AUREUS Contemporary | Basel | Providence Peter Buechler | Untitled Oil on found object

SDM med: En Masse | Artist Collaborative under the direction of Jason Botkin , Fred Caron, and Rupert Bottenberg .

Primary Flight | Artist: Kenton Parker Taco Shop Recreated for SCOPE Miami 2011

New Image Art | West Hollywood Retna | Soldiers of Another Acrylic on Canvas, 2011

SALON VERT | London Lucy Li | Totem Bronze, 2011

ROLF ART | Buenos Aires Ananke Asseff | S/T (Corrimientos) Photography, 2011

Hello_World

Lukas Feichtner Galerie| Vienna Udo Noger | GLEICHES 12 Mixed Media, canvas, 2011

MULHERIN/ CTS | Toronto | New York Eric Doeringer | Stains ( after Ed Ruscha) 75 Page portfolio, 2009

Jacob Karpio Gallery | San Jose Priscilla Monge | Untitled Outdoor Installation, 2006

Hamburg Kennedy | New York Marylin Minter | Chewing Pink C-print, 2008

COOPER COLE | Toronto Cleon Peterson | The Brinksman Acrylic on Wood, 2011

Scope Miami 

SCOPE Pavilion | Wynwood Arts District | NE 1st Ave (Midtown Blvd) @ NE 30th St
Miami, FL 33127

Fair Schedule
FirstView – For VIP’s and Press
Tuesday | Nov 29 | 4pm-8pm
Free for VIPs (or $100 donation to benefit The SCOPE Foundation)

General Admission Fair Hours:
Wed – Sat | Nov 30 – Dec 3 | 11am – 7pm
Sun | Dec 4 | 11am – 6pm
Admission
FirstView $100 | Free for VIP cardholders
General $20
Student $15

de Alemeida, Caetano- Estudo para ninfeias

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the kick-off to the holiday season. But in Miami, Thanksgiving weekend leads straight into Miami Art Week. Officially, Art Basel Miami Beach takes place December 1 – 4, 2011 but unofficially the celebration of art and culture begins Monday, November 28th with cocktails and dinners and by Tuesday, November 29th the VIP previews and parties are in full swing.

If you’re wondering how one keeps up, you’re not alone. We’ve created a simple Basel guide and shared a few tips and our dining recommendations. Fortunately, as the world turns its eyes to Miami, so does the media and there are already tons of fun and useful lists and guides. Here are some of our favorites to get you started:

• ArtNet
• Miami Art Week 2011
• Art Basel Online Catalog
• Paper Magazine’s Things To Look Out For
• Issue I
• Issue II
• Issue III
• Issue IV
• Issue V
• Issue VI
• Issue VII
• Issue VIII
• The New York Times
• Art Basel Preparations
• Art Info
• When in Miami for Art Basel
• Surf, Sand, and Site-Specific Installations: Preview the Hottest Wares at Art Basel Miami Beach
• Social Miami
• Art Basel Guide
• Miami New Times
• Art Basel Miami Beach 2011 Music Guide
• Miami Herald
• Art Basel Miami Beach Music Guide
• Beached Miami
• Art Basel Music Guide
• Ten Things To Do During Art Basel

Break out the candy corn – Halloween 2011 is days away. Munchkin Fun, a terrific Miami kids calendar site, has pooled together all you need for a happy, healthy, munchkin-friendly Halloween.

Pre Party
Halloween is a Monday this year, which mean the festivities start days in advance. Get the fun started as early as mid-Oct at these community events.

Miami International Mall’s House of Horror Amusement Park offers the largest haunted house in South Florida, carnival rides, kiddie rides and musical performances through Oct 31.

Ghoulish tram rides, food trucks and special activities for kids, tweens and adults run from Oct 15-31 at Spooktober at Zoo Miami.

Enjoy trick or treating, pumpkin decorating, story telling and a special Halloween train ride at Gold Coast Railroad Museum’s Early Evening of Spooky Adventures on Oct 21.

