Rituparna SImlai’s Landscape Architecture Firm, Studio Arth, Announces New Projects: JaJaJa, Scotch and Bacon, and Mitrani Art Centre
Studio Arth, an award-winning landscape architecture firm based in Coconut Grove, Miami, led by visionary founder Rituparna Simlai is proud to announce its involvement in a series of highly anticipated projects that will redefine the outdoor aesthetic of three prominent establishments: JaJaJa Mexican Restaurant, Scotch and Bacon Restaurants, and Mitrani Art Centre.
Rituparna’s design prowess has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the Exceptional Emerging Professional Award from the Florida chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 2020. Under her leadership, Studio Arth’s portfolio features prestigious establishments like top-tier restaurants, art centers, and boutique residences in the vibrant landscapes of South Florida and the dynamic cityscape of New Delhi.
Prior to establishing Studio Arth, Rituparna contributed her expertise to noteworthy projects such as the Golden1 – Sacramento Kings Stadium and Ford Foundation Headquarters and spearheaded the landscape design for the 1111 Lincoln Road Extension, showcasing her proficiency in shaping distinctive and impactful outdoor environments.
Under Rituparna’s leadership at Studio Arth, the firm successfully executed the post-hurricane Irma plant restoration at Plaza on Brickell Condominium. Additionally, the studio embarked on landscaping projects for upscale residences in Coconut Grove, Keystone Islands in Miami, Palm Island in Miami Beach, and continues to contribute to ongoing developments such as the Mitrani Art Centre, JaJaJa Mexicana Restaurant, and Scotch and Bacon Restaurants in Wynwood. Rituparna played a pivotal role in the design of landscapes for exclusive homes in Golden Beach, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables, exemplifying her unwavering commitment to excellence and a fervent passion for crafting enchanting outdoor spaces.
Studio Arth, under Rituparna’s guidance, is dedicated to designing with purpose, creating landscapes that align people with nature and themselves. The firm’s core philosophy revolves around revitalizing existing biodiversity on local projects, while also collaborating with renowned designers on ecologically restorative projects in diverse regions like China, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Timor-Leste.
The studio’s commitment to crafting experiential landscapes is evident in their designs, characterized by meandering paths that seamlessly blend organic forms with robust architectural surroundings. Collaborating with arborists, Studio Arth ensures a comprehensive understanding of the health of plants and the overall ecological balance. With a particular emphasis on integrating native flora and fauna, the firm seeks to rejuvenate the biodiversity of the landscapes they design.
Rituparna’s expertise extends beyond her role as a designer; she integrates technology with form and function, offering workshops on parametric design and representation at prestigious universities. She has also served on esteemed design award juries, contributing her discerning eye and wealth of knowledge to evaluate exceptional design achievements on a global scale.
As a registered architect in India and a registered landscape architect in Florida, Rituparna Simlai envisions plant materials as a creative palette, akin to colors in a painting. Studio Arth, through her visionary leadership, seamlessly blends purpose, ecological stewardship, and experiential design, leaving an indelible mark in the field of landscape architecture.
Miami Beach Prepares to Welcome Returning Events and Debut Experiences in May
Miami Beach is set to host a variety of returning and new events in May, all developed to bring the community and visitors experiences set amongst a world-famous landscape. The Hyundai Air & Sea Show will return over Memorial Day Weekend to present “The Greatest Show Above Earth,” taking over the shores of Miami Beach on May 25th and 26th from noon to 6 p.m. The complimentary show includes the valor, technology, and camaraderie of the United States Military alongside dedicated first responder agencies. Additional experiences include the 20th anniversary edition of Paraiso Miami Beach and an inaugural Orchids & Art Festival at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens.
“May is historically an active month on Miami Beach and we are proud to welcome back returning, marquee events and to introduce new offerings to our ever-expanding list of experiences and activities,” says Peggy Benua, Chairwoman of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “We know travelers seek out the destination during this time of year to participate in events that have become known around the world for their showmanship and vibrancy.”
