A Little Something for Everyone

The Complete List: April 1st-7th

Author

Susan Bannon
March 21, 2024

The breadth of Miami’s cultural offerings is on full display this week, with three fantastic local theater productions, two best-selling authors, a ground-breaking visiting ballet company, four concerts spanning jazz to classical, a couple of very interesting art happenings, and the 41st annual Miami Film Festival. Oh, and if it’s opera you love, Florida Grand Opera is putting on a little something called La Bohème.

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Theater This Week:

Dangerous Days - Opening Thursday!

Miami New Drama presents Dangerous Days, a new play by Nicholas Griffin, based on his acclaimed nonfiction book, The Year of Dangerous Days: Riots, Refugees, and Cocaine in Miami 1980. The story tracks the investigative work of Miami Herald reporter Edna Buchanan, who follows a tip in 1980 that leads her on a trail ending in murder, riots, and the city on fire.

Performances April 4th-28th, the Colony Theater, $46-$76

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Zoetic Stage: Cabaret - Final Performances

The Kit Kat Club, that notorious jazz age den of iniquity, is open for business again, as Zoetic Stage brings Cabaret to the Carnival Studio Theater at the Arsht Center. Zoetic has turned this space into a soccer pitch and the inside of a young man's mind for past performances, so the club setting is sure to be an immersive good time, especially if you opt for the VIP table seating.

Performances through April 7th, Adrienne Arsht Center, $65-$85

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

The Lehman Trilogy

GableStage presents The Lehman Trilogy, an epic piece of storytelling that tracks three members of the Lehman family through 163 years of history, right up to the devastating collapse of their family firm, Lehman Brothers. Beginning in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1844, a Bavarian immigrant dreams of a better life. In 2008, his descendants unleash an unprecedented financial disaster. The story in between is both an intimate family saga and a colossal exposé of unquenchable capitalism.

Performances through April 21st, GableStage, $45

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Tuesday, April 2nd

Fountainhead Yearbook Launch at La Cometa Gallery

The Fountainhead Residency and La Cometa Gallery invite you to celebrate the launch of Fountainhead’s The Yearbook: 2023 over cocktails and conversation. Founded in 2008, Fountainhead has since offered month-long residencies and support to over 500 visiting national and international artists. The Yearbook: 2023 documents the work, ideas and approaches to artmaking undertaken by the 2023 resident artists, and is a piece of art unto itself. A panel of artists featured in the yearbook and two contributing artists that helped create it will be speaking. La Cometa Gallery will still have its Some Economies | Wandering Horizons exhibit on view, in which artist Alejandro Sánchez explores the weight of the global economy through images and sculptures of container ships.

6pm, La Cometa Gallery, Free (The Yearbook is $95)

Neighborhood: Allapattah

Wednesday, April 3rd

Live on the Plaza: Braidsman

As part of its Live on the Plaza series, the Adrienne Arsht Center welcomes Basilio Marquez Jr., aka Braidsman, for a live concert under the stars. Marquez was born into a family of prestigious musicians in Las Tunas, Cuba - his father played trumpet in Chucho Valdés’ pioneering Latin jazz band Irakere. For this concert, he’ll be singing his original songs and playing trumpet in a variety of Cuban rhythms, including salsa and cha-cha. Note: tickets can be purchased for up to four guests, and purchases of less than four may be seated at tables with others (which sounds like a perk to me).

7:30pm, Thompson Plaza at the Arsht Center, $20

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Jazz Series at Faena: Accent Jazz

Faena Theater presents Accent Jazz as part of their 6th annual Jazz at Faena series. Hailing from all over the globe, Accent’s improbable meeting of six self-described “jazz vocal nerds” could only have happened in the age of social media. After becoming long distance fans of each other’s YouTube videos, the group collaborated online, eventually coming together to release five albums and perform a cappella all over the world.

8pm, Faena Theater, $65-$200

Neighborhood: Mid Beach

Nearby Eats: Los Fuegos at Faena, also 27 Restaurant and Cecconi's  | Drinks: Choose from three great bars at the Faena - Tree of Life, Living Room, and The Saxony Bar, or head to WunderBar for a change of scenery.

New Music Miami ISCM Festival 2024

Expand your listening horizons by catching leading contemporary classical musicians at The Wolfsonian in the next installment of the New Music Miami ISCM Festival, featuring Grammy-nominated pianist, composer, and improvisor Vicki Ray. Described as “phenomenal and fearless”, Ray is a leading interpreter of contemporary piano music. Known for thoughtful and innovative programming which seeks to redefine the piano recital in the 21st century, her concerts often include electronics, video, recitation and improvisation.

7pm Pre-Concert Talk, 7:30-9pm Concert, The Wolfsonian-FIU, Free

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Thursday, April 4th

An Evening with Bianca Bosker

Books & Books presents an evening with award-winning journalist and bestselling author Bianca Bosker, discussing her book Get the Picture, a fascinating, hilarious, and revelatory journey into the world of art and artists. Bosker’s previous book, Cork Dork, was a similarly deep dive into the world of winemakers and sommeliers and was an instant bestseller. Rsvp required.

7pm, Books & Books Coral Gables, Free

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

MISO Chamber Series - Season Finale

The Miami Symphony Orchestra invites you to their last chamber concert of the year, celebrating orchestral music from your favorite animated movie soundtracks, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, and Coco. Performances of the Chamber Series are in MISO’s intimate headquarters in the Design District.

