Well, this is the best idea we've hear about in a while! Specials start at 6 p.m., movie starts outside on the big screen at 8 p.m. Freehand Miami.
Beautiful Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden is free today!
The botanical garden has axed its admission charge today and on five other select dates in the coming months.
The only catch is that all the free days fall in the middle of the work week on Wednesdays.
So if you happen to have an upcoming Wednesday off or vacation days to spare, enjoy Fairchild's 83 acres of tropical palms, cycads, flowering trees and lovely vistas on the following dates, free of charge:
July 3, 2013August 7, 2013
September 4, 2013
October 2, 2013
November 6, 2013
In addition to the natural wonders, the gardens currently have art from Chapungu, Yoko Ono, John Chamberlain, Dale Chihuly, Daisy Youngblood, and Sitting Naturally on exhibit.
If you think the ladies of HuffPost Miami are above tracking David Beckham through grainy restaurant surveillance photos, think again. The man who could bring a professional soccer team back to Miami has been enjoying himself around town in between Heat games at these fine establishments.
We were pretty nervous when news broke last year that the beloved Raleigh Hotel, our favorite spot on South Beach, had been sold to new owners.
But after checking out the revamped space a few weeks ago, we're happy to report the Deco treasure is back and better than ever -- and packing not only a fantastic new dining experience with Restaurant Michael Schwartz, but a beefed up social cocktail program for its venerable den-like Martini Bar.
First, however, chef Michael Schwartz will kick off the week right with The Family Meal on Monday evenings, a fun new $50 prix fixe dinner with a seating at 8 p.m. Guests will meet at a large communal table for a meal of Chef's signature locally sourced fare in three course -- including dessert from renowned pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith.
What can you expect? The night we dined was practically a Thanksgiving feast, with a whole roasted poulet rouge chicken, delectable Swiss chard and carmelized onion panade, carrots with peas and mint, and pickled vegetables -- but keeping it summer, that spread followed a crispy fish salad and hors d'oeuvres including a kimchi quesadilla and ricotta and Florida peach jam crostini. Then, for dessert, came a delicious local peach and blueberry crostada served with pints of Goldsmith's sweet basil ice cream.
And on Tuesdays, the Martini Bar -- gloriously and virtually unchanged from its original heyday -- will launch a selection of new martinis at Martini Culture, ushered in by a great guest bartender host. Expect to find your favorite local cocktail slingers living it behind the bar while introducing libations like PB Steak's Ashley Danella's Martini (Ransom Old Tom Gin, Cocchi Di Torino, Luxardo Maraschino, Bokers bitters) and Amber Alert (Dickel Rye, Lillet Blanc, Chamomile syrup).
Our recommendation? Do both. If there's never too much of a good thing, you can even go back for a dip in pool on Wednesdays.
The Family Meal at Restaurant Michael Schwartz: $50 per person exclusive of beverage, tax, and gratuity; 8 p.m. Monday nights. Call (305) 612-1163 to reserve a spot.
Martini Culture at The Martini Bar: 7 - 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays; a la carte snacks from Restaurant Michael Schwartz.
There's been more buzz about the new building and bay front location of the new Miami Art Museum (now dubbed the Perez Art Museum Miami) than about the artwork going inside it.
And the tepid reviews of Jorge Perez's private collection of Latin American Art, which landed him naming rights on the new space, didn't help matters.
But news of a recent art donation by Mimi and Bud Floback finally has us a twitter about the art to be on exhibit at the new expansive space, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron.
The Flobacks donated 30 major works, including pieces by Rineke Dijkstra, Dan Flavin, Jim Hodges, Gerhard Richter, Frank Stella, and other notable names in contemporary art.
“Mimi and Bud are the kind of donors every museum dreams of, discerning collectors with an unwavering commitment to supporting the public arts institutions in their community,” PAMM director Thom Collins said in a release. “In their long history with the Museum, they have either given us or helped us acquire some of the best works in our collection.”
Here's one of the coveted works by Dutch photographer Rineke Dijkstra:
Funnyman and musician Reggie Watts is returning to the Miami Light Project next month with his disorienting brand of humor.
You may have seen his beat-boxing and stand-up on "Conan" and most recently on the IFC talkshow "Comedy Bang Bang" where he serves as sidekick.
Tickets to his Miami Light Performances on June 6 and 7 cost $30 general admission and $50 VIP.
Tickets to his show on June 8 cost $100 and include access to the after party with BBQ and cocktails.
Watch him below on "Conan":Her pioneering art gallery lasted 12 years in Miami, so when Bernice Steinbaum closed her Wynwood last summer, we figured it wouldn't be long until she was back. Though she remains semi-retired from dealing art full-time, Steinbaum is now ensconced in a second-floor office at nearby Zadok Gallery, where she's taken on the role of curator and consultant.