For the first time ever, the Miami Beach Orchid Society, Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Foundation for Emerging Technologies will present the Orchids & Arts Festival. The two- day festival on May 4-5 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. is set to celebrate all things orchids including orchid and art exhibits, music and dance performances, alongside education activities and vendor market. In an effort to raise awareness around Miam Beach’s beautiful, yet fragile ecosystem, the festival will focus on the Florida native orchid species. From florals to fashion, Paraiso Miami Beach, the iconic swimwear and resort wear event, will hold its 20th anniversary edition from May 30 – June 2. Anchored at the Collins Park Tent, the experience will feature 2025 resort collections over a four-day program of fashion shows featuring 25 established and emerging swimwear brands including Acacia, Andrea Iyamah, Sinesia Karol, Shan, Riot Swim, Chloe Rose, PQ Swim, Seafolly, Kulani Kinis, Neena Swim, Sigal, Axil Swim, Luli Fama and Nike Swim.
“This collection of events in May showcases Miami Beach’s long-standing reputation for hosting activities that attract attendees from across the nation and beyond,” adds Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the MBVCA. “As travelers make plans to join the festivities, our new EXP Miami Beach Tours App provides easy access to planning tools and itinerary ideas to make the most of their time with us.”
Download the newly-launched EXP Miami Beach Tours App, now available for download on both Apple and Google platforms and follow @experiencemiamiamibeach on Instagram for more information and the chance to win access to select events.
Performist U.S. Launches in Miami with Industry Veteran Marcelo Salup
AKI Family Arts Festival Promotes Inclusivity for Kids & Families of All Abilities
The All Kids Included (AKI) Family Arts Festival, a beloved, annual event, returns for its 18th year, promising a day of creativity, inclusivity, and fun for children and families of all abilities. Presented by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with The Children’s Trust, the free festival will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 St., in Cutler Bay. No tickets are required for this event. Get more information.
The All Kids Included Festival is part of County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Arts Energize 305 initiative which aims to increase diversity, equity, and access to the arts and ensure that innovative cultural programs are engaging and serving underserved populations and neighborhoods throughout the county.
“Our community is enriched by diversity and inclusion in our everyday lives, and I am committed to providing accessible arts programs in all areas of our county,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “The All Kids Included Family Arts Festival is renowned for being a leader presenting inclusive programs tailored to children and families of all abilities so that everyone can participate fully in everything the arts have to offer.”
The festival features a district-wide student art show and awards ceremony, live performances, community resources and performances by ILL-ABILITIES (see photo above), an international all-star breakdance crew comprised of the world’s best dancers with disabilities. The crew, formed in 2007, will inspire and captivate audiences of all ages on the Main Stage.
The festival includes activities and shows across multiple stages including performances by South Florida Ballet, the Moving Music Museum, John Paul Jebian ASL Storytelling, African Watoto Dance Theatre, Miami Lighthouse Youth Music Program, South Florida Center for Percussive Arts, Community Arts Program, and DJ sets by DJ Zelda.
Festival goers can visit an immersive experience, Jen Clay’s “Eyes of the Skin,” a mental health-inspired artistic video game and installation where players navigate through a forest filled with tree-like creatures and role-play different scenarios, in The Black Box Theater.
In addition, there will be an outdoor rock-climbing wall and an inflatable obstacle course on the Backyard Lawn with food vendors. Visit the website for a comprehensive program schedule.
The AKI Family Arts Festival also hosts an art exhibit featuring original artwork created by children in grades Pre-K through 12 participating in the AKI District Wide Student Art Competition which asked students to read the book Whatever Comes Tomorrow, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Mariona Cabassa, and address themes of inclusion, inner strength, and resilience through their artwork. The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the event.