The Miami Children’s Museum’s Not So Scary Family Halloween bash showers guests with a haunted house, a mad scientist lab, themed crafts and more on Oct 23.  Party with games, contests and activities at My Gym Aventura’s Halloween Spooktacular on Oct 28.

Older munchkins will get spooky with flashlights & a nighttime exploration at Deering Estate’s Spookover on Oct 28.

The Miami Seaquarium hosts a Monster Splash Nighttime Bash from Oct 28-31, treating the family to sweet tooth stations, bounce houses, a haunted walk, Halloween themed animal shows and a dance party.

The Cushman School’s Halloween Howl & Bazaar treats the whole family to a trampoline, rock climbing wall, dunk tank, haunted house, snow cones & crafts for the whole family on Oct 29.

Kidgits treats munchkins to a Boo Bash at Dadeland Mall on Oct 28. Expect costumes, trick or treating & giveaways galore.

The Falls hosts a Halloween Spooktacular on Oct 29, wooing families with Halloween-inspired games & activities, pumpkin decorating and giveaways.

Jungle Island’s Halloween Spooktacular woos with trick or treating stations, face painting, cookie decorating & themed animal shows from Oct 29-30.

Miami Children’s Museum hosts MiChiMu’s Halloween Celebration on Sunday, Oct 30, bringing costumes, trick or treating, crafts, games & more.

Halloween Hop
The party runs all day and night on Oct 31 throughout the Magic City. Here’s a snapshot of some of the biggest family-friendly parties in town:

Coral Gables invites kids of all ages to enjoy trick or treating, scary storytelling, live entertainment, photo booths & kid and dog costume contests at Halloween on the Mile from 3-6pm.

Whole Foods locations in Aventura, Pinecrest and South Beach invite munchkins & their families to trick or treat in their aisles.
Pinecrest residents can trick, treat and mingle with neighbors at Evelyn Greer Park.

North Shore Park offers a Safe Night of Fright for the family inviting ghouls and goblins to enjoy live music & trick or treating.

The Scott Rakow Center is hosting a Halloween Happenings stocked with arts & crafts, treats, face painting and carnival games.

The Coral Gables Youth Center scares older kids & their families with its annual Nightmare at 405 Haunted House.

Cocowalk hosts a Halloween Family Party featuring trick or treating, costume contests, live entertainment and more.

Looking for more? Munchkinfun.com posts a TON of Miami children’s activities that will keep everybody busy! Search for more Halloween fun in Munchkinfun’s up to the minute calendar.

Sunset at Smith & Wollensky

 Your First Frita
Despite having tons of Cuban friends, I had never heard of a frita until recently. A frita is a Cuban hamburger, a tasty little creation that is akin to a Royal Castle burger on steroids.  Fritas are deliciously addictive, and easy to find in Miami. Smaller than the average burger, fritas are made with ground beef, ground pork and chorizo sausage, spiced up by the addition of a little onion powder and paprika. Topped with super-thin, fried shoestring potatoes and “special sauce”, it’s impossible to eat just one. Popular frita spots include El Rey de las Fritas and El Mago (where President Obama sampled one), both located in Little Havana.

See A Manatee
Seeing a manatee in the wild for the first time is an amazing feeling. When a manatee pops her head out of the water and stares at you with friendly brown eyes, you can’t help but marvel at this huge - yet oddly huggable - beast. Also called sea cows, manatees make cute snorting noises when they come up for air. They bump along in super slo-mo with their thick tails and stubby little pectoral fins. Manatees congregate in groups called “herds” in quiet harbors or canals, and near bridges. If you can’t spot a wild manatee, visit the ones that live at Miami Seaquarium, which operates a rescue and rehabilitation program for these beautiful yet threatened creatures.

