Hi Jose! Tell us a little about what you do here in Miami.
I am a performing artist, producer, and educator. In addition to my favorite area — the arts, and the creative process of a piece of art — I am a change-maker and enthusiastic about raising awareness in topics regarding disability inclusion, diversity empowerment, education, and social equity. I have been a member of the Board of Directors of FUNDarte for several years in my capacity as ADA Advisor. I have worked at the Miami Dade College ACCESS Department (Disability Services) for over a decade. I am also the artistic director of Antiheroes, a not-for-profit organization.
What neighborhood(s) are you reppin’?
Wynwood, Miami Beach, and Sunset.
What brings you most alive about the 305?
The artistic movement taking place in the 305 for more than a decade. I am a fan of many local artists and the work of organizations and institutions such as FUNDarte, Miami Light Project, CCEMiami, the Koubek Center, Artefactus Cultural Project, the Knight and Miami Foundations, Live Arts Miami and the Department of Cultural Affairs of our county. Together, they are giving shape to a vibrant community and a fast-growing cultural environment.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
One of my top memories in Miami is the presentation for over five weekends of Peer Gynt, the adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen classical piece produced and presented by FUNDarte in collaboration with Centro Cultural Español in 2018. There are many more, and not all of them related to the arts, but the connection among more than twenty artists, the audience members, and the institutions was a one-of-a-kind moment in our scene. The patio of Centro Cultural Español — the way it was years ago, its gastronomic offerings, and seven fragments of the above-mentioned piece — created a unique moment in the history of the arts in our city and shaped a new generation of performing artists and audience members.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Portobello pizza from Andiamo: Portobello mushrooms, dry tomatoes, caramelized onions, goat and mozzarella cheese, and truffle oil… just delicious, and I think I will never get tired of it.
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.
Hmmm… this is not easy, but I love walking around the Sunset neighborhood and eating at Old Lisbon Restaurant, another one of my favorites. I love Miami Beach; my favorite area is South Point, and my favorite restaurant to end the day is Full Bloom Vegan or Pizza Rustica. My third preferred destination would be Coral Gables, and to eat there, Aromas del Perú.
What’s your favorite local social media account and why?
Miami Design Preservation League. It is an important support to the preservation of our architectural heritage, and the identity and the unique profile of our city, and I think they are doing an amazing job.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
I would ask them to actively participate in our cultural life. Visiting our galleries, museums, and historical sites; local movie theaters such as the Tower, O Cinema, or Coral Gables Cinematheque; come to our theaters, music and dance concerts, and give feedback on their programming.
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
After several years of living and creating in Miami, the city has become one of the key elements of my body of work. I am proud of what we, the artistic community in general, have achieved: transforming Miami into a cultural destination with amazing musicians and local film directors, influential visual artists, and home of our Art Basel, the international Miami Book Fair, and many, many other relevant events.
If there was one thing you could change, address, etc. about Miami, what would it be?
The insufficient support for the arts and local artists.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
Looking forward to seeing theaters full of audience members, critical thinkers, and the youngest population bringing their joy to the venues and events.
