The Ten Best Things to Do in Miami This Weekend

Lunar New Year, Nu Deco Ensemble, Somi Beer Festival, and more.

By Ashley-Anna Aboreden, Jose D. Duran and Sophia Medina

January 19, 2023

A Festival of Chocolate at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: See Saturday Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden photo

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Friday, January 20

On Friday, University of Texas ethnomusicologist Robin Moore will attempt to answer the question: Where did salsa — the style of music — come from? The discussion, entitled "The Birth of Salsa in New York City," is based on the Wolfsonian's current exhibit, "Turn the Beat Around" (on view through April 30), which explores how Cuban and American musicians produced new musical forms by riffing off their neighbors. Moore's talk focuses on how Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican musicians in New York City developed the salsa genre by uniting mambo, cha-cha-chá, and conjunto. 7 p.m. Friday, at the Wolfsonian, 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-531-1001; wolfsonian.org. Admission is free with RSVP. Ashley-Anna Aboreden

On Friday, Olujimi Dance Collective takes the stage at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center to present its latest program, "T.W.E.R.K." The acronym stands for "transnational dance works and practices that evoke revolutionary kinship" and brings together a diverse group of artists to celebrate the bonds that hold us together. Olujimi is led by artistic director Michelle Grant-Murray, who has trained in contemporary modern dance, West African dance, Afro-Brazilian dance, jazz dance, and dance composition. 8:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, at Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211th St., Cutler Bay; 786-573-5300; mosscenter.org. Tickets cost $35. Jose D. Duran

You won't have to travel to Park City to check out some of the year's best short films. On Friday, O Cinema premieres the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour 2022, a 95-minute program that features seven film shorts curated from the film festival's shorts program. Three of the seven films won awards, including If I Go Will They Miss Me, Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver, and Warsha. For decades, Sundance has been considered the premier showcase for short films that range from documentaries to animation and fiction. 9 p.m. Friday through Thursday, January 26, at O Cinema South Beach, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 786-471-3269; o-cinema.org. Tickets cost $9 to $11. Ashley-Anna Aboreden

click to enlarge

Lunar New Year at 1-800-Lucky: See Saturday

Photo by Amadeus McCaskill

Saturday, January 21

Willy Wonka may not be opening his doors to the chocolate factory, but Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is inviting you to its chocolate wonderland. A Festival of Chocolate celebrates the velvety confection's rich taste and luscious decadence. Indulge in various chocolate pairings with wines and spirits, unlocking robust flavors and amplifying your taste buds. Beyond the tasty treats, the festival offers a plethora of activities, from live entertainment to classes that dive into the world of chocolate. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651; fairchildgarden.org. Tickets cost $11.95 to $24.95. Sophia Medina

For the first time, Wynwood's Asian food hall 1-800-Lucky hosts a celebratory bash in honor of the Lunar New Year. For two days only, the space will invite seven food vendors to serve seven special meals not typically served at the establishment and believed to impart luck, including longevity noodles, coconut jelly rabbit dumplings (2023 is the Year of the Rabbit), and good-fortune fruits. Upon entry, you'll receive an envelope that you'll present to each vendor to receive a food item and stamp. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 1-800-Lucky, 143 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-768-9826; 1800lucky.com. Tickets cost $75 via eventbrite.com. Sophia Medina

Beat the Miami winter heat with an ice-cold beer at the inaugural Somi Beer Festival, presented by Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern. More than 90 breweries will share their craft beers for attendees to sample and enjoy. (Did we mention samples are unlimited?) Pair your beer with savory meals offered by various local vendors as you enjoy live music by local band Sunset Dreams. 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, at Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern, 7221 SW 58th Ave., South Miami; 305-669-8577; bougiesbar.com. Tickets cost $40 to $70 via eventbrite.com. Sophia Medina

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Nu Deco Ensemble at Miami Beach Bandshell: See Saturday

Photo by Alex Markow Photography

The ever-popular Black Market is hosting a new event at Understory on Saturday. Night of Gaia doesn't stray far from Black Market's mix of entertainment, vendors, and all-around fun. You can expect live performances by Rachel Goodrich, Humbert, and Raquel Lily, as well as stand-up comedy by Alby Dominguez, Raul Colom, and Shaq Zoola. There will also be a pop-up drawing class and a wide variety of vendors. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, at Understory, 7145 NW First Court, Miami; instagram.com/understorymia. Tickets cost $15 via shotgun.live. Jose D. Duran

On Saturday, Nu Deco Ensemble returns to the stage at the Miami Beach Bandshell to deliver another of its programs of classical twists on contemporary sounds. The orchestra will perform four pieces: Jacques Ibert's Divertissement; an original composition by Sam Hyken, Aaron Lebos, Armando Lopez, and Jam Matthews; and a reimagining of Stevie Wonder's 1979 double album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants. The night culminates with a special collaboration with New York City soul-pop group Lawrence. 8 p.m. Saturday, at Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; nu-deco.org. Tickets cost $70 to $80. Ashley-Anna Aboreden

Sunday, January 22

The Faena Hotel Miami Beach hosts a spirit-awakening session that calls on participants to release love in order to receive it back. Led by the hotel's spa director Augustina Caminos, Twin Hearts Meditation promises to cleanse your auras, calm your emotions, and sharpen your mind. You'll walk away from this spiritual shower with powerful energy and a shimmering aura. 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Faena Hotel Miami Beach, 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-534-8800; faena.com. Donations are encouraged via eventbrite.com. Sophia Medina

On Sunday, head to Wynwood hot spot the Joint of Miami to scope out the city's up-and-coming comedic talent. American Grime's new Comedy Joint Open Mic Night, hosted by Sergio Mendez and MC Jumanji, invites anyone who's brave enough to take the stage. Express yourself any way you please: comedy, poetry, spoken word, or acoustic music. 8 p.m. to midnight, at the Joint of Miami, 2010 NW Miami Ct., Miami; 786-860-5634; thejointofmiami.com. Tickets cost $15 via eventbrite.com; entry is free for the first 50 people with RSVP. Ashley-Anna Aboreden

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Ashley-Anna Aboreden is a Miami native and has been writing for as long as she can remember. She is an English graduate from FIU and is currently receiving her MFA in creative writing at the New School. She has an everlasting love for shih tzus (especially hers), chocolate chip cookies, and vintage books.

Contact: Ashley-Anna Aboreden

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Twitter: @ashley_annaa

Jose D. Duran is associate editor of Miami New Times where he primarily oversees the arts and culture and music beats. Jose joined the New Times staff in June 2008 but has been covering Miami culture since 2005. His work has also appeared in publications likeVice, Billboard, and Spin. He’s earned numerous accolades including placing first for Weekly Newspaper Contest: Business Reporting from the Florida Press Association in 2020; placing third for the Writing: Light Feature from the Florida Press Club in 2019; and placing third in Weekly Newspaper Contest: Best Obituary from the Florida Press Association in 2015. Jose holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Contact: Jose D. Duran

Follow:

Twitter: @jose_d_duran

Sophia Medina is a contributing writer for the Miami New Times. She has written for publications such as EDM Sauce and EDMTunes and served as the assistant director for the entertainment section of FIU's school publication, PantherNow. She has a master's in English writing and rhetoric. She considers herself to be a major music enthusiast and enjoys writing about new music, the latest events, and overall entertainment.

Contact: Sophia Medina