The Festival offers a wide range of accommodations to help make the arts accessible to the public. Accommodations and access technology include:
- ASL interpretation
- Assistive listening
- Noise cancelling headsets
- Closed captions
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio description
- Sensory-inclusive performances
- Quiet room
As part of the sensory-inclusive Main Stage performances, slight adjustments have been made, including reduced sound levels, no flashing or strobe lights, and minimal special effects. To assist audiences in feeling comfortable and prepared for their visit to The Moss Center, a social narrative is available in PDF format.
The AKI Family Arts Festival is presented by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs with support from The Children’s Trust. The All Kids Included Family Arts Festival is recommended for all ages and all levels of abilities, and no tickets are required. For more information, visit MossCenter.org or call 786-573-5300.
All Kids Included – Accessible Arts Experiences for Kids, an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, promotes inclusive arts and cultural programs in school settings and throughout the community enabling kids of all abilities and their families to participate fully in the arts, funded in part through a grant provided by The Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Host Michael Miller speaks with Frank Calderon of Miami Dade Solid Waste
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AS PROPOSED BY THE HONORABLE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR & DISTRICT 6 REPRESENTATIVE, MARI TERE ROJAS, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, APPROVED A REVIEW AND UPDATE OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES 2340 – FIELD AND OTHER DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRIPS AND 8640 -TRANSPORTATION FOR FIELD AND OTHER DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRIPS
At the School Board Meeting of April 17, 2024, School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas proffered agenda item H-16, directing the Superintendent of Schools to start the process of reviewing and updating School Board Policy 2340 – Field and Other District-Sponsored Trips, and established administrative procedures, and School Board Policy 8640 – Transportation for Field and Other District-sponsored Trips, as needed, to ensure that all aspects of the safety of students and teachers are carefully analyzed and executed; and report to the Board by April 30, 2024, a plan to accomplish the action proposed in this agenda item.
A field trip offers both students and teachers a rare opportunity to learn and grow outside the four walls of the classroom. Field trips offer a valuable learning knowledge for students, allowing them to explore, engage in fun activities, and gain exposure to new experiences. The educational benefits of field trips are easy to see, but we cannot forget that children’s safety on these trips is priority number one.
School Board Policy 2340 – Field and Other District-sponsored Trips, delineates Board policy and addresses administrative procedures that should be included for the operation of both field and other District-sponsored trips. This policy was adopted May 11, 2011. School Board Policy 8640 – Transportation for Field and Other District-sponsored Trips outlines the transportation policy for field and other district-sponsored trips. This policy became effective July 1, 2011. Therefore, this item seeks to direct the Superintendent of Schools to start the process of reviewing and updating School Board Policies 2340 and 8640, and established administrative procedures, as needed, to ensure that all aspects of the safety of students and teachers are carefully analyzed and executed.
Blue whales: first discovery near Seychelles in decades – what our study found
Jeremy Kiszka, Florida International University
Blue whales are fascinating animals. At 24-30 metres in length (longer than a basketball court) they are the largest creatures on Earth. They are also among the rarest. Estimates suggest that there are only around 5,000 to 15,000 blue whales left in the world.
Their populations experienced a 89-97% decline due to commercial whaling activities worldwide that started in the North Atlantic in 1868. Blue whales were primarily valued for their blubber, transformed into oil and used in cosmetics and soap, for the lubrication of industrial equipment, and as lamp oil. In 1978, the last deliberate capture of a blue whale was recorded off Spain.
Today, blue whales are found in all oceans except the Arctic. They usually migrate from their summer feeding grounds where they almost exclusively feed on krill to their winter breeding grounds. However, their migration patterns are still poorly understood, particularly in the Indian Ocean, where limited research has been conducted.
Historically, the Seychelles archipelago – off the coast of east Africa – was an opportunistic whaling ground for Soviet whaling fleets en route to and from the Antarctic. In the waters of the northern Indian Ocean, whalers illegally killed more than 1,200 blue whales, including 500 near the Seychelles, between 1963 and 1966.
Since then, no dedicated research had occurred to assess the abundance of blue whales in this region until 2020, when I partnered with the University of Seychelles, Oceanic Films (UK) and my colleague, Kate Stafford, to investigate.
