Thursday, June 23
It's one thing to see an artist's work behind a glass display case, from the other side of the velvet
More than 100 development projects scattered throughout Brickell and downtown are quickly shaping Miami's ever-growing concrete jungle. At Evolution of Brickell & Downtown Miami, mingle and chat with developers, owners, investors, and government officials about topics such as what makes a project stand out, the city's development market, and Miami's real-estate future. The midmorning event will feature talks by various panelists in the industry, as well as a keynote presentation given by Swire Properties' Stephen Owens and moderated by Bilzin Sumberg's Suzanne Amaducci-Adams. Expect bottomless coffee and networking before, during, and after the event. Evolution of Brickell and Downtown Miami takes place Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at 90 SW Eighth St., near Brickell City Centre. Tickets cost $84 per person. Visit bisnow.com/events/miami/Evolution-of-Brickell-Downtown-Miami-496.
It's that time of year again: shorts season. No, we're not talking about cutoffs. (Though if you're still wearing jeans in this weather, we salute your high-functioning sweat glands.) We're talking about Summer Shorts, the festival of short plays that returns to the Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) annually for a run of the weird, the wacky, and the wonderful — and, new this year, the musical. This year's lineup of plays includes two world premieres: Warped," a romantic sci-fi musical; and Evelyn Shaffer and the Chance of a Lifetime, a musical about an indie game designer struggling with her career. City Theatre commissioned I Buried Doug Biggers Alive but He's Probably Dead by Now, the story of a wife driven to the edge by her husband (and his affection for erectile drugs). Local talents Paul Tei and Jessica Farr are among the directors in the lineup. The Summer Shorts Festival runs through Sunday, July 3. Tickets cost $39 to $59. Call 305-949-6722 or visit arshtcenter.org.
Friday, June 24
Following last year's marathon of Hayao Miyazaki films — Miyazaki!: Ghibli's Master of Japanese Animation — Coral Gables Art Cinema will kick off another anime-themed festival this summer. Expanding outside of Miyazaki films, the arthouse theater will show nine anime films over seven days. The event begins this Friday and runs through Thursday, June 30. Anime: Japanese Gems will feature old and new creations shown on film and digitally. This Friday through Sunday, Akira and Tokyo Godfathers will screen on 35mm, and Grave of the Fireflies will show on DCP. Also, there will be two 35mm showings of Whisper of the Heart and one late-night showing of Ninja Scroll Saturday. Closing the festival will be Paprika and Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door June 29 and June 30, respectively. Tickets cost $7 to $11.75 per film. For folks who want to check out every film during the fest, $80 scores a pass allowing admission to all screenings and includes an exclusive commemorative lanyard with limited-edition anime pins. Visit gablescinema.com.
Saturday, June 25
When it comes to nighttime entertainment in Miami, nothing is free. If you're looking to bust that boredom on a budget, you'll probably find yourself settling for an evening of ramen noodles and Netflix marathons. Hey, you'll probably have about as much fun as you would popping overpriced bottles while listening to an overrated DJ at some overrated club. But this Saturday, you can get out of the house for some cheap thrills — or rather, Cheap Trills. Just the Funny improv performers blend elements of variety shows, musicals, and, of course, comedy to create a unique and hilarious live performance. And get this: Tickets cost only $12 online (or $15 at the door), which is a steal compared to the watered-down vodka you'll find for twice the price in South Beach. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 26
There's no birthday like a 21st birthday. That magical number marks a boozy milestone in the life of every American. And when a bar hits 21 years, even better. The Abbey is about to celebrate the big 2-1, and everyone (who's 21 or older, of course) is invited. Set your alarm, because the imbibing begins early at The Abbey's anniversary bash this Sunday. The iconic South Beach bar will open at 8 a.m. and remain open till 5 a.m. the following day. From 10 to 11 a.m., there'll be an open bar, so you can drink your fill of 13 drafts and well liquor. The rest of the time, beers, mixed drinks, and shots will run $6 each. Choices include the Abbey Immaculate IPA, Father Theodore's Imperial Oatmeal Stout, Sister Tina's Triple, Brother Dan's Double, Father Ray's Swartzweizen, MIA Mega Mix, Tucher Hefeweizen, Lost Coast Apricot, and some limited-release beers from other local breweries. There'll also be eats to help you pace yourself. Happy 21st, Abbey. Here's to decades more. The party starts at 8 a.m. at the Abbey (1115 16th St., Miami Beach). Admission is free, but $16 snags you a commemorative stainless-steel drinking vessel and one beer. Call 305-538-8110 or visit abbeybrewingInc.com.
Coral Gables was one of the nation's first planned communities, with land laid out by George Merrick in thoughtfully designed configurations. (We're not sure the late founder would approve of the blink-and-you'll-miss-them street signs on rocks, though.) And that planning didn't stop at the land. The Coral Gables Waterway adds a manmade system of canals that connect inland landmarks such as the Biltmore hotel to the sea — adding 40 picturesque miles of waterfront to the community in the process. Coral Gables Museum (285 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables) hosts monthly Waterway Canoe Tours that let paddlers explore some of the most picturesque parts of those waterways. In partnership with EcoAdventures, Miami-Dade county's tour operator for its parks, a guide and a museum staffer illuminate sights along the way, including local wildlife and historic places and structures. Complemented by an audio tour of the museum's exhibit "Creating the Dream: George E. Merrick and His Vision for Coral Gables," the canoe experience offers a unique perspective on the City Beautiful. The two-hour tour takes place every last Sunday of the month, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tickets cost $40 per person. Call 305-603-8067 or visit coralgablesmuseum.org.
Monday, June 27
It ain't your fault you want to rock. It ain't your fault a jangling guitar mashed by distortion and a sloppy but spirited vocal makes you hop around like a sideways pogo stick. It ain't your fault that a walkin' bass line and an incessant rhythm set your blood on fire, but it is the fault of New Orleans' foursome Mea Culpa. We weren't even sure anyone was making postpunk this good anymore, but one listen to the band's album Guilt Throughout the Years, and any sneering, fun-loving degenerate has no choice but to be hooked. The call is out for punks, rockers, new romantics, and live-music enthusiasts of all kinds to get out the house and onto the dance floor when these fierce and talented lads take over Gramps (176 NW 24th St., Miami) Monday night. Mea Culpa will be joined by Lake Worth's Menudo Death Squad and "Snort Liqourdale" fave Party Flag. Doors open at 9 p.m., and tickets cost $5 at the door. Call 305-699-2669 or visit gramps.com.
Tuesday, June 28
Façades in Wynwood are typically covered in so much color it's difficult to discern what the original foundation looked like. Yet on the corner of NW Fifth Avenue and 26th Street sits a white storefront with only large black block letters indicating what's inside. "Books + Books + Bikes + Lebo," it reads. To the left of the entrance, painted in black between two brackets, the words "Books & Books, No Boundaries, and Lebo" explain the name. The two Coral Gables shops — iconic bookstore Books & Books and sports store No Boundaries — have partnered and brought onboard local artist Lebo for a pop-up in Miami's Fashion District. The store, blending with the surrounding businesses, has largely gone unnoticed. When you walk in, the most striking aspect is how spacious and organized everything is. On your immediate right, pieces of Lebo's work fill the window display and corner wall. Black crates brimming with vinyl records draw your eye. A handsome wooden bookshelf commands an entire wall. Books upon books are piled on tables and shelves and even neatly placed on the floor. Although the store has been open for a handful of weeks, its grand-opening party with a DJ and open-mike reading will take place this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 2602 NW Fifth Ave., Miami. Normal store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Call 305-442-4408 or visit booksandbooks.com.
