Spiked sno cones. Tasty barbeque. A bounce house and a dunk tank. The grown-up carnival of your dreams is coming to Miami, and it's all due to the Miami Rail.
With the release of its upcoming issue, Miami's own literary journal and sister publication to the Brooklyn Rail is hosting an evening of delightful activities to celebrate its first successful year. But though the Rail is known for its intellectual and critical coverage of Miami culture, this fundraiser isn't some stodgy arts soiree.
Nina Johnson-Milewski, founder and publisher for the Rail, categorizes the event as "fun" themed. She says that aside from raising money to facilitate publication of future issues, "we're excited to gather all of our supporters in one place and build bridges to new potential readers who will join us for a party and hopefully leave with a subscription." Previous issues will also be for sale at the "fun-raiser."
Also on offer: a BBQ, tequila spiked snow cones, and vodka ice pops for the grownups, and for the enjoyment of the young at heart, a bounce house, three-legged race, and dunk tank.
Next to her role as publisher for the Rail, Johnson-Milewski is also owner of Gallery Diet in Wynwood. Though she says how both roles are independent of each other and she has a wonderful team to assist her in both worlds, there's no denying she is significantly contributing to elevating Miami's cultural voice.
"The Rail is all about building a document of our time and place via intelligent print dialog... it's writing that comes from an inside and in-depth perspective on the arts," she says. Gallery Diet, on the other hand, "is about creating a two-way window that shows Miami to the international art community, but that also brings what's globally relevant into our own backyard."
For the fundraiser, Johnson-Milewski has a list of hosts comprised of others who are also shakers in the art world. "You think I play many roles? Our fun-raiser hosts put me to shame," she jokes. By day, these hosts are museum directors, curators, business leaders, marketing professionals, lawyers, and of course writers. And by night, they work to raise awareness of the Rail and sell tickets for the event. "We may also be getting some of them in the dunk tank!" says Johnson-Milewski.
"Our first year was truly exciting and I'm proud of the fact that with every new issue we always say 'This is our best and biggest issue yet.' That's a goal we continue to aim for as we begin our second year; we're also looking to expand our public programs and institutional partnerships."
The fun-raiser will take place in the home of Johnson-Milewski (986 NE 84th St., Miami) on Sunday, October 6, beginning at 5 until 9 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at miamifoundation.org/givenow or by emailing [email protected]; prices are $75 for one person or $125 for a couple.
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