Portis bowls for Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
With South Florida winter weather is the way it is, this is perfect for arts festivals, and the 64th annual Beaux Arts Festival on the University of Miami campus Jan. 17-18 continues as one of our largest and best events. A recent $1.5 million gift from Beaux Arts to the UM’s Lowe Art Museum should keep this tradition alive for a long time to come.
What is striking about this particular festival is how the campus seems to naturally enhance the art. Booths meander through grass, trees and walking paths reflecting art in nature. The nearly $20,000 in cash prizes to the artists may be an enticement, but the clincher is the feeling of the weekend for both artist and visitors to the show.
“We do this every year because it is relaxing,” said Elenita Rodriguez. “It’s part of the Miami experience and our family enjoys seeing the traveling art in our community.”
Todd Andrew Babb’s sculpture work caught my eye. His pieces are long, flowing and seemingly dancing.
“I’ve been at this particular style and format for about eight years now,” Babb said. “I’ve exhibited in festivals all around the country and this is my first time here. I’m very impressed and pleased. My work is in collections around the world and the warm reception I’m getting in Miami is wonderful.”
DECOdent Blue stood out as my favorite. The misspelled name is a twist on the deco art-inspired figure. Babb says he’s inspired by surrealism and the art deco period, and this is his homage to both. Another artist, Jack Hill, also impressed me. He, too, is a sculptor, but works mostly in wood.
“I very strongly feel the goal in art or the essence of art is to comment on the times you live in,” said Hill. “So I work hard and aspire to make even more universal observation.”
With more than 230 booths at the Beaux Arts Festival, there was something for everyone. If you missed it, there’s next year when the organizer promises it will be bigger and better.
BOWL WITH CANES LEGENDS
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame will hold the fourth annual Celebrity Bowling Tournament, hosted by Clinton Portis, on Monday, Feb. 23, from 6-9 p.m. at Splitsville in the Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami. Canes fans can bowl with some of their favorite former Canes all stars in a relaxing evening of family fun, food and Hurricanes camaraderie. This year, Hurricane great and 2014 UMSHoF inductee Clinton Portis will serve as host of the event. Other Hurricane greats who have attended past bowling tournaments include Reggie Wayne, Bubba Franks, Brett Romberg, KC Jones, Randal Hill and Darrin Smith. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, as well as the UMSHoF. Teams start at $400 for four bowlers, regular sponsor lanes are $1,000 and premium sponsor lanes are $1,500. Individual bowlers are $125 each, social tickets can be purchased for $50 for adults and $25 for children under 12. For more information, call 305- 284-2775.
PALMETTO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
On Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in Pinecrest Gardens’ Banyan Bowl, the Palmetto Senior High Alumni Association will have a special event with the Ron Magill hosting the event www.palmettohighalumni.org to raise money for student scholarships.
The fundraiser’s main feature is Magill’s Sex and the Animals presentation, which exposes the sex lives of beasts in a funny and informative manner.
“Still in our infancy as an organization, we are building membership with over 50 years of alumni, helping advise and publicize reunions, and offering social events and networking,” said Mayor Cindy Lerner, who also sits on the association board. “We have established a scholarship fund to assist worthy Palmetto seniors in paying for college.”
Admission to the event costs $24 per person in advance and $29 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Scholarship Fund. The Village Council waived the usual $1,850 facility rental fee to maximize the fundraising effort. To purchase tickets, go to http://tiny.cc/bq3asx or call 877-496-8499.
ROMANCE IN LUDOVICI PARK
What are you and your sweetie doing for Valentine’s Day? Chocolate? Flowers?
How about a romantic movie under the stars? Palmetto Bay is offering just such an option as they put on a free movie night at Ludovici Park, located just behind the public library at Old Cutler Road and SW 176th Street. The movie will start shortly after sundown, about 6 p.m., and it was selected from Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, The Proposal, Pretty Woman, Silver Linings Playbook and Valentine’s Day by a survey of Palmetto Bay residents. You can check updated details at www.palmettobay-fl.gov/.
REAL ESTATE UPDATE
Sell smarter, sell faster. When it comes to real estate, you need two things — a competent local professional and a personality match. Buying or selling requires a true partnership to attain goals. Market statistics are not the entire picture. Each transaction is personal. Call me and let’s see how I can help.
Hal Feldman is a Realtor with RE/MAX Advance Realty. Contact him with story ideas or real estate questions at www.MiamiHal.com , Hal@MiamiHal.com or www.facebook.com/MiamiHal.