Saturday, she opened "Reclaimed Miami," an exhibition of 10 Miami-based artists who utilize recycled, nontraditional materials. The artists have been "imaginatively re-purposing objects all around us that might not strike the average viewer as fodder for fine art," according to the gallery, transforming litter by "knitting, embroidery, silk screening, welding, crocheting, gluing, folding, appropriating, and stuffing."
Check out photos from "Reclaimed Miami" and other Zadok exhibitions during Saturday night's Wynwood Art Walk, from photographer Marisa Matluck:
J.Lo was at Fort Lauderdale Beach this weekend, shooting her "Live It Up" music video with Pitbull. The set was reportedly disrupted as gunshots rang out nearby.
Click below for images and video from the set:With the Latin Billboard Awards in town last week, we've been spotting stars all over the place. And after the big show Thursday night, a hoard of big names hit the Miguel Paredes art gallery downtown to live it up with Hennessy V.S. Spotted: Toby Love, Vida Guerra, DJ Africa, Laura Styles, Chef Douglas Rodriguez, Los Rakas, the Soulfrito collective, and more:
If all you know about polo is the divot-stomping scene from "Pretty Woman," well, it really is that fun -- and it's coming right to us!
The 9th Annual La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious beach polo tournament, is underway today on the sands of South Beach. Top-ranked female players are battling it out starting Thursday, and the men kick off 3-day tourney play on Friday.
Best of all, it's free to watch, but there's a VIP experience (and shade) available, too. Tickets starting at $100 get fans access to the covered grandstands, where food and beverages are complimentary and your fanciest hat won't blow off. (Kids 12 and under are free, and those 12-21 are half off.)
Between matches, there's even shopping: Aventura Mall will have a pop-up retail village next to the polo field, located behind the Setai Hotel between 21st and 22nd Streets. What's not to love?
After the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, City of Miami Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deliberated and decided to give the green light to the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run, the largest 5K in the Southeast. More than 25,000 are expected to attend the race on Thursday.
Security will be stepped up, organizers say, and most of those measures won't be visible to the public.
Both the city and run organizers ask participants to leave all bags -- that includes gym bags, backpacks, etc. -- at home.
The race begins Thursday at 6:45 p.m. at Bayfront Park.
Here's a message from race director, John "Hans" Huseby:
With each passing day we gain a little clearer perspective on the tragedy in Boston and we find police departments across the country reviewing and implementing new procedures along with event organizers. As runners and walkers we know that in our free society, and with the open nature of road races, the notion of complete and total safety is not always possible.
We also know that we must not retreat into a shell and try to hide from the realities of the world. Last November Mother Nature dealt a hard blow to the Northeast portion of our country and the New York City Marathon had to be cancelled. This week a man-made and harsh incident hit our country through the Boston Marathon...the running community now has two "new" realities to accept and deal with.
The Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run has been given the "green light " to go on as scheduled on Thursday April 25th, from Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The Miami Police Department has planned added security... most of it not visible. The Miami Police Department has made one simple request to the participants...do not bring backpacks, gym bags or large bags to the event. This seems pretty easy. Plan ahead , bring only the essentials and keep it simple.
So, next Thursday, when you head downtown to run or walk with your coworkers, leave the unnecessary items in the trunk of your car at work... Come with your sneakers, shorts and company t-shirt! Leave the bags behind!
Miami runners will honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings with a silent run Tuesday night.
Participants are encouraged to wear white to the 3.5-mile run that is free and open to the public.
Baptist Health will provide water bottles, NBC6 reports, and special mock bibs resembling those from Boston will be given to runners to wear.
One thousands runners are expected, according to event organizer Frankie Ruiz.
Run for Boston will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Fortune International Parking Lot (1300 Brickell Avenue).
Get more details on the Facebook event page.
What if Alice made her way to Wynwood instead of Wonderland?
Front Yard Theatre Collective and Emerge Miami put a 305 spin on the Lewis Carroll's trippy children's tale with a free theatre and bicycle tour called "Alice in Wynwoodland."
Wear your Queen of Hearts attire and meet at the Omni Metro Mover station at 6 p.m. on April 27.
The tour will make its way to Wynwood "while enjoying skits, music, and crazy surprises in every stop" according to the event page on Facebook.
Alice and friends will eventually wind up at Lagniappe in Midtown.
"We're all a little mad," write the organizers.
We miss Ultra Music Festival already. Where are the fireworks, the sounds, the half-naked people moving as one?
Fortunately the folks behind the festival have released a super epic slo-mo memory reel, "Forever In My Mind," that captures some of the best moments from the two-weekend 2013 bash last month so we can relive it all over and over.
"A special video to thank everybody for an historic 15th anniversary of Ultra Music Festival in Miami," said Ultra organizers. "Attended by 330,000 people and watched by more than 10 million people on YouTube! We have made history together!"
