Photo by Juan Vergara
Audio By Carbonatix
Friday, December 30
The college football season is coming to an end, and the bowl games are in full swing. One of the oldest bowl games takes place right here in South Florida. The 89th-annual Capital One Orange Bowl brings a marquee matchup as the Tennessee Volunteers take the field against the Clemson Tigers. The sixth-ranked Volunteers are led by second-year head coach Josh Heupel, while the seventh-ranked Tigers are led by Dabo Swinney, who has been coaching the team for 15 years. It’s not the championship bracket, but expect an exciting match between rival college football powerhouses. 8 p.m. Friday, at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens; 305-943-8000; hardrockstadium.com. Tickets cost $95 to $1,750 via ticketmaster.com. Ashley-Anna Aboreden
In what has become an end-of-the-year tradition, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts once again hosts the Strauss Symphony of America, led by conductor Alexander Steinitz, for its Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert. Featuring dancers from Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, the program is inspired by Vienna’s Neujahrskonzert, the annual concert performed by the Vienna Philharmonic. 8 p.m. Friday, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-949-6722; arshtcenter.org. Tickets cost $29 to $159. Jose D. Duran
Tired of getting hit on when you are just trying to dance with your girlfriends? Luckily, there is a solution. Sorry Papi invites women to come down to Oasis Wynwood on Friday for a night of perreo without fearing harassment. Ladies are encouraged to invite their best friends to the ultimate girls’ night out, which includes themed photo ops, pink ‘n’ pretty cocktails, and music by female DJs. The reggaeton party empowers and celebrates women who, one can only hope, will one day be able to a club without being admonished to “smile more.” 9 p.m. Friday, at Oasis Wynwood, 2335 N. Miami Ave., Miami; oasiswynwood.com. Tickets cost $35 to $75 via oasismiami.tixr.com. Sophia Medina
New Year’s Eve at Bayfront Park: See Saturday
Photo courtesy of Bayfront Park Management Trust
Saturday, December 31
With so many ways to ring in the new year on Saturday, keep it local with funk-pop duo Afrobeta. Cuci Amador and Smurphio take over Bar Nancy in Little Havana with an end-of-year spectacular alongside Galactic Effect and ¡Bas! The $20 admission price includes a complimentary hot buttered rye shot and a Champagne toast at midnight. For a primer of what to expect on Saturday, listen to Afrobeta’s latest album, Illusion Motel, which features standouts like “All of the Things” and “Chancletazo.” 8 p.m. Saturday, at Bar Nancy, 2007 SW Eighth St., Miami; nancy305.com. Tickets cost $20. Ashley-Anna Aboreden
The Big Orange is set to rise on the InterContinental Miami as the throngs ring in the new year below in Bayfront Park. For this year’s Bayfront NYE, Willy Chirino and Arturo Sandoval serve as headliners, with acts like Amaury Gutiérrez, Aymeé Nivola, El Chacal, Diana Lara, and Carlos Olivia further down on the bill. As always, the party is free (a VIP ticket option nets you an open bar from 8 p.m. till midnight and a mainstage viewing area). Of course, there’ll be a fireworks show for all at midnight. 8 p.m. Saturday, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; bayfrontnye.com. Admission is free; VIP tickets cost $249. Sophia Medina
Don’t want to make the trip downtown? Wynwood NYE has become the go-to alternative for those who prefer not to deal with the traffic flocking downtown or crossing the causeways to Miami Beach. Head to Wynwood Marketplace for a night of live music, unlimited drinks, and free admission. Mr. Pauer will provide the tunes, and a VIP open bar will be available for $59. 8 p.m. Saturday, at Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami; 305-461-2700; wynwood-marketplace.com. Admission is free; VIP tickets cost $59 via eventbrite.com. Sophia Medina
Horse Meat Disco at Oasis Wynwood: See Sunday
Photo by Ro Murphy
Sunday, January 1
Since its founding in 2004, London-based collective Horse Meat Disco has been reminding partygoers that dance music is queer – really, really queer. So it’s only appropriate that the collective takes over Oasis Wynwood on New Year’s Day as part of the Dreamland NYE series of events. The party starts early, at 2 p.m., and continues after the sun goes down, with Purple Disco Machine serving as the nightfall headliner. 2 p.m. Sunday, at Oasis Wynwood, 2335 N. Miami Ave., Miami; dreamlandnye.com. Tickets cost $49 to $169 via oasismiami.tixr.com. Sophia Medina
Start 2023 on a high note with Above & Beyond at Story. The trio has continued to conquer the electronic dance music scene since its start in 2000. Above & Beyond has been recognized for its powerful melodic sounds and translucent beats. In addition to the music, the band is behind the record labels Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep and the weekly radio show Group Therapy Radio. 11 p.m. Sunday, at Story Nightclub, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-479-4426; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $65 via story.tixr.com. Sophia Medina
