The Ten Best Earth Day Events in Miami

Earth Day 2018 is coming, Earthlings.

Ahead of the big day — Sunday, April 22 — let’s reflect on how we, as a people, have affected the Earth. There are a gazillion issues to consider, but let’s stick with this year’s Earth Day theme of ending plastic pollution.

More than 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Plastic entanglement and indigestion kill more than 1 million seabirds annually. Less than 10 percent of all plastic is ever recycled. The statistics go on and on.

But amid our collective disgustingness and how humans generally treat the Earth like the garbage we litter it with, some individuals and organizations are making a meaningful impact right in our backyard. Many of these organizations have events happening this Earth Day weekend.

It’s time to get inspired, take action, and, at the very least, switch to a reusable water bottle. Here are ten Earth Day shindigs around town this weekend:
1. Climakaze Miami at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The arts and our climate will collide for another Climakaze Miami. The three-day affair is chock full of free activities at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, including a dance/bike/swim triathlon, an eco-arts gathering, and garbage-inspired performances of The Mermaid Tear Factory. Friday, April 20, through Sunday, April 21, at 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach; climakazemiami.org. Admission is free.
2. Earth Day Festival at Wynwood Yard. As part of its second-annual Earth Day Festival, the Yard invites folks to upcycle and recycle goods and #5 plastics, hear a green initiatives panel, drink a beer (with proceeds benefitting environmental charities), attend a sustainable cooking session, and participate in other fun diversions. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at 56 NW 29th St., Miami; thewynwoodyard.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com 3. PosterFest at the Wolfsonian. Use your poster prowess to craft some Earth-saving collateral. PosterFest is an all-day affair offering presentations, exhibits, and workshops to help attendees refine their poster-making skills. From letterpress and silkscreen workshops to Adobe Creative challenges, this shindig has what you need to get your message out. 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; wolfsonian.org. Admission is free.
4. Las Ánez at Miami-Dade County Auditorium. A bit of Colombia is making its way to Earth Day U.S.A. As part of Climakaze Miami, the folksy/contemporary Colombian twin-sister duo Las Ánez will rock a show, followed by a film screening of the magical realist flick Zenú by Claudio Marcotulli. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami; miamidadecountyauditorium.org. Tickets cost $22 via ticketmaster.com.
5. Earth Day at 1 Hotel South Beach. This swanky spot recently launched the campaign Earth Day, Every Day, and it’s time to celebrate. On Earth Day, the eco-friendly hotel will host a full roster of activities for guests and locals. On the agenda are grounding yoga from Lululemon, a beach cleanup, flower and veggie planting, a breath-work session, and an Earth Day market. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 1hotels.com. Admission is free with RSVP via earthday1hotelsb.splashthat.com.
6. Get Your Green On at the Frost Museum of Science. The Frost will get you and the whole family loving Mother Earth. At Get Your Green On, special activities will promote the movement to end plastic pollution. Families are invited to bring recyclables and learn about how to properly discard them. There will also be a trail-mix bar, a relay race, and solar-powered road racers. 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 22, at 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; frostscience.org. Entry is free with museum admission, which costs $29 for adults and $20 for kids; Miami-Dade residents pay $24.65 for adults and $17 for kids.
7. Earth Day Yoga at LauderAle. Yoga and beer for a good cause? Yes, please. LauderAle Brewery will host a special class, Ales and Asana, offering a free beer and relaxation. Proceeds from the class benefit the Broward Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. After yoga, there will be a gardening class, food trucks, and other fun to keep the vibe going. 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, April 22, at 3305 SE 14th Ave., Fort Lauderdale; lauderale.co. Tickets cost $15 via eventbrite.com
8. Earth Day Celebration at the Surfside Community Center. Recycled water bottles will soon be used to create a giant jellyfish. The town of Surfside’s third-annual Earth Day Celebration also includes a rescue bird release, turtle-inspired arts and crafts, and an exchange to rid the earth of energy-eating shower heads and light bulbs. 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 22, at 9301 Collins Ave., Surfside; townofsurfsidefl.gov. Admission is free.
9. Earth Day Cupcake Baking Workshop at Bunnie Cakes. Don’t want to pick up trash on the streets and would rather eat cake? The Earth Day Cupcake Baking Workshop is for you! Learn to bake your own cupcakes and color your batter in all sorts of earthy colors. (And then sell them at a bake sale to support your favorite Earth-loving charity, perhaps.) 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at 2328 NE Second Ave., Miami; bunniecakes.com. Tickets cost $35 to $47.
10. Meditate at Brickell City Centre. Namaste. For the second year, Brickell City Centre (BCC) and Modern OM are hosting a large-scale meditation at the swanky shopping center. Honor Mother Earth via good vibes and get Earth Day perks at socially conscious retailers at BCC. 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-350-9922; brickellcitycentre.com. Admission is free.