Causeway Love
Driving across a causeway is a classic Miami experience. The bay glitters, the beach beckons, the convertible top is down, and all is right with the world. Julia Tuttle Causeway is an all-time fave, because the bay spreads out before you like a sea green magic carpet. MacArthur is the sexiest causeway, with South Beach sports cars whizzing by, waterfront mansions with yachts parked out front, and cruise ships so close you can reach out and touch them. Did you know that the Bee Gee’s hit song, Jive Talkin’, was originally called “Drive Talking”? This is not an urban myth; it’s absolutely true. The song’s rhythm was modeled after the sound their car made crossing the Julia Tuttle Causeway each day from Biscayne Bay to Criteria Studios in Miami. “Ja..ja..ja..Jiiive talkin, you’re tellin’ me lies…”

Cruise Control
Sailing out of Miami on a cruise ship is a thrill, plain and simple. You are 10 stories high, looking out at the dazzling Miami skyline, millionaires’ mansions, palm trees, yachts and speedboats. You are embarking on a sea adventure, with modern conveniences that would make a pirate weep. No matter that you’re sharing this moment with 2,500 other passengers. NOW is the time to embrace your inner tourist. Say ”YES” to the umbrella drink, groove to the steel band reggae rhythms, feel the sea breeze on your face, and file this memory away under “cruise ship special”.

Here are 5 things we love about Miami Spice:

1. Eat like a king. If you watch your budget closely (and who doesn’t these days) this is your chance to sample truly innovative dishes at “hot” Miami restaurants.

2. OpenTable reservations. Your dining adventure is just a click away. *Be sure to check each individual restaurant’s weekly Miami Spice offerings. Some offer dinner only; some do not offer Miami Spice menus on certain days of the week.

3. Special Offers. You heard right. In addition to tempting your tastebuds with their delicious Miami Spice menus, participating restaurants also post other types of specials that you may not be aware of, including wine specials, group discounts, Happy Hours, etc.

4. Double dipping. If you’re dazzled by the dinner you enjoyed at a Miami Spice restaurant, why not go back for lunch? There’s no rule against double dipping!

5. Miami Spice Kickoff Event & Fundraiser.  Everyone is invited to the Spice Kickoff on July 28, 2011 at Miami Beach Convention Center. Come enjoy tastings from selected Spice restaurants, celebrity chefs selling and signing cookbooks and live music with renowned flautist Nestor Torres. Proceeds will benefit  Share Our Strength, Madison’s Wish and Education Fund’s Plant a Thousand Gardens Collaborative Nutrition Initiative.

In addition, several spas are offering special offers that are available anytime – not just during Miami Spa Month. Browse a list of participating spas and book yourself some “me time” today!

Romance & Wedding Showcase
Brides who are planning the perfect wedding won’t want to miss the fabulous Romance & Wedding Showcase, a dazzling extravaganza on Sunday, June 19, 2011 (Father’s Day) at The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables. The event will feature a Bridal Showcase with fashions from Daisy Tarsi, Leggenda Bridals, J. Del Omo Bridal Gallery and many others, along with tasting stations, wedding portfolio viewings, consultations with editors from The Knot, and over 40 wedding vendors. The Coast 97.3 FM will be broadcasting live from the event.  Bring your dad along for a chance to win a Father’s Day gift from Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and many other shops. Bolado Clothiers will also be giving away a tuxedo to one lucky groom. The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables is located at 180 Aragon Avenue,  Coral Gables. Admission is complimentary. Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Last but not least, brides-to-be should enter to win a Miami Dream Wedding worth over $100,000 at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Don’t miss this chance to have your fairytale wedding come true!

 A list of what’s authentic in Miami from everywhere else.

1. Versailles, Cuban, Little Havana Versailles is a Cuban food kingdom on Calle Ocho, or 8th Street, right in the heart of Little Havana. Everyone from late night locals dressed in glittering ball gowns, to domino players, to U.S. presidents and busloads of tourists flock to Versailles for its seemingly endless menu of traditional Cuban food.

Why It’s Cool: Versailles is so authentic they’ll bring you the menu in Spanish first. If you’re out of practice or took French in high school, no worries, an English one is readily available.

