Free Events This Week in Miami: Totally '80s, Hairspray, and International Picnic Day

Fun fact: International Picnic Day and Ramadan both fall on Thursday, June 18. That is some cruel coincidental shit. Perhaps those diving into the holy month of discipline could celebrate a day early and feast on the beach? The rest of the faithless populous will undoubtedly Yogi Bear their way...

By Shelly Davidov

June 15, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Fun fact: International Picnic Day and Ramadan both fall on Thursday, June 18. That is some cruel coincidental shit. Perhaps those diving into the holy month of discipline could celebrate a day early and feast on the beach? The rest of the faithless populous will undoubtedly Yogi Bear their way around the city. While picnics are one the best free things to do ever — and Miami's parks are some of the best spots to enjoy them in — we've compiled more hand-picked events to cheaply get you through the weekly grind.

Monday

Dr. Robert Lustig at Books & Books: Creator of the widely viewed “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” on YouTube, Lustig presents the companion cookbook to his New York Times bestseller Fat Chance, works that guide shoppers on how to avoid hidden sugars.

Tuesday

'80s Fashion: Beyond Shoulder Pads at Fashion Project: Cristina Favretto, head of Special Collections at the University of Miami Libraries, discusses fashion of the ’80s with a focus on countercultural fashion.
The Muppets Take Manhattan at Cobb Theatres Dolphin 19: Channel childhood with the Cobb Theatres' Summer Kid Shows, free three days a week through August.

Wednesday

Hairspray at Shirley's: Speaking of '80s, if you've only seen 2007's bright Broadway take on John Waters' Hairspray you're seriously missing out. It's got Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, and Divine for cryin' out loud.
Amanda Harris at Books & Books: Harris's book Fruits of Eden takes readers on the journey of famous botanist David Fairchild as he traveled Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe in search of fruits, vegetables, and grains that would transform the American diet.
GroveHouse Artists Exhibit at Deering Estate: Enjoy light refreshments at this opening, highlighting award-winning pieces from the annual Affair on Plein Air, a two-day outdoor juried painting event that was held in January.

Thursday

Jai Alai Books at The Standard Spa: Check out the Miami-centric materials of the independent publisher while you chat with the Jai Alai team, executive editor P. Scott Cunningham and creative director Seth Labenz.

Friday

Big Night in Little Haiti: Grab kreyol grub, check out Haitian artworks, and jam to the old-school kreyol jazz, blues and roots rhythms of Akoustik, making their U.S. debut.
Little Lab at Locust Projects: Bring the kids in to create their own project inspired by the current exhibition: Roberto Gómez: What Happens When Nothing Happens.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.