NBC’s ‘Christmas at Graceland’: The show’s top moments, from Lana Del Rey to Post Malone

Fifty-five years after the so-called “’68 Comeback Special,” the renowned prime time production that galvanized Elvis Presley’s career after close to a decade of Hollywood torpor, NBC on Wednesday night again showcased the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in a network holiday special.

Of course, an “Elvis” TV special in 2023 must compensate for a disadvantage that was not present in 1968, namely, the fact that Elvis Presley is not alive. To that end, the hourlong “Christmas at Graceland” presented performances by eight talented musical artists, who, in various locations in and around the Presley estate, presented tasteful covers of songs associated with the holiday, the mansion’s former owner, or both.

Touted as a “live” production but with almost no actual live-on-air content (most of the performances were shot days in advance), “Christmas at Graceland” — co-produced and low-key hosted by Elvis’ granddaughter, actress Riley Keough — aired at 9 p.m. Memphis time, after “Christmas at Rockefeller Center,” which NBC has carried since 1997.

A photo of Elvis is projected on the Graceland mansion during NBC's "Christmas at Graceland" TV special on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Will the Graceland special also become a tradition? Local film crew workers hope so: The fact that most of the show was shot on various days in November meant more paychecks. (Meanwhile, commercials during the show promoted next week’s “Christmas at the Opry,” indicating that NBC has cast its hopeful holiday-ratings net beyond the Bluff City.)

What was special about the special? Here are five notable elements:

Dolly Parton, Cher and more share memories of Elvis

Words: “Home on the Range” is no Christmas carol, but Wednesday night, at least, Graceland went beyond even Gene Autry’s vision of an idealized location, to become a place “where never is heard a discouraging word.” Not that one would expect or even want anything different during a show titled “Christmas at Graceland.”

“This is like the manifestation of a dream completely come true,” singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey told Riley Keough inside the Graceland kitchen, where Keough made this disclosure: “On my God, I love Christmas.” Post Malone summed it up: “Christmas is bad a**.”

Lainey Wilson was among the performers on NBC's "Christmas at Graceland" TV special on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Meanwhile, outside the Graceland barn, country singer Kane Brown revealed that Elvis was “one of my nana’s favorite singers.” Country singer Lainey Wilson added: “I am so excited to be celebrating two of my favorite things at the same time — Elvis Presley and Christmas.”

In addition to the performers (who were accompanied in most segments by small backup bands), guest celebrities — including Dolly Parton, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi and Cher — contributed video testimonials and childhood recollections. Parton — whose new hit album, “Rockstar,” includes a song titled “I Dreamed About Elvis” — remembered sneaking “through the woods and through the bushes” as a child, to peep through the window of a less impoverished neighbor “who did have a TV” to watch Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show. Cher recalled talking her mother into taking her to an Elvis concert, “so my mom and I were jumping up and down screaming to Elvis, and I was 11.”

The performances on ‘Christmas at Graceland’

Lana Del Rey was among the performers on NBC's "Christmas at Graceland" TV special on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Songs: The show began with what appeared to be about its only legitimately live moment, when country singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson drove up to the front of the mansion in a pink Cadillac, and then performed Elvis’ bawdiest Christmas song, “Santa Claus is Back in Town,” while wearing a red bellbottomed jumpsuit-style outfit and red cowboy hat.

One of the more impressive segments featured Lana Del Rey in the Jungle Room, covering Elvis’ cover of the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody.”

KNOW YOUR 901:After 3 ‘Graceland’ movies, will Hallmark make another Memphis movie?

Other performers included Kane Brown, who did “Blue Christmas” outside the Graceland barn, after petting a Graceland horse; Alanis Morissette, who sang “Last Christmas,” by Wham!,’ near the Lisa Marie airplane (Morissette was the only person to add “Happy Hanukkah” to “Merry Christmas,” and she also was about the only person to possibly ad-lib, asking viewers to remember not just Elvis and her friend Lisa Marie but George Michael); and Kacey Musgraves, who sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on the mansion’s front porch. She then got into the pink Cadillac that Lainey Wilson had left behind and drove out through the Graceland gates, presumably into the Whitehaven night…

John Legend, The War and Treaty deliver songs with a ‘message’

John Legend was among the performers on NBC's "Christmas at Graceland" TV special on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

‘Protest’ songs: In addition to the five performers mentioned above, two musical acts contributed what might be described as “message” or “protest” songs. On a reproduction of a “’68 Comeback Special” stage, The War and Treaty, a gospel-influenced country/Americana twosome that made history when its members became the first Black artists to be nominated for the Country Music Association’s Duo of the Year award, sang “If I Can Dream,” the civil rights era-evoking song that Elvis insisted on performing on NBC in 1968.

They were followed by Oscar-winning pop/R&B star John Legend, who began his segment by lighting votive candles with Keough inside the Graceland Chapel, where a piano owned by Elvis awaited him. “It’s really something to think that his hands have touched these keys,” said Legend, who, during this time of extended warfare in Ukraine and the Middle East, performed the tuneful protest song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which John Lennon and Yoko Ono composed in 1971, in response to the Vietnam War. (“Put your political message across with a little honey,” Lennon explained.)

Post Malone shows off Elvis tattoo, jumps in Graceland pool

Post Malone was among the performers on NBC's "Christmas at Graceland" TV special on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Post Malone croons: The show’s eighth performer was the garishly tattooed and grilled Post Malone, who has reinvented himself as the sort of harmlessly eccentric cousin whose occasional antics are tolerated as the expressions of an exuberant heart. Wheeled around the Graceland grounds in a sort of golf cart driven by Riley Keough, Malone showed off the small Elvis tattoo on his right hand, then accompanied himself on electric guitar for a crooning version of “Devil in Disguise,” which he performed while standing alongside Elvis’ kidney-shaped swimming pool.

“It is so bad a** to be performing here at this really b******’ pool,” said Malone who, after finishing the song and having a word bleeped from his thank you’s, jumped into the aforementioned pool, guitar in hand. This behavior is what qualified as “zany” during an otherwise impeccable, risk-free production that demonstrated that Keogh will be an adept overseer of the Elvis legacy. (Along with John Legend, Malone is a veteran of prime time Presley programming on NBC: Both men appeared on “Elvis All-Star Tribute,” a 2019 special that featured more than a dozen performers, including Blake Shelton and Jennifer Lopez.)

FROM ELVIS TO OSCAR:The story of Lansky Brothers and its place in Memphis history

Home-movie clips of Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley

Images: The performances were interspersed with home-movie clips featuring Elvis, Priscilla Presley and young Lisa Marie, mostly clowning around at Graceland; the charming footage of Lisa as a baby and small child was more eloquent than any wordy tribute to the late daughter of Elvis/mother of Riley probably would have been.

If Graceland looked cool in the vintage footage, it also looked great in the new musical segments, the holiday decorations and colorful gel lighting giving the home a hip space-age retro feel. At times, footage of a giant-sized Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie was projected on the outside walls of the mansion, as if to reassure viewers that the Presley presence remained as much a part of the house as its colonial revival architecture and its peacock stained glass.

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“American Symphony:” A beautiful story but mediocre storytelling 

I’ve never had a proficiency in the realm of music-making. All those years of piano lessons and I still couldn’t tell you which side of the instrument plays low notes and which plays the high ones. Despite my musical ineptitude, I’ve always admired those who are musically gifted. 

Yesterday, Netflix released a musical documentary titled “American Symphony,” which follows singer and songwriter Jon Batiste. The film features him juggling the 2022 Grammys — for which he was nominated for 11 awards — the opportunity to orchestrate his own symphony and the pressures from his community to reclaim their right to creativity. In addition, the documentary sheds light on Batiste’s struggles with anxiety and the health crisis his partner is facing for the second time. 

Batiste’s relationship with music began in his hometown of Metairie, Louisiana. After years of developing his gift, he became a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist — a resume that landed him a spot at the most prestigious art school in the country, Julliard. Batiste notes that this was the earliest instance in which he struggled to find his place in the music realm, as Julliard is a place that focuses on European classical music. As a Black man from the South, Batiste did not feel like he was suited to fit into that mold, but that did not withhold his creativity. 

The film begins with Batiste switching between one phone call reiterating his impressive potential Grammy lineup and the other about his opportunity to orchestrate his own symphony to perform at Cargenie Hall. The first part of the documentary depicts how Batiste and the rest of the world reacted to the announcements. In response to the Grammy nominations, not everyone was as ecstatic as Batiste. He received nominations in both classical and jazz categories, which was the root of the controversy. The film covers a contradictory conversation in pop culture media surrounding the nominations. One article described Batiste as a character that could compete with icons like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo;, others characterized him as a “jazz darling” and others claimed that he knew nothing about classical music and angered the “real” classical music community. 

 Next, the documentary takes a turn away from Batiste’s professional career and delves into his personal life. Viewers get an inside look into his relationship with writer and motivational speaker, Suleika Jaouad. The couple hosts a small, intimate wedding with just themselves and their closest friends. They scheduled the event so that Jaouad could properly celebrate before her return to treatment for leukemia. 

The concern for his new bride’s health piggybacking on the pressure he feels about creating the perfect symphony pulls Batiste into a dark mental state. The artist shares his history of anxiety and panic attacks, and reveals that the whirlwind of chaos that has overcome his life is bringing these ailments back with intensity. 

As if preparing a symphony to perform at one of the most iconic concert venues wasn’t stressful enough, Batiste shares that he feels pressure from the Black creator community. He shares that he and other Black artists feel that the music industry constrains them to one type of music genre and limits their freedom to experiment and expand creatively. Batiste wanted this symphony to show the world what Black artists are capable of when given the opportunity. Unfortunately, when it came to showtime, the universe worked against him and the stage power shut down. Whether or not he saved the performance I will leave up to your judgment. 

Now, based on the title of this article, you’re probably wondering what negatives I have to say about this seemingly moving film. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the story and getting a behind-the-scenes look into his life, but the way the documentary itself was made is what threw me off. 

To start, the film had a vintage blue and yellow tint to it, which for some scenes wasn’t a problem, but for others felt a little hard on the eyes — but that could just be personal preference. Another thing I couldn’t enjoy was the constant playing of music in the background. No matter if there was dialogue or scene changes, there was always a piano vigorously playing in the background. Sometimes it seemed necessary, but at other times, it felt like an overstimulation as it created difficulty to focus on what people were saying. Finally, the way this was filmed follows more along the lines of a film adaptation of a book rather than a documentary. Key components such as one-on-one interviews were missing and replaced with theatrical elements such as overdramatization in some scenes. 

Apart from these critiques, I would recommend this film to anyone interested in learning more about what it is truly like to work and live in the entertainment industry. The interconnectivity between Batiste’s own struggles and equity and inclusion makes the story compelling and thoughtful. 

Rating: 4/5 

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Graffiti Gentrification: Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore on the Exploitation of Basquiat

Image courtesy Magnolia Pictures

Is the point of art to bring us into ourselves, or out? I mean the Parkway theater is my favorite place to go to get out of the heat—I can even stare at the high-concept magenta wallpaper in the bathrooms, digitized popcorn kernels “oating” by. Or notice the shining light outside as it settles over the decaying turn-of-the-century buildings across Charles Street, all those gorgeous reds and browns and look at those plants growing through the cracks in the bricks.

Usually when I go to an old theater I study the details, but with this theater you walk in and you just think: architect. Because the whole place has been gutted, and reimagined. Where did they get all this money?

Tonight I’m watching Boom for Real: The Late-Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat, which reveals nothing about Basquiat that wasn’t already part of the public record—he was brilliant and wild, charming and manipulative, seductive and ambitious—he was homeless as a teenager, he did a lot of drugs, he became the toast of the art world, he died way too young.

Everyone already knows the myth that Basquiat was a lone genius destroying convention to create his own form. Yes, he was driven to remake himself as a lone visionary in order to become a top-tier art-world  commodity, and this actually happened, which is rare for anyone, especially a Black artist, but we already know this killed him, so why portray posthumous canonization as a glorious path? Unless the movie is just about making more money for the ghouls of the art world who have already made millions and millions from Basquiat’s death from an overdose at age twenty-seven.

I’m thinking about the Basquiat show I saw in Seattle in 1994, six years after his death—gazing at those paintings I felt an immediate sensory kinship with the dense layers of self-expression, the wildness, the raw beauty, the way language was interwoven with the visual, became the visual, until it was overcome by it. The movement, the free association that became a method and a system of organization, the disorientation that opens the mind.

I’m thinking about the Basquiat show I saw in Seattle in 1994, six years after his death—gazing at those paintings I felt an immediate sensory kinship with the dense layers of self-expression, the wildness, the raw beauty…

The way we can create our own language, the symbols and the strength, the bending, the mesmerizing nurturing scream. I left that show wanting to create, knowing I could create, knowing. In the lobby of the Parkway Theatre there’s a flyer for a new building  across from the train station that says:

THE ART OF BALTIMORE

NOW LEASING.

In the photo, it just looks like your average prefab yuppie loft to me, so I’m not sure where the art is, but I guess they mean this neighborhood, designated by the city as an ARTS DISTRICT to change blight into bright lights. The marketing of Baltimore as a creative hub—artists as tools for displacement, a sad story that has obliterated so many neighborhoods over the last several decades, but here it feels more blatant. Maybe because these funded institutions sit in an area so obviously neglected by the city for so long.

Just across the street from the Parkway there are Black people slumped on their stoops in drugged-out immobility due to decades of structural neglect, and next door there’s Motor House, an art gallery/theater/bar complex with a design show called “Undoing the Red Line.”

I walk out of the Parkway, and the graffiti on the street doesn’t look  that different than the graffiti in the movie. Is it on display? As if to say: We want what happened in New York in the ’80s to happen here, now. There’s even an alley behind Motor House where graffiti is legal, and all day long there are photo shoots and staged parties promoting multicultural consumption in a segregated city.

Back on Charles, where there’s another movie theater, and then half a block of upscale bistros, and then everything ends at the bridge over the highway and there’s the train station, illuminated. I turn the corner and there’s some huge new building like a spaceship that’s landed to promote gentrification, so much air conditioning that there’s a giant puddle  in the asphalt.

Oh, wait, that’s the building from the flyer, the Nelson Kohl Apartments, this is it, with a wood-paneled entry and a white cube gallery in the lobby showing bland abstract art, two rectangular fiberglass planters in front, painted black and textured to look like cement. Two grasses planted to one side, and then four almost-dead grasses on the other. The entrance faces the parking lot over the highway, with the train station on the other side. I stand outside to watch for anyone going in, but they must all be inside with their air conditioning.

I decide to go to the show at Motor House—the bar in front looks like a suburban advertisement for urban living, but the show in the lobby is actually about redlining. It’s mostly about New York and DC, although I do learn a few things about Cross Keys Village, where I went with Gladys as a kid, a sprawling gated housing development in  Baltimore—a mixture of townhouses, a hotel, and mid-rise buildings in a leafy enclave, complete with a Frank Gehry–designed high-rise and a mall that includes Betty Cooke’s modernist gift shop that Gladys loved.

Apparently Cross Keys was marketed to both Black and white home owners when it was built in the 1960s, unlike the whites-only history of neighborhoods nearby, like working-class Hampden and posh Roland  Park.

At Motor House they have a sign thanking the city for funding the space—I look it up when I get home, and it cost six million to renovate, funded by an organization called BARCO, or Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation, dedicated to “creating working spaces for Baltimore’s growing community of artists, performers, makers and artisans.” BARCO also recently completed an $11.5 million renovation of another space in the area, Open Works.

