Best Upcoming Art And Cultural Festivals In Miami
Miami is comprised of a diverse mix of cultures, and because of its cultural diversity, this city has all different types of art available to the public. These upcoming art festivals capture this city's love for traditional and non-traditional art, music, community pride and film. In addition, each venue has its own unique style and reflects different elements of this multicultural, sun-soaked city.
Heineken TransAtlantic Festival
North Beach Bandshell
7250 Collins Ave.
Miami, FL 33141
(305) 673-7730
www.transatlanticfestival.com
Dates: April 13 to April 14, 2012
Price: $35 pass allows you to see every show
See schedule of events
North Beach Bandshell is an outdoor amphitheater located in North Shore Park. It hosts cultural events, including the Florida Dance Festival, in addition to family events. The Heineken TransAtlantic Festival festival explores music from Europe, Africa, Brazil, Argentina, the Caribbean and New York. Come see artists who merge the sounds of traditional rhythms and electronica and DJ culture at this year's festival.
Miami Beach 4th Annual Gay Pride Festival
Ocean Drive and Lummus Park Miami Beach
www.miamibeachgaypride.com
Date: April 15, 2012
Price: Free
See schedule of events
Ocean Drive is lined with Art Deco buildings, hotels, restaurants and cafes and is across the street from the beach. Parallel to Ocean Drive, Lummus Park was created in 1909 and it features some of the oldest structures in Miami. It is home to Miami's Scottish Rite Temple, along with the Fort Dallas building and the William Wagner House. Walk, run, bike, or play with the kids on the play structure. An opening reception starts things off for Miami's 4th Annual Gay Pride Festival, followed by a Lambda showcase and an after party. There will be floats, live music performances and vendor booths.
Miami Museum Month
See a list of participating museums
www.miamimuseummonth.com
Dates: May 1 to May 31, 2012
May is the month to visit many of Miami's museums. Locals pay for one visit to a museum and may then visit all participating museums. Included on this year's list are the Ancient Spanish Monastery, which was built from stones that were once part of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux in Spain, in 1133; the Black Police Precinct & Court House Museum, which pays homage to Florida's first African American police officers and court officials from the 1950s; and the Jewish Museum of Florida, which exhibits artifacts that speak to the Jewish experience in Florida dating back to the 1760s, among others. Non-locals can visit two museums for the price of one.
Related: Best Art Museums in Miami
American Black Film Festival
Colony Theatre
1040 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 674-1040
www.abff.com
Dates: June 20 to June 23, 2012
Price: $60 - $1,300
Hours: Film screenings take place between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This historic South Beach landmark opened in 1935. Today, the Colony Theatre been restored to its original art-deco style after a $6.5 million, three-year renovation. The theater seats 430 and every seat provides a perfect view of the stage. Founded to promote independent black films, the American Black Film Festival gives filmmakers opportunities to collaborate, become more educated and to showcase their work to network executives as well as the general public.
The 20th Annual International Mango Festival
Fairchild Tropic Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
(305) 667-1651
www.miamiandbeaches.com
www.fairchildgarden.org
Dates: July 14 to July 15, 2012
Price: Free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. Non-members: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children 6-17. Visit their web page to learn about the eco-discount and their military discount.
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Spend a day walking along exquisite garden paths filled with tropical birds and butterflies at the Fairchild Tropic Botanic Garden. Stroll through a rainforest that includes waterfalls and orchids and view more than 8 acres of flowering trees. Talk to a horticulturist about the best ways to grow fruits and vegetables at home, or learn about conservation science. The world's largest display of mangoes is available in all its succulent varieties at the 20th Annual International Mango Festival this year. Shop by picking mangoes from trees, sip mango smoothies and listen to lectures on the virtues of this much-loved tropical fruit.
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Donna Carter has a passion for life that compels her to write about life. She was raised in Miami and graduated from Florida International University. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
