fbpx

Meet Ever Chávez, leader of FUNDarte

📸: Photo by Nick García

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am Ever Chávez, a Miami-based producer and promoter. Founder and Executive Director of FUNDarte since 2003.

Wax poetic for a minute and tell us: what brings you most alive about this city?

I love Miami’s people’s diversity and the speed of its growth. This is a century-old city that has quickly become a metropolis. This is a young city that allows people to become pioneers; I get a lot of satisfaction from the possibility of bringing new voices and poetics to this city, and there is still a lot to do.

Its privileged location allows access to many important cities worldwide. This is a place of encounter and surprise. When you walk around, which doesn’t happen often, one can hear many languages combined. I am too lucky to have many family members and friends close by. I am also in love with its natural geography, with its beaches and nature all around. One is always close to the sea, lulled by the waves. There are no mountains, but the clouds are beautiful.

What’s your favorite Miami memory?

I remember the arrival and the city giving me a continuation but also a fresh start. A pleasant surprise to meet people from all over. I remember the emotion of the first shows we produced, the excitement to bring new voices to Miami and share our vision of alternative culture.

If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I would eat pescado frito at Pamela’s Restaurant.

Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.

A perfect day in Miami starts with watching the sunrise at Miami Beach (North Beach neighborhood), going for a Cafecito at Sazon’s, then getting ceviche for lunch at Locura Marina, and finally getting a veggie burger at Burgers and Shakes before going to a concert at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

What’s your favorite local social media account to follow on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc. and why?

I follow with great interest the social media of our colleagues at The Rhythm Foundation. I am interested in their mission of bringing the music of the world to Miami. I like how in their socials, they provide information about the artists they present so audiences understand their work deeply.

If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?

I recommend stopping using the klaxon so much, driving safely, and cleaning after their dogs.

How does Miami help you do what you do/influence your work?

The most important help is the audience participation in our events. We are lucky to have a faithful core audience. Our organization has received lots of support from the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs department in bringing alternative theater, dance, and music to Miami. One is constantly learning from this place; its speed makes me have to be ready and move at the same speed as this changing city.

What’s an unpopular opinion you have about the city?

That Miami is a big parking lot with palm trees.

What’s a project you’re working on (big or small) and how can our readers help you with it?

At the moment, we are immersed in our twentieth season. We would love to invite everyone from the city to this special program. We will present up-and-coming local musicians for Miami on Stage; Grammy award winner Alex Cuba; urban dance from Brazil and contemporary dance from Korea; Migguel Anggelo at Out in the Tropics; a two-day climate happening; and an international production with theater artists from Miami and Madrid. People interested in our upcoming events can go to www.fundarte.us and find all the information.

What are you looking forward to between now and the end of the year?

I look forward to Richard Bona’s concert at the Miami Beach Bandshell Dec. 3.

That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know, sponsored by FUNDarte. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2023.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.