Miami Museum Month Puts the Wow in a Diverse Cultural Scene

Miami Museum Month is one of the favorite cultural events of the year because it has something for everyone from priceless art objects to whimsical works of fun. Amazing exhibitions and one-on-one opportunities with artists in spectacular settings are just part of the charm of this event sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The 2016 May event shined a spotlight on our diverse neighborhoods and the eclectic shopping and dining.

At the heart of the annual Miami Museum Month are two deals:

• Buy One Get One Free: During the month visitors can get “Buy One Get One Free” admission to select museums.
• Join One Museum See Them All: A great deal for locals; sign up for membership with one museum and receive free admission to other participating museums.

Each year Miami Museum Month gets bigger and the 2016 highlights included are:

• Pérez Art Museum Miami:  If you can only visit one museum in Miami then this is your best bet with its world-class collections and picturesque placement on Biscayne Bay.
• MDC Museum of Art + Design: The MDC MOA+D is housed in the 1925-built historic Freedom Tower on Biscayne Blvd. and features emerging contemporary artists as well as a can’t-miss fun Pop-Up Shop.
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: The only way to describe this stunning estate is wow! Enjoy art and furnishings inside the Main House and the 10 acres of gardens at this National Historic Landmark.
• The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum: This Smithsonian affiliate is located on FIU’s main campus and includes permanent and rotating exhibits as well as a sculpture park.
• The Wolfsonian-FIU: No visit to the Art Deco District is complete without a stop at the Wolfsonian. For the most unconventional gifts in town, check out The Dynamo Museum Shop & Café.
• Bakehouse Art Complex: If you like your art up-close-and-personal then go to this complex located in the historic art deco bakery building and in the midst of the vibrant Wynwood Arts District.

Other museums that took part in the 2016 Miami Museum Month:

• Ancient Spanish Monastery
• Miami Children’s Museum
• Haitian Heritage Museum
• Homestead Historic Town Hall Museum
• Black Archives History Lyric Theater
• Wings Over Miami Air Museum
• Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU
• Art Deco Museum
• Little Haiti Cultural Complex
• Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum
• Bass Museum of Art
• Deering Estate
• Miami Auto Museum
• Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
• Gold Coast Railroad Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami
• Artcenter/South Florida
• HistoryMiami Museum
• Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
• Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami

The deals of Miami Museum Month may end in a few more days, but the cool cultural happenings go on year-round.

White Hot HEAT week 2016

Although the Miami Heat lost to the Toronto Raptors in game 7 on May 15, 2016, they started off the season with a bang!  The White Hot HEAT 2016 week began on Sunday April 10th, with a host of activities for all HEAT fans to enhance and enjoy more of their HEAT playoff experience. White Hot; the 2016 HEAT Playoffs presented by Miccosukee & Gaming, urges all HEAT fans to embrace their roles throughout the post-season by dressing in white. This is to support HEAT in all the daily activities, especially in its playoff games.  Many companies got into the spirit and participated in the weeks events as well. The weeks’ schedule was packed with activities for all ages!

April 10th- Fan Appreciation Night

At 6.00 pm

The week kicked off with a fan appreciation night at the AmericanAirlines Arena as the HEAT took on Orlando Magic in the final home game of the regular season. HEAT fans got the chance to win player-autographed memorabilia and HEAT giveaways among more.

April 11th- White Hot HEAT Playoffs car Decal event presented by Metro Signs Inc

6.00am -10.00am

If you stopped by the AmericanAirlines Arena during this time, fans got a free White Hot Heat window decal fitted on their rear windshield. Burnie, Heat dancers and the Xtreme Team will also present to take photographs.

April 12th- White Hot Heat road rally presented by Bacardi

6.30 pm

The first in a pair of seamless White Hot Heat road rallies got a chance to be at the Tarpon Bend in Ft. Lauderdale.  While there fans joined the Xtreme team, Miami HEAT dancers, In-Area host Uptown Dale, Michael Baiamonte, In-Arena Announcer and other HEAT fans and watch FOX Sports’ Sunday telecast of the HEAT playing the Detroit Pistons.

April 13th- XFINITY East Plaza White Hot Heat road rally presented by Bacardi

7.00 pm

Fans enjoyed the HEAT experience outdoors as White Hot Heat road rally took to the XFINITY East Plaza located on the AmericanAirlines Arena, and overlooking the beautiful Miami skyline. The festivities which included; delicious Bacardi drink specials, HEAT giveaways, and chances to win some HEAT playoff tickets.

April 14th-HEAT After Dark

7.00pm-11.00pm

The HEAT fans over 18 years got the chance to engage in the excitement of playing a pickup basketball game on the Miami HEAT hardwood, at the AmericanAirlines Arena. The event was hosted by the In-Arena Host as well as Uptown Dale, and fans enjoyed music, hoops and a special lighting along with entertainment from HEAT dancers, the Xtreme Team and Burnie. HEAT fans received a free HEAT t-shirt while supplies lasted.

