Miami Beach Events May 2008

Miami Beach Events May 2008:

Here we are again, with some of the latest happenings on the Beach, and in Miami!

For the kids, the fun is fast and furious at the Miami Children’s Museum, at 980 Macarthur Cswy, Miami, FL 33132 (305) 373-5437.

And for a hilarious, family-friendly magical experience, stop at the Deauville Hotel at 6701 Collins Avenue (800) 600-6244, any Saturday at 8 pm, to be mesmerized by the Las Vegas stylings of illusionists Kevin & Caruso.

If you’re into home décor (who isn’t?), the Wolfsonian Museum’s exhibit: Fashioning the Modern French Interior: Pochoir Portfolios in the 1920s, continues through Mothers’ Day, May 11. The museum is at 1001 Washington Avenue, a fascinating stop on your stroll through Miami Beach’s Art Deco District.

For the art crowd, the “Wifredo Lam in North America” exhibit is still on through May 18 at the Miami Art Museum, located on the mainland, at 101 W Flagler Street, Miami 33130 (305) 375-3000.

History buffs will enjoy “Native Arts of the Northwest Coast: The Gluck Collection”, which runs through June 1 at the Historical Museum of South Florida, also at 101 W. Flagler Street, Miami 33130 (305) 375-1492.

And for orchid lovers, what a thrill to attend the largest annual orchid show in the U.S., featuring over 50 booths, held Friday May 16 through Sunday, May 18, 9 am to 5 pm, in the Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Ave, Miami 33031 (305) 247-5727! But be sure to take a stroll through the Miami Beach Botanical Garden at 2000 Convention Center Drive (305) 371-3531.

Jump to the jazz beat at the JVC Jazz Festival, Bayfront Park, 301 N Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33132, just over the MacArthur Causeway, (305) 665-5379. This annual event begins Saturday May 17 at 5pm, and features such greats as the Grammy® Award winning Sergio Mendes, R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, Brazilian artist Jorge Ben Jor and the Grammy® nominated artist Ledisi. The fun continues from 9 pm to 2 am at the Oasis at the Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Avenue, with performances by Raul Midón, The Yoruba Soul Orchestra featuring Osunlade, Quetzal Guerrero and Siji, plus DJ sets by Osunlade, Djinji Brown and Rainer Trüby.

Miami always offers exciting theater for a variety of tastes. The opera Julius Caesar (4/26 - 5/11) plays at the Ziff Ballet Opera House, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33132 (305) 949-6722, followed by the Tony Award winning smash hit musical, Avenue Q, which runs Tuesday May 13 through Sunday May 18. The Accomplices runs through May 25 at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 445-8645.

For soccer fans, Florida's professional soccer team, the Miami FC, will host will host the Portland Timbers Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 6pm, at the Tropical Park Stadium, 7900 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33156, (866) 576-4264.

Among Miami’s favorite concert venues is the American Airlines Arena, 601 Arena Blvd., Miami 33136 (305) 358-5885, which brings Alicia Keys to you on Sunday, May 25 at 8 pm. The Hard Rock Live, at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, FL 33314 (305) 358-5885, hosts Paul Anka on May 21 at 8 pm. And for some rib-tickling fun, check out comedian Katt Williams at the BankAtlantic Center, at 2555 NW 137th Way in Ft Lauderdale 33304 (954) 835-8000, on Thursday May 15 at 8 pm.

For the musical set, the Lincoln Theatre at 541 Lincoln Road (305) 673-3330 offers everything from jazz to student recitals.

Cinema goers have an incredible selection of first-run, international and alternative films at such venues as the Regal Cinema, 1120 Lincoln Road, (305) 674-6766, the Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, (305) 673-9717, the Miami Beach Cinematheque, 512 Espanola Way, (305) 673-4567, and many others on the mainland. Weekly schedules are published online and in various weekend newspapers, such as the New Times, issued Thursdays, available at bars and restaurants throughout the city. Check out the 9-day Brazilian Film Festival, which takes place at the Colony and other venues in South Beach from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 7.

Gotta be something here you'll like. If all else fails, just go to the beach. The water is warm, clear, and inviting.