Free Events This Week in Miami: Life-Size Chess, Stitch 'n' Bitch, and Give Miami Day Party

Forget Ultra or Art Basel -- the best week of the year is here: Miami Book Fair International! This litany of literary wonders is taking over downtown Miami for the next two weeks, and all kinds of awesome events (many of them free) are lined up. This is your chance...

By Hannah Sentenac

November 17, 2014

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Forget Ultra or Art Basel -- the best week of the year is here: Miami Book Fair International! This litany of literary wonders is taking over downtown Miami for the next two weeks, and all kinds of awesome events (many of them free) are lined up.

This is your chance to spend seven days stimulating your oft-neglected intellect. But don't worry -- even if you're not a book nerd, there's plenty to keep you busy all week while keeping your budget intact. Bibliophile or not, you'll find something in this list of the best of the best.

Monday

Book fair fun at MDC Wolfson: There's a whole lineup of literary events this week, many of them free, from Swamp Shorts! play readings Monday, to the Poem Depot Thursday, to life-size chess Friday. Visit miamibookfair.com for the full schedule of events.

Wednesday

Stitch 'n' Bitch Happy Hour at the Freehand Miami: Crocheting isn't just for old ladies anymore. Learn more about the burgeoning craft with designer Karelle Levy over complimentary Stolen Rum cocktails.
FYXD 305 Night Ride at Omni Metromover: Get your after-dark ride on with several dozen of your closest cycling friends. The pace is quick, so be ready to kill 15 to 20 miles at a brisk clip.

Thursday

Godzilla at Soundscape Park: The 2014 revamp of the big-reptile classic will be shown on a 7,000-square-foot projection wall.
Book & Chain Party at Ball & Chain: This O, Miami-hosted soiree will celebrate Miami Book Fair International's return plus the release of two new titles by Jai Alai Books. Who knows? You could meet a bibliophile babe.
Give Miami Day Community Block Party at Marlins Park: To celebrate the city's 24-hour charitable giving extravaganza, this bash will feature entertainment, music, kids' activities, and exposure to some of the city's best philanthropic causes so you can see where your money goes.

Friday

Free Fridays at the Wolfsonian-FIU: Skip the bar and peruse the museum's whopping 120,000-some-odd objects instead.

Follow Hannah on Twitter @hannahgetshappy.

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