7-9pm, 3900 North Miami Avenue, $15

Neighborhood: Design District

Friday, April 5th

Angela Lyn: Passage - in the wake of the world

The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami presents Passage - in the wake of the world, an ongoing collaboration between Lugano-based artist Angela Lyn, London-based musician Jesse Bannister, and our own Durante Verzola, resident choreographer at Miami City Ballet. It’s a performance piece that unfolds from a large wooden crate, with twenty made-to-measure paintings by Lyn that were inspired by the cedar trees of Lake Lugano she can see from her studio. The two dancers inside interact with the paintings in a state of amnesia, connecting with lives they’ve lost, set to Bannister’s fusion of classical Indian music with jazz.

7pm, Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, $15

Neighborhood: Design District

An Evening with Bestselling Author Amor Towles

Books & Books and The Hub at Temple Beth Am present an evening with mega-bestselling author Amor Towles, whose novels A Gentleman in Moscow, Rules of Civility, and The Lincoln Highway have delighted millions of readers and been translated into over 30 languages. Amor will be discussing his new book, Table for Two, a collection of short stories set in New York City and one noirish novella set in Hollywood's golden age. Our own Mitchell Kaplan, who founded Books & Books in 1982 and co-founded the Miami Book Fair, will be in conversation with the author. Tickets include one copy of Table for Two.

8pm, The Hub at Temple Beth Am, $36

Neighborhood: Pinecrest, Coral Gables

41st Annual Miami Film Festival - Opening Night

Our own little slice of Sundance, the Miami Film Festival has been showcasing the work of the world’s best emerging and established filmmakers since 1984. As usual, this year's festival will bring directors and actors to town to present their work and award cash prizes for competition categories. Opening night screenings include Fallen Fruit, a Miami story by Chris Molina, one of the cinematic artists in residence at Oolite Arts. Chris will be on hand to present the film and have a Q&A after at Coral Gables Art Cinema.

Fallen Fruit screening at 7:30pm, Director Q&A to follow, Coral Gables Art Cinema

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Saturday, April 6th

Florida Grand Opera: La Bohème Opening Night

In the spirit of "give the people what they want", Florida Grand Opera caps off its 2023-2024 season with the beloved La Bohème. The story of six young lovers and starving artists living the bohemian life in 19th century Paris has captivated audiences since its premiere 130 years ago. Giacomo Puccini's ravishing score delivers many of opera's greatest hits (even if you've never heard of "Quando m'en vo", I guarantee you can hum the entire thing), and the talented young cast for this production promises to give some great performances. FYI: people get really dressed up for the opening night performance, so plan accordingly.

7pm, Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center, $26-$234

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Nearby Eats (where you can wear your ballgown): Klaw, Casadonna | Drinks: those two, plus The Roystone and Jaguar Sun

BalletX at the Moss Center

BalletX, Philadelphia's hub for exciting new contemporary ballet, has premiered over one hundred new works by 70+ choreographers since its founding in 2005. The company stays true to its roots in classical ballet while pushing boundaries with its innovative repertoire and The New York Times hails its dancers as “among America’s best”. Their featured work for the season is Justin Peck’s Become a Mountain, but the program at the Moss Center also includes work by Jamar Roberts, Jennifer Archibald, and Tiler Peck.

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 Mamey on 3rd or La Terrazza on your way back.

Angela Lyn: Passage - in the wake of the world

The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami presents Passage - in the wake of the world, an ongoing collaboration between Lugano-based artist Angela Lyn, London-based musician Jesse Bannister, and our own Durante Verzola, resident choreographer at Miami City Ballet. It’s a performance piece that unfolds from a large wooden crate, with twenty made-to-measure paintings by Lyn that were inspired by the cedar trees of Lake Lugano she can see from her studio. The two dancers inside interact with the paintings in a state of amnesia, connecting with lives they’ve lost, set to Bannister’s fusion of classical Indian music with jazz.

2pm, Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, $15

Neighborhood: Design District

An Evening with Michael Ondaatje

Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair present an evening with Michael Ondaatje, author of seven novels, including The English Patient, presenting his new book of poetry, A Year of Last Things. One of the most influential writers of his generation, Ondaatje will be reading selections from his new work in the intimate space at Books & Books Coral Gables. Our own Mitchell Kaplan, who founded Books & Books in 1982 and co-founded the Miami Book Fair, will be in conversation with the author. Tickets include a signed copy of A Year of Last Things.

7pm, Books & Books Coral Gables, $28

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Food Event of the Week: Dinner in Paradise with EntreNos

Entrenos, a pop-up operating out of Tinta y Café in Miami Shores, has deservedly gotten a ton of press and Michelin recognition for its innovative farm-to-table cuisine. Now they’re taking it right to the source with a special dinner at Paradise Farms in Homestead. Chefs Evan Burgess and Osmel Gonzalez have put together a four-course dinner with ingredients handpicked from the soil at Paradise Farms and complemented by locally-sourced seafood and wine pairings. A pre-dinner tour of the farm gives you a look at the regenerative and organic farming practices at Paradise.

4-7pm, Paradise Farms in Homestead, $345

Sunday, April 7th

Florida Grand Opera: La Bohème

In the spirit of "give the people what they want", Florida Grand Opera caps off its 2023-2024 season with the beloved La Bohème. The story of six young lovers and starving artists living the bohemian life in 19th century Paris has captivated audiences since its premiere 130 years ago. Giacomo Puccini's ravishing score delivers many of opera's greatest hits (even if you've never heard of "Quando m'en vo", I guarantee you can hum the entire thing), and the talented young cast for this production promises to give some great performances.

2pm, Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center, $26-$234

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Nearby Eats: Brunch at Bunbury, Klaw, Casadonna | Drinks: Jaguar Sun, Biscayne Bay Brewing

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