I look up the Parkway Theatre, and the renovation cost $18.5 million, including a five million grant from a Greek foundation. So there was international funding involved. For a movie theater in Baltimore. Then there’s the nineteen million spent by another nonprofit developer, Jubilee, to renovate the Centre Theatre to house the Johns Hopkins and MICA film programs right around the corner. This is a staggering amount of money in a city struggling for basic services.

All this empty corporatized language promoting Baltimore as an arts hub, a creative crossroads, a robust creative sector, an incubator for the creative economy. Which fits right in with the marketing of the Nelson Kohl Apartments, named after two famous dead designers who had nothing to do with it, and claiming to be THE ART OF BALTIMORE, with studios starting at fifteen hundred dollars, “surrounded by art, music, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and one of the world’s premiere art colleges. When you live here, you can paint your own canvas—differently every day.”

Fifteen hundred dollars for a studio, in a city that’s mostly in collapse. Walking back up Charles, there’s a performance space in a former dry cleaner’s where everyone looks like the people in the Basquiat  movie—the same ’80s outfits, only now everyone’s wearing all black, you can’t even have fun anymore with your studied indifference. Crossing the street to walk home—past the Crown, where I danced my ass off to terrible ’80s music and campy projections on white sheets, and everyone stared at me but no one approached.

Past the Eagle, another old building gutted and renovated with a surprising amount of money—usually a leather bar doesn’t have an upstairs cabaret and dance floor, a leather shop with an art gallery, and multiple streamlined spaces on the main floor. Not that anyone in the bar was friendly, but at least  there were nice bathrooms.

You look for what you can’t find elsewhere, in neighborhoods where people are having trouble finding anything, and then eventually there isn’t any neighborhood except the one that replaced the neighborhood.

And then I go into the convenience store where the register is behind bulletproof glass, my usual place to get an unrefrigerated bottle of water. A trans woman shaking a bit from drugs is ordering knock off perfume, chewing gum, talking on the phone: “I’m on the stroll.” A drug dealer steps in front of me to count out a huge stack of bills.

I get my bottle of water, and then back on the street I’m thinking about all the contrasts—the NPR studio with signs out front that say WARNING DON’T SIT HERE WALL IS UNSTABLE, the members-only jazz club that  I assumed before was a Black space, but when I walk by now it’s all white guys outside, in between sets.

All the businesses that are never open, but the storefronts still advertise what was there before. The rehab center is the fanciest building  on the block—across the street there’s a new art gallery featuring Black artists, in an old brick building.

And I find myself invigorated by the contrasts, the possibility for something surprising to happen—only this is how gentrification works. You look for what you can’t find elsewhere, in neighborhoods where people are having trouble finding anything, and then eventually there isn’t any neighborhood except the one that replaced the neighborhood.

______________________________

Touching the Art - Sycamore, Mattilda Bernstein

Touching the Art by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore is available via Soft Skull.

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Under a wet blanket: navigating the Australian arts ecosystem as First Nations artists

Being a contemporary Indigenous artist in Australia is a tale of mission managers, gatekeepers and a relentless wet blanket that shrouds the flame of creativity. It is a tale of poisoned wells for drinking and continually being left out in the cold. 

Like many Black people in this country, I am done with polite speech when it comes to our affairs. Artists are even better placed to cut through the festering politeness that keeps the conversation small and out of sight. We must remember that politeness doesn’t always mean respect. Politeness is a self-protective mechanism that creates a comfortable distance between people.

As a country following the referendum, polite speech, identity politics, corporate campaign slogans or trashy slandering won’t fix the mess that we’ve found ourselves in. There is no “moving on” for First Nations people and so it is imperative that we are so un-polite that we, even in silence, are heard clearly.

It’s important to remember that the proposal – the one the nation has rejected, the one we said “No” to – has a heart at its core. Perhaps now the Voice’s heart is broken.

There is a way to mend the broken heart, but we must think radically in order to shift the tide of this nation. We must be un-polite in our workings for change. Let’s get to the heart of it.

Superiority and “managing” minority groups.

Many of the problems facing First Nations’ artists in Australia is the tendency to keep our work small.  

It often shows up in programmatic decisions that segregate First Nations artists into one day, or stage, or part of a festival. It’s usually a small stage or not the “main” day. Such was the case with the “First Nations first” day for a recent large-scale festival. When I went to see a friend perform, I was shocked to see that most of the festival stages were still being built and that most of the Black artists had been programmed on the day before the actual festival when no one was there. 

In the arts sector, “First Nations” has been folded into thematic program management language, where “First Nations” has a set of thematic specifications that one must follow to be in line with the theme. It is an unspoken rule that the work usually must mention the first fleet, speak to how oppressed the artist is, or speak directly to the oppressor – or have a traditional dance. 

When it comes to structural power in the arts sector, it is very evident who has the upper hand. 

There are many gatekeepers in this maze of funding cycles, paperwork and ass-kissing, and they exist throughout the arts and cultural sector, into public services, private funding sectors, government at all levels (state, local, federal) and philanthropic foundations with ulterior motives. As we already know, the industry at all levels is mostly white and that the working class involvement in the arts is diminishing

These entities that guard the funding are particularly adept at “managing” minority groups through their large and menacing institutions. 

Read: Our voices run through our blood…

Jade Lillie, a highly respected arts leader in Australia, recently highlighted this point at a forum run by Yarra City Council, when she stated, ‘Communities and people who are participating in any kind of project are being patronised from the get-go about needing to be managed.’ 

She went on to remind the audience of the voices of minority communities who have to continually assert to the arts ecosystem that ‘we build our own worlds; we are capable of that. Imagine if we let ourselves live our wildest dreams’.

Within the First Nations communities, such micromanaging individuals or institutions are referred to as “mission managers”, making a direct link to the paternalistic protectorate mentality that echoes throughout our history. 

‘Angry’, 2023 by Axel Garay. A series of images created using 19th century wet plate collodion photographic processes as a de-colonial artistic practice. Image: Supplied.

I have come up against mission managers many times throughout my career. There are ways to navigate them, but the mentality of being “managed” is a hard one to shake. Previous mission managers have decided that my collaborators had to be entirely made up of First Nations people. ‘You must work with other Indigenous artists,’ they say proudly, as if they are doing the world a service by employing as many Black artists in one go as they can – bang for their buck.

But the projects I had pitched had people attached to them already, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and in the end I had to give up the opportunity to work with the non-Indigenous artists who had skills that were required to realise the vision. 

Tell me this: as an artist, can you think of any other group that would find it acceptable to be told what ethnicity their collaborators have to be? Only the ones who are “managed” would know what this feels like. How is one supposed to feel sovereign when they are constantly being “managed”? How is one supposed to dream wildly as an artist must do?

As a sovereign artist, I should be able to work with whomever the work compels me too, not by their ethnicity and certainly not dictated to me by a mission manager. So many of these decisions are funnelled through their diversity and inclusion frameworks. 

Diversity and inclusion is limiting artists

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or DEI) is everywhere and, in many ways, it is generating dialogue around persistent issues in the arts ecosystem. In other ways, it creates a weird psychological vortex where everyone is “triggered”, but no one knows what to do beyond creating indicators on a report filed away in the cloud. 

DEI encourages us to delve into our innermost prejudices and yet falls short in actually creating a deep internal psychological shift. All I seem to hear is the parroting of the same ideas, promulgated over and over again. “White privilege, oppression, unconscious bias, be a good ally” – we’ve heard it all and yet is it sinking deeper? Clearly not deep enough.  

Some of the most disrespectful people I have met have been DEI specialists, including one that wouldn’t give up on calling me “oppressed”, reminding me at every second of my “place in society” and that people like me “need help”. On this occasion, I respectfully raised my voice after four hours of being hounded about my thoughts on all things race and queer politics (I was at a bar and only wanted to talk about boys and have a laugh), told her to stop calling me oppressed and to let me enjoy my night – she cried. 

Or another DEI specialist who kept pointing out that a gay manager was “straight-passing” and had privilege as a result. She thought it was perfectly acceptable to call out someone’s sexuality at work, something extremely personal, and used it against him to point out his inherent wrong by being straight-passing. 

The truth is, most DEI professionals aren’t even close to being that “radical”. They nurse their reports and indicators, they run their yearly reconciliation events and they perform the same training over and over again, parroting the same language. I’ve seen it over and over again – they stay for a year or two at an organisation, they write a pretty report, everyone claps and they leave. 

Also, DEI in the arts is always banging on about representation and that as many groups as possible must be represented at all times in all works. This is not always possible for art. In fact, we are already seeing the attempts to represent everybody all the time in film and television, and it waters down the overall result, creating an inauthentic form of storytelling that ultimately leads to tokenism.

Taika Waititi pointed this out in an address to The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year by saying that, ‘The word diversity is wrong … because it’s actually confusing everyone and what’s happening is we’re mistaking that for, “We have to include a person from every single race and every single background and part of the human experience in every show”… That’s not reality and it’s not authentic.’ 

His solution is to fund minority groups in a sovereign way to tell their stories regardless of how many groups are represented in that given work of art. In discussing Polynesian representation in film and TV, he went on to challenge the industry, ‘Don’t give us a white show runner to tell us the rules and tell us how to do things. Let us figure it out.’ 

Indicators, reports and investigations won’t even touch the sides of the problem. What is required now is deep psychological, spiritual work to clean out the wound.

In my mind I’m trying to think of a better group to perform this action …. hmm … who could it be? The artists, of course! We are primed to delve into the waters of our shared humanity and yet we are stuck in reports.

But it can’t be done in a way that is pandering or palatable, low-risk or under the watchful eye of intense, overbearing and unnecessary micro management. We need room to imagine and create freely in order to address the root causes of this mess. There are ways of doing this that we haven’t even seen yet.

Read: The daring future of sovereign Blak storytelling

It’s time to give up on managing us now and to genuinely invest in sovereign First Nations art making. But the way things are funded is just as important as them being funded at all. 

In Gurnaikurnai and Wotjobaluk creative and writer Ben Abbatangelo’s scathing article about his experience with the ways in which philanthropists approach investing in First Nations people, he hits the nail on the head when he says, ‘These knowers of nothing and funders of everything force you to dilute your own aspirations to align with their egos and lack of imagination.’ 

Australia is very bad at letting First Nations people be in the driver’s seat, even though our people have always found a way to get our hands behind the wheel amid extreme adversity and hardship. We, as First Nations artists, are expected to sit in the passenger seat, under the wet blanket of micromanagement, lack of funding and structural racism. 

Throw that rug in the wash, let it dry and let’s light a big fire to keep warm and burn the flames of our collective imagination. Now that we have the fire, it’s time to discard anything we don’t need, transform it into ash and generate new ways forward together. 

The uncreative among us want these metaphors to be boiled down to concrete indicators, but the artists among us know that magic does not occur in such rigid confines. 

Pull off the wet blanket so we can burn with the intensity and glow we need to really shift the dial. At the end of the day, this is truly about us living our wildest dreams. 

This article is published under the Amplify Collective, an initiative supported by The Walkley Foundation and made possible through funding from the Meta Australian News Fund.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Local Entertainment Roundup: Nov. 30-Dec. 7

Roundup of arts and entertainment events happening in Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.

30 thursday

Film: “Marie Antoinette,” Library of Congress Packard Theater, 19053 Mt. Pony Road, Culpeper. (Columbia, 2006) 7:30 p.m. Free. 540/827-1079, ext. 79994.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway. 7:30 p.m. Dinner served at 5 p.m. $55–$75 plus processing fee. Through Dec. 31. 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com.

Bingo, American Legion Post 320, 8456 Brock Road, Spotsylvania. Doors open at 5 p.m.; games start at 6:30 p.m. Food available for purchase. Proceeds benefit veterans, their families and the community. 540/548-8069.

Bingo, St. Michael High School, 6301 Campus Drive, Spotsylvania. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Doors open 1.5 hours prior. 540/907-9736; facebook.com/saintmichaelbingo.

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Holiday Open House, Rising Sun Tavern, 1304 Caroline St. Historically inspired holiday treats and music by Colonial Faire. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Free. washingtonheritagemuseums.org.

Merry Trees open house, Fredericksburg Area Museum, 907 Princess Anne St. Holiday trees, I Spy game and books from Bookmobile Fredericksburg. 5–7:30 p.m. Free. Trees on display through Dec. 23. famva.org.

SantaCon, 525 Caroline St. Pub crawl; dress in your most festive holiday outfits and enjoy drinks, appetizers, raffle prizes and live music. 3–7 p.m. Sign-in begins at 2:45 p.m. $50. Must be 21 and older to participate. Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Fredericksburg.

Holiday Craft Show, Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $6–$8 plus fees. fredericksburgconventioncenter.com.

The String Queens in Concert, UMW Dodd Auditorium. 7:30–8:30 p.m. Free. Registration required at at.umw.edu/event/the_string_queens_in_concert_at_umw.

Live music at the co-op: Laurie Rose Griffith and Peter Mealy, Fredericksburg Food Co-op, 320 Emancipation Highway. 6:30–8 p.m. Free. fxbgfood.coop.

Blue Ridge Chorale Holiday Concert, The Lake of the Woods Church, 1 Church Lane, Locust Grove. 7:30 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. brcsings.com.

“A Christmas Carol,” 810 Caroline St. 8 p.m. $20. allstatecommunitytheater.com

“A Christmas Carol,” Four County Players, 5256 Governor Barbour St., Barbourville. 8 p.m. $16–$18. 540/832-5355; fourcp.org.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See Nov. 30 listing.

“Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” Theater at Vint Hill, 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton. 7:30 p.m. $16–$18. 540/349-8670; fctstage.org.

“Tilt the Unlit Candle,” Westmoreland Players Theatre, 16217 Richmond Road, Callao. 7:30 p.m. Ticket pricing available online. 804/529-9345; westmorelandplayers.org.

2 saturday

Fredericksburg Christmas Parade: “Under the Sea.” 5:30 p.m. Map and street closures available at fredericksburgchristmasparade.com.

Spotsylvania County Christmas Parade: “Christmas Past, Present and Future,” 1 p.m. Free. Rain date is Dec. 9. 540/507-7529; spotsylvania.va.us/parksandrec.

Lake Anna Lighted Boat Parade. Starts at 5 p.m. Parade schedule and viewing information available at lakeanna.online/parade.

Orange Rotary Christmas Parade: “Winter Wonderland,” Main Street and Taylor Park, Orange. 4:30 p.m. orangerotaryvaorg.wixsite.com/orangevaxmasparade.

Craft and vendor fair, Hope Presbyterian Church, 11121 Leavells Road. Hand-crafted items and direct sales vendors. Food truck on site, door prizes available. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Golden Village Christmas, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, 73 Monument Place, Heathsville. Children can participate in special gift shopping for $2 a gift. Fresh greenery, bake sale, Santa visits and caroling. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Make an appointment at 804/580-3377. Tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. rhhtfoundationinc.org.

UMW Philharmonic Rings in the Holidays, UMW Dodd Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Free. cas.umw.edu/music/events-calendar.

Rappahannock Choral Society: “Joyous Sounds of the Season,” Chancellor High School, 6300 Harrison Road. 7 p.m. $5; students free. 540/412-6152; rappahannock-choral-society.org.

Holiday Craft Show, Fredericksburg Convention Center. See Dec. 1 listing.

“A Christmas Carol,” 810 Caroline St. 3 and 8 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

“A Christmas Carol,” Four County Players. See Dec. 1 listing.

“Frosty,” Louisa Arts Center, 212 Fredericksburg Ave., Louisa. By the Barter Players. 2 p.m. $10–$20. 540/967-2200; louisaarts.org.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See Nov. 30 listing.

“Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” Theater at Vint Hill. See Dec. 1 listing.

