Author Archives: timallen

Free Post Art Basel Events to Enjoy

Art Basel has come and gone, but there are still plenty of local events to check out this week if you’re already having artistic withdrawals. Best of all, these events will cost you little to nothing to enjoy and attend. Let’s get started.

Singer and fire dancer Megan Morrison has developed a loyal following for showcasing her talents as the frontwoman for bands like Dorothy’s Surrender. The multi-talented woman is now going solo with a new project appropriately called Morrison and she’ll be performing her work on Tuesday night at Ricky’s South Beach.

On Saturday, the New World Center in Miami Beach is presenting its Sounds of the Season event featuring classics like Tchaikovsky’s classic The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, and many more. If you can’t make it there before showtime at 7:30 pm, you can always enjoy the gargantuan WallCast along with other spectators.

Speaking of the holidays, Gramps over in Miami is also getting into the holiday spirit with its Jazzy Holidaze celebration where musical acts like Poparazzi, Butterfly Snapple, and Foom! will perform. The party kicks off on Friday at 7:30 pm.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Miami’s Art Fairs Are Soon to Begin

We’re only a couple of days away from the start of Miami Art Week, signaling the arrival of the perennial favorite Art Basel at the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. While Art Basel is perhaps the biggest and most notable of the various art fairs going on, it’s not the only one art aficionados and appreciators can check out beginning next week. Here are a couple of others you may not know about.

Design Miami concentrates more on the latest innovations in objects made by artists and furniture design. The design fair functions as something of an accompaniment to Art Basel as it’s held adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Art Miami is celebrating its 29^th edition this year and it’s changing things up with a new home in Miami’s downtown area, at 1 Miami Herald Plaza to be exact. Among the various artwork, the one generating a lot of attention and anticipation is the exhibition being curated by actress and model Brooke Shields.

Also taking place at 1 Herald Plaza is CONTEXT Art Miami, a sister fair. Close to 100 galleries from various parts of the globe will be showcasing work. Among the work on display, be sure to check out British artist Lucy Sparrow’s felt inspired products.

South Florida’s Thanksgiving Parties

Tomorrow is the big day, ladies and gentlemen! Tomorrow we give thanks and celebrate with some great food, great family, and wonderful friends. While the holiday is traditionally about spending it at someone’s home, there are also plenty of Thanksgiving themed parties going on throughout South Florida. Let’s take a look at a few.

Thanksgiving on the ice? Sure, why not? Tonight, Basement on Collins Avenue right here in Miami Beach is throwing a “Thanksgiving Eve” Party which will feature performances by T.Dade, Autograf, and more. Disco Neil and Fly Guy will also be spinning tunes. Make sure you get there before midnight if you want to enter for free, just be sure to do an RSVP.

Bougainvillea in South Miami is once again throwing its annual Thanksgiving Eve Block Party, where the surrounding streets will be shut down so everyone can safely enjoy all of the Thanksgiving debauchery. Happy hour begins at 4 pm until 8 pm and there will be plenty of great music being performed courtesy of DJs like Proof, A-Train, and Obscene. You may wish to use a ridesharing service or public transportation to get there as parking will likely be an issue. Party admission is free.

A Feline-Themed Cafe Opens This Weekend

Cafes are a common sight throughout Miami Beach, and they each have their own distinct personality and charm. Few of them, however, are as unique as one that will be opening its doors for the first time this weekend. The 2,900 square foot Cat Café South Beach will have plenty of bites, fresh coffee, and true to its name, live cats.

Now before you go thinking this is a health hazard waiting to happen, Cat Café South Beach doesn’t work quite the way you may think it does. While there is the obvious dining area, customers can head over to Purradise, another area separated by plexiglass with an appropriate beach theme which is also home to more than 25 cats customers can interact with. If you happen to fall in love with one of these furry felines, there is the option to adopt it and make it part of the family.

The Cat Café South Beach was started by a woman who wanted to do something about the large number of stray cats lingering near her Miami Beach condominium. After choosing to foster some kittens, friends encouraged her to open a cat cafe. Two years later, Cat Café South Beach is now a reality. Customers wishing to visit Purradise are asked to donate at least $15 for adults or $12 for children age ten and under. These donations are used to provide the housing for the cats as well as food and supplies like litter.

Cat Café South Beach is located at 1423 Washington Avenue.

Honoring the Veterans

Today, we come together to honor all of the courageous men and women that served in the United States Armed Forces. While Veterans Day was officially yesterday, the day is being observed around the country today. Several places throughout Miami-Dade County are having events or doing something special in honor of the day.

Until 7 pm this evening, the restaurant chain IHOP is serving a complimentary Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo to all customers that are veterans or currently serving as active duty military. In Miami Gardens, the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex Auditorium is hosting a Veterans Day lunch until 2 pm.

Here in Miami Beach, our Veterans Day honors took place yesterday with military fly-overs plus a family picnic. The city’s hotels and beaches once played essential roles in serving as home bases during World War I. Ocean Drive also had a traditional parade which now includes thousands of participants from its humble beginnings when a mere fifty people participated.

