A Basketball Story

The Culture Edit, October 28th - November 10th

Author

Susan Bannon
October 27, 2024

Gablestage kicks off its packed 2024-25 season this Friday with King James, a critically acclaimed comedy by Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph about two very different Clevelanders brought together by their adoration of Lebron James. I assume there are some scenes of operatic tragedy when Lebron leaves Cleveland to go play somewhere else, and then wins two championships for that other team (whoever they may be). Playing one of these superfans is Gregg Weiner, who just popped up in AppleTV’s Bad Monkey, which you should absolutely watch if you haven’t already, if only for all the South Florida theater actors in character roles.

Last week, the Miami Book Fair released their full program guide for the 41st edition, running November 17th through 24th, and it’s absolutely packed with over 400 author talks and events. Headliners include Erik Larson, Don Lemon, Alice McDermott, Amy Tan, and Connie Chung (being interviewed by husband Maury Povich). I’m particularly interested in a talk on technology and art with engineer/choreographer Huang Yi and catching a performance by The Rock Bottom Remainders, a band whose members happen to include Stephen King and Dave Barry. I mean, come on, where else can you see this stuff?

Finally, we have another fabulous food festival coming up on Sunday, this time focused solely on pizza. After a five year hiatus, Chef Jeremiah Bullfrog is bringing back the hugely popular PIG festival, which used to stand for “Pork is Good” but now has morphed into “Pizza is Good”, following his current obsession with pizza (his latest restaurant, Square Pie City, dishes up Detroit-style slices). Joining Chef Bullfrog will be a Who’s Who of Miami star chefs, from restaurants that may or may not actually serve pizza: chefs from Ghee, Tâm Tâm, Walrus Rodeo, ViceVersa, Drinking Pig, and lots more. As if that weren’t enough, they’ll have beer pairings from Offsite Nano Brewery and wine pairings by Magie Wine Bar.

Let’s get planning...

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Ongoing Theater

The Pillowman

To open the Arsht Center’s Theater Up Close series, Zoetic Stage presents The Pillowman, a truly scary play by Martin McDonagh, the award-winning writer-director of The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges. The plot centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state, who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories - stories that just happen to echo a series of actual child murders in his town. This Olivier- and Tony-award winning play is NOT for children and designated 18+.

Performances thru November 10th, Carnival Studio Theater at the Arsht, $56-$61

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Wednesday, October 30th

Miami Film Festival GEMS: Blitz

Starting Wednesday, the Miami Film Festival presents GEMS, a five-day mini-fest of films that are expected to make waves in the upcoming awards season, weeks or months before we would typically get a chance to see them. This year’s lineup includes Oscar contenders in the main categories and multiple international submissions, plus talks, parties, and some retrospective screenings. You can check out the entire program here. Top of my list is this opening night screening of Blitz, a film by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) about a mother trying to find her lost son in wartime England, starring Oscar-winner Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, Little Women) and newcomer Elliott Heffernan.

7:30pm, Silverspot Cinema, $16

Neighborhood: Downtown

Also on October 30th: a celebration of five years of Miami Sound Space, our community choir collective, with dance, vocal, and poetry performances at Vizcaya.

Thursday, October 31st

The Odesa Ballet: Don Quixote

Yes, this is Halloween night, and I understand the likelihood that you’re going to leave your house for anything not Halloween-related is slim. However, if you find yourself wanting to swim against the candy corn tide, you can take in a classic story ballet, Don Quixote, performed by the ballet company of the Odesa National Academic Opera & Ballet Theatre, on tour in the U.S. from war torn Ukraine. If you can’t make it, the company is performing Giselle at the Fillmore the following night.

8pm, The Fillmore Miami Beach, $59-$95

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Paya, Casa Tua, Blue Ribbon Sushi | Drinks: Water Lion at the Sagamore, Greystone Bar

Friday, November 1st

Sarah Vaughan: A Sassy Centennial

As part of its Jazz Roots series, the Arsht Center welcomes four talented jazz singers, including Grammy-winner Patti Austin, and the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Orchestra, to pay tribute to Sarah Vaughan, one of the greatest jazz singers of her era. Fans of “The Divine Sarah”, including those onstage, will celebrate her legacy and her greatest hits. You can check out her velvet voice on this supremely seductive version of “Whatever Lola Wants,” recorded in 1955.

8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Arsht Center, $40-$130

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Also on November 1st:

Saturday, November 2nd

King James

Gablestage’s season opener is a basketball story, or at least a story about how basketball can help two Lebron superfans from Cleveland navigate their tumultuous relationship. A clever, fast-paced comedy by Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph, King James is told over twelve years, from James’ rookie season for the Cavaliers through the championship. Performances through November 24th.

7:30pm, Gablestage at the Biltmore, $40-$60

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Also on November 2nd: Spanish dancer and choreographer Sonia Franco performs her original flamenco work, SER.RANA, at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.

Sunday, November 3rd

MISO Season Opener

Recently designated the Official Symphony Orchestra of the City of Miami by Mayor Suarez, the Miami Symphony Orchestra (aka MISO) opens its 2024-2025 season with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 and Ravel’s Bolero, under the direction of conductor Eduardo Marturet. Pianist Andreas Boyde joins to perform Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major.

