December Events in Downtown Miami

Children

Pirate Island

Throughout December

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Miami Children’s Museum

Pirate Island, developed by Miami Children’s Museum creates a world of imagination for children and their families. Start with the PIRATE ACADEMY to learn how to walk, talk, and dress like a pirate. Then explore a ship, crawl up a rope ladder and learn about pirate life through hands-on activities. More info: http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/

 

Classes

Yoga in the Park

Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

Tina Hills Pavilion at Bayfront Park

More info: http://www.bayfrontparkmiami.com/pages/yoga.html

 

Self-Defense Class for Women

Every Monday and Wednesday

7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Tina Hills Pavilion at Bayfront Park

More info: http://www.bayfrontparkmiami.com/pages/events.html

 

The Flying Trapeze School

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Saturday & Sunday

Located in the center of the park

Reservations & Information: 786-239-8775

 

Exhibits

 

Giants in the City

 

December 2-6, 2011

 

12:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

 

Bayfront Park

 

Giants in the City is a cultural event series traveling exhibit that includes performances and interactive programs committed to attract national and international cultural exchange to Miami-Dade.

 

More info: 305-358-7550

 

 

 

American People, Black Light

 

Throughout December 2011

 

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Miami Art Museum

 

The once influential paintings Faith Ringgold created, with only a few notable exceptions, disappeared from view, omitted from critical, art historical discourse for more than forty years. This is the first comprehensive survey of these paintings, organized on the occasions of Ringgold’s 80th birthday. More info: http://miamiartmuseum.org/upcoming.asp

 

 

 

Anchor Gallery: Enrique Martinez Celaya

 

Throughout December 2011

 

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Miami Art Museum

 

Miami Art Museum will present Schneebett, a two-room installation inspired by Beethoven’s convalescence and death in Vienna, Austria, in 1827, in the Anchor Gallery section of its Permanent Collection installation. More info: http://miamiartmuseum.org/upcoming.asp

 

 

 

From Ephemeral to Enduring

 

Throughout December 2011

 

Library hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Miami Dade Public Library, 101 West Flagler Street

 

This exhibition is the last of an exhibition series celebrating the Miami-Dade Public Library’s 40th Anniversary. From Ephemeral to Enduring will explore the ways in which people have collected, documented, and preserved experiences, memories, and events. Sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami. More info: (305) 375-2665

 

 

 

Retracing Our Steps

 

Throughout December 2011

 

Library hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Miami Dade Public Library, 101 West Flagler Street

 

A series of historical photographs explore the Republic of China’s development over the past century, encouraging visitors to remember the past, cherish the present and look forward to the future. More info: (305) 375-2665

 

 

 

Cintas Fellows Finalists Exhibition

 

Throughout December 2011

 

Tuesdays – Fridays, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, by appointment

 

Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd.

 

As the sole custodian of the prestigious Cintas Fellows Collection and host of the annual Cintas Fellowship Program, Miami Dade College will present an exhibition featuring the work of five finalists in the visual arts category. Free and open to the public during gallery hours. More info: http://www.cintasfoundation.org/

 

Music

 

Down in New Orleans

 

December 9, 2011

 

8:00 p.m.

 

Knight Concert Hall

 

African drumming, European harmonies, negro spirituals, ragtime, early blues—they all came together in New Orleans and created the musical gumbo we call jazz.  This one-time-only celebration features some of the Big Easy’s biggest music stars, including favorite son, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and his New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Southern boogie blues singer/pianist Marcia Ball, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians. For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

 

 

 

Brasil Classical Series and The Miami Symphony Orchestra

 

Saturday, December 10

 

8:00 p.m.

 

Knight Hall Concert Hall

 

This year, the Brasil Classical Series and The Miami Symphony Orchestra showcase talented musicians of the Youth Orchestra of Bahia. Led by conductor Eduardo Marturet and featuring critically-acclaimed Brazilian pianist Simone Leitão, the concert features a vibrant selection of works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Zequinha de Abreu, Francisco Mignone, Lorenzo Fernandez, Prokoviev, and Gottschalk, among others. This unique fusion of Brazilian-inspired rhythms and melodies also includes the North American premiere of “Real and Imaginary Dances Suite” (Suite de Danças Reais e Imaginarias) by Latin Grammy-nominated composer and instrumentalist, Andre Mehmari. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Mehmari’s broad range of compositions and recordings have been praised by audiences and critics worldwide. For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

 

December 9, 2011

 

8:00 p.m.

 

American Airlines Arena

 

The tour will showcase their unique combination of story-telling, virtuoso musicianship and over the top production. TSO will rock your winter season, performing the timeless classic ’Christmas Eve and Other Stories” in its entirety, followed by excerpts from the upcoming Rock Theater installment ’Gutter Ballet and The New York Blues Express”.  As one of the top selling acts in the world, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has cemented itself as an annual tradition not to be missed. The band has grown to become a year round touring juggernaut, performing what creator/writer/producer Paul O’Neill has dubbed ’Rock Theater.” For ticket sales and more information on TSO, please visit: www.trans-siberian.com

 

 

 

 

Nightlife

 

 

Wine Down Wednesdays

 

December 7,

 

First Wednesday of Every Month!

