Audio By Carbonatix
Sunday June 15
She may look happy when she body-slams her tonnage onto a pool of water, but deep inside, Lolita, the hardest-working killer whale in Miami, is suffering. At least that’s what the growing throng of activists who line the entrance to the Miami Seaquarium believe. Ever since she was captured and brought to the Key Biscayne amusement park in 1970, Lolita has been twirling and singing and dive-bombing in an oppressive tub for stark feedings of measly fish. It’s inhumane! Members of the Retire Lolita Campaign are outraged. “She has served Miami for 33 years and she will die in that pathetic tub unless we take a stand,” RLC asserts in its literature. They will be staging protests every Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy. Call 954-463-8892. — By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Saturday June 14
Motorcycle Madness
Repeated viewings of the 1969 biker classic Easy Rider and watching the continuing adventures of West Coast Choppers owner Jesse James on the Discovery Channel has sold you on owning a motorcycle. Sure, it’s just a minor detail that you’re 200 pounds overweight and look terrible in leather. You MUST have one! You too want to hop on a Harley or an Indian, search for the essence of America, and preferably not have your trip interrupted by gunfire. A visit to the Worldwide Motorcycle Show, going on today and tomorrow at the Coconut Grove Expo Center (2700 S. Bayshore Dr.), is definitely in order. There you can check out ordinary bikes and custom models (scooters too), pick up some accessories and apparel, take in Team Extreme’s stunts, and meet Melbourne, Florida, bike-builder extraordinare Billy Lane. Admission is $10. Call 305-377-2129. — By Nina Korman
Wednesday June 18
Mango Mania – In The Fruit Loop
Summer in Miami means mangos diving off the trees — lots of them. And almost as good as devouring the dripping succulent fruits is talking about them. The senior curator of tropical fruit at Fairchild Tropical Garden, Richard J. Campbell, is Miami’s main mango man. At 8:00 tonight at Books & Books (265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables), he’ll dish the dirt on Tropical Mangos: How to Grow the World’s Most Delicious Fruit, his comprehensive guide to our favorite sticky snack, plus provide samples of the highly photogenic and luscious mango. Have we said the word mango enough? Admission is free. Call 305-442-4408.
Saturday June 14
Wat It Is
Local Thai-Buddhists tout a new temple
According to Buddha we inhabit nothing more than a dewdrop world of illusion. And now you can be constantly reminded of that and of the Enlightened One himself with a hop down to the Redland where, after seven years of construction, the temple grounds of Wat Buddharangsi (Thai-Buddhist Temple of Miami and the Thai Cultural and Community Center) are finally complete. The public is invited to join 150 bhikkus (monks) in town to celebrate with a special sacred ceremony, held to consecrate the grounds, today from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a meditation and special chanting in Pali to rid the area of any evil spirits that may be hanging around. The $1.5 million temple and center includes a religious hall done in classical Thai-style architecture, a bell tower, classrooms, and a five-ton, 23-foot-tall statue of Buddha. In addition to the main ceremony, the bhikkus are meeting for the 27th Annual Conference of Thai Bhikkus in the U.S. Five days of observances commence on Wednesday, June 11, featuring chanting from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to extend life, power, and happiness to all and to bring spirit to the Buddha statue.– By John Anderson
Wat Buddharangsi is located at 15200 SW 240th St. Call 305-245-2702 for details.
Saturday June 14
Cheap Vessels
Deals on Boats for Dads
If you really loved your dad, you’d buy him a present at the South Florida Boat Show, taking place conveniently over Father’s Day weekend at Miami Beach Convention Center (1900 Convention Center Dr.). From dinghies to yachts, the latest power crafts up to 45 feet are priced from $5000 to more than $250,000. Not that Dad needs to know, but you might get a deal since next year’s more expensive models are just around the corner. Fathers of the frugal can always make do with fishing tackle, dive gear, or some spiffy nautical accessories like Top-Siders or a captain’s hat. Admission is $8. The show ends Monday, June 16. Call 954-946-6164. — By Nina Korman