Parting Party

During her four years of presenting Surreal Saturday events, founder/curator Susan Caraballo assures that no one has ever wandered in looking for the exhibition of Surrealistic art. And now it seems there's not a chance any such exhibition or odd encounter will occur in the near future, for in search of a new, more stable, home for itself and other arts partners, the monthly multidisciplinary extravaganza (which can be as wild as a circus or as mild as a public library) is saying adios to its Little Havana space. Caraballo curates one last hurrah on Saturday night, which will feature several Surreal veterans such as Octavio Campos, Rene Barge, Mark Koven, Natasha Tsakos, Jasmine Kastel, DJ Le Spam, and Kathe Izzo, plus some new blood: Wendy Wischer. Recently, Caraballo discussed beginnings and endings.

New Times: What's the idea behind the event?

Susan Caraballo: I wanted to bring audiences together. People who would normally just go to dance, I wanted to bring them to see music. Through this event they'd be exposed to different things. The best way to explain it is that it's a cross between a performance and an opening.

Who came up with the name?

I did. I went to the Salvador Dali Museum and that sort of inspired me. The event really doesn't have much to do with Surrealism. I think the name just represents the idea that in Surrealism there are things that don't make sense, and the event is like that. There doesn't necessarily have to be a theme.

Things can get a bit loud and crazy at the happenings, have the cops ever shut you down?

No, never. Believe it or not. But never say never because now on September 4th, watch.

What are your plans?

We want to work with a developer on a project. It would be WDNA (88.9-FM), Sound Arts Workshop, Worm-Hole Laboratory, P.S. 742, and a cafe/restaurant. We'd have our offices there. Ideally we'd like to have live/work spaces above us. We're looking between downtown Miami and Little Haiti.

Are you at all sad?

It hasn't really hit me yet. It's sad, but it's a good change. We're looking at producing events in Miami as well as outside. This will be a good little break. I'd rather wait to get the space that we want.