SoBay Festival of the Arts
Started in 2006 to raise awareness of the visual, literary and performing arts, the SoBay Festival of the Arts is a two-week event held at the Deering Estate that includes art exhibits, concerts, theatrical performances, lectures and discussions. Highlights include the Greater Miami Youth Symphony performance on Feb. 5th when emerging artists will perform vignettes of chamber music in the Stone House ballroom; a performance by students from the Miami-Dade College theatre department on Feb. 12th; a curator’s tour of the art exhibit with artist Xavier Cortada and artists-in-residence followed by lunch and a panel discussion of the economic impact of art on our community on Feb. 13th; and the 11th annual Moonlight and Music Valentine’s Day concert on Feb. 14th.
SoBay Festival of the Arts, Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 S.W. 72nd Ave., Miami. Admission varies by event. 305-235-1668, deeringestate.org. Jan. 31-Feb. 14.
Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail
The 69th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail, one of the world’s largest boating events, showcases thousands of the latest powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,000 exhibitors. Visitors can view, board and buy the best the boating industry has to offer. The Affordability Pavilion displays boats that can be financed at reasonable cost. The Big Game Room has exhibits of fishing products and destinations, daily seminars, and an interactive Bait Rigging Station; new boaters will enjoy the Discover Boating Center where experts can answer questions and offer advice on choosing a boat. For the first time, powerboat and sailing enthusiasts will gather in one location as Strictly Sail moves from Miamarina to Sea Isle Marina, joining with the Boat Show’s powerboat in-water exhibit. Strictly Sail hosts a daily series of free seminars, and offers free half-hour sails along Biscayne Bay with a skipper. Children are invited to the Kids Aboard Boatbuilding Workshop (16th St. Festival Area) where they can help build a 10-foot wooden boat that will be launched on Feb. 15.
Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail, Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. Sea Isle Marina, 1635 North Bayshore Dr., Miami. Admission on Premier Day (Feb. 11), $30; adults, $16; two day pass (valid Feb. 12-14), $30; youth ages 13-15, $6; children under 12 free. Free South Beach shuttle bus service connects show locations with more than 15,000 parking spaces. Park and Ride service from AmericanAirlines Arena to both show sites, $10. 954-441-3220, miamiboatshow.com, strictlysailmiami.com. Feb. 11-Feb. 15.
Yacht and Brokerage Show
The 22nd annual Yacht and Brokerage Show (not to be confused with the Miami International Boat Show) features an extraordinary in-water display of hundreds of new and pre-owned yachts along a mile-long stretch of the Indian Creek Waterway across from the Eden Roc and Fontainebleau Hotels. The docks will be lined with the newest designs from Bertram, Christiansen, Fairline, Hargrave, Hatteras, Sessa, Riviera, San Marino and many others. The luxury crafts are valued at three quarters of a billion dollars.
Yacht and Brokerage Show, Indian Creek Waterway at Collins Ave. from 41st to 51st Streets. Admission is free. 954-764-7642, showmanagement.com. Feb. 11-Feb. 15.
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival
The 47th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival will showcase the works of 350 accomplished artists who were selected by two five-member panels of jurors, one for two-dimensional works and one for three-dimensional. Artworks include painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, digital art, glass, watercolor, mixed media, printmaking, metalwork and wood.
The culinary arts will be on display at the popular Culinary Pavilion where world-renowned chefs will show off their skills and prepare some of their most famous dishes. The festival provides entertainment for the entire family with live music, an international food court, and various children’s activities.
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival was voted the best fine art show for the seventh year by Sunshine Artist magazine. A portion of the proceeds from the Arts Festival benefit the Coconut Grove Art and Historical Association’s building fund to establish a permanent art center in Coconut Grove.
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival, McFarlane Rd., S. Bayshore Dr. and Pan American Dr., Coconut Grove. Admission is $10 per person, per day. Children 12 and under are free. Residents of Coconut Grove get a special reduced admission of $5 with proof of residency. coconutgroveartsfest.com. Feb. 13-Feb. 15.
St. Stephen’s Art Show
Now entering its 22nd year, the St. Stephen’s Art Show, presented by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, will feature local and accomplished artists who have been accepted into the show for 10 years or more, as well as some artists who are new to the show. In addition to the art, there is a food court and an authentic English tearoom, a children’s activity area, and musical entertainment. Proceeds benefit the church’s multiple ministries, charities and free programs.
St. Stephen’s Art Show, Feb. 13-15, grounds of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove. Admission is $1. 786-399-9669, artshows.com. Feb. 13-Feb. 15.
South Miami Rotary Art Festival
The family-friendly South Miami Rotary Art Festival, celebrating its 26th anniversary, will feature juried fine art from more than 140 artists, delicious food, and musical entertainment. Begun as a way to attract business to the downtown streets of “The City of Pleasant Living,” the festival has become a highly anticipated event. Youngsters will enjoy the Children’s Alley where they can participate in hands-on interactive and educational activities conducted by local nonprofits including the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge, the Miami Children’s Museum and the Miami Ceramic League; Grand Masters from the World of Chess will take on all comers simultaneously.
The show is produced by the Rotary Club of South Miami and its foundation, and all profits go to scholarships and to support other Rotary projects, including the distribution of dictionaries and atlases to hundreds of students in the local elementary and middle schools.
