Check out these Miami-made comedies, drag shows and art galleries this June
Summer vacation. Ripe mangoes. Pride Month. Hurricane season. And 3 p.m. thunderstorms. It’s June in Miami, yet again.
When I started working at the Herald as the arts reporter, people always told me that the summer is the art scene’s “slow” season. This is technically true, but I see myself being particular busy this summer running around in sweltering heat, air conditioned art museums and humid artist studios. Seriously, some of you guys need fans.
This is Arts Notes, the Herald’s monthly guide to Miami’s hottest — and sweatiest — arts and culture events. Send event recommendations for July to [email protected].
Though the arts season is winding down, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Here are June’s highlights:
Explore Allapattah art galleries after hours
You guys remember art walks? I feel like nobody does art walks anymore!
Wynwood might be known as Miami’s arts neighborhood, but it looks like nearby Allapattah is coming for that title. The art galleries and institutions of the burgeoning Allapattah arts scene have teamed up to organize the first Allapattah Art Night, a good-ole-fashioned art walk where all are welcome to sip on cold beer while checking out cool art from around the world.
The following locations are participating: Voloshyn Gallery, Mindy Solomon Gallery, KDR, La Cometa Gallery, Andrew Reed Gallery, El Espacio 23, the Rubell Museum. Tell ‘em Amanda sent you.
When: June 1, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: 22nd Street and 23rd Street from NW 8th Avenue to NW 22th Avenue. Addresses for each location listed in our Allapattah Art Night guide
Info: Free and open to the public.
A week of events celebrating women in arts
Women gallery owners, collectors and artists are a force to be reckoned with in Miami. That’s why Women Artists’ Art Week (WAAW), a London-based initiative, is launching its first U.S. edition in the 305.
WAAW Miami is a week of programming that highlights the women that make Miami’s arts community tick, like a tour with Nina Johnson at her Little Haiti gallery, a panel at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami lead by curator Amanda Morgan and a visit to Locust Projects with executive director Lorie Mertes.
When: June 1-8
Where: Multiple locations throughout Miami.
Info: Free and open to the public. http://eventbrite.com
‘Miami’s equivalent to Saturday Night Live’ returns with fresh plays
City Theatre, an award-winning Miami-based theater company, is presenting fresh and funny plays written by Miami locals.
Summer Shorts, a monthlong live theater festival, returns with eight 10-minute plays. Half of the plays were chosen from City Theatre’s Homegrown playwright development program, an initiative that promotes and trains Miami-based playwrights from historically marginalized communities. That means this month, you can watch world premieres by local playwrights Brandon Urrutia, Nerissa Street, Maleeha Naseer and Brittany “BK” King.
When: June 6- 23
Where: Adrienne ArshtCenter for the Performing Arts’ Carnival Studio Theater,
Info: $50 for general admission, $15 for students and teachers. https://www.arshtcenter.org
Drag and reggaeton at ICA Miami
It’s not LGBTQ Pride Month without drag, and it’s definitely not Pride Month in Miami without reggeaton.
ICA Miami, a contemporary art museum in the Design District, is hosting its annual Pride edition of its First Fridays series with a musical performance by Honduran perreo pop singer Isabella Lovestory and hosted by Miami drag legend Karla Croqueta. The event includes DJ sets by Marte and Saturn Sarii and drag performances by local queens Kat Wilderness, Sting Dion and Viola Putx.
When: June 7, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: ICA Miami, 61 NE 41st St., Miami
Info: $10 general admission. Must be +18 to enter. https://icamiami.org
Artists of color address climate change in Miami Beach
The Center for Cultural Power, a woman-of-color and artist-led organization, is hosting a social event at The Bass in Miami Beach for artists, activists and tastemakers to discuss climate change and social justice.
The event includes a live spoken word performance from poet Janine Simon, art exhibits, drinks and hors d’oeuvres and opportunities to mingle and network. The event is part of Climate Woke, a campaign that encourages artists and storytellers to create social media content about climate change.
When: June 13, noon – 3:30 p.m.
Where: The Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Info: Free and open to the public. https://www.eventbrite.com
Last chance to see massive Harlem Renaissance show
There’s a treasure trove of history at The Wolfsonian – FIU.
“Silhouettes: Image and Word in the Harlem Renaissance” is a sprawling exhibition celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Harlem Renaissance, curated by Miami-based collector and gallerist Chris Norwood. The show focuses on the collaborations between the best visual artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance era and features the likes of Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes and Billie Holiday. Read my full review on the exhibit here.
“So often in today’s society, people believe the world began the day they were born. There’s a ambivalence towards knowing history,” Norwood said. “If you don’t know history, how can you ever know if you’re being innovative?”
When: The Wolfsonian–FIU, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Where: On view until June 23
Info: Free admission for Florida residents. https://wolfsonian.org
This story was produced with financial support from individuals and Berkowitz Contemporary Arts in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