We carried out two expeditions in November 2020 and 2021. After surveying about 5,500km across the northern Seychelles, we had a total of five sightings of up to 10 blue whales.
This was a phenomenal finding. We were prepared to not see any blue whales due to the high level of hunting that occurred fairly recently and absolutely no information was available since the last blue whale was killed in the region in 1964.
When blue whales were sighted, we approached them slowly to obtain details of their group size and behaviour. Photographs of both left and right sides of the dorsal region were taken to identify them.
Because colouration patterns are unique to each animal, we knew that at least five individuals were identified during this expedition.
After sharing our pictures with other research groups working on blue whales in the Indian Ocean, no “match” was found. This means the whales we identified in Seychelles might have been photographed for the first time ever!
Even though blue whales are no longer hunted and are protected by several international conventions, they are still listed as endangered on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. They face a range of threats. For instance, shipping traffic causes noise pollution that can alter communication and lead to collisions. Climate change is also affecting the distribution and abundance of their key food, krill.
Finding the whales
The blue whale’s vast oceanic habitat and elusive nature make them incredibly challenging to study. Moreover, their deep dives and extensive migrations spanning thousands of kilometres present logistical hurdles for researchers aiming to track their movements and behaviour.
Understanding their ecology, population dynamics and conservation therefore requires innovative and resource-intensive research methods, such as systematic surveys from large vessels or planes to assess their abundance or satellite tagging to investigate their movements and migrations.
Our expeditions consisted of vessel-based visual surveys that focused on the deep waters (500−2,000 metres) off the northern portion of the Mahé Plateau.
In addition, for over a year, we placed a hydrophone (an underwater microphone capable of recording whale vocalisations) in an area where blue whales were likely to occur. This allowed us to confirm that blue whales in Seychelles were more common than we thought but highly seasonal (even though we recorded blue whale calls throughout the year), primarily from December to April.
This method also revealed that our expeditions (in November of 2020 and 2021) did not occur when blue whales were the most abundant. It means that our future surveys will have to take place during the months of March and April, when their abundance is at its peak.
Their songs matched those of blue whales recorded near Sri Lanka (about 3,100km from Seychelles), in the central tropical Indian Ocean. The seasonality in Seychelles is similar to the presence of blue whales in Sri Lanka, which is also highest from December to April.
After spending five weeks scanning the ocean, we recorded a total of 23 species of whales and dolphins in 30 days of active search effort, which is remarkable.
We recorded over 100 sightings of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), a non-migrating whale species exclusively living in tropical and subtropical waters, but also many sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and beaked whales. The presence of all these species in Seychelles suggests that the environment is productive enough to support large quantities of cetaceans. We will further investigate this in the future, particularly to ensure that these extraordinary animals, including blue whales, persist in these waters.
Of the four subspecies of blue whale that we know exist, three are known to be present in the Indian Ocean. We believe that the pygmy blue whale is the subspecies visiting Seychelles, based on the physical characteristics of the animals we observed and, most importantly, the nature of their call.
The pygmy blue whale is generally smaller than other subspecies. It typically reaches lengths of around 21-24 metres. Other blue whale subspecies, such as the Antarctic blue whale, can grow to 30 metres or more. The pygmy blue whale is primarily found in the southern hemisphere and has acoustic characteristics that are distinct from others, particularly Antarctic blue whales.
What’s next?
Because of our blue whale discoveries, we have engaged with local tourism operators and the government, particularly to identify measures to limit the impact of the potential development of whale watching as an activity. These are positive steps towards their conservation. The involvement of local students at the University of Seychelles and young researchers is also critical for the long-term sustainability of research and conservation initiatives.
We still know so little about blue whales. But the data collected in Seychelles gives us hope and encourages us to do more.
We now need to increase our research efforts to assess the abundance of these blue whales in Seychelles and discover why they are using Seychelles’ waters. Do they just breed or feed in these waters, or both?
