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CULTURE

Island Fever

A A A Comments Thursday, Aug 19 2004

When you think about Puerto Rico's contributions to American culture, do you think of fabulous musical West Side Story? Bon-bon shaker Ricky Martin? The phenomenon that is J-Lo? Discover the island of enchantment's literature, film, art and pop culture when Celeste Fraser Delgado presents Frances Negron-Muntaner's new book, Boricua Pop: Puerto Ricans and the Latinization of American Culture. Learn about the hidden Boricua roots of vogueing and graffiti, and the controversial Puerto Rican Barbie. Starts at 8:00 p.m. at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables. Free. Call 305-442-4408. --Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik Hyper Hybrids

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Fashion, fusion Miami style

One of the coolest things about working as an artist in Miami is the multicultural melange that influences your sensibilities. Whether your parents are Latino, Chinese or just long-time South Dade rednecks, the region's eclectic mix rubs off on your work.

Such is the case with the featured artists at the Miami Art Museum's Jam at MAM. The night features a fashion show by local hotshot Ash Rana. Afterward, fashionistas will be taken to the edge as local teen rock sensation JD Natasha takes the stage. The suburban Latina diva-to-be is as much inspired by Shakira as she is by the Cure and Nirvana. The happy hour event begins at 5:00 p.m. at MAM, 101 W. Flagler St. Admission is $5. Call 305-375-1700. --Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Flying Trucks

Metal will be crunching. Monster truck engines will be revving. A flaming turtle will be flying through the air. At Monster Jam Summer Heat, there's something for everybody. Last time the monster trucks came to Miami they coughed diesel, bounced, flipped and totaled themselves to the crowd's delight. On the bill are Gravedigger, winner the World Championship in Las Vegas last March, Little Tiger, the 2003 champ; and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Monster Truck, the circuit's newest star. Just imagine a turtle the size of a small house flying through the air and toying with self destruction. Who's that ... Rafael, is it? Wear your seatbelt to this one and leave the crashing and burning to the monster trucks. The show starts at 8:00 tonight. Tickets cost $11 for children, $22 for adults. Call 305-623-6100. --Alex Torres

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