Arts & Culture

These days, it seems like teenagers are taking over the world, one bad haircut at a time. But beneath the acne and bad posture are minds and talents worthy of praise, even right here in Miami. Tigertail Productions, the South Florida organization that has commissioned, presented, and produced more than…

Spanish Harlem, 1930. Seven-year-old Tito Puente smacks a pot with a wooden spoon, slaps the windowsill, and makes a crude yet funky beat. A neighbor lady screams, “Ay, niña, shut that kid up!” But his mom knows better, that one day he will be the king of the timbales —…

After the ebullient Holocaust fantasia Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino takes his whole blood-spattered historical tent show on the road with Django Unchained, this time putting down stakes in antebellum Dixie. Jamie Foxx stars as the titular runaway slave, given his freedom by an unlikely savior: a German-American bounty hunter (Basterds…

There’s nothing funny about an explosion. And for that matter, there’s nothing funny about earthquakes either. Well, unless it’s a Comedy Explosion. In that case, laughter is OK, even encouraged. But that’s the only exception to the rule. So when comedian Earthquake joins fellow funnymen Arnez J., Rickey Smiley, J…

Coconut Grove’s annual King Mango Strut is back to poke fun at 2012’s most outrageous stories in a grand, satiric, end-of-the-year parade. The only question: What (or who) will take the most heat this year? Election madness will likely play a leading role. But what about the dearly departed Whitney…

La Gran Naranja is about as South Floridian as New Year’s Eve gets. Recently renamed in honor of Ponce de Leon’s anniversary, the Big Orange will make its annual descent down the side of the InterContinental Miami (100 Chopin Plaza, Miami) to mark the new year. The 35-foot citrus fruit…

What’s more Miami-esque than spending NYE on a boat? If you don’t have any friends at the yacht club, book a seat with Island Queen Cruises. From champagne sails to full-dinner cruises, there are lots of options, and all rides let you get up-close and personal with downtown’s fireworks display…

What better place to welcome 2013 than the sands of South Beach? The Miami Beach fireworks show kicks off at midnight, and revelers can gather on the beach at Eighth Street and Ocean Drive for a clear view. Grab a to-go cup from Wet Willie’s and join the crowd. Viewing…

Not to be confused with the BCS Championship game happening January 7, this year’s Orange Bowl, played New Year’s Day at Sun Life Stadium (347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens) will pit perennial powerhouse Florida State University against first-time BCS challenger Northern Illinois University. FSU finds itself in the game…

From the original comic-book hero created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1962, to revised versions of Peter Parker on film and in videogames, all the way to his latest incarnation as Miles Morales, a half-black, half-Hispanic teenager, Spider-Man has had one hell of an evolution. But if you’re…

The Miami Heat has some deep-seated issues when it comes to the Dallas Mavericks. Meeting in the NBA Finals twice in four years, both have played spoiler to the other, with arguably the lesser team winning each time. Oddly, the team that wins usually goes on to implode its roster…

Usher in 2013 with a spoonful of sugar as Mary Poppins and her giant umbrella descend on the Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Presented by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh this Tuesday through January 6, this magical Technicolor production hits the ceiling with a high-flying extravaganza featuring a rooftop…

Looking for a fun way to let loose, enjoy some classic tunes, and get trippy? Want to learn a little something at the same time? Sounds like you’re ready for the epic, colorful madness that is the annual Laser Fest Weekend at Miami Science Museum (3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami)…

Has your holiday movie-watching experience been tainted by Casey Anthony? Cause mine was, just a little bit. Yesterday, I was in theaters to see The Guilt Trip, a feel-good, guilty-pleasure flick with Babs Streisand and Seth Rogen, when suddenly Casey Anthony popped up on the silver screen. Like a nightmare,…

The year 2012: It’s been a good one for Miami’s arts scene. Art Basel and many of its satellite fairs enjoyed financial success. Borscht Corp. hosted what most people agree was its greatest film festival to date. Construction’s well underway on the new museum park, Tom Wolfe wrote a novel…

Don’t want to spend a ton of cash on New Year’s Eve? Congratulations, you’re an astute, fiscally responsible adult who knows how to have a good time within your means. Being cheap is enough reason to celebrate — just look at those fools who drop $200 to $15,000 for a…