We also want to gain further insights into what they eat and how the changing climate is affecting their distribution and behaviour in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.
Jeremy Kiszka, Associate Professor, Institute of Environment, Coastlines and Oceans Division, Florida International University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
DANCE NOW! MIAMI GOES “POP” IN PROGRAM III OF THE SEASON May 17 Broward & May 18 Aventura
WHAT:
Dance NOW! Miami Program III featuring world premiere of “Pop”
WHEN:
Friday, May 17 in Broward & Saturday, May 18 in Aventura, both shows 8 pm
WHERE:
Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theater, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th Street, Aventura, FL
ADMISSION:
For Broward, $50 reserved seating, $20 for students with valid ID, at box office only. For Aventura, $45 reserved seating, $20 for students with valid ID at box office only. Advance tickets for both venues at www.dancenowmiami.org/events/pop.
FOR MORE INFO:
(305) 975-8489 or info@dancenowmiami.org
TThe snap, crackle and pop of contemporary dance has a destination this season when Dance NOW! Miami presents its Program III, Friday, May 17, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theater, and Saturday, May 18, at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, both at 8 pm. The program will feature the world premiere of Diego Salterini’s musical and dance journey Pop, a restaging by Daniel Lewis of his Open Book, and a revival of Hannah Baumgarten’s Tethered.
Pop explores themes of love, despair and coming-of-age to an iconic score of 80s and 90s music hits, reimagined by long-time Dance NOW! Miami collaborator, composer Davidson Jaconello. “This new piece draws on my own memories of the two featured musical decades, and the arc of my own life,” said Dance NOW! Miami Co-Artistic Director Salterini. “I hope that it will evoke the audience’s own experiences as well, through the universal language of dance.” Pop includes sets and lighting from Bruce F. Brown, and costumes by Haydee and Maria Morales.
Daniel Lewis is a dance legend and Miami icon, having first been the Limón Dance Company Artistic Director in New York City, and then becoming the Founding Director of the Dance Department at South Florida’s New World School of the Arts. He will restage his modern dance piece Open Book, which premiered originally in 1981, on the Dance NOW! Miami company dancers. This autobiographical work, based on Lewis’ own poem, “Life Is an Open Book,” features music from Gustav Mahler, Richard Wagner, and Gioachino Antonio Rossini.
Dance NOW! Miami Co-Artistic Director Baumgarten’s contemporary ballet, Tethered, is a celebration of pure physicality and visceral movement, unpacking the ways in which we are all tied – tethered – to one another. It features four dancers and an original score by Davidson Jaconello and Felix Rosch, with sets and lighting from Bruce F. Brown, and costumes by Haydee and Maria Morales.
Tickets for Broward are $50 reserved seating, and $20 for students with valid ID, at box office only. For Aventura, tickets are $45 reserved seating, and $20 for students with valid ID, at box office only. Advance tickets and full information are available at www.dancenowmiami.org/events/pop. Both venues are fully wheelchair accessible, with adjacent parking. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theater is located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL; the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is at 3385 NE 188th Street, Aventura, FL. To request materials in accessible format, or any disability accommodation, visit www.dancenowmiami.org or contact Dance NOW! at (305) 975-8489 and info@dancenowmiami.org.
Support for Dance NOW! Miami, and its performances, is provided in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture; the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida (Section 286.25, Florida Statutes); the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners; the City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; the City of Coral Gables; Funding Arts Broward; Citizens Interested in Arts; Miami Salon Group; the Kirk Foundation; the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation; Florida Dance Education Organization; Miami Dance Futures; Foundation for New Education Initiatives; Miami ArtZine; the Samara Fund; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the South Beach Group; KCC Productions; Akerman Law firm; Northern Trust Bank; the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department and the Little Haiti Cultural Complex; and other donors. Dance NOW! is also funded by The Children’s Trust. The Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County. Dance NOW! is in a resident company of the Little Haiti Cultural Complex and the Miami Beach Bandshell.