Thursday
Art and politics are almost inextricable in Cuba, largely because the postrevolution government oscillated between brutally censoring artists and enthusiastically championing the arts. This is why looking at Cuban art can feel like looking into an alternate reality — movements like pop art and surrealism are recognizable enough but altered in a fundamental way. "Dreams, Sarcasm, Cynicism" showcases the work of Cuban artists Teo Beceiro, Octavio Cuellar, Cesar Beltran, and Luis Cabrera to demonstrate the evolution of Cuban art since the '70s. 7 p.m. on Thursday at Art & Design Gallery, 8690 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-762-5896; RSVP at eventbrite.com. Admission is free.
Brickell is becoming the young, hip, and sophisticated city center that every Miamian envious of New Yorkers wants it to be. Much of this is due to the burgeoning nightlife that has spread like wildfire thanks to new restaurants and cocktail bars. Brickell Restaurant Week seeks to further this growth through sponsored prix-fixe menus from almost a dozen downtown and Brickell eateries. The week kicks off with Savor, a swanky party with small bites and drinks that showcases local chefs and benefits the SLAM! Foundation. Head to Whisper Lounge (485 Brickell Ave, Miami.) Thursday at 6 p.m. to check it all out. Through May 21 at various locations; brickellrestaurantweek.com. Prix-fixe menu prices vary, and Savor tickets cost $75 to $125.
Friday
Miami has a unique perspective on climate compared to the rest of the U.S. We're tropical, we're international, we're probably going to end up underwater in 20 years. But instead of battling climate change deniers or curling into an anxiety-fueled fetal position, you can process your fears and feelings through art. Climakaze Miami is FUNdarte's approach to engaging in environmental activism with climate arts activities. Friday kicks off with a performance by Australian artist Moira Finucane, and local tropical-folk singer Inez Barlatier performs on Saturday night. 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W Flagler St, Miami; 305-547-5414; climakaze.org. Tickets cost $25 to $40.
Every cell in your body regenerates every seven years, making you a new human being. But Comedy Inn is basically the same after seven years – which, in this case, is a good thing for one of Miami's only comedy clubs, and the city's only comedy hotel. Yeah, there's a comedy venue with a premium bar inside a Quality Inn on U.S. 1 in Palmetto Bay. For its seventh-anniversary Cinco de Mike-o Show, expect hilarious sets from Aaron Berg and DC Benny, hosted by David Stebbins. If you have a little too much fun, rooms at the hotel will be 50 percent off for Comedy Inn patrons. 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Comedy Inn, 14501 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami; 786-683-7999; comedyinn.com. Tickets cost $29 to $39.
If cultural appropriation is more palatable to you when it's free, then Cinco de Wynwood is your spot for get-drunk-because-Mexicans day. The event is sponsored by Avion Tequila and will feature a mechanical bull, a 30-foot piñata drop, food trucks, and art and craft vendors (remember, you're in Wynwood). A $17 ticket gets you a drink and some party favors, or you can be one of the 500 people to RSVP first, and you'll even get a free drink with your free party celebrating Mexico's victory in the Battle of Puebla. 5 p.m. on Friday at Mana Wynwood, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami; cincodewynwood.com. Admission is free.
There's nothing quite like using another country's history to fuel your shamelessly nihilistic party culture. That being said, Cinco de Mayo Brickell should be fun af, with tequila shots, margaritas, Mexican beer, more margaritas, piñatas, mariachis, big margaritas, and enough sombreros for every drunk girl to wear in her selfies. If you don't have an index-finger-mustache-tattoo, some physical ones will be provided. Before you slip into a tequila-fueled, raging blackout, salute Commander General Ignacio Zaragoza, why don't you. 5 p.m. on Friday at Mary Brickell Village, 900 S. Miami Ave., Miami; cincodemayobrickell.com. Tickets cost $10 to $20.
Rolling Loud just can't stay put. Bayfront Park is its third venue in three years, with each venue getting progressively larger and more crowded. How they'll get any more space in downtown Miami, or how they'll top this year's headlining roster of Kendrick Lamar, Future, Lil Wayne, and A$AP Rocky, is anybody's guess. What we do know: It's gonna get rowdy within a six-block radius of Bayside during this three-day festival of hip-hop glory. 4 p.m. on Friday, noon on Saturday and Sunday at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; rollingloud.com. Tickets cost $350.
