It Smells Like Season in South Florida.

 When discussing seasonal changes in South Florida, a local would never associate the term "Season" with the proverbial Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Oh, we have Summer. In fact, we have as many summers as there are seasons in the rest of the World: Scorching Summer, Sticky Summer, Soaking Summer, and Spring-like Summer. Then there's that awkward week when the weather is somewhere in the upper 60's and all the Floridians bring out their heavy coats (for it's the only chance we'll get) to the amazement of t-shirt-clad New England snowbirds.

For a Miami native, the term "Season" refers to the refreshing start of South Florida's cultural and artistic months. Usually beginning after Labor Day and lasting until April, South Florida transforms into a real city. I personally like to think of it as Miami, the city itself, being an obsessive baseball fan and becoming a couch potato during the MLB season. But that could just be a coincidence. Sadly, it's weather-related. One cannot blame the city for hibernating in the Summer. Apparently not even an entity can withstand the Florida heat. Not to mention, the ever-threatening Hurricane season is a big player in the equation. It is only natural that weather dictates the ups and downs of a city. But everything in South Florida comes to life once the heat is more forgiving. A dormant theater scene awakens in the Fall and Winter months. The Florida Grand Opera begins its yearly season in October. Film Festivals galore resurface, from the Jewish Film Festival in January to the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in April. And the arts, oh my, who can forget the blossoming art scene? Art Basel Miami Beach is perhaps the highlight of the season.

Miami is pleased (and lucky) to host the largest art festival in North America. Hailiing from the cold depths of Basel, Switzerland, the festival hosts thousands of private galleries, collectors, and artists who all conglomerate in the glorious Miami "Winter" weather. It's actually a brilliant idea: an Art Deco tropical setting, a plethora of venues to host parties and exhibits, a collosal number of hotel rooms, and a pool of local talent to add to the mix, it is no wonder that ABMB has become a success in the four years since its inception. Truly, it was a genial plan. Who can appreciate art at a hypothermic temperature? Surely the popular beachfront container exhibit would not be as sought-after if it were on the banks of the freezing Rhine River. Still, nothing compares to the original. In the Summer. The Real Summer.

Though Art Basel is hands down the reigning event of the season, nothing has been more anticipated than the opening of the new performing arts center. The Venue Formerly Known As Miami Performing Arts Center, now baptized Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, thanks to the generous $20 million donation by Carnival Corporations, is located in the heart of urban Miami; right between Downtown Miami and the emerging Wynwood arts district. After years, and millions, and years, and millions of dollars spent in construction and (questionable) city planning, the Arts Center will be opening in October for the season!* The 2006-2007 lineup looks promising, especially Miami City Ballet's rendition of Don Quixote beginning in October. However, not everything regarding the Arts Center looks rosy. Construction on Biscayne Boulevard and other nearby avenues continue to put a damper on current traffic issues. And $446.3 million later, there is still no clear resolution regarding parking in the area. It only adds to the parking situation that has been a problem with the nearby American Airlines Arena and the revolving Cirque du Soleil. So much for city planning...

It is only early September and already I find myself floating from event to event on any given weeknight. This past Wednesday, September 6th, we gathered at Emmanuel Perrotin's gallery at 194 NW 30th Street in Wynwood for a private showing of the gallery's latest exhibit. The exhibit, scheduled for public opening this Saturday for Second Saturday of the Month, includes works by photographer-storyteller Sophie Calle and Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich. Erlich's installation includes a built-in boxing ring and a video piece which kept me entertained for a solid 5 minutes, without blinking. When you visit, take the time to read all of Calle's amusing entries for each photograph displayed. While there, don't miss local artist Martin Oppel's sculpture in the first floor of the gallery. The exhibit runs until November 26, 2006.

Later that evening, our entourage headed to South Beach for the grand opening of TOFF Boutique on Lincoln Road. The usual yummy things that make for a good store opening were all present: wine, cheese, pretty people, flashing cameras, goodie bags. If you have not checked TOFF, you must. An assortment of local and international designers grace the racks of the chic boutique. TOFF is located at 710 Lincoln Road.

So, finally the season is changing. September's cultural and social events, though few and far between, are our symbolic "turning of the leaves" period. Wardrobes must be updated, not to accommodate the passing weather but to prepare for many events and parties where our picture may be dutifully snapped and possibly become a tell-tale sign of the dreaded outfit repetition faux-pas. Floridians rejoice: our time has come to transform into the sexy and culture-rich city we're destined to become for half a year. Enjoy it while it lasts. Because, like Cinderella, it'll all turn to pumpkins once The Season's over at the end of April. Until September 2007, anyway...

Useful Links:

www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

www.miamipac.org

www.galerieperrotin.com

www.toffmiami.com

 

*Disclaimer:  Exclamation point was added for extra shock value.  Mentioning of the CCPA grand opening lineup was omitted for reasons unbeknownst to the editor, but it had something to do with seeing Gloria Estefan's name on the roster.  We love our city planners.  No, really, it's totally fine to sit in stand-still traffic at 10 pm on Biscayne Blvd and 15th Street.  Really.

Posted on Fri, 8 Sep 2006 by Anayma De Frias | Add Comment | Email | Link