Indeed -- check out the especially gorgeous overhead shots of downtown:
Michael Schwartz is at it again.
The legendary Miami chef, already the force behind Michael's Genuine and Harry's Pizzaria, is opening his fourth restaurant in the Design District: The Cypress Room promises a "freshly polished finish" with a nod to the classic dining of the 1920s when it opens its doors next week.
A rose-colored wallpaper lines the dining room, where you'll find walls of old Florida photos and crystal chandeliers over gleaming wood tables and bar. And on the menu: frog legs, lamb tartar, antelope, burger, agnolotti and more, all made with Schwartz's particular dedication to high-quality ingredients from small farms and fishermen.
Check out photos and the menu below. The Cypress room opens Wednesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. -- but is already taking reservations.
If you're planning on hitting the Sony Open, underway now through March 31, you'll get lots of advice on Key Biscayne traffic, sunscreen, and how to stay upright if you hear Andy Murray's accent.
But we'll let you in on the best advice possible: hit the Champagne tent.
Yes, there's a Champagne tent -- and it doubles as a sushi lounge! Veuve Clicquot has announced the return of its popular Champagne + Sushi Lounge, which was a major hit at last year's tourney. Guests can stop by before, during, and after matches for a bit of bubbly and a nibble from Sushi Maki on couches in the shade, or swing by one of three Veuve Clicquot carts stationed around Crandon Park for a glass and a cup of fresh cut strawberries. Our fave is the lounge, which is decked out with comfy furniture, chic tennis decor, and very happy fans.
And because this is Miami, there's bottles, of course. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label will be available by the glass for $18 and by the bottle for $118, and Veuve Clicquot Rosé will be available by the glass for $23 and by the bottle for $125.
After crossing Bear Cut Bridge, let's face it: you'll need a drink.
Veuve Clicquot is hosting a ticket giveaway for their twitter followers to win a pair of tickets to the Sony Open; follow @VeuveClicquot and @Sonyopentennis for more details.
Dating in Miami is excruciating, let's face it.
But The Standard is here to help! The spa is hosting a 3-part series with relationship expert Nikki Novo called "The Love Club," and the program has a point: dating should be fun! It should actually, really, be fun!
Novo promises answers to 305 questions like "Do I really have to wear a tight dress to score a dude in Miami?” and “Do I just have to leave this city all together to find love?” With mock dating scenarios, worksheets, dance moves, and easy meditations, she'll help the group revamp their love lives and shed those boring approaches to dating.
Classes start Tuesday night and will be held monthly, a schedule that's a lot easier to keep than a tired old blind date. RSVP to nikki@nikkinovowrites.com for March 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.; each session is $50.
Sunday night hip-hop bawse Rick Ross hosted the Reebok Miami White Party at the Fontainebleau's LIV, the 305 club recently bought by media mogul Robert F.X. Sillerman.
Ross partied and rapped alongside those in his Maybach Music Group, including Meek Mill, Wale, and Omarion.
See the photos below:
If you're strolling Second Saturday Art Walk in the Design District and all of a sudden hear someone singing, yes, that is performance art.
In fact, it's a special preview from the Florida Grand Opera, who are putting on the District's first operatic production next weekend at The Stage with a sultry tango-themed double bill featuring Robert Xavier Rodriguez's Tango and Ástor Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires.
But first, Saturday night's previews will be performed at The Hangar in the midst of the gallery's current exhibition on our graffiti subculture, “Miami Minds." Bonus: there'll be complimentary cocktails courtesy of Little Black Dress Vodka, and the preview performance is free with RSVP to rsvp@fgo.org. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., 8:20 p.m., and 9:10 p.m.
Like what you hear? Grab tickets to see the whole shebang at The Stage from March 21-24. Tickets are just $25, part of FGO's Knight Foundation-sponsored "Unexpected Operas in Unexpected Places" series.
Golf with the stars -- and do good, too.
HEAT broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino are hosting their annual celebrity golf tournament and dinner this week, and there's still time to join up. Thursday's day on the links has drawn the likes of former Dolphins Coach Don Shula, former HEAT players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, and NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. And Saturday night's "Call of the Game Dinner" will honor locals who work behind the scenes to make a difference, emceed by Tracy Mourning and with a special presentation by HEAT President Pat Riley. Among the honorees are former Canes and Dolphins linebacker Twan Russell, reporter Sarah Ganim, HEAT assistant coach Ron Rothstein, and Marlins broadcaster Dave Van Horne.
The whole shebang benefits Lauren's Kids and the Dade Schools Athletic Foundation. More: reidandfiorentinoevents.com
The Huffington Post | By HuffPost Miami Editors Posted: 03/20/2012 12:41 pm Updated: 08/29/2012 11:24 am