Beaux Arts is Miami's oldest juried art show. It was founded in 1952 by fifty women from a…read morevolunteer group led by Anne Atkinson, then Assistant Director of the newly built Joe and Emily Lowe Art Gallery. The purpose of the group was to provide funds for the Lowe Art Museum. The first show had art on clothes lines to display it for buyers. In 1987 Beaux Art's introduced the Hands On program to bring art to children in underserved communities in Miami. The show has now grown into an annual event with over 200 artists displaying works in 10 different mediums on the campus of the University of Miami. This was my first time attending the festival and I couldn't have picked a better time. The 75th anniversary of the festival coincides with the University of Miami playing in the CFP National Championship tonight against the Indiana Hoosiers. The campus was buzzing with Cane pride. On campus parking was available in the Pavia parking Garage for $10. I also noticed that you could park across the street for free and walk over. Admission to the festival was free. I love the park like setting of UM. The campus is beautiful and it was the perfect setting for all of the wonderful art that was displayed. The fair was actually much larger than I expected it to be. In addition to the many art tents where you could vote for your favorite, there was a food area, live music, artisan vendor tents, and children's activities. There was so much going on that it would take several hours to take it all in. You could also visit the Lowe Art Museum which was open. I was really impressed with this event and it is a January highlight for many others too.

This is my third year attending, & I absolutely LOVE this arts fest…read more The artists are truly amazing...you see he most unique & breathtaking artistry. I was really impressed with the jewelry booths this year. There was an amazing cover band playing, & of course the food was great.

This year was the second annual Glenn Curtiss Vintage Motorcycle and Car Show. The show is held in…read moreCircle Park in Miami Springs. It includes food, live music, vendors, and a display of vintage and antique cars and motorcycles. The show is named after Miami Springs founder and famed aviator Genn Curtiss who was a contemporary of the Wright brothers. Glenn Curtiss started his career building and racing motorcycles. From there he moved into building airships racking up many flying firsts along the way. His innovation in planes helped the military in the run up to WWI. His planes were also used during WWII. His accomplishments and inventions are too many to list. He was considered the Henry Ford of the aviation world. Curtiss moved to Miami in the 1920's where he founded 18 corporations and developed Miami Springs in the Pueblo Revival architectural style. He passed away at the young age of 52 from complications from appendicitis surgery in 1930 but he left his presence all over Miami Springs. This show is a wonderful way to pay tribute to aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss. In addition to the show cars and motorcycles there was also a motorcycle and plane display about him. One was about the speed record he set on a motorcycle at the Florida Speed Carnival in Ormond Beach when he became the fastest man on earth. Steps away from the vehicles were even more food options at the restaurants surrounding the park. At the same time as the car show, was the Miami Springs Farmers Market that takes place in the median behind the park. The family friendly car show was enhanced by the lovely weather and I am glad that I was able to attend this year.

The King Mango Strut began in 1982 after parade founders Glenn Terry and Bill Dobson were denied…read moreentry with their makeshift instruments into the King Orange Bowl Jamboree Parade. Instead they created their own irreverent, satirical parade in Coconut Grove. It has grown to become a beloved Grove tradition lampooning current events and politics with homemade costumes, signs, and floats. The parade embodies Coconut Grove's bohemian spirit with a wacky and humorous take on the year's news. This was my first year attending the parade and if I could give any advice it would be to come early. Parking in Coconut Grove is difficult on the best of days, never mind when thousands of people come to attend an event in the congested streets. After experiencing frustration trying to get through blocked roads, Lady Luck finally shined on me and I was able to find a metered space a few blocks from the parade. This was the 42nd year of the parade and the theme was This is Fine from the meme of a smiling cartoon dog sitting at a table, coffee mug in hand, as the room goes up in flames. Things are not really fine at all. Some of the hot topics I saw tackled during the parade included Trump, ICE, Alligator Alcatraz, sidewalk delivery robots taking over, pythons invading the Everglades, RFK's anti-vaccine stance, the Epstein files, MAGA lip injections, the kiss cam, Ron DeSantis removing rainbow crosswalks, Miami Labubu's, and the capture of Nicolas Maduro. I actually saw three Maduro's captured and dragged down the street. I ended up watching the parade in front of CocoWalk which was a great spot. The parade goes past The Barnacle and then turns the corner at CocoWalk. The parade typically starts near Commodore Plaza and Main Highway, where it loops through Grand Avenue. The King Strut Mango was longer than I expected but I was entertained throughout. After the parade was over I was easily able to find food and a beverage at one of the many dining spots in the area. An after parade party takes place in the alley next to Chug's and it was packed.

Another year, another Stut. One of my favorite events in…read moreMiami, er Coconut Grove. If you never have, get there next year, get wierd...

