Mary Damiano Photo by David Vance

Mary Damiano’s Arts Scene

This is the 100th issue of MiamiARTzine.com. I marvel every time I say that, or write that. Our 100th issue. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that 100 issues is a big deal. Journalism is not doing too well these days. Even the most venerable publications are cutting corners, cutting jobs, cutting everywhere they can. It seems that many people prefer to get their news in 140 characters or less. When MiamiARTzine.com began four years ago, an online arts magazine with original feature stories was still a relatively novel idea. But we persevered. We grew. And we’re still here. You’ll see a lot of big changes to MiamiARTzine.com in the very next issue. We’re embarking on the next leg of our journey, and I want you all to come along for the ride. By the way, MiamiARTzine.com publisher Harvey J. Burstein and I were interviewed by Ed Bell January 15 on WLRN’s “South Florida Arts Beat.” Click here to listen here.

Spam All Stars

Benefit Concert for Haiti
The South Florida music community is coming together to present a two-day benefit concert to disaster-stricken Haiti January 23-24 in Miami. The concert line-up includes legendary Haitian big band The Dixie Band featuring all star guests like Tuco Bouzi, members of Tabou Combo and Top Vice, Strings, Kazak International,Locos Por Juana, Spam All Stars, Suenalo, Conjunto Progreso, Afrobeta, Lanzallamas Monofonica, TapTap Band, Rara Rock and Empress Addi, Jean P Jam, Jah Fe, and Mr. Pauer. This concert is presented by a large group of volunteers and sponsors, including the Rhythm Foundation, La Juana Productions, Bayfront Park Trust, Gigs Up Productions, Spuntino Catering, Gibson USA, 88.9FM WDNA, and the participating musicians and artists. All proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross. The concert will be held Saturday, January 23, 4-10 p.m. and Sunday, January 24, 2-8 p.m. at the Tina Hills Pavilion at Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd, Downtown Miami. For more information, visit www.HaitiMizik.org.

Paul Stanley of Kiss

Miami Beach Festival of the Arts Gives Us a Kiss
Paul Stanley of the iconic 1970s band Kiss put on his artist hat and provided one of his paintings for the poster of the 2010 Miami Beach Festival of the Arts, which will be held January 30-31 at at Ocean Terrace (East of Collins from 73rd to 75th Street). The poster was unveiled Friday, January 15 in Miami Beach. Stanley’s painting, Miami Sunset, is valued at $50,000 and will be auctioned to support Arts for Learning’s after-school programs. The Miami Beach Festival of the Arts, which boasts one of the best locations of any local art fest, has evolved from a local street show to one of the most prestigious cultural arts festivals on the east coast. This signature community event showcases the artwork of 150 artists from across the nation on exhibit with their paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and photographs. The artwork is juried and cash prizes are awarded. More than 40,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival to browse the fine art and enjoy musical performances, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, storytelling, and international cuisine. For more information, visit www.miamibeachfestivalofthearts.com.

Taste of the Garden
The fifth annual Taste of the Garden, an outdoor dining experience, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 6:30-9 p.m. at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The event will showcase 20 of South Florida’s premiere chefs and restaurants. Limited to 300 guests, this exclusive Garden soiree raises funds for the Miami Beach Botanical Garden to preserve our urban greenspace, present arts and education programming, and support the Miami Beach Garden Club’s environmental education mission. Participating restaurants include Red Light, Pacific Time, Mai Tardi, Shula’s, Canyon Ranch, Books & Books, Grazie, Mediterranean Organic, the Pelican, Koel Bakery and other local favorites.
Tickets, priced at $50 per person in advance and $60 after January 24, include fine wines, live entertainment, and complimentary valet parking. A silent auction will offer a selection of spa and pampering packages, a private air flight, hotel and travel adventures, consultation and services, and restaurant dining certificates. Tickets are available online through the Garden website at www.mbgarden.org. For information and reservations, call 305-673-7256 Ext 201 or e-mail: membership@mbgarden.org.

A scene from Like Water for Chocolate

A FLIFF-elicious Event
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has a yummy event on tap this month. A Cinematic Chocolate Experience, which will be held Friday and Saturday, January 29-30, is the ultimate event for film fans who are also chocoholics. The event will be held at Cinema Paradiso in downtown Fort Lauderdale and will offer everything from chocolate martinis to chocolate movies. The event kicks-off with a cocktail party on Friday at 6 p.m. with a chocolate fountain, chocolate ligueuers, and other delights. Saturday, starts off at 10 a.m. with Chocolate Bingo and vendors lining the street with scrumptious candies, ice cream and almost anything imaginable in chocolate. The movies run all day as well. Start your morning with Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory or in the afternoon catch Charlie and Chocolate Factory, then move on to the classic episode of “I Love Lucy” where Lucy and Ethel work in the candy factory, and after, the romantic film Like Water for Chocolate. Admission to the January 29 kick-off cocktail party is $40 general admission, $30 for FLIFF members. Saturday’s movies and events are free. For more information, visit www.fliff.com.

Artist Cheryl Maeder

Get Lucky at the Bakehouse
The Bakehouse Art Complex presents their fourth annual art raffle fundraiser January 28. The event, called Lucky You, features live music by Elastic Bond, entertainment by the Poetry Depot, catered food from Banyon Catering & Johnson and Wales University, open wine bar and an art raffle of more than 60 artworks from BAC and other local artists. The proceeds from this event go directly towards maintaining the BAC as one of the most unique art facilities for artists in South Florida. Among the artists are several who have been featured in MiamiARTzine.com’s Artist Spotlight feature, including Tracey Hagan and Cheryl Maeder. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 305-576-2828 or email lwagner@bacfl.org.

Coffee, Tea, or…Chocolate
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden presents the 4th Annual International Chocolate Festival with Coffee and Tea, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 22-24, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The evnt will feature three days of chocolate delights, coffee and tea, informative lectures, cooking demonstrations and much more. Guests will be able to take the Choco-Walk through the garden and learn about the lore and history of the cacao plant, the source of chocolate. Kids can create their own chocolate kiss critters and candy wrappers in the ChocoKids area. There will also be cooking demonstrations by local chocolatiers and a chocolate cake and cupcake contest. For more information, visit www.fairchildgarden.org.

Israel Horovitz

Theatre Openings
No matter what county you live in there’s a new show opening in your own backyard. Broward Stage Door in Coral Springs has Neil Simon on tap this week with Come Blow Your Horn, about two brothers and the swinging bachelor lifestyle. Come Blow Your Horn runs January 22 through March 7. www.stagedoortheatre.com. In Coral Gables, New Theatre has the world premiere of The Hour of the Tiger by local playwright Sandra Riley. You can read about the show and about New Theatre’s literary manager Steven Chambers in the Behind the Scenes feature in this issue of MiamiARTzine.com. The Hour of the Tiger runs January 23 through February 14. www.new-theatre.org. At Florida Stage in Manalapan, there’s the southeastern premiere of Sins of the Mother by Israel Horovitz. It’s described as a haunting mystery exposing the tragic truths that bind the families of a small New England fishing town together as a closely held secret threatens to tear the town apart. The production is part of the 70/70 Horovitz Project, a year-long, worldwide event celebrating Horovitz's 70th birthday with 70 productions of Horovitz plays. Sins of the Mother runs January 29 through March 7. www.floridastage.org.

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