“Tilt the Unlit Candle,” Westmoreland Players Theatre. 3 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

Bingo, St. Michael High School, 6301 Campus Drive, Spotsylvania. Games start at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Doors open 1.5 hours prior. 540/907-9736; facebook.com/saintmichaelbingo.

Culpeper Christmas Parade, Main Street, Culpeper. 5 p.m. Benefits Wreaths Across America. culpeperdowntown.com/event/culpeper-christmas-parade-presented-by-wwaa-va1029.

King George County Christmas tree lighting, King George Historical Society, 9483E, Kings Highway. Entertainment by Sealston Elementary Chorus, Mars Hill band and The Studio. Visit by Santa; s’mores, hot chocolate and holiday treats. 4–6 p.m. Free.

Gingerbread contest and exhibit: “A Critter Christmas,” Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway. Exhibit only $3–$6; tour and exhibit $6–$12; children ages 5 and younger are free. Through Dec. 30. 540/370-0732; kenmore.org.

Wee Christmas Dollhouse and Miniatures show, Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave. Exhibit only $3–$6; tour and exhibit $6–$12; children ages 5 and younger are free. Through Dec. 30. 540/373-3381; kenmore.org.

Holiday Open House, Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St. Tour the house, shop with hot cider and gingerbread. Noon–5 p.m. Free. washingtonheritagemuseums.org.

Holiday Craft Show, Fredericksburg Convention Center. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

Fredericksburg Concert Band: “Santa’s Gifts of Music,” James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave. 2 p.m. $10 adults, $5 students, children under 5 free. Tickets available at the door.

Rappahannock Choral Society: “Joyous Sounds of the Season,” Chancellor High School. 3 p.m. See Dec. 2 listing.

Blue Ridge Chorale Holiday Concert, Culpeper United Methodist Church, 1233 Oaklawn Drive. 3 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. brcsings.com.

“On Christmas Night,” First Baptist Church of Winchester, 141 N. Washington St. Blue Ridge Singers. 3 p.m. Free; $15 donation is requested. blueridgesingers.org.

“A Christmas Carol,” 810 Caroline St. 3 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

“A Christmas Carol,” Four County Players. 2:30 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 3 p.m. Dinner served 1 p.m. See Nov. 30 listing.

“Miracle on 34th Street, the Play,” Theater at Vint Hill. 2 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

“Tilt the Unlit Candle,” Westmoreland Players Theatre. 3 p.m. See Dec. 1 listing.

Gingerbread contest and exhibit: “A Critter Christmas,” Ferry Farm. See Dec. 3 listing.

Wee Christmas Dollhouse and Miniatures show, Kenmore. See Dec. 3 listing.

Gingerbread contest and exhibit: “A Critter Christmas,” Ferry Farm. See Dec. 3 listing.

Wee Christmas Dollhouse and Miniatures show, Kenmore. See Dec. 3 listing.

First Tuesday Trivia, 137 Caroline St., Orange. 7–10 p.m. $10 per person; $5 beer and house wine. 540/672-1776; jamesmadisonmuseum.net/events.

6 wednesday

Gingerbread contest and exhibit: “A Critter Christmas,” Ferry Farm. See Dec. 3 listing.

Wee Christmas Dollhouse and Miniatures show, Kenmore. See Dec. 3 listing.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 1:30 p.m. Dinner served at 11:30 a.m. See Nov. 30 listing.

7 thursday

Gingerbread contest and exhibit: “A Critter Christmas,” Ferry Farm. See Dec. 3 listing.

Wee Christmas Dollhouse and Miniatures show, Kenmore. See Dec. 3 listing.

WHM Speaker Series: “Black Women’s History in the Fredericksburg Area,” Fredericksburg Branch Library theater room, 1201 Caroline St. With Gaila Sims. 10 a.m. Free. washingtonheritagemuseums.org.

Ugly Christmas Sweaters Concert and Carol Sing-along, UMW, Weatherly Wing of Seacobeck Hall. UMW String Ensembles. 7 p.m. Free. cas.umw.edu/music/events-calendar.

Hartland College Choir, Fredericksburg Food Co-op, 320 Emancipation Highway. Choral and instrumental music. 6–7:30 p.m. Free. fxbgfood.coop.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See Nov. 30 listing.

Local roundup

Days and hours of operation may vary.

810 Weekend Gallery: New works by Beverley Coates (watercolors), Robyn Ryan (acrylics) and Lynn Abbott (acrylics and oils). 540/371-4099.

Art First Gallery: “Christmas!” featuring a collection of new works by member artists. Nov. 30-Dec. 31. Acrylic, assemblage, collage, drawing, oil, photography, printmaking, textiles, three-dimensional objects such as jewelry and sculpture, and watercolor. First Friday opening reception 6-9 p.m. artfirstgallery.com.

Artful Dimensions Gallery: “Holiday 2023” all-member show, featuring assortment of gifts for every holiday and every person (even some pets). Through Dec. 31. First Friday opening reception 6-9 p.m. artfuldimensionsgallery.com.

Artists’ Alliance at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts: “Inspired by Nature,” works by oil painter Rita Kovach. Through Dec. 3. AA members’ works include painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and wood furniture. artgallerycolonialbeach.com.

Beach Paws Boutique: Portrait gallery of pet owners’ favorite photos and hand-painted art work.

Brush Strokes Gallery:  “Deck the Walls” all-member exhibit, featuring paintings with winter images and hallmark sites of Fredericksburg, and annual Holiday Table with small gifts. Through Dec. 31. First Friday opening reception 5-9 p.m. Hand-crafted jewelry, unique glass art, charcoal drawings, pastels, photography, paintings in oils, watercolors, acrylics, metal sculpture and mixed-media. brushstrokesfredericksburg.com.

Canal Quarter Arts: December featured artist: Wilson (Will) Wolter, photography. First Friday reception 5-8:30 p.m.

Central Rappahannock Regional Library: “Uniquely Stafford Art Show,” rescheduled for Jan. 17-March 15 at Porter Branch. Opening reception Jan. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. librarypoint.org/uniquely-stafford.

CoBe Workspaces: Works by visual artist Lee Valentine.

Coldwell Banker Elite: Works by Colonial Beach Artists’ Guild artists, who have also installed LOVE signs throughout Colonial Beach.

Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce: “Pebble Art” by Kathleen Moran.

Crossroads Arts Center: Metro Richmond Artists Annual Members’ Show, through Dec. 29.

Darbytown Art Studio: December featured artist: Katrina Rae Canfield. Works include indigenous pieces, soft pastels, mixed media and oils. First Friday reception 5-8:30 p.m. facebook.com/DarbytownArt.

Dockside Realty: Whimsical paintings of oysters and jellyfish, collage work, art pieces with new and found materials and unique frames by Cindy Lea Ligon.

Fredericksburg Area Museum: New exhibits include “SEEN: Viewing the Work of African American Artists in Fredericksburg” through December; “STEM Trailblazers Dr. Gladys and Ira West,” through April 2024. famva.org.

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts: Frederick Gallery: “Winter Blues” all-media national juried exhibit. Members Gallery: Holiday show. Through Jan. 26. First Friday noon–8:30 p.m. fccagallery.org.

Gari Melchers Home & Studio: Rotating works of internationally acclaimed American artist Gari Melchers (1860–1932). garimelchers.org.

Hawthorn Mercantile: Local artists and makers, and Finklepotts Fairy Hair.

LibertyTown Arts Workshop: Works by local artists. libertytownarts.com.

Library of Virginia: “Indigenous Perspectives,” a multimedia exhibition that explores voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities, as well as related items from the Library’s collections. Dec. 5-Aug. 17, 2024. lva.virginia.gov.

Mary Washington Hospital: New works by local artists will be on display in the Main Floor hallway gallery. Featured artist: Robyn Ryan, through March 24. A percentage of each sale is donated to cancer care. Art may be purchased through the gift shop.

Mason School of Art: “HUE,” showcasing the work of 54 graduating seniors. Dec. 4-9, with closing reception Dec. 9, 6- 8 p.m. Free. art.gmu.edu.

Meyer Fine Art (new gallery): “Robert Duncanson and His Southern Travels,” works by Black 19th-century landscape artist. meyerfineart.gallery.

National Museum of the Marine Corps: “They Came in Peace,” opening this week, tells the stories of the Marines who conducted peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982-1984 and the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) that landed on Grenada in 1983 as part of Operation Urgent Fury; “Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts,” through January 2024; “Go to War … Do Art,” 80 years of the Marine Corps Combat Art Program features 80 works on paper by 29 combat artists, through Aug. 9, 2024. usmcmuseum.com.

Ponshop Studio and Gallery: Fine art, ceramics and handmade jewelry and accessories. ponshopstudio.com.

Port Royal Museum of American History: New additions to White House China collection. Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. 804/370-5285.

Prancing Pony Pottery: Open House and Sale, Dec. 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. prancingponypottery.com.

Red Dragon Brewery: Graphic artworks by Fredericksburg artist Pete Morelewicz (aka Print Jazz), the month of December. Opening night First Friday 6-8:30 p.m. printjazz.com.

Riverboat on the Potomac: Works by local artists on display on first floor and Potomac Room.

Sophia Street Studios: “A Moment in Time,” featuring a collection of plein air paintings from around the country by Catherine Hillis.

UMW Galleries: “Park Dae Sung: Ink Reimagined,” Oct. 26-Dec. 10 in Ridderhof Martin and duPont galleries. Free; tours available. 540/654-1013; umwgalleries.org.

United Methodist Church: Bazaar open through November.

DC9: Anjimile, folk. Dec. 2. dc9.club.

The Heist: One Night Only, an intimate night of song and story hosted by Jon Tyler Wiley. Dec. 14: Steve Everett, Juliet Lloyd and Brad Rhodes of Elevado. 6-9 p.m. $10 online. theheistbg.com.

Arena Stage: “Swept Away,” Nov. 25-Dec. 30. arenastage.org.

Folger Theatre: “The Winter’s Tale,” Nov. 4-Dec. 17. folger.edu/whats-on/the-winters-tale/

Hylton Performing Arts Center: Mason Opera’s “An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan,” Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. $5-$20. hyltoncenter.org.

The Kennedy Center: Opera House: “Frozen,” Dec. 20-Jan. 21. Eisenhower Theater: “Girl From The North Country,” Dec. 12–31. Family Theater: “The Dragon King’s Daughter,” through Dec. 17. Theater Lab: “Shear Madness,” through Sept. 29. kennedy-center.org.

The National Theatre: “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” Dec. 12-17. BroadwayAtTheNational.com.

Olney Theatre: “Fiddler on the Roof,” through Dec. 31. olneytheatre.org.

Shakespeare Theatre Company: “As You Like It,” Dec. 2-31 in Harman Hall. shakespearetheatre.org.

Signature Theatre: “Ragtime,” through Jan. 7; “Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen” cabaret, Dec. 5-23. sigtheatre.org.

Gari Melchers Home & Studio: Preschool Palette classes nurtures child’s inner artist through engaging books, garden walks and colorful process-based sensory and art explorations. Themes change monthly. Open daily with family-friendly, interactive tours, scavenger hunts and sketching bags. 540/654-1015; garimelchers.org.

Curitiba Art Café: Latin Dance Night with Elle Jay, every third Friday of the month from 6–9 p.m. Free Latin dance lesson followed by open dancing.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park: a series of special programs to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Dec. 9. Free. In case of inclement weather, programs may be altered or cancelled. Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset. nps.gov/frsp/learn/news.

The Lodge on Old Trail: Book signing with Gerry Kruger, author of “Of Geese and Men, The Pandemic,” Nov. 30 from 1-5 p.m. at the Holiday Market.

Pickers Supply: Salsa Dance, 6–7 p.m. Sunday. $20 per class, or $120 for all seven. No partner required. 540/847-4581; olddominionhis@yahoo.com. Swing Dance, beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; dancing 8–11 p.m. No partner or previous dance experience required. $10 per person. 540/847-4581; DanceFXBG.com.

Railroad Museum and Rail Excursion: Museum is open 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Visitors planning on riding the train should arrive by 10:30 a.m. Train rides conducted weather permitting. Free; donations accepted to support operations. 11700 Main St., Fredericksburg. 301/653-7983; rrmuseum.org.

The Birchmere: A Peter White Christmas, Nov. 30. birchmere.com.

Blue Ridge Chorale: Christmas Concerts, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lake of the Woods Church in Locust Grove and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Culpeper United Methodist Church in Culpeper.

Busch Gardens: Christmas Town, including two all-new light experiences, performances, Santa’s Workshop, festive treats and holiday shopping. Select dates through Nov. 10 through Jan. 7. buschgardenswilliamsburg.com.

Creative Movement Dance: “The Nutcracker,” 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17. $20; children 3 and under will need a no-fee ticket. General admission tickets available to the public Dec. 7 at https://25197.recitalticketing.com/landing.cfm.

Ferry Farm: 37th annual Gingerbread Contest & Exhibit: “A Critter Christmas.” Dec. 3-30. kenmore.org.

Folger Shakespeare Library: Folger Consort: “A Baroque Christmas Story,” Dec. 15-22 at St. Mark’s on Capitol Hill. $60. folger.edu/consort.

Ford’s Theatre: “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 17-Dec. 31. Recommended for ages 5 and older. fords.org.

Fredericksburg Ballet Centre: “The Nutcracker,” James Monroe High School. Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. $20; at the door $25. Tickets may be purchased at FBC or by phone. 540/373-0978; fredericksburgballet.com.

Fredericksburg Concert Band: “Santa’s Gifts of Music,” featuring the storybook ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas set to music and a special visit from Santa, 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at James Monroe High School. $10 adults, $5 students, children under 5 free. Tickets at the door.

Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra: “Holiday Pops — Home For The Holidays” winter concert, with special guests the Virginia Children’s Chorus from Norfolk, guitar soloist Bruce Middle, pianist James Pitts and a visit from Santa. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Lifepoint Auditorium. $20-$60. fredericksburgsymphony.org.

GMU Center for the Arts: Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas, Dec. 2. cfa.gmu.edu.

The Groove Music Hall: A Motown Christmas, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m., doors 5 p.m. thegroovemusichall.com.

Historic Kenmore: Ninth annual Wee Christmas Dollhouses & Miniatures Exhibit, Dec. 3-30 and Jan. 5-7 during Twelfth Night at Kenmore. kenmore.org.

The Kennedy Center: Eisenhower Theater: Dorrance Dance: “Nutcracker Suite,” Nov. 30-Dec. 2. kennedy-center.org.

Kings Dominion: Winterfest, including Christmas activities, live shows, holiday treats and drinks, festive shops and ice-skating. Select nights Nov. 17 through Jan. 1. kingsdominion.com.

Maryland Theatre Ensemble: “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 15-17; “Inebriated Holiday,” Dec. 1-23. marylandensemble.org.

MGM National Harbor: Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry. Dec. 15-17. mgmnationalharbor.com.

Mountain Lake Lodge: Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace, with entertainment, holiday shopping, special fare, live music, caroling, dance and choir concerts. Nov. 24-Jan. 1. 540/626-7121; mtnlakelodge.com.

The Museum at Colonial Beach: 21st annual Christmas House Tour, Dec. 9, from 4-8 p.m. and Dec. 10, from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy the trolley tour for an additional fee or take a self-guided driving tour. VIP Finale Event: Greystone Manor, Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m.; requires a separate ticket and includes access to a catered event at a private home. Tickets available at tinyurl.com/CBHolidayHouseTour2023. themuseumatcolonialbeach.com.

Olney Theatre: “Fiddler on the Roof,” through Dec. 31; Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas,” adapted and performed by Paul Morella, Nov. 24–Dec. 31; “Drag the Halls,” a holiday celebration in song, dance and heels, Dec. 8-9. olneytheatre.org.