Click next for more things to do in Miami this week...
Saturday
What do nine military planes screeching through the air in coordinated patterns sound like? Freedom, of course. If you didn't know that, you clearly haven't heard of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show. Over the weekend, planes from the Canadian Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy will soar over the beach in a spectacular display of the aircraft's capabilities and various pilots' skills. Aside from the performance, food and beer will be for sale, so just bring a beach chair and some shades to enjoy the show. 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Fort Lauderdale Beach from Sunrise Boulevard to 14th Street; 877-377-8499; fortlauderdaleairshow.com. Beach admission is free; tickets for VIP and drop zone cost $29.50 – $250.
Maybe you picture comic book fans as basement-dwelling teenagers who shun the light of day, but you're about to be proven wrong. Free Comic Book Day draws out the artists, fans, and casual browsers of comics into the light with outdoor sales and events. Local peddlers like Mac's Comics, A&M Comics, and Korka Comics will distribute this year's batch of freebies with additional sales. Hialeah's Tattoos & Comics is adding Creature Entertainment and local illustrator Kenny Calderon to its roster. If you're sick of saving your Iron Man costume for Comic Con, don it Saturday for the festivities. Various times on Saturday at various locations; freecomicbookday.com. Admission is free.
You're definitely reading this from your computer or our free circulation and thinking, "Gee, New Times writers are so smart and interesting. I bet their editors are really great, too. I wish I could go somewhere to meet them and simultaneously support this publication that I use to keep up on all the awesome stuff happening in Miami." Aren't you sweet? And you're in luck, because this Saturday you'll find us at New Times' Brew at the Zoo, drinking more than 100 varieties of craft beers, noshing on delicious local delicacies, and wildin' out to Arrested Development. You're welcome. 7 p.m. on Saturday at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami; 305-251-0400; newtimesbrewatthezoo.com. Tickets cost $40 to $90.
If the Ascot scene in My Fair Lady is any indication, horse races are an excuse to drink champagne out of crystal glasses and wear very avant-garde hats. To fulfill your dreams of such bougie opulence, snag a ticket to the Kentucky Derby Watch Party happening at the Turnberry Isle Resort. Sip a mint julep, daintily lift canapés with your white-gloved fingers, and deeply repress the low-class urge to dance to the Bad Apples Brass Band while scoping the competition for best ladies' hat and most dapper gentleman. Get there before 5:15 p.m. for the World's Largest Champagne Toast. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Bourbon Steak at Turnberry Isle Miami, 19999 W. Country Club Dr, Aventura; 305-932-6200; turnberryislemiami.com. Tickets cost $14.30.
We human residents of this floating rock in the cosmos need to honor the planet that sustains us with creative solutions for her survival, and also some laughter. Jeremy Pickard of the New York-based arts and environmental collective Superhero Clubhouse and Siren Arts are putting together an environmental theater experience. Eco-Theater Lab will offer guests the opportunity to discuss the threats of climate change and imagine a better outcome for the planet for some levity and hope. The labs are five hours long, and each includes a local expert on the subject. They're also hosted by comedic artists to keep the atmosphere, if you will, light. 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-547-5414; miamidadecountyauditorium.org. Admission is free.
The new parent experience is a whirlwind of soft poops and exhaustion-induced hallucinations. If ever there were a time to learn to ask for help, it's when you have an infant living in your house. The organizers of Miami's Ultimate Baby Affair know how that goes. The all-day event aims to help in every way possible, with a host of classes, speakers, and other activities designed to offer support. These include the requisite CPR classes, talking with pediatricians and sleep consultants, raffles, and a fashion show. Miami isn't always the easiest city for a new parent to navigate, so this might just be the lifeline you need. 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Miami Airport Convention Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami; mubashow.com. Tickets cost $15 to $150.
