Sundays On The Green: Organic Market Party Makes A Push For Daytime Culture In Wynwood

Organizers of the new monthly market party Sundays On The Green aren't just tossing up a vegetable stand in a vacant Wynwood lot and calling in a food truck: they're combining an organic outdoor farmer's market with eco-friendly vendors, pop-up demonstrations, skateboarding, food, children's activities, live art and music, and even a composting drop-off.

Because this is Miami, and taking place on the lawn of The Armory recording studio and rehearsal space on NW 23rd Street, there's even an after-dark afterparty with PBR, Krisp, and The Hongs. What's not to love?

But Armory owner Daniel Wills and his locally-focused partners in Wynwood Green -- WVUM, 305Green, Ground Up Collective, and party purveyors I Am Your Villain -- aren't just in it for the party. They're doing it for the community, for families, and for a number of environmental causes -- to "educate people in a way that's cool," as Wills puts it, creating a cultural hub for the transitioning neighborhood by bringing together locally-owned businesses, organizations, and people.

"I wanted it to be something that we could get people out to, just to get a good feeling out in Wynwood," said Wills, who opened Armory three months ago after building out a graffiti-covered warehouse from scratch. "The only time real community people go out is on Second Saturdays in this area, and I think Sunday would just be a nice daytime thing for people to come out and experience this neighborhood and watch it grow."

The grand push for a daylight community in Wynwood kicks off this at noon Sunday when dogs, kids, parents, and anyone can mingle out-of doors on the 12,000-square-foot lot, bringing a little life to a relatively blighted block against 1-95. The Gastropod, Bocaditos, Coolhaus, and Mac 'n Food trucks will be on hand for eats, Marathon Bio-Diesel will be sharing their secrets, and the likes of Gab Studio, Ozone Clothing, and Vintaj Mahal will peddle wares alongside Farm Fresh Miami and the Urban Oasis Project.

Want a balloon animal, a lesson in making beer, or organic mobile grooming for your dog? That's all available, too, along with an hourly lesson from Cooking With Kids Miami.

Ground Up Collective's Dean Taha said Sundays on the Green is personal for those involved. He's got a two-year-old daughter, Wills' second child is on the way, and both say many of the Wynwood business owners have families, but few places to take them. "It will be a cool community thing," Wills adds.

The music, of course, is a particular focus for Wills, whose rock and roll credentials are impeccable: not only has his dad felt like makin' love as the bassist for Bad Company and Foreigner, Wills has gone on the road with Styx, played Tom Cruise's drummer in Rock of Ages, and helped launch Wynwood nightclub Bardot.

"I had this passion to keep that going without really having the emphasis on the bar," he said. "I wanted it to be about the space and the band... a market with an element of music involved."

As such, the Sundays on the Green is split into two parts: the daytime event runs from noon to 7 p.m. (with an accompanying live broadcast from WVUM, natch) and the $10 night version -- with live performances by Krisp and The Hongs, DJ Charlie Woods, and a Wasabi Fashion Kult fashion art performance -- goes down from 7 to midnight. Both will have biodegradable trash bags.

"The evening event is just to carry on the day and have a beer," said Wills, who told HuffPost the February edition already boasts nearly twice the number of vendors. "It's another reason to come out in Wynwood and put this place on the map...What we're doing on Wynwood Green is going to be a lot of fun."

Sundays On The Green will be every last Sunday of the month at 572 NW 23rd Street, from noon- to 7 p.m. with a live music show following. Visit WynwoodGreen.org for directions and more information.