Here's a glimpse
Friday:
- Art of Crafting Cocktails at the Regent Cocktail Club: While Miami’s club scene remains firmly rooted in a seemingly endless cycle of vodka-cranberries, the ever-growing bar-and-lounge landscape continues to evolve cocktail culture in the 305. And thanks to the renowned Regent Cocktail Club, local spirits enthusiasts can learn the Art of Crafting Cocktails. Featuring bimonthly classes, the Regent invites locals to learn from its talented team of bartenders, who offer a comprehensive introduction to fundamental bartending techniques and etiquette.
- Viernes Culturales on Calle Ocho: Instead of strolling Eighth Street on a random afternoon, make your way to Viernes Culturales. The festive monthly fete has all the ingredients for an iconic Cuban-inspired evening. Think domino games, cigar rollers, and dancing. This month’s edition has something extra-special: a gallery exhibit showcasing memorabilia from the Miami Police Mounted Patrol, where you can check out classic black-and-white shots of cops on horseback. Plus, there will be local arts and crafts, live music, and other forms of sensory stimulation.
- Joan Soriano at Miami Dade College's Koubek Center: The Dominican Republic’s "Duke of Bachata" and his family band bring old-school charm and modern sensibility to the genre, creating an irresistibly danceable sound that is as gritty as it is romantic. Dance the night away in the Koubek Center's gardens in the heart of Little Havana, and enjoy a preconcert bachata dance lesson, DJ set, live show, specialty food and cocktail vendors, and more for $10! Kids 12 years and younger get in free.
- It’s Only a Play at GableStage at the Biltmore: It’s Only a Play, written by Terrence McNally, opened off-Broadway in 1982, but it was revived in 2014 on Broadway. The play, which breaks the invisible fourth wall, tells the story of playwright Peter Austin. With his producer, director, and actors, Austin waits around for the first media reviews of their opening-night Broadway production, which will make or break the struggling writer’s career.
- Def Leppard at the BB&T Center: Def Leppard is one of the defining hair-metal bands of the '80s, but beneath the teased tresses and leather jackets are some pretty fascinating stories.
- Live in Central Park (Revisited): Simon & Garfunkel Tribute at Aventura Arts and Cultural Center: Travel back in time to September 19, 1981, and revisit Simon & Garfunkel's Central Park reunion concert — which became the seventh-largest attended concert in history with more than a half-million attendees. Johnny Rodgers and Lee Lessack will pay tribute to that memorable night, playing the original 21-song set list that was performed by Simon & Garfunkel that evening.
- Naughty by Nature at LIV: A few months ago, DJ Whoo Kid told us a legendary story about a wild night with a Ghadafi. But DJing at LIV for Naughty by Nature's 25th-anniversary celebration sure beats being picked up by model assassins and escorted to DJ Al-Saadi Ghadafi's private hotel-suite party. So turn up with DJ Whoo Kid as the G-Unit OG gets your party juices flowing for Naughty by Nature's quarter-decade rager.
- Chrome Sparks at Bardot: Discover "The Meaning of Love" on the dance floor with the future-classic sounds of Chrome Sparks at Bardot. Best known for his viral hit “Marijuana,” Jeremy Malvin (AKA Chrome Sparks) will perform as a three-piece band this Friday, January 29, after opener Moon Diagrams.
- Miami Beer Festival at Marlins Park: Previously held at Sun Life Stadium, the drinking fest, now in its fourth year, will showcase a slew of local, national, and international beers, including Funky Buddha, Sam Adams, and Guinness. The fest will also feature DJs and food trucks to help you sweat and sober up.
- Miami Beach Jazz Festival at Olympia Theater: Founded by Carmen J. Cartiglia in 2013, the festival has since grown to encompass a week’s worth of jazz concerts taking place at numerous traditional and unlikely venues throughout Miami and Miami Beach. Additionally, this year marks the inaugural sessions of the Miami Beach Jazz Academy — a weeklong training program for student musicians ages 13 and older.
Drkwav : Seaside Sessions at North Beach Bandshell: If you still haven't checked out the Rhythm Foundation's Seaside Sessions, now is your last chance. Immerse yourself in the psychedelic vibes ofDrkwav as the trio brings its fusion of "1970s torqued jazz-rock" and "'90s dark ambient and drum 'n' bass music" to the North Beach Bandshell.- Spam Allstars at Hialeah Park Race Track: In case you were looking for a legit reason to hit up Hialeah's best nightclubs, now is your shot. Turn up with "Agua de Poço" from Spam Allstars as they take over the Fountain Terrace at the Hialeah Park Race Track; then club-hop your way across "La Ciudad Que Progresa." ¡Dale!
- Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike at Icon Miami: Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike want to "take [you] to outer space." So if you want to join their stellar party at Icon Miami, you better be prepared for some intense g-forces. Last year, the party boys broke the record for selling out 40,000 tickets to their Bringing the Madness 3.0 shows at Belgium's most legendary venue, Sportpaleis Antwerp, in less than 40 minutes. We have a feeling their Magic City gig will be nothing short of legendary.
- Kiss 99.9 Chili Cook-Off at C.B. Smith Park: Chili, beer, and cowboy hats are the essence of the annual Kiss 99.9 Chili Cook-Off — oh, and good old American country music. This year's 31st-annual cook-off will feature headliners Little Big Town, Jake Owen, and Chris Young as the ideal, twangy backdrop to the beloved January tradition.
- Nu Deco Ensemble at North Beach Bandshell: Making its Miami Beach debut at the historic North Beach Bandshell, Nu Deco Ensemble will perform its signature genre-bending eclectic styles. This classically trained 21st-century chamber orchestra will delight listeners with a program that features the music of Daft Punk, J.S. Bach, LCD Soundsystem, Adam Schoenberg, Clint Needhman, and a special collaboration with Spam Allstars.
- Fashion Happy Hour at the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club: This Sunday, Fashion Happy Hour will host its monthly mixer of local vendors, fashion bloggers, and industry pros. Fashion photographer, designer, and blogger Angeles Almuna will play hostess with the mostest at the Catalina Hotel, while DJ duo Lightning and Production Miami commands the sound waves for the night, followed by a live performance by JukeBox Heroes. And what’s a fashion gathering without a catwalk and some trendy getups? Expect a runway show stocked with swimwear brands like Bikini 2 Go and KM Swimwear, as well as contemporary lines courtesy of ALX Couture and Nany’s Klozet Para Melao.
