Miami's Best Concert of the Week: A Classy Alternative to Kanye

Lil’ Boosie, Meghan Trainor, and Kanye West are all in Miami this week.

God help us.

Not to be the old man yelling from his lawn, but that’s a grating trio of noise, albeit in different, equally obnoxious tones.

Actually, to be fair, the first two are forgettable “mehs,” soon to fade away into the dusty comfort of discount bins, while the third is a legitimate mad genius who makes very expensive and very ugly shoes. Kanye, however, is also a megalomaniac who President Obama once called a “jackass.” He’d just as soon sell you his latest bowel movement as he would his new record, expecting equal amounts of reverence for allowing us the opportunity to bask in his figurative and literal fecal glory.

So, instead of the obvious choice, let us offer an alternative to that MTV-foisted radio dreck. Over the course of four days this Thursday through Sunday, the Wertheim Performing Arts Center at FIU hosts the (clumsily named) Miami Music Festival from Around the World.

The fourth edition of the fest features five distinct shows from — you guessed it — different corners of the globe. It combines a diverse collection of classical and modern sounds that range from the romantic pieces of German composer Johannes Brahms (played by the Miami Chamber Players) to a full-blown orchestra and choir performing the greatest hits in video game music (accompanied by exclusive video footage). There will also be “a Celebration of Italian Opera and Zarzuela,” featuring 18 “world-class” singers. Both single event and World Package tickets are available to the fest (the latter offers a 25% discount.)

By the way, Afrojack will be spinning at STORY Friday night. If you need to wash off all of the culture listed above, there’s your cleansing champagne and sweat shower.

IV Miami Music Festival from Around the World. Thursday, September 15, through Sunday, September 19, at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center at FIU, 10910 SW 17th St., Miami; 786-581-7746; miamiworldmusicfestival.com. Tickets cost between $15 and $150 via miamiworldmusicfestival.com.