Though the Passenger Festival begins at noon, the music doesn't get blasting until 8 p.m. This means that, along with your desire to hear punk legend Marky Ramone and Miami acts Jacuzzi Boys and Milk Spot live, you have to bring all of your stamina and perhaps your Popeye muscles. The muscles will be for carrying your haul from vendors slinging vintage rock apparel, vinyl, and books. The stamina is for pacing yourself at the beer garden. Sure, you wanna be sedated, but not that sedated. Noon on Saturday at Mana Garage, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-573-0371; manawynwood.com. Admission costs $30-$60.
Sunday
Celebrate sweet springtime on Biscayne Bay with your pooch at the Barnacle. The historic state park is inviting pet owners to mingle with their furry companions at Woofstock. The daytime event includes pet tricks, a K-9 demo, adoption, animal blessing, and a pet-owner lookalike contest, so make sure your poodle coif game is strong on Sunday. 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove; 305-442-6866; floridastateparks.org/park-events/the-barnacle. Admission is $2 with park admission, kids under 6 are free.
No city can have too many alternative, creative venues. So you of odd and discerning tastes can thank the art gods that Little Haiti's Space Mountain reopened. This Sunday, catch a slew of nod-worthy acts there, including headliners Divide and Dissolve, an Australian doom duo bringing with them a wall of amps and a good anti-sexist/anti-racist vibe. Among others playing are Jellyfish Brothers' Gregorio Alvarez performing electroclash as Nakatomi Plaza, Holly Hunt's Gavin Perry as Academic, Miami supergroup Prison Warder, and Rover Hook. 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at Space Mountain Miami, 738 NW 62nd St., Miami; spacemountainmia.org. Admission costs $5 donation.
Let Atreyu and Falcor rejoin your life by catching an Actors' Playhouse screening of The NeverEnding Story. The 1984 fantasy shows that some of the best adventures can be had by lonely, bullied kids. A fantastic, frightening, and dreamy world of emotion is opened up by young Bastian after he hides out from mean kids and opens a book. If you're not nostalgic for this cult classic, then introduce a young friend to the monsters and heroes created by Wolfgang Petersen. 3 p.m. on Sunday at Actors' Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305-444-9293; actorsplayhouse.org. Admission costs $7.
Monday
If you can make your way through the seriously science-hungry crowd at the long-awaited Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science grand opening, then head out bright and early this Monday morning for the Museum Park opening. Yes, we will miss the giant sloth sculpture hovering over the museum's former Grove location, but now visitors will have Biscayne Bay to marvel at when leaving the honeycomb-looking structure that houses a three-level aquarium. And if the world-class facility isn't enough to lure you, perhaps special exhibits, like a 30-foot tall replica of a yutyrannus (a feathered dinosaur) will do the trick. 11 a.m. on Monday at Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-646-4200; frostscience.org/grand-opening.
Have you visited Wynwood bar Gramps lately? It's a full-on entertainment mecca. The additions of a pizza kitchen and a formal movie theater have only enhanced its classic Miami beach-bum vibe. The venue is best known for its craft cocktails and for hosting hip bands and DJs. For instance, it's about to sell out tickets for British rockers Temples.The foursome, which looks like it grew out of the '70s Joshua Tree soil with fringe jackets and 'fros, will be performing songs off its second studio album, Volcano, released just this March. 8 p.m. on Monday at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami; 305-699-2669; gramps.com; Admission costs $15. 21+.
Tuesday
No musical-loving theatergoer should ever ignore a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein coming to town. This month, from May 9-14, the Arsht Center is blasting the audience back to Bangkok in the 1860s by presenting the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center revival of The King and I. If you are a newbie to this story about a British schoolteacher hired by the King of Siam, then you'll have this opportunity for "getting to know" more about it with this classic. 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-949-6722; arshtcenter.org. Admission costs $29-$125.
Wednesday
Words and Wine have been mixing the earthy arts with alcoholic beverages for quite some time. Having moved to Wynwood Yard, they're changing up their format a bit, but will still offer bands, open mic, live acts, and a jam session. This month will feature the soulful sounds of WOMANMAY and house music spun by Ephniko. If you're a fan of the expressive arts, are a talented juggler, or appreciate a good old fashioned drum circle with drink specials, Words and Wine is keeping Miami grounded in the good feels of creativity just for you. 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29th St., Wynwood; 305-351-0366; wynwoodyard.com. Admission is free.