April 15th- White Hot Heat Bar Crawl presented by Miller Lite

6.00pm-8.00pm

All the Miami Heat dancers, Burnie, Uptown Dale, and the Xtreme Team hit the streets on FOX Sports Sun HEAT Fan Express for a White Hot Heat bar crawl in the Wynwood area. Fans received giveaways and other fan kits from HEAT.

If you missed it check out @MiamiHeat on twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to see all the highlights of the week.

2016 Blue Collar Matzo Chase

Soho Studios likes to recognize the excitement Miami has to offer, even outside of our venue. Last month, Chef Danny Serfer invited the entire Miami community, no matter their religious background, to join him on a scavenger hunt to find hidden matzo balls. The 2016 Blue Collar Matzo Chase consisted of the chef placing cardboard matzo balls around town for everyone to find in celebration of the story behind the Jewish holiday Passover. Those who found the faux soup dumplings won cash prizes. Traditionally, in Jewish households, matzo balls are hidden, and the children win a few bucks for finding them. Serfer’s extreme version allowed participants to walk away with prizes such as a Heroes of the Torah commemorative glass, a T-shirt or a $50-gift card to Danny’s Blue Collar Restaurant.

Passover began Friday, April 22, 2016 with Jewish families all over the world gathering for festivities, referred to as Seder by the community. Families substituted bread for matzo, which is symbolic of the Israelites and what they ate as they left Egypt. A traditional Seder consists of the retelling of the story of Exodus, but hiding three centers of matzos under a special plate makes the holiday interesting to children. In Danny’s version, participants were to locate 2-by-2-foot large matzos, but it’s still based on tradition. To make the hunt fair, Danny was the only one to know where they were hidden. Danny primarily stuck with his restaurant’s neighborhood, MiMo, and a little bit north and south of that area.

The contest started on the morning of Monday, April 25, 2016. The entire contest was conducted through Twitter. It began with a tweet from Blue Collar with a photo and a riddle regarding the location of the three matzo balls. Participants waited for the tweet and followed the instructions. Anyone who found a matzo ball had to reply to @BlueCollarMiami via Twitter. On the cardboard cuisine, participants found a hashtag to tweet along with a photo of themselves with the matzo ball.

What a great way to involve and bring some excitement into the community!

Funkshion Returns to Miami

One of Miami's favorite organizations, the Funkshion Fashion Show, returned to host their Fall/Winter fashion this March, and for the first time they chose right here in the Wynwood Arts District as their home base. Funkshion is Miami's Fashion Week, held three times throughout the year. Taking great pride in their Miami home, Funkshion believes in serving as a connecting force between the Latin American and US fashion markets. One thing many love about Funkshion, is how well they showcase both established and emerging names in fashion. And as their name suggests, in representing the fashion world in Miami, they set themselves apart from other fashion weeks around the world by always being sure to bring the funk. Music and art are integrated into the events, including live DJs at many of the shows to get the audience dancing in their seats.

The Winter/Fall show ran from March 16-19, 2016 with a packed schedule. Highlights included opening night's discussion, "DESIGNED IN MIAMI," with internationally celebrated designers based in Miami discussing what it takes to find success in the fashion world in Miami and beyond.  Friday's fashion event, "EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!" inspired by the Richard Linklater film in theaters now was also a great highlight. Stars of the film made an appearance, including Blake Jenner, Ryan Guzman and Tyler Hochelin. As with every fashion week that Funkshion hosts, one of the most beloved events is the Emerging Designer Series in which incredibly talented new designers who are just coming on to the scene are able to present their work in a high-profile show at no cost. March's show was no exception, with plenty of designers you'll surely be hearing from in the future.

Funkshion Events always welcomes the public to attend.  All of the events are free, one would just need to RSVP beforehand. As the Funkshion Fashion gears up for its next event this July, this is something to keep in mind. In true Miami style, they'll be celebrating swimwear in the event which runs from July 13-17, 2016. If you're a swimwear designer over the age of 21 then consider entering the Emerging Designer Series. One designer will be winning a trip to New York Fashion Week.

Funkshion Fashion Week is a great way to celebrate so much of what makes Miami great.  It brings established artists together with the newest talent and connects diverse cultures. The area is still buzzing from this event, and cannot wait to see what the next show has in store.

"America's Best Breakfasts" Tour Hits the Miami Scene

Breakfast is hitting a level of popularity in recent years that rivals all other meals. There are endless options to have if you love breakfast or brunch. If you are in the Miami area than you can enjoy the tour of “America’s Best Breakfasts.” This event is put on by SoBe Food Fest Creator, Lee Schrager. It’s in celebration of his new cookbook by the same name featuring local recipes from coast to coast. What’s Included With Your Ticket

With your admission ticket you also will receive a copy of this third cookbook,”America’s Best Breakfasts: Favorite Local Recipes From Coast To Coast.” This cookbook is a compilation of 75 of the best breakfast recipes that Lee discovered on a cross country road trip he took a few years ago. His philosophy on breakfast is that it’s obviously, “the best meal of the day.” The fact that no other meal allows you to wear a bathrobe while eating is another one of his takes on this very important meal. Of course, it’s preferred that you get dressed for the “America’s Best Breakfast” Tour.