On a somber note, the Fallen Comrade Table remembers the military service members that have passed on, gone missing, or were imprisoned. The table will remain open until Wednesday. The address is 3800 NW 115th Avenue.

Chef Showdown

Many people have never heard of or attended the chef showdown event; however, when you do attend this event your stomach will thank you for it The chef showdown is in Miami Beach, and many chefs are going to be competing against each other. Chefs are going head to head to see who’s the top chef; they’re excited about the competition and eager to show off their skills. The chefs also want to share this moment with their team and the guests that will come to see them.

Chef Showdown is an opportunity for chefs to interact and connect with people in a momentous occasion. This showdown will showcase fourteen of Miami’s top chefs and will be a night of competitive cuisine, fresh cocktails, and live entertainment. Each chef will come up with a signature dish of their own and that will resonate with their guests for a lifetime. There will be all types of food and if you’re allergic or vegan you don’t have to worry because the chefs have taken all of these things into consideration before preparing their food for their guests. This is a must attend event and anyone that wants to go should go with an appetite.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Halloween Events in Miami Beach

Tomorrow is Halloween and Miami Beach is definitely one of those South Florida cities that knows how to celebrate the ghoulishly fun day as the city turns into one giant masquerade. Let’s take a look at some of the events going on right here in the barrier island.

From 6 pm to 9 pm tomorrow, the Scott Rakow Youth Center will have various carnival games, a haunted house, treats for the kids, and more. Complimentary shuttle parking will be offered at Miami Beach Senior High School. Admission is only $5 and free for children age three and under. Do keep in mind masks will not be allowed for anyone age eleven or older.

For those planning on going trick-or-treating, various Miami Beach fire stations will be giving out goodies between 7 pm to 9 pm. You’ll also have the opportunity to snap a photo with a firefighter or a firetruck to remember the day.

The 1 Hotel South Beach is getting into the Halloween spirit with its “Alice in 1Derland Yelloween” event beginning tomorrow at 9 pm. The hotel rooftop will be transformed into a tea party of sorts featuring décor and other extras that all capture the imagination of the classic Alice in Wonderland world.

Great Restaurants for the Fall Season

The fall season is in full swing and there are plenty of places serving dishes for guests seeking to try something new this season. As we’ve done with these restaurant choices in the past, we’re sticking to the ones that are located here in the barrier island of Miami Beach. Let’s get started.

Just south of the Sunset Islands is Lucali, the New York City import that has shown no signs of losing its tremendous success since its opening. The calzones, as well as the pizza, are made using handmade dough and the restaurant is known for its incredibly fresh ingredients.

Byblos is one we’ve mentioned in the past and it’s once again receiving another mention. The décor is simply stunning but it’s the Mediterranean inspired food that truly elevates the eatery to a “must visit”. Byblos is located on Collins Avenue.

Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford’s Stubborn Seed on Washington Avenue captures the trendy atmosphere of the South of Fifth area. While its dishes are incredible, a major highlight of the restaurant is its tasting menu.

The next restaurant is so famous, most people will recognize it with a single word: “Joe’s”. As one of the oldest restaurants in Miami Beach, the perennial favorite continues to be one of the best places in town.

October Events in South Florida

October has arrived and with it comes a host of new events happening in and around Miami. Let’s explore what’s going on this month in case you’re trying to figure out what to do.

We’ll begin with the Miami International Auto Show kicking off this Friday. For those of you that are passionate about vehicles, the event is a showcase of the latest trucks, SUVs, and sedans featuring the latest in automotive technology by many of the world’s most well-known manufacturers. Tickets start at just $15 a person and there is sure to be plenty of opportunities to snap a selfie in front of cool vehicles.

Also happening in October is the South Beach Seafood Festival beginning on October 15^th. The event coincides with the start of stone crab season and if there is one place to enjoy the best stone crab, it’s definitely Joe’s Stone Crab. Food and wine pairings, the annual Chef Showdown, a VIP dinner, and much more is in store at this year’s festival.

The end of the summer season signals the arrival of basketball season. Come on out to the American Airlines Arena and support the Miami Heat as well as one of its star players: Dwyane Wade. This season will mark the twelve-time NBA All-Star player’s last before he retires.

Have Some Coffee, Adopt a Feline

What’s your typical definition of a cafe? It probably involves something along the lines of a relaxed place to enjoy some small bites while spending time chit-chatting with friends, family, or colleagues. What you may not typically associate it with is live cats.

More than a year in the works, The Cat Cafe South Beach is getting ready to make its grand debut next month. Besides a coffee bar, its most distinctive and perhaps peculiar feature is the foster home area which will be dedicated to local rescued cats that are up for adoption. This cat area will be run by volunteers and coffee bar guests can rest assured that this area will be separated by a glass wall. As you might guess from the unusual concept, the ultimate goal is to try and find loving homes for the stray cats while reducing cat overpopulation in the barrier island.

The Cat Cafe South Beach is not entirely new to South Florida. If you’ve ever been to Wilton Manors, you may have come across Good Luck Cat Cafe. Miami is also planning to debut its own take on this concept when The Cat’s Meow Café makes its grand opening. As for The Cat Cafe South Beach, it will be located at 1423 Washington Avenue.