Rappahannock Choral Society: “Joyous Sounds of the Season!” holiday concert at Chancellor High School on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. $5; free for students. rappahannock-choral-society.org.

Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern: Golden Village Christmas, with strolling carolers, free hot mulled cider, a cruise-in of antique and collectable cars, and visits with Santa. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in front of the old Northumberland County Courthouse. 804/580-3377; RHHTFoundationinc.org.

Richmond Raceway Complex: The Bizarre Bazaar’s 48th Christmas Collection, featuring over 475 exhibitors. Nov. 29-Dec. 3. thebizarrebazaar.com.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: “Miracle on 34th Street,” Nov. 22 through Dec. 31. 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com.

The Spotsylvanians: “Christmas at the Movies” concert, Riverbend High School on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Free, but donations are accepted. spotsylvanianschorus.org.

Stafford Christmas Parade: Begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the GEICO building, 1 Geico Plaza, lower parking lot on Stafford Lakes Parkway. Benefits the Stafford Sheriff’s Office Holiday Toy Drive. StaffordChristmasParade.com.

Stratford Hall: Christmastide Evening Program, Dec. 9, 5-8 p.m. Featuring decorated historic buildings and grounds, Colonial music by Ampersand in the Great Hall and drumming by Slam Stewart in the stone quarters, and cooking demonstration with interpreter Dontavius Williams. $10-$20; free for ages 5 and under. Carriage rides available $10 (limited availability and reserve at online checkout). stratfordhall.org.

U.S. Botanical Garden: Season’s Greenings,” featuring G-gauge model trains, nearly 2,000 poinsettias and the Garden’s collection of D.C. monuments and landmarks, all made from plant parts. Open Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day (closed on Dec. 25). Extended evening hours Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 with live seasonal music. USBG.gov/SeasonsGreenings.

Virginia Rep: “The Silver Belles,” Nov. 24-Dec. 31 at the November Theatre. va-rep.org.

Washington Heritage Museums: Holiday Open House, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Rising Sun Tavern, free; Holiday Open House, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Mary Washington House, free. washingtonheritagemuseums.org.

—Compiled by Tara Lee

—Compiled by Tara Lee

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RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

What to do in Madison this weekend: Madison Symphony Orchestra, Black Art Expo and more Isthmus Picks

WisPolitics luncheon, Thursday, Nov. 30, Madison Club, 11:30 a.m.: The WisPolitics website provides an invaluable service in covering Wisconsin politics in-depth, especially now that we occupy a crucial position as a swing state. Today’s discussion centers on the endlessly fascinating and frustrating topic of legislative maps, with Rick Esenberg of WILL, Jeff Mandell of Law Forward, Debra Cronmiller of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, and Joe Handrick, Minocqua town chair. The Madison Club kitchen sends out reliably delicious food, too. Only hope the talk doesn’t give you indigestion. Tickets here.

Philharmonic Chorus of Madison, Nov. 30, UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 1, Bethany United Methodist Church, 7 p.m.: A longtime holiday tradition at the Memorial Union, the Tudor Dinners, made its final bow in 2022. However, the Philharmonic Chorus of Madison, long a part of the Tudor program, will present a holiday concert drawing from canonical favorites and presenting new seasonal selections. Concerts take place at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 in Shannon Hall (tickets at artsticketing.wisc.edu); and 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Bethany United Methodist Church (sold out).

Dallas Goldtooth, Thursday, Nov. 30, UW Gordon Dining Center, 7 p.m.: If you’ve seen the acclaimed FX series Reservation Dogs, you know one facet of the work of Dallas Goldtooth, a writer for the series and a recurring on-screen character as Spirit. He is also a member of Indigenous comedy troupe the 1491s, a poet and playwright, a longtime climate activist, and TikTok star. Goldtooth will give the keynote as part of the UW Indigenous Student Center Coalition’s Native November events series. Register here.

The Films of Edward Owens, Thursday, Nov. 30, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 7 p.m.: It’s always exciting to discover a previously unfamiliar filmmaker. Edward Owens was a Black, queer filmmaker who got his start in Chicago in the early 1960s. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and later moved to New York; Owens is known for a “painterly” approach to his experimental film work. This evening features Autre Fois J’ai Aimé Une Femme, Tomorrow’s Promise, Remembrance: A Portrait Study, and Private Imaginings and Narrative Facts, all from the late 1960s.

Orson Welles Presents: An Evening with Nixon, through Dec. 2, Bartell Theatre: The setup: An aging Orson Welles plots a return to theater via a magic show starring himself, in which he will summon the spirit of (still living) disgraced former president Richard Nixon. It works. It’s a new play by Finn Gallagher and Nathaniel Klein, and the premiere production of new artist collective Oracular Studios. (Find a trailer on YouTube and more info at their Kickstarter page.) Shows at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and 2 p.m., Dec. 2; tickets at bartelltheatre.org.

Winter Fantasia: Reimagined, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Overture Center-Promenade Hall: Kanopy Dance reminds us that holiday dance doesn’t stop at The Nutcracker. In the varied program “Winter Fantasia: Reimagined,” Chalo Ramiye will feature South Asian dancer and choreographer Udbhav Desai in this garba dance that’s part of the nine-day Hindu festival Sharad Navratri. Once Upon a Winter’s Eve and The Norse Tree of Life are drawn from Scandinavian folklore and Winter in the City is inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s score from On the Town. Shows at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 2, and 1 and 4 p.m. on Dec. 3. Tickets at overture.org.

Schlock and Awe, Thursday, Nov. 30, The Rigby, 8 p.m.: Mystery Science Theater 3000 recently finished up a 48-hour Mega Turkey Day streaming marathon. But, come on, let’s be real: there’s never enough riffing over old, cruddy motion pictures. 24 hours simply isn’t enough! Come get some more jokes with Schlock and Awe’s takedown of Dracula: Sovereign of the Damned, a 1980 anime take on the biggest vampire of all. What will end up doing the most sucking: the titular vampire, the movie itself, or the audience quaffing pints to deal with the film? It’s 94 minutes, which guarantees at least 94 laughs created by Schlock and Awe hosts Cody Lemke, Sasha Rosser and Olivia Witt.

UW Dance Department Faculty Concert, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Lathrop Hall-H’Doubler Space: The Faculty Concert offers an excellent opportunity to see choreography from Kate Corby, Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, Liz Sexe, Jin-Wen Yu, and guest artist Taryn Vander Hoop (a UW alum who has gone on to have an impressive career in dance and yoga) performed by the current crop of gifted dance students. Performances at 8 p.m. on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Tickets at artsticketing.wisc.edu or at the door one hour before the performance.

Artful Women, through Dec. 2, University Hospital-Skylight Lounge Gallery: This annual exhibit coordinated by Wisconsin Women’s Network showcases local women artists, this year featuring more than 40. And, following a few years of COVID restrictions, the hospital gallery is once again open to the public for viewing.

Zoo Lights, through Dec. 30, Henry Vilas Zoo: With the temperature finally dropping to levels that feel more like fall, it’s easier to get into the holiday spirit — which is also aided by the return of holiday lights. One of the Madison area’s most elaborate displays can be found at the Henry Vilas Zoo, and your ticket purchase helps fund the zoo (which does not usually charge admission). Santa will be on hand for photos with the kiddos through Dec. 23, and unlimited carousel rides are included with admission. Zoo Lights takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 24-Dec. 30, plus Dec. 18-21 and 26-28; note this year tickets for timed entry are only available online at henryvilaszoo.doubleknot.com.

Madison Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 1-3, Overture Hall: For “A Madison Symphony Christmas,” the orchestra is joined by the Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, tenor Limmie Pulliam, and soprano Evelyn Saavedra. The assembled company will perform an advent calendar’s worth of tunes, from the unexpected (John Williams’ “Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone”) to the classical (Bach’s Mass in B Minor) to the un-skippable (“The Christmas Song,” aka “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”). Iconic! Concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. Tickets at overture.org.

Harmonious Wail, Friday, Dec. 1, Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 p.m.: Here’s something different for your ears: Djangologists Harmonious Wail are turning their talents to adapt the work of a pair of songwriters from a couple generations after Reinhardt: Paul Simon and Carly Simon. It should make for an interesting evening. For this show the bass will be held down by longtime former member Jeffo Weiss. Tickets at stoughtonoperahouse.com.

Kitchen Dwellers, Friday, Dec. 1, Sylvee, 8 p.m.: This Montana-based Americana quartet is on the road ahead of the March 1 release of their fourth album, Seven Devils. The title track (and lead single) gets trippy by adding some well-deployed Echoplex to the band’s bluegrass base. If that’s not trippy enough for you, Nashville quartet Sicard Hollow brings both psych and punk angles to bluegrass. And making the show a can’t-miss proposition is the presence of Madison’s own funky grassers Armchair Boogie in the lineup. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Holiday Express Model Train & Flower Show, Dec. 2-31, Olbrich Gardens, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Model trains and the holiday season simply go together. Which is why the Holiday Express is a perennial Olbrich favorite. Large-scale model trains will chug through festive scenes surrounded by poinsettias and fresh evergreens, and members of the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society will be on hand to show off their own trains. As a bonus, tickets include admission to the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Note that the gardens close at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day.

Black Art Expo, Saturday, Dec. 2, Fountain of Life, noon-5 p.m.: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture is hosting its first Black Art Expo, featuring 20 Wisconsin artists and makers exhibiting their work. Along with perusing the art there’s also plenty of entertainment on tap, including music by Frisson, a reading of recent poetry by Fabu, an artist panel discussion and other speakers, art-making demonstrations, and hands-on craft projects for kids. Find more info at facebook.com/theblackcenter (including details on donating to the nonprofit Center’s building campaign).

Mary Burns + Madeline Grace Martin, through Feb. 4, Overture Center-Watrous Gallery; reception Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m.: The Wisconsin-centric Watrous Gallery weighs in with another winning pairing. Mercer’s Mary Burns is a textile artist. Her “Women of Water: Woven Portraits from Around the World” consists of almost photo-realist hand-woven jacquard portraits of women from 39 countries around the globe. Milwaukee’s Madeline Grace Martin is a multidisciplinary artist who uses media including watercolor, embroidery, pencil drawings, and hand-cut paper. Her “Of Words and Trees: A Collaboration with My Father” extends her father’s writings with various media, including natural objects and cut paper, to investigate the “inexact quality of memory.”

Brian Posehn, Saturday, Dec. 2, Majestic, 8 p.m.: Comedian, writer and actor Brian Posehn has cut a wide swath in the last few decades: a role in The Mandalorian; writing for Marvel’s Deadpool comic; recording music on Grandpa Metal; and the list could go on. But he may still be most beloved by comedy fans of a subversive bent for his work on Mr. Show (and the 2015 follow-up, With Bob and David). He’s on the road with the “Posehna Non Grata” tour; find tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Toys for Tots Benefit, Sunday, Dec. 3, Majestic, 2 p.m.: This matinee show offers an excellent all-Madison lineup and a chance to help families in need have a happier holiday season. Enjoy music by popsters Seasaw, jam masters The Shruggers, electro-rockers The Earthlings, and the eclectic veteran duo of bassist John Widdicombe and guitarist Cliff Frederiksen. Admission is by a ticket purchase or by bringing a new, unwrapped toy donation; both will be donated to Toys for Tots. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Madison Polish Film Festival, Sunday, Dec. 3, Marquee Cinema-Union South, 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.: If your patience with binge-streaming is at an end, or even if it’s not, rediscover the joys of foreign cinema with this free film fest. Poland’s vibrant cinema is at the heart of this festival; the final day kicks off at 3 p.m. with Shreds, directed by Beata Dzianowicz, in which a multi-generational family faces the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the elder generation. At 5:30 p.m., Filip, directed by Michał Kwieciński, is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Polish novelist Leopold Tyrmand about surviving in Nazi Germany during World War II. Find more info at gns.wisc.edu.

Ryan O’Flanagan, Sunday, Dec. 3, Bur Oak, 7:30 p.m.: Somebody tell this guy how to unhook a bra! You can’t be 35 and breaking undergarments. Luckily, Ryan is much better at comedy than he is at being seductive. A rising star poised to take center stage in the grand universe of the CCU (Comedy Connected Universe) any day now, O’Flanagan has a relaxed charm, inviting the audience in with relatable slice-of-life bits. Maybe one day he’ll own a camel, which is totally legal to do. With Devin Blake. Tickets at seetickets.us.

Find the individual Picks collected here, and as part of the full calendar of events.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Beyoncé runs the world

See how she built her half-billion-dollar empire

(Video: Illustration by Alexis Arnold)

6 min

Call her Queen Bey, Mrs. Carter or Sasha Fierce, one thing is clear: Beyoncé Knowles runs the world.

Since she hit the scene as a child rapper in the kids group Girls Tyme in 1990, Beyoncé has built a half-a-billion-dollar empire that spans music, entertainment, fashion and a flurry of lucrative investments and endorsement deals. This year, her record-breaking 56-stop Renaissance tour — a dazzling mix of robotic arms, pyrotechnics and a flying holographic horse — helped power the U.S. economy.

See how much money Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour actually made

As the Renaissance tour heads this weekend to the silver screen, here’s a look at how the diva herself got some respect on her check.

Smart enough to make these millions

Beyoncé is a lot of things: Performer, entrepreneur, fashion icon. And they all have contributed to her fast-growing fortune.

Her net worth has soared 20 percent in the last year to $540 million, according to Forbes. That’s nearly enough to buy every person in her hometown of Houston a bottle of her $160 perfume, plus a couple of official Renaissance T-shirts.

The bulk of Beyoncé’s wealth comes from her 20-year solo career. The “Flawless” singer has sold more than 200 million albums, won a record 32 Grammy Awards and become the most-awarded artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards and NAACP Image Awards.

She’s also started multiple companies — including Parkwood Entertainment, the production firm behind the 2008 musical biopic “Cadillac Records” — and signed lucrative endorsement deals with such global brands as PepsiCo, Samsung, L’Oreal and American Express.

Stacking money everywhere she goes


Revenue per tour in 2023 dollars

Renaissance World Tour (2023)

The Beyonce Experience (2007)

The Formation World Tour

(2016)

I Am…World Tour (2009-10)

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-14)

Revenue per tour in 2023 dollars

Renaissance World Tour (2023)

The Beyonce Experience (2007)

The Formation World Tour

(2016)

I Am…World Tour (2009-10)

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-14)

Revenue per tour in 2023 dollars

Renaissance World Tour (2023)

The Beyonce Experience (2007)

The Formation World Tour

(2016)

I Am…World Tour (2009-10)

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-14)

Revenue per tour in 2023 dollars

Renaissance World Tour (2023)

The Beyonce Experience (2007)

The Formation World Tour

(2016)

I Am…World Tour (2009-10)

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-14)

She works for the money and she ain’t sorry.

With 56 shows over five months, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour cemented the performer as one of the most successful touring artists of all time. Billboard Boxscore lists Renaissance as the seventh highest-grossing tour in history, behind Elton John, U2 and Coldplay. Beyoncé is the only woman and the only Black artist to crack the Top 10.

The Renaissance tour drew more than 2.7 million fans to stadiums around the world, according to Live Nation, boosting tourism in Beyoncé’s tour cities. In Stockholm, the traveling “Beyhive” was even blamed for driving Sweden’s May inflation higher than expected.

Seeing Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ film? Here is our list of do’s and don’ts.

Over the years, Beyoncé’s tours have grown in scale and earnings. Her first solo tour featured shows in Europe and the United Kingdom. Her next tour, the Beyoncé Experience, was a global production that earned nearly $25 million — or about $35 million in today’s dollars — an impressive showing that amounts to just 6 percent of Queen Bey’s Renaissance haul.