South Miami Rotary Art Festival, Along Sunset Dr. between Red Rd. and U.S. 1. Admission is free. 305-235-1192, southmiamiartsfest.org. Feb. 27-Feb. 28.
South Beach Wine
and Food Festival
Tens of thousands of food enthusiasts will descend on Miami Beach for the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival, a four-day celebration with wine tastings, dinners, cooking demonstrations, interactive luncheons and seminars, as well as appearances by celebrity chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirits producers. Special events include a Tribute Dinner honoring Daniel Boulud, an interactive dinner hosted by Lidia Bastianich and Joe Bastianich, the Grand Tasting Village and Cocktail Time with Sandra Lee.
Children will get into the act at Fun and Fit as a Family, held on Jungle Island, with Daisy Martinez, Paula Deen and Rachel Ray showing how to prepare snacks, entrees and low-cal desserts; educational exhibits, a fitness course, outdoor games and races round out the day.
The festival benefits FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. More than 800 Hospitality majors from FIU work in key positions before and during the festival including ticket sales, meeting and greeting guests, and doing prep work for the Bubble Q BBQ. Students are also paired with “mentor” chefs getting first-hand direction from some of the finest professionals in the country.
South Beach Wine and Food Festival, various venues on Miami Beach. Admission prices vary by event; check website for details. 305-627-1275, sobewineandfoodfest.com; hospitality.fiu.edu. Feb. 25-Feb. 28.
Dade Heritage Days
The Dade Heritage Trust presents its annual celebration of Miami’s historic places with the theme New Faces/Old Places, encouraging visitors and residents to explore the historic and architectural treasures in the county.
Dade Heritage Days kicks off on Mar. 4th with a conference and tour of MiMo architecture including Miami’s contribution to the post-`WWII architectural style, from the Marine Stadium on Virginia Key to the Bacardi Building and the MiMo Historic district, the Bay Harbor Islands, the newly-designated Morris Lapidus District and the North Shore Historic District; the tour includes site visits and a luncheon. Ongoing events include bicycle and walking historic tours, museum exhibits, heritage films, art exhibits and lectures.
Dade Heritage Days, various locations throughout Miami-Dade. 305-358-9572, dadeheritagetrust.org. Mar. 1-Apr. 30.
The Key Biscayne Art Festival
The Key Biscayne Village Green will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery with original artwork including painting, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, collage, jewelry and ceramics. All of the artists will be on hand to discuss their works. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne.
The Key Biscayne Art Festival, The Village Green, Key Biscayne. Admission is free. artfestival.com. Mar. 21-Mar. 22.
Arteaméricas
Miami’s renowned international art fair, Arteaméricas, showcases Latin American art by bringing together the region’s best-known galleries, which were chosen through a rigorous selection process. Art lovers will enjoy viewing traditional and contemporary paintings, sculptures and multimedia art from emerging and established artists representing decades of artistic evolution throughout Latin America.
Arteaméricas, Miami Beach Convention Ctr., 1901 Convention Ctr. Dr., Miami Beach. 305-331-4787, arteamericas.com. Mar. 26-Mar. 29.
Women’s International Film Festival
The 5th annual Women’s International Film Festival features films, visual and performance arts and other artistic expressions by women. It brings together women from all over the world to explore, share and discuss issues concerning women. The festival includes 8 days of film viewings, workshops, panel discussions conducted by industry professionals and parties celebrating women’s history month.
Women’s International Film Festival, Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Bill Cosford Cinema-UM, Byron Carlyle Theatre, Colony Theatre, Fontainebleau Hotel, Joseph Caleb Auditorium. wiffonline,org. 305-653-9700. Mar. 26-Apr. 2.
Miami-Dade County Fair
The largest fair in South Florida, the Miami-Dade County Fair is an 18-day event that features thrilling midway rides; delicious food; 50,000 student and adult exhibits; 50 fun-filled games and more. Free entertainment is included with the price of admission. New shows this year include Night at the Movies, a tour of Latin America through dance, The Royal Hanneford Circus, a petting zoo, pig races and pony rides, a mardi gras parade and strolling entertainers. A nonprofit organization, the 58-year old Miami-Dade County Fair has donated close to $8 million in scholarships and awards to the local community.
Miami-Dade County Fair, Fair Expo Center, Coral Way (S.W. 24th St. and 112th Ave.), Miami. fairexpo.com. Mar. 26-Apr. 12.
Deering Seafood Festival
Seafood lovers will be heading for the Deering Estate at Cutler on March 28th for the annual Seafood Festival. Visitors will be greeted with the sounds of Caribbean steel drums while colorfully costumed Bahamian Junkanoo dancers weave throughout the crowd. Under the tent, top local restaurants, caterers and seafood markets will prepare appetizing arrays of seafood including lobster, blue crabs, fried conch and mountains of shrimp - steamed, fried and peel-and-eat. Some of South Florida’s favorite chefs will be on hand including Clay Conley of Azul, Sean Bernal of Oceannaire, Damian Gilchrist of Ocean Reef Club and Michael Bennett of Bimini Boatyard, who will be conducting cooking demonstrations with samples that are paired with wine tastings.
Festivalgoers will also enjoy the Artists’ Village with original paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry; the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone for children’s fun activities; pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key; and nature hikes and tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage. Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.
Deering Seafood Festival, 16701 S.W. 72nd Ave., Miami.
305-235-1668, deeringestate.org. Mar. 28.
