It’s April in Miami. You know what that means. Poetry will abound. O, Miami is in full swing for its seventh year in the Magic City, and we’ve got a rundown of our top picks.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out all of the projects and a full list of events here.
Saturday, April 1
Singing in the Dark Times: Poetry & Social Justice at the Bandshell
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: North Beach Bandshell / 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 33141
Cost: Free
More info here
A poetry reading and celebration at the North Beach Bandshell featuring poets Patricia Smith, Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib, Aja Monet, Ashley Jones, and Cathleen Chambless. Local social justice organizations Amnesty International, Black Lives Matter, Emerge Miami, Engage Miami, Community Justice Project, and several others will also be on site.
Sunday, April 2
O, Doption Day
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Miami-Dade Animal Services / 3599 N.W. 79th Ave., Doral, FL
Cost: Free
More info here
Local poets will write free poems on a manual typewriter for anyone who adopts an animal at Doral’s Pet & Adoption Center and O, Miami will unveil “poo-etry bags,” disposable, biodegradable clean-up doggy bags that will be available at six parks around the county.
Friday, April 7
2 Poetry 2 Ferrari
When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Primary Projects / 15 N.E. 39th St., Miami, FL, 33137
Cost: Free
More info here
Poet Dave Landsberger is shooting a poetry-themed remake of 2 Fast 2 Furious, ending at Primary Projects in the Design District. The poems, read inside of a white Ferrari, commemorate the death of Paul Walker and offer other tributes to the Fast and Furious franchise.
Sunday, April 9
Day of Thrones, Season Two
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Coral Reef Park / 7895 S.W. 152nd St., Palmetto Bay, FL,
Cost: $5
More info here
This one is the best event. Why? Because it’s ours. Come out and play games with us for our second annual field day. There will be blood. Also potentially a Slip n’ Slide.
Wednesday, April 12
Modern Muses
When: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: CIC Miami / 1951 N.W. 7th Ave., Miami, FL
Cost: Free
More info here
New World Symphony musicians will play pieces by young composers, along with collaborations with local poets and visual artists.
Saturday, April 15
Putt-PuttLeggers: Literary Mini-golf
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Palmetto Bay Mini Golf // 9300 S.W. 152nd St., Miami, FL
Cost: $15
More info here
Play literary-themed putt-putt on a mini-golf course and get a whole bunch of goodies like a free book, an O, Miami festival tote, and a spiked Arnold Palmer. Plus enjoy the entertainment of a delightful live bagpiper.
Sunday, April 16
Poetry Bus at Counter Corner
When: 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Corner / 1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami, FL
More info here
If you haven’t been to Counter Corner, The Corner’s monthly queer party, the time is now. Hialeah’s finest, Juleisy y Karla, are hosting a special O, Miami version, featuring a night of poetry and partying with the help of Afrobeta’s Bluebird Bus, which will be, yes, parked at the corner.
Friday, April 28 + Saturday, 29
Manual Cinema
When: Friday, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center / 10950 S.W. 211 St., Cutler Bay, FL
Cost: $35
More info here: Show 1, Show 2, Show 3
Remember overhead projectors from middle school? Manual Cinema turns that into art. Using shadow puppets, actors in silhouette, and live music, the Chicago-based team is coming to the Magic City to perform the film “Lula del Ray.” The last showing is also the closing event for O, Miami.
Sunday, April 30
Offerings III
When: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Goulds Park Basketball Courts / 11350 S.W. 216th St., Miami, FL
Cost: Free
More info here
But they’re not done yet. For the final day of April, O, Miami is taking us to Goulds for a site-specific performance on the basketball courts, exploring “the harsh intersections of aggression towards people of color, gun violence, and a woman’s work.”