A Mastermind in haute couture

Beyoncé’s expanding business empire includes investment in multiple companies, including flavored water company Lemon Perfect and Parisian fashion brand Destree, according to PitchBook Data.

Her own companies have included the fashion line House of Deréon and production company Parkwood Entertainment, which produced her 2019 concert film “Homecoming,” according to Billboard. Parkwood is also the parent company for athleisure clothing line Ivy Park, which recently ended its partnership with Adidas. Ivy Park posted on Instagram in November that “a new era awaits.”

In addition, she served as a global brand ambassador for Pepsi — a $50 million campaign, the New York Times estimated — and also collaborates with her husband on the music-streaming service Tidal, which sold a majority stake to the payment company Block for roughly $237 million.

Beyoncé knows better than to be reckless in a Givenchy dress and uses the stage to lift her businesses. She and her dancers frequently wear outfits from Ivy Park; the all-black outfit from the final show of the Renaissance tour in October is now sold out.

A Texas baby

Beyoncé often sings about her fondness for Houston. And her hometown loves her back. In September, Harris County (where Houston is located) officially renamed itself “Bey County” during the star’s two-night Renaissance tour stop.

Ticket sales for the Renaissance Tour’s Houston shows alone totaled $31.3 million. Meanwhile, visitors spent $18.2 million at Houston-area hotels — up 45 percent from the same weekend in 2022, according to Houston First Corporation.

To drum up excitement, city officials threw a homecoming bash for Queen Bey — complete with fireworks, a drone light show and cover bands playing her biggest hits. Some 5,000 people attended the free downtown celebration.

“It turned out even bigger than we could’ve imagined,” said Michael Heckman, chief executive of Houston First, which organized the event at the urging of Mayor Sylvester Turner. “When you have a hometown hero like Beyoncé coming back for a major concert, we just had to do something big that would be befitting of the star she is.”

She’s building her own foundation

She may be stingy with her love, but Beyoncé is making sure when she leaves this world she’ll have no regrets. For the last 10 years, she has focused on providing economic opportunities to people in underprivileged and marginalized communities through the BeyGood Foundation.

During the Renaissance tour, for example, she gave $2 million to entrepreneurs and college students, doling out $10,000 scholarships and $100,000 small-business grants in cities along the way. The Black Parade Route, created in 2020, brings together Black business owners around the world for networking luncheons and awards grants, funding hundreds of Black entrepreneurs.

The nonprofit has supported families dealing with disasters, including hurricanes in Houston and Orlando, and a lack of clean drinking water in Flint, Mich. Beyoncé has also given millions to Knowles-Temenos Place, a housing complex in Houston that helps the homeless.

World Wide Woman

If there’s one thing Beyoncé knows how to do, it’s make the most of every opportunity. And the Renaissance tour is no exception. Beyoncé is bringing the Renaissance World Tour to movie theaters around the world starting Nov. 30 — a shining new addition to the larger B universe.

About this story:

The following songs are referenced in this story:

Additional design and illustrations by Emily Sabens. Editing by Jennifer Liberto and Karly Domb Sadof. Design editing by Betty Chavarria. Photo editing by Haley Hamblin. Copy editing by Briana R. Ellison.

Photo credits: Getty Images, Reuters, AP Images, iStock.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Bring Art Collection To Brooklyn Museum

Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Bring Art Collection To Brooklyn Museum

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are sharing pieces of their art collection for an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 2024.


Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are now expanding the audience for their own expansive art collection. The assortment of pieces, known as the Dean Collection, is coming to the Brooklyn Museum for a public display.

The collection, acquired by the powerhouse couple over a 20-year span, will be showcased for the museum’s Giants exhibition in February. The exhibition, aided in curation by the married duo, will feature artists across the Black diaspora, including American and African artists. The works will be derived from “giants” such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, and Kehinde Wiley.

According to the Brooklyn Museum’s website, “Giants” holds a multifaceted meaning for the exhibition.

“The term also evokes the strength of the bonds between the Deans and the artists they support and among the artists themselves. Along with examining these links and legacies, the exhibition will encourage ‘giant conversations’ inspired by the works on view—critiquing society and celebrating Blackness.”

The collection will also showcase the work of multi-generational artists like Esther Mahlangu, whose work evolves the traditional art form of South African Ndebele house painting, and photographer Gordon Parks, whose photojournalism heavily documented the livelihoods of Black Americans during the civil rights movement.

Despite being known for their musical accomplishments, Keys and her producer husband, also a former board member of the Brooklyn Museum, are well known in the art collectors’ sphere, especially in their advocacy for the upliftment of Black visual artists.

According to Observer, over 100 works from the Dean Collection will be displayed at the establishment, including the massive Big Wheel 1, an 8-foot-tall tired unveiled in 2018 by Arthur Jafa. With the cultural emphasis on the artistic achievement of Black creatives, Keys and Beatz also advocate for ensuring artists are better paid through royalties for re-selling their acclaimed pieces.

The exhibition will run from Feb. 10 to July 7 as a triumph for “Black artists supporting Black artists.”

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

The Complete Guide To Art Basel Miami Beach And Art Week Miami 2023

Here we go again…the best of the art world (not to mention the fashion world, culinary world, luxury brands, celebrities, and partygoers) descend on Miami for Miami Art Week, which includes a week long schedule of incredible art exhibits, parties, and events that are sprinkled around the Magic City. A lot has happened here since last year’s Art Week. Miami has welcomed more new high-profile residents to its shores – including Jeff Bezos, Shakira, and Lionel Messi. The level of cuisine has grown exponentially, as Miami now has 11 Michelin-rated restaurants with more on the way. As a native Miamian, I am blown away by the level of culture and sophistication Miami has achieved. Miami’s economy is still booming, with people flocking to the city both to live and to visit – and the attraction of Miami will be on full display during Art Week.

2023 Miami Art Week Event Schedule

Art Week is packed with various events, exhibitions and fairs. To make the most of your visit, I have listed out many of the top events and their details below. Note that some are exclusive to certain guests and others are available to the public. Keep in mind that the dates and locations are subject to change.

THE ART FAIRS

Art Basel Miami Beach

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Art Basel celebrates its 21st year of its USA-based art fair in Miami for the city’s Art Week, hosting galleries from all over the world and displayed across seven key sections: Galleries, Meridians, Nova, Positions, Survey, Kabinett and Conversations. Galleries showcases modern and contemporary art, Meridians displays larger projects and sculptures, Nova hosts recent works by two of three artists while Positions is for new galleries and emerging artists. Survey is for historically-relevant pieces, Kabinett highlights works from galleries separate from their booths, and Conversations hosts talks led by noted cultural figures.

  • VIP Preview days: December 6th – 7th
  • Open to public: December 8th – 10th
  • Location: 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Design Miami

Art takes the form of collectible designs, including furniture and lighting, at this eclectic exhibition. Design Miami hosts its 19th fair, showcasing more than 50 international brands, galleries and designers’ work across five days. This year, the fair follows the theme Where We Stand, set by curator, writer and editor Anna Carnick, who has been appointed curatorial director of Design Miami 2023.

  • Preview Days: December 5th (Members Preview 11am-12pm; Collectors Preview 12pm-7pm) and December 6th (VIP Preview 11 am-1pm)
  • Open to public: December 6th – 10th
  • Location: Convention Center Drive and 10th Street, alongside Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center

Art Miami

This globally known event features art from the 20th and 21st centuries and works in conjunction with reputable galleries.

  • Platinum/VIP preview: December 5th
  • Open to public: December 6th – 10th
  • Location: The Art Miami Pavilion, One Herald Plaza, NE 14th Street and Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL 33132

CONTEXT Art Miami

CONTEXT allows artists and collectors to network and elevate their platforms at this special exhibit. Check out some of the amazing, cutting edge works by contemporary and modern artists.

  • VIP preview: December 5th
  • Open to public/general admission: December 6th – 10th
  • Location: The CONTEXT Pavilion, One Herald Plaza, NE 14th Street and Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL 33132

Aqua Art Miami

To view work by young, middle-of-career artists, swing by Aqua Art Miami. This exhibit expands into a quaint courtyard as part of the South Beach hotel.

  • VIP preview: December 6th
  • Open to public/general admission: December 7th – 10th
  • Location: Aqua Art Miami at the Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Pinta Miami

This year’s main exhibit at Pinta Miami features Ibero American culture. Back for its 17th annual event, Pinta Miami is based among Miami’s Coconut Grove art community and displays the work of Latin American galleries. The event welcomes creatives, artists, galleries, collectors, curators and the general public to view the works on show. Three separate sections make up the fair – the Main Section shows international artworks, RADAR presents a deeper dive into selected artists, and NEXT shows the work of up-and-coming creatives.

  • Open to public: December 7th – December 10th
  • Location: The Hangar in Coconut Grove, 3385 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133

Miami River Art Fair

This boutique art fair celebrates its 12th annual edition during Miami Art Week 2023 and is the only rooftop exhibit in Miami guaranteeing the best views of the Magic City. This year’s art features an artificial intelligence edition as well as installations, sculptures and digital artworks by global galleries and artists, based in downtown Miami.

  • VIP preview: December 6th
  • Fair hours for public: December 7th – 8th
  • Location: The Penthouse Riverside Wharf, 125 SW North River Drive, Miami, FL 33130

NADA Art Fair

The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) emphasizes emerging, new voices in the realm of contemporary art. The fair at Miami Art Week displays works from over 140 international galleries and organizations from over 50 cities.

  • Open to public: December 5th – 9th
  • Location: Ice Palace Studios, 1400 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33136

SCOPE Miami Beach Art Fair

Scope is dedicated to exhibiting works from emerging artists that represent a range of disciplines. This critically acclaimed show will host over 150 highly curated exhibitors and a focused schedule of experiential programming by featured sponsors and partners, including morning wellness, talk series, performances, and exclusive evening events – and is expecting to attract over 60,000 visitors during its 6-day run.

  • Open to the public: December 5th to the 10th
  • Location: 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

RED DOT Miami

Red Dot Miami presents its satellite exhibition during Miami Art Week 2023, spotlighting the various works of contemporary artists and makers. Photography, paintings and sculpture are presented during the event, which was first established in 2006. Over 60 international galleries are presenting their works, attracting a spectrum of visitors including collectors and potential buyers.

  • Open to the public: December 6th to the 10th
  • Location: Wynwood 2217 NW 5th Avenue NW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33127

INK Miami

Miami Art Week satellite fair Ink Miami is back for its 16th edition, exclusively celebrating paper-based artworks.The four-day event displays works from various artists and printing presses based both in the US and internationally.

  • Open to the public: Welcome brunch on December 6th and open until the 8th
  • Location: Suites of Dorchester 1850 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

UNTITLED Art, Miami Beach

Untitled Art is the leading independent art fair taking place annually on the sands of Miami Beach. Guided by a mission to support the wider art ecosystem, Untitled Art offers an inclusive platform for discovering contemporary art and prioritizes collaboration in each aspect of the fair.

  • VIP Preview; December 5th
  • Open to the public: December 6th-10th
  • Location: Ocean Drive & 12th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Spectrum Miami

  • VIP Preview; December 6th 5PM – 6PM
  • Open to the public: December 6th-10th
  • Location: Mana Wynwood 2217 NW 5th Avenue NW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33127

Gateway Miami

Now Media and FACTBLOCK have partnered to present Gateway Miami during Miami Art Week. Returning to Miami for the third consecutive year from Dec. 6 – 8th, this three-day activation will include an immersive audiovisual gallery of leading digital artists, partner activations and compelling programming of fireside chats and keynote speakers, and will take over the iconic Faena Forum, marking the first time the event has ever been held on South Beach during Art Basel Miami. Gateway Miami transforms the Rem Koolhaus and OMA-designed space into a lush garden fitting of the curatorial theme, Blossoming. Featuring immersive installations from Christie’s, LG Art Lab, Lens, Mercedes-Benz NXT, SHISEIDO, Wilder World, Ekos Genesis Art Collection and Atomic Form. Visit gatway.art for the most up to date information and to request access for public days.

SATELLITE ART SHOW

SATELLITE ART SHOW, Miami’s only Artist-Run fair, will feature immersive installations, performances and exhibitions inside the Halloween Megastore on Lincoln Road. SATELLITE is more “artist studio” than “trade show” and is guaranteed to be a fun time. Fun fact: December 5th is Satellite Art Show Day, by Mayoral Proclamation.

  • Open to public: December 5th – 10th Free Entry (RSVP)
  • Location: 700 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

THE EXHIBITIONS

MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT

SAMUEL ROSS ‘BENCHES’

MDD recently unveiled a permanent installation by British Artist and Designer Samuel Ross. Under the umbrella of his industrial design studio SR_A, three different bench designs are placed throughout the dynamic landscape of MDD’s public spaces and pedestrian walkways, each a testament to Ross’ profound exploration of functionality and service in communal areas. Displaying anamorphic, chalk forms made of CNC Steel with a powder coating, the sculptures are made specifically for MDD.

DESIGN COMMISSION 2023 BY LARA BOHINC

Miami Design District has awarded designer Lara Bohinc the 2023 Miami Design District Annual Design Commission. ‘Utopia’ spans four installations featuring irregular, bulbous forms reminiscent of growing cellular organisms. The sculptures are suggestive of living objects, mushrooming across the district. Collectively, they imagine a city where nature thrives peacefully and in harmony with our human presence. Pieces include outdoor seating, tables and oversized light sculptures, as well as a giant centerpiece egg-form, and 900 egg-shaped birdhouses dispersed throughout the trees. Bohinc’s pieces are made from cork and painted by hand in vibrant hues paying homage to Miami’s architectural color palette. Curated in collaboration with Design Miami/ Curatorial Lab, Utopia’s dynamic sculptures will also welcome visitors with a special installation at the entrance of the Design Miami/ fair.

CRAIG ROBINS COLLECTION “A TRAIN OF THOUGHTS”

The Craig Robins Collection in Miami comprises over 1,300 pieces of contemporary art and innovative design, and exhibited within the Dacra headquarters in the Miami Design District. This year’s rehanging of the collection is titled “A Train of Thoughts”, focusing on two core subgroups of the collection’s holdings: figuration and conceptualism. The exhibition highlights a collecting history that has favored a taste for the abject and hyperbolic figurative image, in tandem with the self-reflexive, institutional critique of art based on ideas— a seemingly incompatible pair that yields unexpected dialogues.

Location: DACRA Headquarters, 3841 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 6 – 8

GAGOSIAN & JEFFREY DEITCH PRESENT ‘FORMS’

Forms will be the eighth annual group exhibition presented jointly by Jeffrey Deitch and Gagosian during Miami Art Week and on view in the city’s Design District. The dominant narrative of modern art has largely focused on stylistic shifts between binary oppositions: from figuration to abstraction and back again. Playing on this history, the works included in Forms highlight, acknowledge, and challenge the pathway between abstraction and figuration with surrogates for and references to the representational world.

Location: 35 NE 40th St., Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 5 – 10

THE CHRONICLES OF MIAMI BY JR

French artist JR debuts his newest mural ‘The Chronicles of Miami.’ Inspired by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, the piece is part of JR’s ambitious Chronicles series that imagines how an entire city can be represented through art. To create the work, JR and his traveling studio visited ten different neighborhoods in Miami, inviting anyone who passed by to be photographed and record a story. The result is an epic, highly realistic composition that captures 1,048 people who make up this ever-changing coastal city. The voices and stories of participants are linked to their portraits through the augmented reality app “JR: murals,” offering an immersive exploration of Miami’s diverse culture and history.

