Miami Beach, the nexus of sand, sun and fun for visitors and locals alike has also become one the most appealing cultural destinations in the world. More than a city by the beach, this year, Miami Beach kicksoff a special arts and cultural calendar of events with the celebration of its Centennial Anniversary.
“Miami Beach’s vibrant arts and culture scene has become as hot as its beaches,” says Peggy Benua, Chair of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “Once best known for sun and surf, Miami Beach is becoming a world-class cultural destination drawing a diverse group of arts and culture enthusiasts from around the world. We continue to build on this momentum by offering events that meet the needs of residents and visitors; shows, performances and programs that keep them coming back to Miami Beach. With this year being Miami Beach’s Centennial Anniversary, our signature events will also honor the city’s most glamourous birthday and pay tribute to its cultural heritage.”
Miami Beach has expanded into a leading cultural destination with its historic Art Deco architecture, the Colony Theater, the South Florida Art Center, the New World Center and the Bass Museum of Art among other art and culture hotspots.
“Visitors really have the best of everything on Miami Beach,” notes Grisette Roque-Marcos, Executive Director, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. “There are so many great options for everything you want and need in terms of culture, leisure, nightlife and sports.
This is a city that truly has it all and with our centennial celebrations coming up, we’ll have even more to offer the culturally curious traveler.”
Below is a sample of arts and culture events for 2015. For a complete listing of events, visit www.miamiandbeaches.com.
Centennial – March
100 Years of Photography; looking back through pictures.
Dance your way up: 100 years of dance 100 Years of Film and TV with Honorees and a film showcase.
THEATER/CINEMA
SoundScape Cinema Series – every Wednesday at 8 p.m. – screens popular films at the New World Center’s Wallcast (corner of 17th Street and Washington Avenue). Attendance is free. For more information, visit www.mbculture.com.
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – April 24–May 3, 2015 – the festival’s mission is to enrich, entertain and educate the public, encourage a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video and other media that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience; the festival has grown from a 3-day event in which 25 films were presented to the current format of 10 days with 65+ films. For more information, visit http://www.mglff.com/.
Miami Film Festival – March 6-13, 2015 – screening films from all over the world at several venues on Miami Beach and throughout Miami.
Miami Film Month – June 1-30, 2015 – celebrating film and Miami and Miami Beach’s place in the world of film with bus tours, special screenings, film festivals, and discounted movie tickets. For more information, visit www.miamiflimmonth.com.
MUSEUMS
Miami Museum Month – May 1–31, 2015 – During the month of May, all visitors and locals will be given an incredible opportunity to museum hop with the “Buy One, Get One Free” admission or “Join One Museum, See Them All” at participating museums during Miami Museum Month. Museums on Miami Beach include the Bass Museum of Art, Jewish Museum of Florida, Holocust Memorial- Miami Beach and The Wolfsonian- Florida International University. For more information, visit www.miamimuseummonth.com.
MUSIC
New World Symphony Wallcast Concerts – select 2015 dates – experience the New World Symphony performances larger than life in free outdoor Wallcast concerts at the Miami Beach’s SoundScape. Wallcast events are free to the public and do not require a ticket. For more information, visit http://www.nws.edu/wallcasts.aspx.
Winter Music Conference – March 24-28, 2015 – one of the most acclaimed music industry gatherings in the US, with more than 200 artists, DJ and record company receptions and parties, panel discussions, new product premieres, technology demonstrations, and the premier international awards show for the dance music industry. For more information, visit www.wintermusicconference.com.
ARTS
Art Basel – December 3- 6, 2015 – the world’s favorite winter meeting place for the international art world which includes over 250 of the world’s leading galleries and drawing over 70,000 visitors each year. For more information, visit www.artbasel.com/miami-beach.