What to Order: Don’t skip the complimentary crusty, buttery Cuban bread. The side dishes really shine; try plantains, sweet platanos maduros or double fried tostones. Picadillo (seasoned ground meat with olives, raisins and spices) and ropa vieja (Cuban-style pot roast) are two of the signature meat dishes. Wash everything down with a sugary Cuban coffee.

Cost: $

2. Matsuri, Japanese/Sushi, 57th Avenue and Bird Road, Coral Gables Area
Situated in a strip mall and next to a liquor store, Matsuri’s location only makes the fresh fish and quality Japanese food all the more surprising. Matsuri, which has been a Miami institution since the late eighties, recently received a makeover matching the décor to the elegant and delicious plates they serve.

Why It’s Cool: Miami’s small Japanese community packs this place for the raw fish specialties, traditional cooked plates, Sapporos and sake––and because its prices are so low.

What to Order: The menu’s house specialties will make you giggle, with names like “Mr. Bush’s 3 p.m.” (the surprise is a pretzel) and “Mickey’s Great Adventure in Florida”, but the real attention-getters are the plates that show off the fish on its own; the nigiri, chirashi and sashimi won’t let you down.

Cost: $$

3. Tap Tap, Haitian, South Beach Tap Tap cabs are the colorful mode of transportation in Haiti and Tap Tap restaurant transports you to Haiti as soon as you step inside its colorful muralled walls. It’s easy to drive past Tap Tap, whose tiny presence barely registers en route to bustling central South Beach, but it’s a cozy stop for a delicious dinner before heading onward for some dancing.

Why It’s Cool:  Miami has a huge Haitian community, and with Tap Tap they’ve made a veritable stamp on the culinary scene.

What to Order:  The names are a mouthful, as are the portions. Start with the lanbi pike nan ji sitwon (conch salad), and then try the kabrit nan sos (goat stew), or the pwason gwosel (poached whole yellowtail snapper).

 Cost:  $$

4. Casa Tua, Italian, South Beach Casa Tua, or ‘your house’ in Italian, is so enchanting and romantic anyone would want to make it their home. The restaurant is perched on the terrace of a luxurious Mediterranean Revival villa on a quiet street in South Beach. Romantic tree-hung lanterns, a family style table set with fresh flowers, and the menu that resembles a family album are just a few of the loving touches at Casa Tua––but the food is what takes center stage.

Why It’s Cool:  Casa Tua used to be a private club, but has since been opened to the public.

 What to Order:  Start with the burrata, a creamy cousin of mozzarella, then try the tagliolini with stone crab and zucchini, or the seared lamb chop.

Cost:  $$$

5. Mykonos, Greek, Coral Way There’s nothing fancy about Mykonos––a neon blue sign welcomes diners into the simple, white-washed diner decorated with photographs of Greece on the walls. You can hear the rumbling of cars driving along busy Coral Way as you ponder the menu. The main reason to pull over at this comfortable and familiar Greek style diner is the food––the best Greek food in all of Miami. Mykonos has been family owned for over 30 years, and has a devoted clientele.

Why It’s Cool:  You can eavesdrop on gossip in Greek as you pay your check at the cashier.

What to Order:  Their delicious and tender lamb, which is offered in several different preparations.

Cost:  $

6. Francesco, Peruvian, Coral Gables Francesco first opened in the Port of Callao in Peru, followed by a second location in Lima. Its third location brought Francesco to American shores, specifically the Zagat-heavy Miami neighborhood of Coral Gables.

Why It’s Cool:  In addition to the aforementioned spots, they have one in Buenos Aires, Argentina, making this the only stateside location.

What to Order:  Peruvian cuisine’s quintessential claim to fame: ceviche.

Cost:  $$

7. Daily Bread, Middle Eastern, US–1 and SW 27th St. Pop into the Daily Bread, grab a shwarma platter, then wander the aisles of this casual restaurant and Middle Eastern supermarket. At Daily Bread they take tradition seriously, making their own baklava and pita bread the authentic way, without fancy-shmancy touches, but with the simple ingredients that have kept them around for so long.