Location: Jungle Plaza, 3801 NE 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33137

STARDUST PAVILION BY FLARE

Stardust is a 10 ft. tall structure spanning 217 square feet. Ideated by design studio Flare, the structure marks the first of a series of collectible editions of bespoke pavilions inspired by the architectural tradition of XVII Century “Follies.” Upon entering, Stardust envelopes those inside into a dance of light and reflection. A mirrored ceiling and glass walls flirt with visitors’ bodies, while a marble floor elegantly reflects the sounds of the interior atmosphere. Natural light, diffused by the surrounding landscape, softly penetrates the transparent glass walls, animating the space. Stardust, and its complementing furniture pieces (Amaranta and Ana & Chiara), also designed and created by Flare for the Design District, will go on display and be open to the public in November 2023.

Location: 95 NE 40th St., Miami, FL 33137

Dates: November 2023 – January 2024

SWAMPSPACE GALLERY X SPINELLO PROJECTS

Spinello Projects in collaboration with Swampspace Gallery in Miami’s Design District proudly presents VALLE DE LÁGRIMAS (1987), a montage of ten lurid canvases. The installation of paintings are a meditation on popular culture and a tribute to Mexican fotonovelas of the 1970’s. The monumental work was rendered by Sanchez before succumbing to AIDS in 1990. Swampspace presents this seminal work in partnership with Spinello Projects’ series of solo exhibitions and projects entitled GAY ERA.

GAY ERA is a collection of eight solo shows and projects, bringing together a selection of artists whose works embody the rich tapestry of queer experiences, narratives, and artistic expressions. VALLE DE LÁGRIMAS / VALLEY OF TEARS is a special curatorial satellite project by the late artist Adolfo Rene Sanchez at Swampspace in the Miami Design District which will be in conversation with six exhibitions at Spinello Projects, featuring Barnaby Whitfield (b.1970, Miami, Florida), Giorgio Celin (b.1986, Barranquilla, Colombia), Juan Arango Palacios (b.1997, Pereira, Colombia) and lastly, Esaí Alfredo’s (b.1997, Puerto Rico), debut solo booth presentation within the Positions sectors at Art Basel Miami Beach.

Location: 3940 N. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33127

Dates: December 4-9; 11am-5pm

ERICK & ELLIOT JIMENEZ: RECLINING MERMAID

‘Reclining Mermaid’ is a site-specific billboard by Elliot & Erick Jiménez, first generation Cuban-American twin photo duo. The work is a portrait of Yemaya, the deity syncretized with our Lady of Regla in Cuba, and ruler of the seas — her shimmering dress resembling the refraction of the ocean’s surface. The figure is mostly obscured with the exception of her eyes; a customary feature within Elliot & Erick’s artwork, the eyes remaining present in the image serves as posterity to the history of Cuba’s colonialism and blending of Spanish and West African traditions. Reclining Mermaid is part of “Southern Histories,” a series of large-scale works at culturally significant sites to commemorate under-recognized historical narratives connected to Miami’s roots in the American South, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This public work underscores the history of migration from the Caribbean and Latin America to Miami, and the myriad ways in which these cultures transformed the city’s urban fabric over the decades. Produced in collaboration with Spinello Projects and commissioned by Fringe Projects with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Location: Corner of NE 2nd Ave. & 40 St., Miami, FL 33137

RIMOWA X TYPOE

RIMOWA is thrilled to announce their partnership with local Miami artist, Typoe, who created a custom chandelier-inspired art piece that is permanently displayed in their newly renovated Miami Design District store, now open to the public. The piece showcases a striking exploding sculpture frozen in time which features bright colors inspired by the Miami color palette.

To celebrate the partnership the week of December 4th, in honor of Miami Art Basel 2023, Typoe created a limited-edition “Typoe for RIMOWA” Miami sticker pack, featuring sticker designs drawn from his art piece. The stickers will be complimentary at RIMOWA Design District Store, allowing guests to reimagine Typoe’s artwork on their own personal suitcases.

Location: Rimowa Design District Store ; 115 NE 40th St. Miami, FL 33137

Dates: Sunday, December 3rd to Sunday, December 10th

ATIBA JEFFERSON SKATE PHOTOGRAPHY RETROSPECTIVE

With a career spanning over 25 years, Atiba Jefferson is one of the most significant photographers of our time. His unique style and generation-bridging presence in the world of sport, and specifically skateboarding, has made him not only a witness to moments in skate history but an active participant in the making, sharing, and advancement of the culture. Organized by Architecture, the creative studio founded by the late Virgil Abloh, this exhibition is the most comprehensive survey of Jefferson’s skate photography to date —from his most iconic images of legendary athletes to archival gems. Combined with insightful panel discussions with Atiba and some of his most frequent subjects and collaborators, this retrospective positions Atiba as both a documentarian and an artist whose beautifully composed images and singular style resonate with the skate community and the uninitiated.

Location: 50 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137 Dates: December 6 – 10, 12-6pm daily

ANDRES REISINGER “TAKE OVER MIAMI”

Renowned digital artist and designer Andrés Reisinger presents “Take Over Miami,” a spectacular public art installation showcased at the Miami Design District. Radiating the city with a pink-hued creative energy, Reisinger transcends the boundaries between the digital and the physical, and debuts a physical version of his viral digital series of ‘Take Overs’. Reisinger presents the world’s first public art installation seamlessly transitioned from the digital canvas to the physical world. The creative talent reinterprets the architecture of major capitals around the globe with pink drapes, integrating hyper realistic elements into existing buildings. For the first time ever, in ‘Take Over Miami’ Reisinger takes a step forth and brings to physical life the digital series, inviting art enthusiasts to join the transformation of a physical space into a surreal dreamscape of boundless creativity.

Location: 178 NE 39th St, Miami, FL 33137. Dates: December 4-10

JAYARAM: MAKING MIAMI

Jayaram Law is pleased to announce Making Miami, a public art exhibition, book, and permanent digital archive presenting work by extraordinary Miami artists who lived and worked in the city between 1996-2012. The exhibition will feature work from nearly 50 artists throughout four specifically curated indoor galleries that are connected by a courtyard Sculpture Garden, and accompanied by dynamic on-site programming. Capturing the essence of the Miami Beach art scene from the early 2000s, this cultural event is a love letter to the dawn of Miami’s art scene. The gallery spaces are four of the most influential spaces that emerged in the Design District in the early 2000’s, which continue to thrive and support artists today. The gallery spaces are connected by a Sculpture Garden curated by Katerina Llanes featuring works by Miami artists including a sculpture by artist Daniel Arsham’s Snarkitecture; a large-scale mural by street artist and painter Jan Stark; and a massive inflatable by FriendsWithYou. The Sculpture Garden will also showcase works by artists Loni Johnson, Naomi Fisher, Carlos Betancourt, Antonia Wright + Ruben Millares.

Location: 75 NE 39th St, Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 6-26; Monday to Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 12-6pm

LVMH ‘CULTURE HOUSE’

LVMH is proud to present Culture House, a 5-day experiential art gallery pop-up located in the Miami Design District. A vibrant showcase of profound narratives and exquisite craftsmanship, the diverse curation highlights a deliberate focus on artists of color, women, and those with disabilities. Where art, culture, and luxury converge, the LVMH Culture House is an immersive experience designed to amplify voices, build community, and foster meaningful networks. As a salon for dialogue, Culture House offers a series of curated conversations that facilitate important cultural discourse that champions all dimensions of diversity.

Location: 56 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137

Dates: December 6-10; 10am-6pm daily

WYNWOOD

THE ART OF HIP HOP

Alan Ket & Allison Freidin, Founders of The Museum of Graffiti, proudly present Art of Hip Hop, an immersive exhibition, opening in Wynwood, spotlighting the visual unsung heroes of Hip Hop culture, including photographers, album cover artists, graffiti visionaries, and logo designers. Following successful showings at SXSW and UrbanBreak in Seoul, this showcase lands in Miami on December 5th offering a unique exploration of Hip Hop’s history and Miami’s own cultural contributions to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. The inaugural exhibition, entitled From the Bronx to the Beach, will showcase rare vintage ephemera from Hip Hop’s first NYC DJ, Kool Herc, to Miami’s own pioneer Uncle Luke. Visitors can expect to see the works of famed Hip Hop photographers Janette Beckman, Mike Miller, Henry Chalfant, Matt Doyle, Lisa Leone, Joe Conzo, and Daniel Hastings, alongside Hip Hop album covers designed by Cey Adams, Eric Haze, Slick, Kaws, and more. The exhibition will also shine a special spotlight on Miami’s own Hip Hop history, capturing it through the lenses of local historian and photographer Derick G and photographer Esdras T. Thelusma. The exhibition will be open to the public daily 11am – 6pm beginning December 5th. For more information, please visit www.artofhiphop.com and @artofhiphop50.

Location: 299 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33127

MUSEUM OF GRAFFITI

This Art Basel Miami week, the Museum of Graffiti is set to release three exclusive collaborations with today’s top artists. These highly anticipated drops will each take place inside the Museum’s world renown gift shop prior to being made available online.

  • December 6 is the MOG x Atomik Umbrella release party, presented by Only In Dade, starting at 3:05 PM. This event celebrates the collaboration with Adam Vargas, aka Atomik, the mastermind behind Miami’s iconic smiling oranges that have become symbols of the city’s dynamic street culture. The Atomik Umbrella, limited to 300 pieces and priced at $25 USD, will also be available online starting December 7 at 12 PM. Pre-registration for this unique release is open and can be accessed here.
  • December 7 with two highly anticipated drops. At 11 AM, the museum will release the limited edition OSGEMEOS Skate Deck, featuring the work of Brazilian twins Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo. With only 300 pieces available at $150 USD each, this deck is a collector’s dream. Those interested in this exclusive release can pre-register here, and an online release is scheduled for December 8 at 12 PM. Following the skate deck release, at 2 PM, the museum will host the launch of CES’ first book, “From The Desk of CES.” . Pre-registration for this event is available here, and an online release is set for December 11 at 12:00 pm.

Location: 276 NW 26th Street, Miami, FL 33127

Arlo Wynwood Presents Giorgio Tentolini and ThankYouX

Arlo Wynwood will celebrate the opening of Italian artist Giorgio Tentolini, “No One” with a special event on Wednesday, November 29, from 6-10 p.m. Tentolini’s “No-One” exhibition will be displayed throughout Arlo Wynwood during Miami Art Week. The series alludes to the complexity of identity in the digital age, where the superimposed faces (created with artificial intelligence) portray no one in particular but instead reflect a multitude. “ThankYouX’s ‘Want to be Reminded’ and Giorgio Tentolini’s ‘No One’ are two of the most anticipated installations of Miami Art Week,” said Jennifer Hiblum, general manager of Arlo Wynwood.

The Power of Purpose at Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls Lead Curator and Goldman Global Arts CEO/Co-Founder Jessica Goldman Srebnick, is excited to announce its 2023 Art Week artist lineup and theme – The Power of Purpose – highlighting Wynwood Walls as one of the best venues in the world to see leading street artists. Established in 2009 by the legendary place maker Tony Goldman as an outdoor museum for international street art, Wynwood Walls has become a phenomenon, earning the reputation of elevating the genre of street art around the globe and inspiring millions to embrace its beauty. New to this year’s Art Week lineup, Wynwood Walls will reveal a reclaimed subway car as a permanent installation at the museum. This 48.5ft x 9.5ft immersive “art piece” finds its new home after completing a 1,000 mile journey from West Virginia to Wynwood, just in time for its Art Week debut. Other exclusive arts events will happen throughout the week including The London Police (United Kingdom); Shok1 (United Kingdom).; Ron English (NY); Dan Lam (Dallas, TX); Lauren YS (Los Angeles, CA); Mojo (Miami, FL); Defer (Los Angeles, CA); Greg Mike (Atlanta, GA); Sandra Chevrier (Canada); and Leon Keer (Netherlands), as well as the debut of KAI‘s solo exhibition inside the GGA Gallery, and the launch

of Street Sessions – a 30-minute “Watch & Learn” session with artists as they paint new murals inside the Walls. In the main Goldman Global Arts Gallery, guests will find canvas work of the over 100 artists that have graced the Wynwood Walls over the years and exclusive artist product collections in the Wynwood Walls Shop.

Dates: Through Sunday, December 10

Location: 2516 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami

The Machine Behind the Art: Inside JR’s Printing Press – Superblue

Inside, The Machine Behind the Art: Inside JR’s Printing Press invites visitors to walk through a portal-like door embedded into The Chronicles of Miami mural on the building’s façade. Once inside, visitors find themselves inside the mechanical world crucial to JR’s artistic practice. After taking their portraits in one of four individual photo booths, visitors enter the interior of an oversized, whirring printing press where their portraits escape from the rollers and float to the ground. Scaling Superblue’s exterior and visible from afar, JR is debuting during Miami Art Week one of his most significant immersive works to date, The Machine Behind the Art: Inside JR’s Printing Press, created for Superblue. The installation invites visitors to walk through a portal-like door embedded into The Chronicles of Miami mural on the building’s façade. Once inside, visitors find themselves inside the mechanical world crucial to JR’s artistic practice. After taking their portraits in one of four individual photo booths, visitors enter the interior of an oversized, whirring printing press where their portraits escape from the rollers and float to the ground.

Dates: Tuesday, December 5 – at least 2024

Location: Superblue, 1101 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127. Price: $25

“Infinite Growth” by Gustavo Barroso Presented by Jägermeister

“Infinite Growth” invites viewers to explore the myriad ways glass can be repurposed through Barroso’s innovative pâte de verre (French, “glass paste”) techniques. Open to the public on Friday, December 8 from 5pm-11pm and on Saturday, December 9 from 10am – 6pm.

MIAMI BEACH

BMW presents “REMEMBR” in partnership with Alex Israel

BMW is returning as the official partner of Art Basel Miami Beach with the debut of “REMEMBR,” an installation in partnership with Alex Israel. In a captivating fusion of art and technology, BMW will present REMEMBR, an AI-powered, participatory and interactive video installation that guides visitors on a journey through time and memory. This exhibit will feature the new 100% electric BMW i5, which played a fundamental role in inspiring Israel for this collaboration that will be open from 12/8 – 12/10 at the BMW Lounge at Art Basel Miami Beach Collectors Lounge. Working closely with BMW, Israel developed AI technology that will collect, filter, compose and choreograph the visitor’s phone’s camera content for this immersive installation. Viewed across seven custom-designed screens at ABMB, guests will be invited to discover the hyper-memories of Alex Israel, as well as share their own.

Known for his innovative and thought-provoking work exploring the intersection of pop culture, art and technology, Israel’s unique artistic perspective allows him to capture the zeitgeist of modern life in an insightful and engaging way. His collaboration with BMW on REMEMBR, which uses the BMW i5’s commitment to innovation, cutting-edge technology and design as a pivotal inspiration, showcases his dedication to exploring the boundaries of what art can be in the digital age.

Location: 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

House of Tilly at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach

From Tuesday, December 5th to Sunday, December 10th Studio Snoop presents House of Tilly at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach, featuring Tilly Talbot, the world’s first AI artist. Making her US debut this Miami Art Week, Tilly will be showcased as a third iteration AI in a house-like structure installation, alongside her five ‘future living’ design prototypes crafted in collaboration with human designers and makers.

