Michael Tilson Thomas Returns to New World

The Complete List: Week of March 4th-10th

Author

Susan Bannon
February 27, 2024

Some weeks are slow. Or it's easy to identify the "must see" event. Then there are weeks like this one, with Miami City Ballet's Spring Mix (with some really exciting new works) up against Michael Tilson Thomas returning to conduct New World Symphony. To make matters more difficult, the internationally renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company is performing at the Moss Center and one of my favorite authors is speaking at Books & Books. Times like these, I remind myself that too many choices is better than none and I'm lucky to live in this town!

Let's get planning...

If you haven't already, subscribe to get this list in your inbox every Sunday.

Continuing this week:

The Museum Plays - Final Performances!

Miami New Drama, in collaboration with The Rubell Museum, presents an evening of new short plays inspired by artworks at The Rubell and performed in the museum. Tickets for this innovative art and theater mash-up are selling out fast, so if you want to go, get your tickets asap.

Performances through March 10th, Rubell Museum, $46-$82

Neighborhood: Allapattah

Nearby Eats: Leku, Hometown BBQ, Pastis (Wynwood) | Drinks: Dante's Hifi, Higher Ground (both Wynwood)

Tuesday, March 5th

An Evening with Randi Braun

Coconut Grove is stacked with great food and bars, but severely lacking in cultural venues (r.i.p. Playhouse). So I'm always happy to see an event at Books & Books Coconut Grove. This evening, you can hear Wall Street Journal best-selling author Randi Braun discuss her latest book, Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work. The book promises practical advice for working women looking to stop apologizing and "channel their inner bad-ass".

6:30pm, Books & Books Coconut Grove, Free

Neighborhood: Coconut Grove

Nearby Eats: Eva, Krüs Kitchen, QP Tapas at Mayfair, Bartaco (save a spot in line and have a drink upstairs while you wait) | Drinks: Sipsip, Level 6, Bodega (speakeasy, door at the back behind the counter)

Wednesday, March 6th

Artist Talk: Germaine Barnes & Friends

MDC's Museum of Art and Design and Artists in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE) present a special evening featuring artist and architect Germane Barnes. Joining Barnes will be interdisciplinary artist and designer Cornelius Tulloch, and consulting curator Isabela Villanueva. The event's location adds an extra-special touch to the evening, taking place inside MOAD's pavilion Ukhamba, designed by Barnes, as he reflects upon what inspired it, the artistic process of its creation, and its place in the environment.

6-8pm, MDC North Campus, $10

Neighborhood: West Little River

Nearby(ish) Eats: Rosie's, Ogawa Miami, Entrenos | Drinks: ZeyZey

An Evening with Xochitl Gonzalez and Ana Navarro

Books & Books Coral Gables is excited to present an in-person evening with New York Times Bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez, to discuss her new book Anita de Monte Laughs Last, in conversation with native daughter, political commentator, and co-host of The View Ana Navarro. Rsvp required.

7pm, Books & Books Coral Gables, Free

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

New Music Miami ISCM Festival 2024

Expand your listening horizons by catching leading contemporary classical musicians at The Wolfsonian in this next installment of the New Music Miami ISCM Festival, featuring Orlando Jacinto Garcia's Those at Peace Shall See Their Wake, a 40 minute site specific, spatial work where strings and electronics intertwine to create a mesmerizing soundscape for audiences. The audience will find themselves seated on the 6th floor while the performers inhabit the 7th floor space. It's a transformative encounter that blurs the lines between audience and artist, sound and space.

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

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Thursday, March 7th

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Known for its intensely energetic performances, The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra has thrived under the leadership of young and dynamic, Israeli-born chief conductor Lahav Shani. The orchestra’s Arsht Center debut concert begins with the mysterious, luminous soundscapes of Arvo Pärt’s Swansong, and also features the Grammy-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov making his Miami debut playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, Jeunehomme.

8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Adrienne Arsht Center, $50-$170

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Friday, March 8th

Miami City Ballet: Spring Mix

Miami City Ballet's Spring Mix brings us George Balanchine’s Agon, a tour de force set to a groundbreaking Stravinsky score that features twelve dancers creating mesmerizing movement as they come together in pairs, trios, and quartets. Also on the program is the World Premiere of Delight, a highly-anticipated contemporary work set to Bach by Brazilian choreographer Ricardo Amarante, and Following the Subtle Current Upstream, a piece about "how to return to joy" by Alonzo King.

7:30pm, Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center, $45-$255

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Live at Knight: Mavis Staples

A true icon of soul music, Mavis Staples has captivated audiences for over six decades with her powerful and soul-stirring voice. As a member of the renowned Staple Singers, she played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of gospel, soul, and R&B. Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” she is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate.

8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Adrienne Arsht Center, $35-$125

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Artist Talk with Hander Lara

Pan American Art Projects welcomes artist Hander Lara to discuss his solo show, Nothing is Abstract Anymore, at their Design District gallery space. Hander will discuss his process, techniques, and vision for a series that dives deep into art history and questions of abstraction, and the still cutting edge innovation of the Bauhaus.

6-7:30pm, Pan American Design District, Free or Suggested Donation

Neighborhood: Design District

Saturday, March 9th

Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts, with Emanuel Ax

Michael Tilson Thomas, New World Symphony's beloved co-founder and former artistic director, is back to conduct two performances with NWS this spring, and this is the only one at New World Center. World-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax will be joining MTT, and Beethoven is on the program. Needless to say, this is a hot ticket and there are only a smattering of seats left. But if the weather's nice, you can bring a chair and catch the WALLCAST outside in adjacent SoundScape park.

7:30pm, New World Center, $40-$175 or Free for WALLCAST

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Nearby Eats: Joliet, Casa Tua, Zaytinya | Drinks: MILA, Water Lion at the Sagamore

Miami City Ballet: Spring Mix

Miami City Ballet's Spring Mix brings us George Balanchine’s Agon, a tour de force set to a groundbreaking Stravinsky score that features twelve dancers creating mesmerizing movement as they come together in pairs, trios, and quartets. Also on the program is the World Premiere of Delight, a highly-anticipated contemporary work set to Bach by Brazilian choreographer Ricardo Amarante, and Following the Subtle Current Upstream, a piece about "how to return to joy" by Alonzo King.

7:30pm, Ziff Ballet Opera House at Adrienne Arsht Center, $45-$255

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Paul Taylor Dance Company

The Paul Taylor Dance Company, hailed by the New York Times as "one of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world", returns to The Moss Center to celebrate its 70th Anniversary. The program features Taylor's iconic Promethean Fire, set to J.S. Bach’s “Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor”, and Amy Hall Garner's Somewhere in the Middle, set to Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and other Big Band favorites.

8pm, The Moss Center, $25-$65

Neighborhood: Cutler Bay

Nearby Eats: This is a tough one! Try El Rinconcito Superlatino III and Golden Rule Seafood | Drinks: Hole in the Wall Tavern

Piano Marathon Cubano: Rolando Luna & Ernán López-Nussa

Miami Light Project's Global Cuba Fest closes with Piano Marathon Cubano, a double bill concert featuring Ernán López-Nussa and Rolando Luna. The marathon begins with renowned Cuban pianist and composer López-Nussa, who has built an international reputation thanks to his capacity to integrate rhythm, lyricism, and fusion. The evening continues with Cuban virtuoso pianist Luna's irresistible charisma, energy, and incredible improvisations.

8pm, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, $40

Neighborhood: West Flagler

Nearby(ish) Eats: head to Little Havana for Palma, Cafe La Trova, Ahi Sushi, Doce Provisions, Lung Yai Thai Tapas | Drinks: Terras, Cafe La Trova, Union Beer

Sunday, March 10th

Alberto Checa: Nice Work If You Can Get It

Alberto Checa's artwork is currently on view at Oolite Arts on Miami Beach and this interesting collaboration is a musical performance inspired by that show. The exhibition, Amidst Twin Suns, is a critique of the American economic system and its effects on working class Latinos, in particular the artist's mother. This musical performance, Nice Work If You Can Get It, will take audiences on a deep dive into the themes of love and labor that Checa’s art explores. Acclaimed bass-baritone Jamal Moore, who is a frequent collaborator with artists like Beyoncé, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, will perform a collection of deeply moving spirituals. In addition, IlluminArts will present the world-premiere performance of a new piece for String Quartet and Electronics from Grammy Award-nominated violinist and composer Curtis Stewart.

3pm, Miami Theater Center, Free

Neighborhood: Miami Shores

Nearby Eats: The Citadel Food Hall, Tigre, Blue Collar | Drinks: ZeyZey, Rooftop at The Citadel

Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts, with Emanuel Ax

Michael Tilson Thomas, New World Symphony's beloved co-founder and former artistic director, is back to conduct two performances with NWS this spring, and this is the only one at New World Center. World-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax will be joining MTT, and Beethoven is on the program. This matinee performance still has seats left, but probably not for long.

2pm, New World Center, $40-$175

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Nearby Eats: Joliet, Casa Tua, Zaytinya | Drinks: MILA, Water Lion at the Sagamore

Paul Taylor Dance Company

The Paul Taylor Dance Company, hailed by the New York Times as "one of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world", returns to The Moss Center to celebrate its 70th Anniversary. The program features Taylor's iconic Promethean Fire, set to J.S. Bach’s “Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor”, and Amy Hall Garner's Somewhere in the Middle, set to Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and other Big Band favorites.

3pm, The Moss Center, $25-$65

Neighborhood: Cutler Bay

Nearby Eats: This is a tough one! Try El Rinconcito Superlatino III and Golden Rule Seafood | Drinks: Hole in the Wall Tavern

Miami City Ballet: Spring Mix

Miami City Ballet's Spring Mix brings us George Balanchine’s Agon, a tour de force set to a groundbreaking Stravinsky score that features twelve dancers creating mesmerizing movement as they come together in pairs, trios, and quartets. Also on the program is the World Premiere of Delight, a highly-anticipated contemporary work set to Bach by Brazilian choreographer Ricardo Amarante, and Following the Subtle Current Upstream, a piece about "how to return to joy" by Alonzo King.

2pm Sunday, Adrienne Arsht Center, $45-$255

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

An Evening with Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore

Books & Books Coral Gables is proud to host Thurston Moore, presenting his new memoir, Sonic Life. From the founding member of Sonic Youth, a passionate memoir tracing the author’s life and art—from his teen years as a music obsessive in small-town Connecticut, to the formation of his legendary rock group, to thirty years of creation, experimentation, and wonder. Rsvp required.

3pm, Books & Books Coral Gables, Free

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Thanks for reading! If you know a friend that would like this newsletter, please share it.

If someone shared it with you, you can subscribe here.

Any feedback? Or tips on events or restaurants? I'd love to hear it! You can reply to the weekly newsletter or comment on this post.

Reply

or to participate.