Why It’s Cool:  You can eat falafel, then buy some Arabic CDs, a hookah, or an evil-eye keychain.

What to Order:  The hummus platters, served with tabouli, pita bread and salad, are a great accompaniment to a an entrée of lamb, kibbeh, or beef.

Cost: $

8. Le Bouchon du Grove, French, Coconut Grove Le Bouchon du Grove is colorful, chaotic, full of characters––just like its namesake neighborhood. Nestled between the boozy bars of Coconut Grove, Le Bouchon is a thriving culinary staple in the area. The menu is typically French, with hints of South Floridian fare a la lobster salad with roasted mango and fennel.

Why It’s Cool:  Not trendy, Le Bouchon feels like a tiny place you might stumble into in France: the walls advertise the owner’s favorite soccer team, and the ambience buzzes with the excited chatter of good conversation.

What to Order:  Their classic French onion soup is a perfect appetizer; be sure to try the fish (choose from snapper, sea bass, tuna and salmon).

Cost:  $$

9. Xixon, Spanish, Coral Way Xixon, run by an Asturian husband and wife team, offers the best tapas available outside of Spain. Xixon’s rapidly growing group of devotees is partly responsible for their move to a new mega-space only blocks from the original. Now, more people can enjoy their delicious small plates.

Why It’s Cool:  During the World Cup, this was the unofficial-official spot for Spanish fans to drink imported beers, with flags tied around their necks.

What to Order:  The charcuterie, cheese plates and tapas are so good it’s hard to save room for the entrees.

Cost:  $$

10. Mr. Yum, Little Havana, Asian Fusion Mr. Yum bills itself as an Asian restaurant, but “fusion” should be tagged on. Mr. Yum’s clean white walls and pillows splashed with graphic red prints will make you feel like you’re inside a giant Marrimekko swatch. The crowd is chic and well-heeled, even if the neighborhood isn’t, and there’s plenty of parking in the adjacent private lots.

Why It’s Cool:  After dinner at trendy Mr. Yum, you can go dancing at Hoy Como Ayer, the most authentic salsa spot in town, where big wigs like Celia Cruz have performed in past.

What to Order:   Tropics inspired sushi and Thai specialties like the Masaman curry.

Cost: $$

The menus are as varied as Miami’s local population. Cuban hamburgers, gourmet Vietnamese, fish tacos, dim sum, grilled cheese, gelato – if you’re craving it, you’ll find it served from a truck somewhere in Miami. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are the best way to get updates on food trucks’ schedules and whereabouts. Some gatherings have a regularly scheduled time and place. Others are more ad hoc (owing mainly to struggles with code compliance in Miami-Dade County). Miami Beach currently prohibits food trucks, but this may change in the near future.

Despite code compliance issues, Miami food trucks are here to stay. Before you go, be sure to check Facebook or Twitter to make sure the food truck gathering is happening at its usual time and place.

For  daily locations of Miami-Dade County food trucks, click here.

Miami Food Truck Round-ups:

Street Food Fridays
Frequency:  monthly, Friday afternoon
Time:  11:30 a.m.
Location:  Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Downtown Miami

Biscayne Triangle Truck Round-Up (BTTR)
Frequency:  weekly, Tuesday nights
Time:  5:30 p.m.
Location:  NE 127th Street and Biscayne Boulevard (across from Johnson & Wales University) in North Miami

Cauley Square Food Truck Party
Frequency:  weekly, Wednesday nights
Time:  5:30 to 10 p.m.
Location:  Cauley Square Shops, 22400 South Dixie Hwy., Homestead

Food Truck Friday Nights
Frequency:   general
Time:  5:30 p.m., Friday nights
Location:  Good Shepherd, 14187 SW 72nd Street, Kendall

Information:

Twitter:  @MiamiFoodTrucks

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/miamifoodtrucks

Web:  http://MiamiFoodTrucks.com

Painting by Fred Thomas

May is Haitian Heritage Month – a great time to explore Haiti’s rich arts and culture.   Many events are planned throughout the city – including in Miami’s own Little Haiti neighborhood. While you’re soaking up the culture of the Haitian diaspora, make time to sample some authentic Haitian cuisine.  Long-time Miami favorites include Tap Tap on South Beach and Chef Creole in North Miami.

Here are a few events to check out:

Haitian Heritage Museum
Ongoing
This not-for-profit organization is committed to highlighting and preserving Haiti’s rich culture and heritage. The museum is a mecca for Little Haiti, where the community here and abroad can enjoy a collection of beautiful Haitian art, historical artifacts, music, film and literary works. Open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Tip:  Since May is  Miami Museum Month, be sure to take advantage of the “Buy One, Get One Free” admission at participating museums.
Location:  Haitian Heritage Museum, 4141 NE 2^nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137
www.HaitianHeritageMuseum.org

Big Night Little Haiti
May 10, 2011
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Produced by The Rhythm Foundation and Little Haiti Cultural Center. On the third Friday of each month, enjoy free compas and kreyol jazz music on the Plaza, plus arts and crafts in the gallery, Haitian restaurants, neighboring studios, adjacent venues with their own special events and much more.  FREE.
Location:  Little Haiti Cultural Center Plaza, 212 NE 59th Terr., Miami, FL 33137
www.BigNightLittleHaiti.com

AWAKENING:  Persistence of the Haitian Culture through Art
Opening Reception: May 14, 2011
Exhibit runs through June 5, 2011
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Curated by Haitian-born contemporary artist and writer, Fred Thomas , this group art exhibition features seven Haitian artists: Alphonse Piard, Guylaine Lafontant-Danache, Turgo Bastien, Alexandra Barbot, Fred Thomas, Dominik  Ambroise, and Donald Obin. The show also includes drawings, crafts, and fashion items by ArtSouth art students of The after school program “From the Rubble to Resurrection” in an effort to preserve Haitian arts by training art students of all races and ethnical backgrounds in Haitian styles, techniques and subjects.  The result is an amazing and inspiring array of art pieces that  will leave you spellbound.  The show will be on display from May 14 – June 5, 2011. FREE.
Location:  ArtSouth, 240 N. Krome Ave., Homestead, FL 33030
www.ArtSouthHomestead.org

Couleur Cavé
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Time:  8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Alan Cavé, known as the lead singer of the Haitian Band Zin and his father Syto Cavé, famous writer, actor, and ambassador for Haitian culture, return to perform in Couleur Cavé,  a concert of poetry, music, and stories of the Haitian Community. Joined by the band XTAZZ, guest hosts Elizabeth Guerin and Pasha Brandt, along with surprise artists, it’s a show not to be missed.
Location:  Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place,  Miramar, FL 33025

Haitian Art: Sequinned Banner

Vibes for Haiti
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Time:  9 p.m.
This event features live music by Jahnesta, Jahfe and Live Free, hosted by Lance-O of Kulcha Shok Music. Enjoy fashion showcases by Adjanie Muller, Kocoun, High Intensity Apparel, Charmingly Dysfunctional, Batoul Al Kamha, La belle Tifi and Vintage 1804. Local and international artists will have their art pieces on display, sales by unique vendors, passed hors d’oeuvres by Discreet Dishes and desserts by La Pulperia. Pre-sold tickets can be purchased for $20 at www.vibesforhaiti.eventbrite.com starting May 10th 2011, as admission at the door will increase to $25. Parts of the proceeds from this event will benefit Word  And Action, a non profit organization focusing on sexually abused children in Haiti. Their mission statement is available at www.wordandaction.org.
Location:  The Grove Spot, 3324 Virginia St., Coconut Grove, FL 33133
www.VibesforHaiti.eventbrite.com