Ross+Kramer Miami Gallery Opening with Exhibition by Daniel Arsham

Ross+Kramer Gallery is set to make a groundbreaking entrance into Miami Beach’s art scene during this year’s Miami Art Week, expanding its footprint to Sunset Harbour as its third location alongside Manhattan and East Hampton. On Thursday, Dec 7, the gallery will unveil its new Miami space, welcoming the public to explore a mesmerizing exhibition showcasing paintings and sculptures by visionary contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. This exhibit marks Arsham’s first solo showcase in Miami in over a decade. Positioned as the first Art Gallery of its kind in the area, Ross+Kramer will introduce a unique fusion of contemporary and mid-century blue-chip works, spotlighting an extraordinary lineup of emerging and internationally established artists. Operating hours for the gallery will be Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm. Coinciding with Miami Art Week, a special invite-only grand opening event will take place on the evening of Thursday, Dec 7, from 8pm-11pm, where Daniel Arsham himself will be present.

Marco Cochrane Meet-and-Greet on Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road presents “R-Evolution™,” a monumental 45-foot-tall, 32,000-pound kinetic sculpture by Marco Cochrane, the artist behind monumental sculptures seen at the Smithsonian Art Museum and the $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas. On Thursday, December 7th, from 5-8 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist, along with other Burning Man performers, at a special event featuring a live DJ and cocktails. The event is free and open to the public.

Location: 400 Block of Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Tribeca Festival

LEO & STEPH AT LINA CERRONE GALLERY

Leo & Steph have made a name for themselves by way of Paris, Dubai, Geneve, London and Miami by turning iconic brands, including Chanel, Hermès, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, into unique and exclusive works of art. Leo, a Brazilian graphic and interior designer, and Steph, a well-renowned French producer with over 20 years of experience in the media industry, met and fell in love in Paris 13 years ago and turned their shared passion for pop art into collaborative pieces of playful and colorful works of art. Their new exhibition at Lina Cerrone Gallery will feature approximately 14 new prints alongside three new “KID CUP” sculptures, the pair’s iconic gender-neutral embodiments of the eternal, joyful inner child. The figures symbolize unending optimism, perpetually in pursuit of the whimsical and radiant aspects of life, with their ever-present cup representing a love for life’s offerings. Opening party Friday, December 1, from 5:30-9 p.m.

Location: 2239 NW Second Ave., Miami, FL 33137

“Future Sketches / Code Poems” Exhibition at ARTECHOUSE

ARTECHOUSE, a pioneer in digital art, is doing a collaboration and digital art exhibition in Miami Beach titled “Future Sketches / Code Poems” by renowned artist and educator Zach Lieberman. Enjoy this two-story interactive digital art exhibition centered on amplifying human gestures. Make drawings come to life, imagine how the voice would look if we could see it, and transform silhouettes into music! The exhibition will open to the public December 6, 2023. For tickets and more information, visit artechouse.com.

Location:736 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL

THE EVENTS

Papi Steak x ALEC Miami Art Week Dinner

On Thursday December 7th from 9PM-1 AM, enjoy a four course Art Week Dinner at Papi Steak with artist Alec Monopoly benefiting the charity Style Saves for $1000++. Yes, you have that right. Guests will enjoy live performances from Cazes while they dine in style this Art Week while savoring Alaskan King Crab and Caviar, Wagyu Pastrami, Kosher Veal Schnitzel, Truffle Corn, Baked Alaska and more.

Address: 786 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139

PLAY BY AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM

Attention all Amex cardholders! American Express is unveiling PLAY by American Express Platinum in partnership with PlayLab, Inc. Located on the beach at The Miami Beach EDITION, an FH&R property, guests are welcomed by an interactive gallery combining art and nostalgia, and bringing together some of today’s most interesting artists to reimagine iconic toys as limited-edition collectibles and art pieces. PLAY by American Express Platinum will be available to Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members, and their guests, to explore on the beach of The Miami Beach EDITION from December 7-9, 2023 from 11am – 5pm. The gallery will feature immersive installations and iconic toys reimagined as collectible works of art by Salehe Bembury, Surin Kim, Eny Lee Parker, Serban Ionescu, and Kumkum Fernando.

The Resy Lounge by American Express and Delta SkyMiles

Resy, in partnership with Delta SkyMiles® and American Express, has joined Untitled Art to present a food & beverage lounge experience each day for Untitled ticket holders throughout the week. At night, the beach-front pop-up oasis will become The Resy Lounge After Hours and Global Dining Access members can purchase tickets to a special three-night dinner series, brought to you by American Express® and Delta SkyMiles® at Untitled Art.

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express 7th Annual Card Member Party & Pop-Up

Chef Kwame Onwuachi of NYC’s hottest reservation, Tatiana, and the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Portfolio will host its 7th annual Miami Art Week party with artist Kelly Dabbah, who will create and unveil new artwork and music by DJ D-Nice. There will also be plus ups throughout the weekend for anyone attending Miami Art Week including a Marriott Bonvoy American Express pop-up in front of the W South Beach Pool on December 9th from 8-11pm with refreshing mocktails inspired by a drink served by Tatiana. Tickets here.

SAVOR & SOUL™ #TheAmexBrunchEvent

American Express is hosting the third installation of SAVOR & SOUL™: #TheAmexBrunch, this December during Miami Art Week on Sunday December 9, 12-3:30pm at The Miami Beach EDITION. Tickets will be available exclusively from Resy beginning December 6th in collaboration with Blacktag – a global platform for Black creators and Black culture. The event will be an immersive experience celebrating Black art, culture, and community, featuring a menu handcrafted by Chef Akino West (James Beard Semi-Finalist) of Rosie’s Miami Beach.

Art Week at Joia Beach Restaurant & Beach Club

This Miami Art Week, Joia Beach Restaurant & Beach Club – the vibrant day-to-night oasis located near downtown Miami in a hidden enclave on Watson Island – invites you to escape the hustle and bustle for a weekend of fun-filled shows. Joia Beach is the only private beachfront location in Miami where guests can dine with their toes in the sand and enjoy a laid-back experience that transforms into a European-inspired open-air lounge after taking in panoramic views of Miami’s unforgettable sunsets. General admission starts at $50 per person and guests can enjoy an evening under the stars, dance directly on the sand, and take in sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and the Magic City skyline while listening to the following artists from 5-11pm nightly: Friday, December 8 – Art Week: Vagalume Tulum with D’Witches – tickets here Saturday, December 9 – Art Week: We Are Us / Techno & Chill with Allen Hulsey live, Gad b2b Dee Saad, and Moovin – tickets here Sunday, December 10 – Sunday Shuk Invites Members Los Angeles with Nico De Andrea, Marco Peruzzi, and Waae – tickets here.

Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132

Bleacher Report Debuts ‘The Residency’ Unveiling an Exclusive Apparel and Original Art Collection with the NBA

This Miami Art Week, Bleacher Report will debut ‘The Residency,’ a year-long creative collective at the nexus of sports, art, fashion, and culture, unveiling in partnership with the NBA. This captivating gallery experience, open to the public from Friday, December 8th – Saturday, December 9th, celebrates an eclectic mix of artists paying homage to five NBA teams. The inaugural event will highlight the following artists and corresponding teams: Esther Wallace (Boston Celtics), Bryan “Blue the Great” Blue (Dallas Mavericks), D’ana “COVL” Nuñez (Miami Heat), Mark “MADSTEEZ” Paul Deren (Phoenix Suns), and Demitrius Omphroy (Toronto Raptors). The event kicks off on Thursday, Dec 7, with a Private VIP Launch Party and In-Season Tournament Viewing (7pm-11pm), followed by the gallery’s public opening on Friday and Saturday (12pm-7pm).

Location: The LAB Miami | 400 NW 26th Street, Miami, FL 33127

E11EVEN Miami Presents “The Art of Nightlife”

Renowned for hosting unforgettable up-close-and-personal performances by top names in the music and entertainment industry, E11EVEN Miami continues this legacy during Miami Art Week, promising nothing short of outstanding entertainment experiences. In honor of Miami Art Week this year, E11EVEN Miami will present E11EVEN Miami’s ‘The Art of Nightlife’ Lineup:

  • Wednesday, Dec 6 – Cedric Gervais
  • Thursday, Dec 7 – Diplo
  • Friday, Dec 8 – Snoop Dogg
  • Saturday, Dec 9 – TBD
  • Sunday, Dec 10 – DeadMau5

Along with this thrilling lineup of performances will be the debut of an exclusive apparel collaboration with renowned designer John Geiger. Tickets and table reservations are available at 11miami.com.

Location: E11EVEN Miami | 29 NE 11th St, Miami, FL 33132

LIV, BASEL EDITION

  • Wednesday, December 6th at LIV, Basel Edition, with Sofi Tukker! Experience the ultimate and iconic performance by the legendary duo, as they perform some famous hits like “Best Friend,” “Purple Hat,” and more.
  • Thursday, December 7th at LIV, Basel Edition, with Tiësto! Experience the iconic performance by the famous DJ, as he performs famous hits like “Don’t Be Shy,” “Red Lights,” and more.
  • Friday, December 8th at LIV, Basel Edition, with John Summit! Experience the iconic performance from the famous DJ, as he performs famous beats like “Where You Are,” “La Danza,” and more.
  • Saturday, December 9th at LIV, Basel Edition, with Kaytranada Rampa! Experience the iconic perfrom from the famous DJ, as he performs famous beats like “4EVA,” “Assumptions,” and more.

Location: 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 Hours: 11 PM-5 AM

Queen Miami Beach Unveils a Realm of Artistic Mastery and Gastronomic Decadence

This Miami Art Week, guests are invited to indulge in an era of decadence and glamour at the historic Paris Theater, now known as dining marvel Queen Miami Beach. Making her groundbreaking debut this Art Week, Queen will host two spectacular art exhibitions, starting Friday, Dec 8th, where the venue will be partnering with Dot Fiftyone Gallery to showcase exquisite artwork and sculptures created by various emerging and established artists. On Saturday, Dec 9th, guests are invited to step into a realm where art and gastronomy come together in a truly personal experience as Queen unveils “Ab Ovo” by visionary Italian artist Camila Ancilotto. Represented by Naif Gallery, Camilla Ancilotto is a classically trained painter and sculptor from Rome who utilizes oil painting techniques from the historic masters of the Italian Renaissance. Promising an intimate and enchanting evening for guests, during this exceptional collaboration Camila will engage in a live sculpture painting, seamlessly blending the magic of her craft with the timeless elegance of the Paris Theater. Additionally, 20% of proceeds from all art sales will support Lotus House Miami, directly benefiting the organization’s impactful community efforts. Two seatings will be available – one from 6pm-9pm & 9pm-close. To book reservation call (786) 373-2930 or visit queenmiamibeach.com

Location: 550 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Giselle Miami Dinner, Drinks, and Live Art by Bisco Smith

I have eaten at Giselle twice and each time was amazing. Giselle offers an elevated dining experience in downtown Miami, perched atop E11EVEN Miami ultraclub. For her Miami Art Week debut, Giselle will play host to a variety of events over the weekend, beginning Thurs, Dec 7th, with a live art performance from famed graffiti

artist Bisco Smith, whose work is showcased in an interior mural as part of the venue’s design. Throughout the evening, a silent auction will take place where proceeds will benefit Project Art Box, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the art education gap in underprivileged schools. Live beats by DJ Louis Dee will set the scene for a lively dinner party atmosphere filled with electronic sounds and an exquisite menu that merges Asian, Mediterranean, and French-inspired cuisine. To book reservations go to gisellemiami.com.

Location: Giselle Miami | 15 NE 11 ST, Miami, FL

The Wellness Oasis at The Standard

For those who want to have access to the greatest minds in wellness, look no further. The Wellness Oasis is an exclusive two-day event on December 7 & 8th for the mind, body, and spirit with world-renowned wellness experts including Dan Buettner, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Devi Brown, Case Kenny, Julius Thomas, Jillian Turecki, and Melissa Wood-Tepperberg. To ensure an intimate and personalized experience, attendance is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit splashthat.com/.

Cincoro Tequila and Josh Vides Limited Edition Collaboration

Cincoro Tequila is celebrating Miami Art Week with the unveiling of their Josh Vides collaboration. The invite only event happening Tuesday, December 5th at The Edition Hotel will be the official launch of the limited edition Josh Vides collab bottle. At the event, guests will have the opportunity to interact with Josh, see a striking display of the bottle, indulge in Cincoro cocktails and more.

Art on the Bay by Jason Perez Art at Rusty Pelican

On Tuesday, December 5th from 4-10pm, The Rusty Pelican Miami will feature Art by Jason Perez, the Spotlight Award Winner in December of 2019 at the Spectrum Miami Art Show, in their Lounge and Bar. Enjoy cocktail specials sponsored by Kettle One and Don Julio, live DJ, and more!

LPM Miami x Ketel One x Lucy Glaser for Miami Art Week 2023

From Monday, December 4th to Sunday, December 10th, LPM Miami x Ketel One have collaborated with local artist Lucy Glaser to create a set of limited-edition, hand painted glassware for guests to take home as their own personal piece of fine art upon purchase of the Miami Art Week speciality cocktail ‘La Sucette’ ($21). Lucy is known for her use of glassware and textiles, and she experiments with playful imagery and beautiful, bright colors throughout her works. Her inspiration for these one-of-a-kind pieces for LPM Miami was French Artist Jean Cocteau, whose legacy inspired the entire bar program across all of LPM’s global locations. Lucy has worked in the restaurant industry for the past 12 years, so she was a natural fit for this collaboration that not only highlights Lucy as an emerging female artist but also demonstrates the crossover between fine art and the culinary arts at LPM Miami’s distinguished and unique bar program. Make reservations at LPM Miami here.

The Standard Spa, Miami Beach with Gustaf Westman and Asta Resort

Starting December 4th, The Standard has teamed up with celebrated Swedish designer Gustaf Westman for a pop-up in Cafe Standard, at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach. Launching December 4th, Westman will showcase his signature aesthetic by displaying some of his most beloved works , including the famed ‘Curvy Mirror’ within the public space. In addition, Asta Resort, the elevated resort wear brand, will present an exclusive pop-up during Miami Art Week. The pop-up will feature core classics, the new SS24 collection (presenting new categories), as well as exclusive capsule pieces, all in an elaborate space that will transport guests to the European Riviera.

Vintage Frames Company x Trevor “Trouble” Andrew on Limited Edition Exhibition at The Goodtime Hotel

Vintage Frames Company, the premier designer vintage eyewear experts and designer eyewear brand, partnered with Trevor “Trouble” Andrew a.k.a. Gucci Ghost on a series of limited edition prints that will be exclusively available during Art Basel Miami. The numbered prints are paired with a special-edition sunglass and case inspired by the artwork, retailing at $1,000. Drawing inspiration from Vintage Frames Company’s 1980’s Miami Vice inspired retail concept, Creative Director and CEO Corey Shapiro tapped longtime friend and gallery artist, Trevor Andrew, to explore a different medium for their first collaboration. The two will debut their collaboration with an intimate celebration at Vintage Frames Company’s U.S. flagship store in Miami Beach, Florida, at The Goodtime Hotel, on December 7th 6-9PM (RSVP Only, Ages 21+) Vintage Frames Company at The Goodtime Hotel in Miami is open between 11am-7pm Sunday through Wednesday and closes at 8pm Thursday through Saturday.

Location: 601 Washington Ave, Miami Beach

Ocean Drive’s “Art of the Party” with Alessandra Ambrosio

Ocean Drive will be taking over the grandiose La Côte lawn at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach to host their annual ‘Art of the Party,’ on Thursday, December 7th, from 8-11pm. Bringing an exciting mix of celebrities, artists, curators, and philanthropists all under one roof, the party celebrates the release of this year’s December Art Issue cover, featuring cover star Alessandra Ambrosio. In collaboration with Aston Martin, the evening will feature a live art presentation from visual artist Romero Britto, and sounds by Grammy award nominee Chromeo, plus an extra special guest performer.

