Prepare for an evening of magic, mystery and sheer magnificence as Florida Grand Opera celebrates its landmark 83rd Anniversary Gala: A Vintage Affair – Unmasking Glamour & Celebrating La Dolce Vita. Immerse yourself in the elegance of a grand masquerade, where opera-inspired moments and captivating surprises await at every turn. Highlights include a show-stopping performance by world-renowned piano virtuoso Lola Astanova as well as a Wall of Wine Raffle with bottles valued between $100 and $4,000, and a Champagne Diamond Raffle where one lucky guest will take home a stunning 2.4-carat princess cut diamond! Tickets start at $1,500, with tables beginning at $12,500; Feb. 8 @ Ice Palace Studios; FGO.org/Gala.
Sweet Treats
Did you know that chocolate literally grows on trees? The Festival of Chocolate @ Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is two delicious days of chocolate tastings, cooking demos, and chocolate-inspired activities and classes. Don’t miss the chocolate pairings, chocolate-themed drink specialty flights and tastings, and variety of chocolate-infused foods all aimed at unlocking chocolate’s many marvelous flavors. Artisanal vendors, live music and a special Chocolate Express for the kids round out the festivities; Jan. 18-19; FairchildGarden.org.
Listen, Linger & Enjoy
The weather is perfect for the soothing sounds of jazz concerts taking place across multiple venues in Miami as part of the South Beach Jazz Festival, many of which are free and outdoors. The programming boasts both world-renowned and emerging artists from the entire spectrum of jazz: traditional, contemporary, Latin, and New Orleans. The festival, which attracts locals, tourists, aficionados, beachgoers and shoppers, is the signature event of Power Access, whose mission is to bring awareness and provide opportunities for people living with disabilities; Jan. 9-12; SoBeJazzFestival.com.
Dynamic Deco
Art Deco is a modern take on neoclassical with its famous strong geometric shapes, vibrant pastel colors, and smooth, streamlined forms. Miami Beach is home to largest concentration of art deco buildings in the world. This amazing achievement is celebrated each year during Art Deco Weekend with guided tours, lectures, films, a dog walk, big band and live jazz entertainment, dancing, a classic car show, a Kids Zone, an artisan market, and much more; Jan. 18-20; ArtDecoWeekend.com.