Where Is The Event?

The event itself takes place at the Magic City Casino with over 40 of the best South Florida restaurants participating. There will be walk up brunch stations all over the casino to sample all kinds of unique breakfast foods. Some favorites, and some that are going to be new to your palate. So if you enjoy Egg Benedict, waffles, and savory bacon galore you aren’t going to want to miss this chance to nosh on breakfast fare that will tantalize your tummy. Some of the key restaurants involved are 27 Restaurant and Bar, DIRT, Palomilla Grill, and Novecento. Although that’s just a taste of which restaurants are going to be there. Check the entire list to find out if your favorite breakfast dining spot is going to be a featured participant.

Not Only Brunch

It’s a 21 and over event only on account of the fact that the Bloody Mary bar, featuring Tito’s Homemade Vodka and the Mimosas, will be free flowing with your pre-purchased ticket. What brunch is complete without these tasty drink options? Some people even say it’s the best part of brunch! Don’t worry though, non alcoholic options will be available as well as coffee and juice.

Buy Your Tickets Early

Get your tickets early to this “Can’t miss food event”, where the lineup of sweet and savory treats will be overflowing in this walk up brunch spectacular! Check out the “America’s Best Breakfasts” event page that will give you all the details you need to purchase your own tickets. It’s Sunday, April 24th at 11:30 am, so mark your calendars now to make sure you don’t miss this popular Miami experience.

Beyonce's Tour Sells Out and Brings Controversy

Mega pop star Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has become quite the controversial figure since Super Bowl 50. She used the big game as a platform to promote the Black Panthers and criticize police brutality. Beyoncé and her dancers donned black berets along with bandoliers during the performance. Yet her social activism certainly hasn't hit her in the pocketbook. Most of the stops on her upcoming Formation world tour have already sold out. The tour is scheduled to launch this month in Miami. It is the singer's first tour since her Mrs. Carter World Tour in 2013. Though most of the tickets to Beyoncé's tour sold out quickly, it appears as though she might run into some problems due to her willingness to take a stance against police corruption. Her alliance with the Black Panthers has resulted in the National Police Union, known as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), deciding to boycott the singer's upcoming concert in Miami. It will be interesting to see how security is handled at a show of this magnitude. The concert is scheduled to take place on April 26 in the Marlins Stadium. Beyoncé has refused to comment on the matter as of this article's publish date.

The Miami chapter of the FOP made the decision to boycott Beyoncé's Miami show through a democratic vote. The local union's president, Lieutenant Javier Ortiz, actually called on police officers across the country to boycott all of the Formation shows. The FOP believes that Beyoncé improperly used her Super Bowl 50 platform to spread what the police union describes as an “anti-police message”. Police across the country clashed with the Black Panthers during race riots that took place decades ago. Lieutenant Ortiz has not stated whether the boycott of Beyoncé's Miami concert is applicable to police officers across Miami, those who work in Dade county or only those who are members of the union.

Beyoncé's Formation World Tour will likely take place without a hitch. Beyoncé could hire private security for the event. It is also possible that enough police officers or non-union officers will make themselves available for the Miami show and any other shows that are boycotted by the police. Fans will undoubtedly have a blast at the show regardless of the political activism surrounding the tour. All in all, the tour's producer, Parkwood Entertainment, has sold just under one million total tickets. A number of shows have sold out in addition to the Miami date. The demand for tickets is so strong that seconds shows have been scheduled for May 28 at Chicago's Soldier Field and July 3 at Wembly Stadium in London. Fans who want to put a positive twist on the somewhat negative energy surrounding the show can do so by participating in the singer's #BeyGOOD initiative designed to support Miami's United Way program. Be sure to follow @beygood on Twitter to learn more.

Deco Drive does Oculto Manor Miami

First series of Oculto's pop party was an amazing success. Those who were lucky to get in and #makesecrets were given a key and the rest remains, well you know, a secret. Oculto's Manor has many rooms that are all connected to bring guests an interactive experience. As guests reach the end of their journey they all come together in one main area, where guests can drink Oculto's beer and Oculto cocktails like their Oculto Sunrise. If you were lucky enough to come last week you would have had the chance to see Little Dragon kicking off the opening event.

If you haven't rsvp'd for Oculto's second series of events then visit and RSVP here at this link.

Deco Drive came last week to #makesecrets here's a review of Oculto's event at Soho Studios.

WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

Oculto Manor Miami

Oculto Beer

Welcome Miami, you are invited to a place where secrets are made. A special Manor has been created for six memorable nights you'll never forget. The Manor is an immersive, interactive experience as we explore the tempting world of Oculto. Experience an immersive, interactive performance space for the launch of Oculto – a lager blended with beer aged on tequila barrel staves. Explore a series of rooms that will take you on a journey through several nights you’ll never forget. Indulge in small bites, complimentary alcoholic beverages. Plus nightly musical performances in a venue unlike any other. #OcultoManor #MakeSecrets @Oculto_US

Interested in attening a night between APRIL 23 through April 26, and APRIL 30 through MAY 2? If so RSVP here

Oculto Miami