Fleurs De Villes is a 10 day cultural arts event held at Bal Harbour Shops in conjunction with…read moreWomen's History Month. Local florists cover mannequins in a stunning array of flowers and plant materials. This is the world wide launch if this year's theme, Flora. While the flower installations are mainly at the mall they are also at several other locations throughout Bal Harbour including the beach, hotels, parks, and Village Hall. Flora is the Roman Goddess of spring and this year the theme celebrates fashion and rebirth. Floral designs were created by Aniska Creations, Anthology Co. LLC, Atala Miami, Blake Roses, Connections and Creations, Formaneta, Hydrangea Flowers and Events, Isáchi Flowers & Crafts, Jk Bouquet Floral Design, Jassi & Co Creative, MOLLY Flowers & Decor, Petunia's, Something Blooming, W & W Flowers & Events Design Group, Indigo Hues Designs, Petal Productions, and Gilded Group Decor. My two favorites mannequins were by Jassi & Co, located by the escalator and and the pink rose dress on the first floor by Aniska Creations but honestly they were all amazing. I also tried to take in a few of the other installations throughout Bal Harbour. This is one of my favorite events every year. In conjunction with the floral displays, Bal Harbour Village offered a number of events including floral pastries at the St. Regis Bar, afternoon tea at La Gourmandise, botanical spa treatments at the St. Regis Spa, and a flower crown-making workshop and a hand-tied bouquet at Waterfront Park. Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end so hurry in as the last day is March 8th.

Today and tomorrow, April 25 & 26, is the happily awaited CountryFest that Miami locals love! It…read morestarted today at 10:00 am and ends at 7:00pm tonight. Same hours for tomorrow. It is located at Tropical Park in the south end of Miami. This is the 4th annual event. Free parking! Free admission. Google Miami Dade CountryFest for more info how to get your free tickets. We are having so much fun and the weather is perfect. Lots of people here! Wear your country attire and boots. There are many fun things to do here. There's a super popular rodeo here in the afternoon, rides for the kids, food stands, the popular VIP Saloon, award-winning horses and cattle, the Farmville with lots of fun things for the kids, animal exhibits, photo ops, and many more. There are signs leading to the free parking areas. Have fun!

Cecil Goring gave me a tour of the museum and it was not just entertaining and enriching but his…read morethoughtful, knowledgeable, patient and insightful tour was educational, emotional and eye-opening on many different levels. A big 'Thank You' to Cecil and everybody who has worked on keeping the memory of the people who worked in this historic precinct alive in order to teach all of us so many valuable lessons.

On Nov 19, the Overtown Optimist Club planned an afterschool fieldtrip with 30 youth and adults to…read morevisit and explore the heritage within the Historic Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum. In a word, AMAZING. The history shared from Director Terrance CribbsLorant left our kids wanting more. The kids were engaged and continuously asked questions. What a gem of an experience. If you haven't planned a trip, you absolutely MUST. You will not be dissapointed. Kids were challenged to think about community and activism in a positive, humane and inspiring way. We are so very grateful to have such a masterful curator ... just a short walk away. Thank You Terrance! We will be back.

I visited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) on a Sunday afternoon. The staff greeted me and was…read morevery friendly and knowledgeable. One of the employees, perhaps the manager, described each of the 3 current exhibit. Entrance fee is free for Bank of America customers the first full weekend of the month. I was able to find free and convenient street parking on NE 8th Avenue. The 3 current exhibits are Leigh Gordon, Kanaval a chronology of Haiti's carnival; Dider William and the Victory Garden, which was the reason for my visit. The Victory Garden, in the museum's Paradise Courtyard, is an inspiration to find solutions to food scarcity. You are given a paper bag and encouraged to ship some herbs. Basil, culantro, tomatoes and oregano were just a few plants in the garden. Current hours, according to their website are Mon & Tue, closed; Wed. 12-7; Thur. - Sun. 12-5. Admission is $10 for adults, free for children under 12, veterans and North Miami employees and residents. I would plan on spending 1 -2 hours at the museum. I recommend a visit to MOCA

MOCA is an intimate museum, with usually 2 exhibits. You can be in and out within 30 minutes, get…read moreyour art fix and go about your day. They're apart of the Bank of America "Museums on Us" program which means free admission for BoA cardholders first weekend of the month. Street parking isn't stressful since you're not there very long. I like the MOCA space a lot and stoked to see future exhibitions. Everyone was wearing masks, felt very safe.

Excellent local museum to visit and learn about Hollywood. Check website for openings I believe…read moreit's once a month only.

I finally was able to come by and tour the interior of the house. Tours given by volunteers of the…read moreHollywood Historical Society are offered between and 1 and 4 on the first Sunday of the month through May. I love how the city of Hollywood has embraced their history. There are many historical signs on buildings throughout the city. This house not only tells the story of Vera and Clarence Hammerstein but also the history of Hollywood, Florida. If you have any history questions pertaining to the city, you can ask the knowledgeable volunteers. In addition I was also able to meet with the city historian who was working in a back building during the tour. The 1935 house is a tropical modern design. Features include a variegated tile roof, Cuban and Spanish floor tiles, white stucco walls, and fireplaces with detailed heatolators along the sides. While I love the house my favorite items on the tour were the personal touches of its previous occupants. Vera and Clarence were world travelers and in the Florida room you can see the souvenirs of their travels. Also on display is Clarence's World War I memorabilia. The house has all of the period furniture including a gorgeous Tiffany cabinet. You feel like the homes owners could step back at any moment. Tours are absolutely free and parking is available on the street in front of the house. A big thank you to the volunteers who give their time to make these tours possible. After you finish at the home there are a number of great cafes and coffee shops a short distance away on Young Circle.