Ubiquitous historian Paul George has an unorthodox Halloween ritual. His birthday falls on the somewhat foreboding day, and instead of handing out fun-size candies to children, every year George finds himself leading a group of Miami macabres around the city cemetery, pointing out the final resting places of some of…

Its enzymes contain beta carotene and vitamins that combat oxidation and free-radical damage. The fatty acids in its pulp help to increase moisture in your hair and skin. And it tastes delicious sprinkled with cinnamon and served on your Thanksgiving table. The good people at GBS know why Linus called…

In a politically divided city like Miami, few among us share the same definitive vision of political terror. Whether it’s four more years of Dubya’s gaffes, a successful campaign by Hillary Clinton, or a night-vision video starring Mark Foley and Dennis Hastert – shudder — the creative minds at the…

Hip-hop legend KRS-One is more than a rapper or a mere entertainer; he’s an “edutainer,” a seminal figure in the genre who uses his skilled flow to teach the head-bobbing masses. In this era of hip-hop ignorance, the rapper who brought us hits like “My Philosophy,” “Sound of da Police,”…

Thanks, Lil’ Wayne. The rapper who coined the term bling back in 1999 created slang that has become so ubiquitous even grandmothers use it. The kind of ostentatious jewelry the Cash Money Millionaires were rapping about probably won’t be in proliferation at this year’s Miami Beach Antique Jewelry and Watch…

If you’re seeking a venue to celebrate Halloween that is as cool as the catacombs, think outside the pine box and head straight to the Miami Beach Cinematheque. The ghoulish cineastes have organized a weekend of terror starring the Italian horror masters, whose influence still clutches the throat of all…

Undercover sluts and closeted cross-dressers, rejoice! Your favorite day of the year has finally arrived, bringing with it a plethora of events where you can dress up for maximum eye-popping impact. Yup, it’s Halloween in Miami, and tonight the freaks will fly their flags at full mast. But what about…

In the Seventies and early Eighties there were Last Tango in Paris, Midnight Cowboy, and The Blue Lagoon — all unabashedly sexual films that found mainstream cinematic success. Nowadays violence is the new sex. Moviegoers are typically more comfortable watching some guy’s head being blown away than, well, you know…

For a city that is just about as far south as you can get in the U.S., Miami is curiously void of Southern drawls, Confederate flags, and square dancing. The only cowboy boots in these parts are diamond-encrusted designer brands. There are plenty of young bucks and pretty fillies ready…

Fill up the gas tank and pack all the, um, supplies you’ll need for a fun car ride down to the Keys. It’s that time of year again, when the southernmost point in the continental United States goes on a ten-day bender of costumes, culture, and debauchery. You won’t want…

The PLUG Independent Music Awards is a beloved celebration of independent musicians held annually in New York. Winners typically go on to become cool new bands. Former victors include Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Dangerdoom, Mr. Lif, and Gnarls Barkley. “It’s like the opposite of the Grammys; PLUG actually gives…

Hair got so boring once the Eighties ended. Everyone threw out the Aqua Net and put away the crimping iron. Relive those days of excess and get your tease on at the second annual Big Wig Costume Ball and Silent Auction. “It’s a blast! Some people really tease their own…

There’s something a bit strange about the name The Brand New Heavies. The group has been laying down effortlessly transcendent acid jazzy grooves for more than fifteen years. Rather than change the name à la New Kids on the Block (whose NKOTB alteration impressed no one), the Heavies are winning…

Whenever pundits want to wax philosophical about hip-hop, they always look back to the Eighties with rose-colored retrospect and talk about Salt-n-Pepa, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah. Now flip on Rap City and look for a strong female role model. Good luck. “We’re in the bling-bling phase, where it’s really…

Although they are ephemeral insects with no heart or brain to speak of, butterflies love just as passionately as we do. The bond between butterfly and flower is as fervent that between Shakespeare and the dark lady in the sonnets. Butterflies brave the elements over incredible distances to gain sustenance…

In a city like Miami, it is entirely possible to forget that some of our most popular dishes are imported. Spanish tapas have become so popular here that just about every sit-down restaurant offers some variation of the small-plate delicacies. Now the Ritz-Carlton South Beach has joined the fun by…

Mexican cabaret artist Astrid Hadad is famous for visually provocative, politically savvy, compelling performances that involve elaborate costumes and weird prop combinations — like a tutu paired with inflated condoms on sticks. Her surrealistic show takes Mexican stereotypes, turns them inside out, and remixes them into a bold, strong, and…

There’s a lot to be said for being trendy, but it is better to be timeless. Fashion authority C. Madeleine has built an international reputation on sorting haute-couture trash from treasure. Her 10,000-square-foot store in North Miami Beach houses a century’s worth of evolving style. The wealth of C. Madeleine’s…

There’s something delightfully vintage and naughty about a masquerade dance. An Eyes Wide Shut aura allows for incredible eye-flirting. Show them what you’ve got at tonight’s Masquerade Dance, a fabulous fundraiser hosted by Miami Arts, Design and Entertainment Merchants (MADE). Pick up a free blank mask at MADE member locations,…

The block party holds a special place in hip-hop nostalgia. An organic coming-together of rappers and fans, b-boys and girls — all gathered in an urban setting to dance under the streetlights — has magnificent appeal. This month’s MoCASonic event taps into the memory of blockos past. Art lovers and…

When a region gains a certain creative cachet, the work produced there tends to get categorized. A perfect example is “Latin American art,” a term that generalizes work from a vast and vital part of the world. Laymen who are expecting to encounter walls covered with bright paintings will be…

There’s something about a family meal that makes the food even more delicious. Perhaps it’s the love that’s stirred into the simmering pot. You can taste it in the Peruvian cuisine served up at Mama Lila’s Bistro . The Valderrama sisters opened the charming eatery to celebrate their large and…