Location: Fontainebleau Miami Beach | 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Sagamore Hotel South Beach

For more than two decades, the Sagamore Hotel South Beach has offered the gold standard in the annual Miami Beach Art Week experience, and this year the hotel is raising its own bar. Fusing traditional art with immersive Web3, AI, and Bitcoin, the Sagamore has partnered with Nolcha Shows, the award-winning Web3 experiential series focused on promoting cutting-edge and innovative artistry, to bring to life this year’s theme – “The Digital Canvas: Unleashing AI in Art.” On Saturday, Dec 9th, the Sagamore is hosting its iconic poolside 22nd Annual Sagamore ART Brunch, one of the most sought-after invites of the year. The epic event brings together the who’s who of the art community, welcoming hundreds of industry leaders spanning art, entertainment and social media for an al-fresco afternoon of indulgence in art, food, drink and surprise performances.

Marion Miami Unveils a Supperclub Fusion of Artistry and Cuisine

For those seeking a unique dining escapade amidst Miami Art Week this year, Mr. Hospitality’s Marion invites guests to partake in its transformation into an immersive art and entertainment enclave from Thursday, Dec 7th to Saturday, Dec 9th. Renowned fine art and lifestyle artist, Franck Brill, will team up with artist Manuel Angarita, across all three nights, crafting imaginative works of art in real-time as guests indulge in Marion’s indulgent Asian-inspired cuisine. Additionally, on Friday, Dec 8, renowned visual artist Mark Rios aka “Mr. Drippings” will debut a special live art exhibit by painting a surprise celebrity guest (art performance to commence at 1am). During the live art spectacles, guests can anticipate an escalation of excitement and energy as the lights dim, the music turns up, and the ambiance transforms into a lively party scene. To book reservations call (786) 717-7512 or visit marionmiami.com.

Location: 1111 SW First Ave, Miami, FL, 33130 (directly next door to El Tucán)

MAXIM Miami Art Week Party at Hyde Beach

In celebration of their November/December release, MAXIM will be hosting their 5th annual art week party with acclaimed DJ James Hype, at Hyde Beach located at the iconic SLS South Beach on Saturday, December 9th at 10pm. This star-studded poolside soiree is set to heat up Miami Art Week, and Hyde Beach will be transformed into a chic outdoor setting for VIP attendees to enjoy. This can’t-miss celebration will feature 100s of top models, a surprise live artist collaboration, and surprise guest performance. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Aqua Art Miami VIP Preview

Details: Aqua Art Miami will kick off its 17th edition at the Aqua Hotel with a VIP Preview on Wednesday, December 6th before opening to the public December 7-10th. The energetic preview has become the destination for influential collectors and art professionals, many of whom migrate from Aqua’s sister fairs, Art Miami and CONTEXT conveniently nestled between the Venetian Causeway and the MacArthur Causeways, and Art Basel Miami Beach, which is located just a few blocks away. Aqua Art Miami is the premier location for art aficionados to procure works by young, emerging and mid-career artists. Throughout the years, the fair has continued to solidify itself as a completely unique art fair, consistently staying true to its signature relaxed yet energetic vibe. A roster of well respected international galleries will showcase the fresh artists’ works in the intimate exhibition rooms, which open into the beautiful courtyard of the classic South Beach hotel. VIP Tickets start at $285 and include access to the VIP preview on Dec. 6th from 3-10pm, as well as unlimited admission Thur-Sun, Dec 7-10. VIP also includes admission to the Art Miami + CONTEXT Art Miami VIP Previews on Dec. 5 from 6:30pm-10pm and unlimited admission from Dec 6-10.

Location: Aqua Hotel (1530 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139)

1 Hotels

1 Hotel South Beach has just announced a comprehensive lineup of diverse art activations for Miami Art Week 2023. From day to night, the hotel is hosting a week filled with sustainable art, interactive installations and inspiring art moments. Go to the 1 hotels website for all events.

alo x HypeArt present The Recovery Lounge

alo, the hot activewear and lifestyle brand, is unveiling their new new 01 Classic sneakers through different activatoins around town in celebration of Miami Art Week. On December 7th, 11AM- 5PM alo x HypeArt present The Recovery Lounge at the 1 Hotel After a week of non-stop partying, this is a must to keep your body going.

Flex Basel Party

On Friday, December 8th in Miami, Flex, the finance app alongside creator brand friendly platform, Passes, and Quantum, have combined forces to host ‘Flex Basel Party’. The luxurious exclusive experience will take place on a Venetian Island oasis with surprises throughout the night, featuring live entertainment, artists, and spectacular celebrity headliner performances by BLOND:ISH and AMÉMÉ, making it the highly-anticipated event of Art Basel weekend.

The invite only event will include a curated list of the most influential entrepreneurs, investors, artists, and personalities in the world.

Dante’s HiFi

Dante’s HiFi, Miami’s first vinyl listening bar, ignited a local trend and has now emerged as the epicenter for top-tier global music talent and celebrity sightings, including A$AP Rocky, Anderson Paak, Zoe Kravitz, and more. This year during Art Basel, expect performances by Benji B, Koco from Japan, Soul & the Horn, Moody Man, Musical Director Rich Medina, and many more.

Art Basel lineup:

Sexy Fish: Dine and Dance among Damien Hirst Artworks and Sublime Cuisine

Sexy Fish Miami, one of the city’s most exciting recently opened hotspots, is kicking off an exciting week of Miami Art Week programming beginning Wednesday, December 6th. During the day and evening, dine on Chef Director Bjoern Weissgerber’s diverse menu inspired by the seas of Asia, among artworks by world-renowned artist Damien Hirst and bespoke fish lamps by internationally acclaimed Frank Gehry. During the evenings of Miami Art Week, beginning at 10 PM on Wednesday, December 6th, Sexy Fish will feature an After Dark DJ Lineup featuring sounds by Jay Sebag, Zakes Bantwini, Hugel, and Claptone.

Miami Art Week Sexy Fish After Dark DJ Lineup

Wednesday, December 6th – Jay Sebag

Thursday, December 7th – Zakes Bantwini

Friday, December 8th – Hugel

Saturday, December 9th – Claptone

SexyFish is set to take center stage as the ultimate Miami Art Week destination, inviting guests to experience “Art of the Sea,” a week filled with artistic wonders, surreal surprises, and opulent indulgences. Immerse yourself among a star-studded crowd and relist in delectable fruits of the sea, artisanal cocktails, and a world-renowned programming lineup that promises to ignite your senses and push the depth of creativity. Prepare to be utterly mesmerized by live, immersive art experiences that will leave you in awe and transport you to an alternate universe below the sea. Premium Ludicrous Omakase menu ($287 per person) inspired by the concept of “unexpected behavior,” this out-of-this-world, stunning, and complex in flavor, featuring innovative and rare selections.

Art Week at Villa Azur

A Miami Beach staple and steps from Art Basel at The Miami Beach Convention Center, guests are invited to dine and sip at celebrated hotspot Villa Azur as renowned artists like Jason Skelton, D-Snow, Max Jamali, and Leidy Mazo pop up with installations throughout the week, as DJs Natty Rico, Dennis Rojas, and DJ Stephan M provide the soundtrack. Villa Azur’s menu features a blend of Mediterranean flavors with signature dishes such as Tuna tartare, Truffle Burrata, Pâtes à la meule, pan-seared sea bass, and more. The bar offers both classic favorites and innovative signature cocktails.

Villa Azur is located at 309 23rd St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

For reservations, please visit: villaazurmiamibeach.com

NYLON House, presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics

NYLON House will return to Miami Art Week on Friday, December 8th. The after hours invite-only event will transport guests to an immersive world of music, art, technology, and style set against a musical lineup of today’s most sought after deejays including a headlining set with Rampa of Keinemusik. The night will also include music mixed by DJs Desiree, Talón, and Luciano Scalioni. NYLON House is presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics and in partnership with Cheetos and Hilton. Other partners include Vera Wang Fragrance, Sally Hansen, David Beckham Fragrance, Keys Soulcare, Patrón, and Quay.

Where: Miami Beach Beachfront Location

NYLON Nights

Following a successful debut at New York Fashion Week, NYLON in partnership with FRAMEWORK, will bring NYLON Nights to Miami Art Week. Guests will experience DJ sets by globally renowned artists Guy Gerber, Rony Seikaly, and Talón and dance the night away with curated cocktails. Sushi by Bou will be popping up a speakeasy sushi spot on the property for one night only, performing a live tuna carving from which they will dole out fresh handrolls straight to lucky partygoers. The invite-only event will take place on Saturday, December 9th at a private location that will be transformed into a destination of culture, music, and style. Brand partners include Bodyarmor and Patrón.

Where: Private Location in Miami Beach

When: 9:30PM – 2AM

THAT’S A WRAP! Check in throughout the week for event and exhibition updates. Enjoy!

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

History and Art in Overtown: The Point Comfort Fair + Show Miami Art Week

MIAMI – Hampton Art Lovers presents the Point Comfort Art Fair + Show in Historic Overtown at the Historic Ward Rooming House during Miami Art Week/Art Basel/Soul Basel 2023.

Point Comfort comprises an art exhibition and the Indaba Lounge Series at the Historic Ward Rooming House and Gardens. Sponsored by the City of Miami Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Revitalization Agency & Art of Black (Greater Miami Convention & Tourism Bureau), 100 Black Men of Florida, FIU-Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab, E11even Vodka and Duke + Dame Whiskey.

Rebel without a pause - History and Art in Overtown: The Point Comfort Fair + Show Miami Art Week
Rebel Without A Pause

Point Comfort Art Fair + Show 2023 is a panoramic experience of ART, CONVERSATIONS, and Community.

THEME: Be For the Culture/Before the Culture: Celebrating Hip Hop’s Golden Jubilee, is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

We curated our fair with works based on the inspiration of this transformative cultural institution with an enduring legacy that continues to alter America and the planet. We encouraged our invited artists to embrace the theme literally and create images of dignity.

Subway Signs - Musa Hixson: History and Art in Overtown: The Point Comfort Fair + Show Miami Art Week
Subway Signs – Musa Hixson

Featuring the art of Basil Watson, Damien Mathis, Benford Stellmacher, Brandon Clarke, Tiffani Glenn, Phil Shung, Musa Hixson, Chris Clark, Rodney “Buck” Herring, William “King Pop” Floyd, Tommy the Animator, and Judy Bowman, in the Gardens @ The Historic Ward Rooming House within an 80×40 foot tent. We are also honored to showcase a special installation of paintings by Hon. George Clinton, Godfather of the Funk. Clinton is the Founder of the Parliament Funkadelic and the harbinger of Hip-Hop’s musical foundation.

Dope As Me - Tiffany Glen: History and Art in Overtown: The Point Comfort Fair + Show Miami Art Week
Dope As Me – Tiffany Glen

The name “Point Comfort” is derived from the place in colonial Virginia where the first captives from the West African Kingdom of Ndongo (Angola) arrived in 1619. The people of Ndongo and other African tribes lost their native tongues and many of their traditions here in America. Through tremendous adversity, remnants of these lost traditions continue to express themselves in the song, dance, art, and crafts of today’s African-American community.

“Point Comfort Art Fair + Show” celebrates those remnants. “We’re not just selling art”

The show is a curated, multi-dimensional experience designed to tell the powerful narrative of the African-American experience through art and conversation. POINT COMFORT is a teachable moment, designed to pique curiosity, share legacies and facilitate the purchase of Black artwork. Point Comfort provides a platform for African-American masters of American fine art at the largest art exposition in North America (Miami Art Week). Providing invaluable exposure to an international audience of art professionals, collectors, lovers, and patrons of the arts.

Our ART SHOW features a historic collection inside the Historic Ward Rooming House. In 2023, we will present “For the People: 700 the Arts” featuring African American art from the collection of Miami-Dade Public Library. Hampton Art Lovers is delighted to showcase the works of Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Gene Tinnie, Al Loving, Jacob Lawrence, Bob Thompson, Walter Williams, and others.

Libraries use the Dewey Decimal Classification System to organize items in their collections by subject. The main subjects are given a three-digit number, The Arts are located in 700–799. According to the American Library Association, “The arts play a vital role in our ability to communicate a broad spectrum of ideas to all people. Developing an understanding and appreciation of visual and performing arts promotes artistic literacy. Libraries should offer opportunities for the community to experience art.”

For over forty years, Art Services of the Miami Dade Public Library has acquired, developed, and maintained works for the Library’s permanent collection of over 2,200 works of art. Installed in 42 branches, it has earned national respect as an important reference collection that chronicles social, cultural, and artistic change in Miami. Our local library has been at the forefront of Arts Advocacy in South Florida, a community that now hosts the largest Art Fair in the Western Hemisphere – Art Basel & Miami Art Week.

Indaba Lounge Series Point Comfort is a panoramic experience of ART, CONVERSATIONS, and VIBES. Point Comfort’s Indaba Lounge Series brings people together in conversation through art. The word “Indaba” is Swahili for “come together” or “meeting of great minds”.

Our Indaba Lounge Series includes our Opening Reception, Art Talks, musical vibes curated by musicologists Fly Guy & Six Millz, “Bespoke Motor Gallery: Art Rigs and Rugged Elegance” , our curated immersive car exhibit in front of the Historic Ward Rooming House.

Pre-Basel Events

  • Fri | Dec 01 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

For the People: 700 The Arts | First Friday Mixer Celebrating the African-American Art Collection of Miami-Dade Library Hosted by Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association. Sounds Curated by Six Millz – The Remix Sponsored by Southeast Overtown / Park West CRA

  • Sun | Dec 03 | 12 pm – 2 pm

“Morning of the Rooster: Artful Conversations about Human Trafficking” Hosted by The Links Incorporated (Dade County Chapter) & Quest Freedom-Sponsored by Hampton Art Lovers

GENERAL SCHEDULE

Fri | Dec 01 | 04:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Thu | Dec 07 | 07:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Fri | Dec 08 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sat | Dec 09 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sun | Dec 10 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULED

  • Thu | Dec 07 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Point Comfort Opening Reception (Black Party)Sounds Curated by Six Millz Hosted by 100 Black Men of South Florida

  • Fri | Dec 08 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Artist Talk Hip-Hop’s Enduring Legacy to Visual Art Featuring the Artists of Point Comfort with Dr. William Boone, Chair of Liberal Studies – Winston-Salem State University-Presented by Hampton Art Lovers

  • Fri | Dec 08 | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Artist Talk BPM: Beats, Pics & Masters with Rahsaan “Fly Guy” Alexander with Dr. James Peterson, President of Hip Hop Scholars, Inc.- Presented by Hampton Art Lovers

  • Fri | Dec 08 | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Mixer: Sound Sculptures Sound Curated by Fly Guy & Friends Hosted by the Zeta Nu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

  • Sat | Dec 09 |3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Featuring the Artists of Point Comfort with Dr. Li Sumpter – Moore College of Art & Design-Presented by Hampton Art Lovers

  • Sat | Dec 09 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Artist Talk: Art and Public Spaces-Oscar Fuentes, Miami-Dade Public Library-Christopher Norwood, Hampton Art Lovers Moderated by Rebecca Friedman of FIU – Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab

  • Sat | Dec 09 |6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Art + Social Justice – Rediscovering Black Portraiture-Presented by South Florida People of Color

  • Sat | Dec 09 | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Art + Hip Hop Closing Reception-Sounds Curated by Six Millz (Rare Grooves)Hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter

  • Sun | Dec 10 | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Hampton Art Lovers Presents: “Bespoke Motor Gallery: Art, Rigs and Rugged Elegance “Hosted by Miami Jeep Pull-Up

  • Sun | Dec 10 | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Indaba Lounge Series | Art + Fashion Fashion Art by Tatiana Gabriel Collection  Hosted by Tatiana

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment