Southern Comforts

Rising from the shadows of Southland Mall, not too far from the southern terminus of Florida’s Turnpike, is the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center. It’s like an oddly angled phoenix bringing performing arts to the dirty, thirsty south. The venue — complete with a 966-seat, state-of-the-art main stage, Black Box theater, and several other indoor and outdoor spaces — has already hosted dance, music, and other performing arts for the past several months. But that was just part of the soft opening. The SMDCAC Grand Opening will take place this weekend with a mixed bill of performances. Things kick off Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but there will also be a bunch of free preshow activities throughout the venue leading up to a multidisciplinary show. The main event will feature local and international artists performing jazz, classical, Latin, Caribbean, and gospel music in addition to dance, theater, and multimedia presentations. Among the acts performing are Jean P. Jam, Lanzallamas Monofónica, the Lee Boys, Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre, Spam Allstars, and Tiempo Libre.
Oct. 1-2, 6:45 p.m., 2011