III Points kicks off today, and shit in Wynwood is about to get all sorts of weird. But the three-day festival, boasting a gnarly lineup of artists, isn't the only place to get-down at this weekend.
This Saturday, Wynwood's savior of hair care, Junior & Hatter, is hosting a feted shindig to celebrate their 2nd Anniversary of staying afloat in a neighborhood that has claimed the lives of many businesses -- both young and old.
See also: Art and Journalism Meet in Andy Gallacher's Show at Junior & Hatter
Having amassed an overwhelming clientele within a short time span of two years, the project originally started off as a test-run, says salon co-owner Mario Silvestri.
"This thing has been kind of an experiment for me," he says of the salon's inception. "I was ready to go back to New York."
But Silvestri, alongside partner Andrea Battista, was unable to forgo the crucial demand of giving Miami a salon that thought outside the box aesthetically, while still being able to turn out beyond-reproach shags.
"There are talented hairdressers here in Miami, but the salons here are not very inspiring; they're all stark white and they look very sterile. So, to do this and build a team of like-minded people, is something that just doesn't exist in Miami -- that's the biggest part as to why we've been so successful," Silvestri says. "The other thing is opening up in an area with no walking traffic -- we built a lot and it's just word of mouth. It's pretty cool."
"The thing about Wynwood is that all the business owners that are opening here are all kind of like-minded people, which is exciting; we're more purpose-driven people than we are profit [-driven]," Silvestri adds. "We're very stoked to be apart of this community."
Though still fairly new to the neighborhood, the salon already has an annual ritual come anniversary night. "We have those Japanese lanterns that you light, and set off [into the sky]. Last year it was really cool because the whole salon was filled with people, and we randomly had them so we're like, let's light them. So now that's our tradition."
Hitting a two-year milestone isn't the only reason why people will flock to the salon's rustic digs this weekend. Every second Saturday during Art Walk, the salon hosts a comedy night with some of the city's most loved comedians. And this Saturday, the line-up is looking particularly stand-up.
Monthly resident Alex Morizio will MC the event, while John Hyne, Tim Hanlon, and headliner and contributing New Times writer Daniel Reskin will be there to insure that no one leaves the premises with dry pants.
A live performance by Colombian rock musician Nacho Londoño follows the comedy. And while heads flail to aggressive guitar strums, drinks will be passed out courtesy of the open bar.
The comedy show starts at 9 p.m. but make sure you get there early to snag a seat, as the night tends to swell up quickly.
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