What's up in the Magic City

Lady Day at Emerson's bar and Grill, The Magic of Marilyn, 3-Dimensional Photography, Snake in the Grass, Cocktails at the Bass 

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, starring Paulette Dozier comes to the Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre September 21 – 23. Directed by Dan Kelley with musical direction by David Nagy and accompanied by Kai Sanchez and Howard Moss. Michelle F. Solomon wrote for miamiartzine: The role of singer Billie Holiday in the play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill isn't easy. In fact, it as demanding as any role can be. The actress portraying the 1930s-era songstress must have a versatile singing voice, be able to act with a range of emotion, plus capture the essence of a real person, and do all this while keeping an audience entertained for 90 minutes, straight through with no intermission. Although there is a three-piece band and the pianist has a small acting part, Lady Day is really a one-person show. Dozier does a superb job of channeling Holiday, weaving in and out of an alcohol induced haze, singing the hits with the same depth and emotional urgency that the chanteuse mustered herself. Yet Dozier doesn't try to create a caricatured picture of the femme fatale, but imbues the role with a genial likeableness. She is a stronger singer than actress, and seeing her perform the Holiday songbook is, in itself, worth a night at the theater. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill is a tour de force for any actress and Dozier gives Holiday her due Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71st Street, Miami Beach. Box Office: 305.397.8977

The Magic of Marilyn, an exhibition of the extensive folio of world famed glamor photographer Bruno Bernard premieres September 12 at World Erotic Art Museum. The exclusive collection will be launched at the 7 pm opening night reception with a reading from “Marilyn: Intimate Exposures” by author Susan Bernard, daughter of the photographer. It was Bruno Bernard, “Bruno of Hollywood” who shot the image of Marilyn standing over the subway grate in a billowing white dress. The World Erotic Art Museum is located at 1205 Washington Avenue. No one under 18 admitted. 305-532-9336, or via www.weam.com

3-D is where it’s at when Mark Diamond invades Swampspace Gallery in Miami’s Design District with his show of 3-Dimensional photography titled “Spatial Recognition”. Diamond is known as a holographer, videographer, photographer and expert practitioner of 3-D for over 35 years. His works appear in over 14 countries in private and public collections. The work on display ranges from 3-Dimensional portraiture of famous people to experimental images done with the technique of 3-D integral photography known as lenticular images. Never before seen will be what Diamond is calling a “3-D Wall-o-Grams.” Over 100 3-D images appear as a montage on one gallery wall which will provide an arresting visual as these intensely 3-D little worlds collide all in one place.  Swampspace Gallery, 150 NE 42nd St. Miami’s Design District Opening reception Saturday September 8, 2012 6 pm - 11 pm   305-758-4656 http://swampspace.blogspot.com/

Snake-eating alligators and alligator-eating snakes might seem like a science fiction story-line, but those battles are playing out in Everglades National Park, where the invasion of non-native pythons threatens to upend a rich and diverse ecosystem that includes the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rockies. In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a lecture "Snake in the Grass: An Everglades Invasion" Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 pm. Lecturer Larry Perez, is a lifelong resident of Miami and an interpreter and park ranger for Miami-Dade County Parks, and the National Park Service. He is both a writer and producer, authoring Words on the Wilderness: A History of Place Names in South Florida National Parks, and Journal of Florida's Watchable Wildlife: Reptiles and Amphibians. Presented in the Visitor Center Auditorium at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami. The lectures are free and open to the public. 305-235-1668 ext. 233 http://www.deeringestate.com/

Bass Museum of Art invites art lovers to mingle over complimentary cocktails and live music during the opening reception for its newest exhibit, UNNATURAL, which explores the paradox of nature and 21st century technological advances. The event will include a walk-through tour with the curator, Tami Katz-Freiman and several featured artists. The reception is free to members and basspass holders, and $10 for non-members. Live beats will be spun by DJ Terence Tabeau, and complimentary valet parking will be provided. UNNATURAL presents scientific, romantic, conceptual, poetic, sensual and ecological concepts of nature through a variety of strategies that reflect advances in technology in the 21st century. The artists come from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a majority being Israeli-born.UNNATURALruns through Nov. 4, 2012. Regular Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. 305.673.7530 http://www.bassmuseum.org