As the last round of tourists files out of our perpetually sunny city, things tend to heat up — and then they start to slow down. Snowbirds return to their cooler, less humid climates, Miamians flock to the beach to escape the sweaty city heat, and local cultural institutions scale back on their programming, saving their best for a better-populated, Basel-fueled season.
But this is The New Tropic, and we believe there’s never a bad time time to live in Miami, so we set out to find our favorite local spots kicking the usual summertime slowdown to the curb. If you need a healthy dose of art to get you through the not-season, then check out these six picks to get your culture fix this steamy Miami summer.
Miami Film Month
Cinephiles and movie buffs, rejoice: Miami’s favorite independent art film houses are celebrating the Magic City’s film culture with Miami Film Month, a city-wide soiree featuring special screenings, speakers, and discounted tickets. Though there are quite a few movies being shown this June, die hard 305ers won’t want to miss Miami Beach Cinematheque’s director Q&A and screening of The Record Man, the story of Miami sound pioneer and music business icon Henry Stone.
June is Miami Film Month, with screenings and special presentations at Miami Beach Cinematheque, O Cinema, Bill Cosford Cinema, and Perez Art Museum Miami.
Poetics of Relation at PAMM
Miami’s flagship museum offers a startling portrait of displaced communities in Poetics of Relation, a group exhibition featuring works by six of the most noted artists addressing issues of diaspora, immigration, and cultural identity today. Inspired by the writings of author and philosopher Édouard Glissant, this multimedia exhibit offers a decidedly optimistic perspective of the evolution of cultural identity and acceptance, explored through brightly hued paintings and installations.
Poetics of Relation at PAMM is on view through October 18. Visit pamm.org for info.
Live Figure Drawing at Bakehouse Art Complex
Want to perfect your drawing skills, or just try your hand at capturing the body in motion? Every first Sunday of the month at Bakehouse Art Complex, you’re invited to sharpen your skills at Open Figure Drawing, featuring a live model and collaborative, open-style seating. Bring your pencil and supplies and make sure you arrive early, since space is first-come, first-served.
Open Figure Drawing every 1st Sunday at Bakehouse Art Complex from 3-5pm, $10 for non-members, $5 for members. Visit bacfl.org for info.
Guccivuitton at Institute of Contemporary Art
Local Miami artists Loriel Beltran, Domingo Castillo and Aramis Gutierrez founded Guccivuitton on a mission to integrate Miami’s underground cultural vernacular into the traditional art landscape. The gallery collaborated with the freshly-minted ICA on its self-titled exhibition to illustrate how commerce and art frequently intersect, especially in Miami’s burgeoning, ultra-luxe Design District. Set up like a clothing store, almost all of the works in the exhibition are also for sale – a totally revolutionary concept in a museum setting. You can shop the exhibition all summer long.
Guccivuitton at Institute of Contemporary Art is on view through September 25. Visit icamiami.org.
Ladies Leading Film Series at The Wolfsonian-FIU
During the month of August, The Wolfsonian-FIU will present the Ladies Leading Film Series, a striking tribute to the top-working women in American cinema from the 1940s-1980s. Classic films exploring the roles of women in comedy and drama will be shown at the museum’s South Beach campus, featuring pivotal performances by cinematic greats like Katherine Hepburn, Sally Field, and Lily Tomlin.
For a full schedule and more information about the Ladies Leading Film Series, visit wolfsonian.org.
South Florida Theater League’s Summer Theater Series
What better way to experience the South Florida theater landscape than through totally free theater readings by new local playwrights? Every Monday from June 1 to August 31, established and emerging playwrights will give South Florida patrons a preview of their upcoming works at SFTL members theaters scattered across the tri-country era. Would-be thespians, aspiring playwrights, and theater buffs welcome.
For a full schedule of events, visit southfloridatheatre.com.