6pm, Knight Concert Hall at the Arsht Center, $40-$140

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Also on November 3rd: 

  • A second chance to see SER.RANA by Spanish dancer and choreographer Sonia Franco at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.

  • A free performance of Afro-Blue, a dance work honoring Black musicians of the 20th century, by Zest Collective at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

Happening NEXT Week:

Because maybe your friends are busy this week. Or you're busy this week. Or this week just seems too soon to pull your act together and make a plan.

Thursday, November 7th

Seraphic Fire: Contemporary Jewish Voices

For the second installment of its season-long “Music 101” series, Seraphic Fire presents a program of contemporary a cappella works by Jewish composers. Headlining the program is Shirim L’yom Tov, a set of celebratory songs by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Shulamit Ran. You can take a listen to songs on the program here.

7:30pm, Bet Shira, $45-$65

Neighborhood: Pinecrest

Nearby Eats: Platea, Anacapri, Ghee Indian Kitchen | Drinks: drive a little north to Fox’s Lounge or Ivy Rooftop at the Thesis Hotel

Friday, November 8th

Miami Short Film Festival: Opening Night

The 23rd edition of the Miami Short Film Festival brings us three days of short films from all over the world, curated by MSFF’s team of filmmakers and screenwriters. The opening night screening, Silk Road Stories, is a selection of films under 20 minutes from China and Iran, highlighting the storytelling traditions of these two ancient civilizations. Other screenings include selections of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean shorts. Screenings are hosted by O Cinema South Beach, Silverspot Cinema, and the Deering Estate.

Opening Night Screening 8pm, O Cinema, $40 (or $125 for a 3-Day Pass)

Neighborhood: South Beach

Nearby Eats: Macchialina, Orilla, Tropezón | Drinks: Swizzle Rum Bar, Bamboo Room by Trader Vic’s

Saturday, November 9th

Veterans Day Concert: A WWII Journey

Bestselling author and historian James Holland joins New World Symphony to host a special concert honoring veterans, part of their season-long series Resonance of Remembrance, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the Holocaust. A pre-concert chat with Holland and WWII veteran Richard Jessor, who spent 28 days on Iwo Jima in 1945, is open to all ticket holders. The concert program includes Strauss’ poignant Four Last Songs, with soprano Emily McGee making her NWS debut, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and Shostakovich’s “Leningrad” Symphony No. 7.

7:30pm, New World Center, $40-$150

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Mister O1, Barceloneta, Sweet Liberty | Drinks: Water Lion at the Sagamore, Brother’s Keeper

Also on November 9th:

Sunday, November 10th

Fall for Dance NOW!

Dance NOW! Miami has been pushing forward modern and contemporary dance in our city since its founding in 2000. This year, the company celebrates its 25th season with a slate of international collaborations and world premieres. Their season opener, Fall for Dance NOW!, will present excerpts from new works in development, including Clara, a reimagining of the Nutcracker.

7pm, Miami Beach Bandshell, $23 ($12 for Miami Beach residents)

Neighborhood: North Beach

Also on November 10:

  • A second chance to see New World Symphony’s commemorative Veterans Day Concert, including a pre-show chat with WWII veteran Richard Jessor.

  • The final day of the Miami Short Film Festival, with screenings at Silverspot Cinema and the Deering Estate.

  • City Theatre and Books & Books present City Reads: Power Plays, professional readings of four short plays on the theme of power struggles.

Planning Ahead:

Miami's most anticipated events sell out and those new restaurants you want to try book up. For the ultimate plan-ahead guide, you have my complete Highlights of the Fall Season, but if that’s too much trouble, you can just plan for these two…

Saturday, November 16th

Dimensions Dance Theatre Fall Performance

Founded by former MCB principals Jennifer Kronenberg and Carlos Guerra in 2016, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami has been shaking up classical dance in South Florida ever since with their contemporary ballet repertoire. My only complaint about this exciting young troupe is that we have so few opportunities to see them. So you don’t want to miss their fall performance if you can help it.

8pm, The Moss Center, $25-$45

Neighborhood: Cutler Bay

Nearby Eats: Not much! Grab dinner at Platea or Golden Rule Seafood on your way down there and have some rooftop cocktails at Ivy Rooftop or martinis at Fox’s on your way back.

Saturday, December 21st

Sounds of the Season

My absolute favorite Miami holiday tradition! The New World Symphony is so good, I often forget they are technically students (albeit post-grad students and some of the most talented musicians anywhere). Their youthful energy and playfulness are on full display for this annual holiday concert of Christmas and Hanukkah favorites, where everyone is just having a ton of fun. Tickets sell out fast for this one, so book early. But if you miss out, you can enjoy a free WALLCAST of the concert in adjacent Soundscape Park.

7:30pm, New World Center, $45-$100 or free outdoor WALLCAST

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Casa Tua, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Barceloneta | Drinks: Brother’s Keeper, Water Lion at the Sagamore

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