 

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
HistoryMiami, 101 West Flagler Street, downtown Miami

 

Join us at downtown Miami’s cultural hotspot!  Don’t sit in rush hour traffic when you can be mingling with other professionals and enjoying a glass of wine!  Enjoy free access to our exhibition galleries, relax with live local music, and experience cultural performances and monthly lectures! To RSVP call 305-375-1614 or email: RSVP@historymiami.org.

 

 

Theater and Film

Shrek the Musical

December 6 to 11

Times Vary

Adrian Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House

Based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

Santaland Diaries

December 8 to 23

Times Vary

Carnival Studio (in the Ziff Ballet Opera House, Adrian Arsht Center)

A blistering funny evocation of Christmas Hell. One man’s hysterical and often insightful look at the humilities, frustrations and joys of working as an elf a Macy’s Santaland. This holiday classic is David Sedaris at his biting best and a reminder of why Sedaris is one of the greatest humorists of our time. Starring Carbonell Award Winner Michael McKeever. For more information or to purchase tickets:  http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

 

Florida Classical Ballet: Nutcracker

December 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

December 11, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for performing Arts

Florida Classical Ballet returns to the Olympia Theater stage with the holiday ballet  – The Nutcracker.  Joseph Gatti of the Boston Ballet leads an amazing cast of talented dancers in in this production staged by Magaly Suarez and Ibis Montoto. For more information or to purchase tickets:  http://gusmancenter.org/events/ 

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

December 15 to18

Times Vary

Adrian Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House

The Nutcracker is a magical treat for young and old. Ours is the exciting George Balanchine version, complete with beautiful sets, lavish costumes, dazzling special effects and glorious music. A large cast of talented children accompanies our international ballet stars. for more information: http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

A Soulful Christmas with TAKE 6

Sunday, December 18

4:00 p.m.

Knight Concert Hall

FREE GOSPEL SUNDAYS – TAKE 6 “Whether it’s pizzazz or peace, this sextet is a cappella glory!” People Magazine Celebrate the holidays with your favorite multiple GRAMMY-winning a cappella recording stars! TAKE 6 are not only the heirs to the swinging, harmony-rich tradition of the doo-wop and gospel groups of the 1950s, but also the leaders in today’s second wave of jazz and pop vocal groups. Their many recordings of holiday music are now some of the best-selling Christmas albums in the world. For more information: http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

Salute to Vienna

Friday, December 30

8:00 p.m.

Knight Concert Hall

Welcome the New Year with “Salute to Vienna,” patterned after Vienna’s world famous “Neujahrskonzert”, returning for a glorious 13th season with a fresh, new program. Sold out in New York, Chicago, Toronto and many other major cities, this unique concert series captured the hearts of many music-lovers all over North America!

A festive New Year’s Concert, featuring a brilliant new cast of over 75 musicians, stellar European singers and dancers in beautiful costumes. Each program includes light hearted blends of popular Strauss waltzes, polkas and famous operetta excerpts such as The Fledermaus and The Merry Widow– something for everyone to enjoy! For more information:  http://www.arshtcenter.org/perform/

 

Million Dollar Quartet

December 27 to January 1

Times Vary

Ziff Ballet Opera House, Adrian Arsht Center

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the smash hit Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session where Sam Philips, the ”Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” brought together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night.

Tours

Overtown Walking Tour and People’s Bar-B-Que

December 10,

10:00am – 12:00pm

HistoryMiami, 101 West Flagler Street

Stroll with Dr. Paul George to Overtown’s Lyric Theater, two centennial churches, the site of several clubs, hotels, and the restored home of Dana A. Dorsey, Miami’s first black millionaire. Finish the day with an optional lunch at People’s Bar-B-Que offering ribs, chicken, cornbread, conch salad and collard greens for a reasonable cost. Advance reservations and payment required. HistoryMiami members: $20; Non-members: $30

To book your City Tour, please call 305-375-1621 or email citytours@historymiami.org More info: http://www.historymiami.org/happenings

Miami River Boat Tour

December 11,

10:00am – 12:30pm

Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

Enjoy an entertaining and relaxing ride on the river with Dr. Paul George as he points out drawbridges, hidden neighborhoods, Caribbean freighters, tugboats, the Miami Circle® archaeological site and little known parks, while the history of Miami comes alive. Advance reservations and payment required. HistoryMiami members: $44; Non-members: $54; Children: $25.  To book your City Tour, please call 305-375-1621 or email citytours@historymiami.org More info: http://www.historymiami.org/happenings

Hungry for History: Police Horses at Lummus Park

December 12,

11:00am – 12:00pm

HistoryMiami, 101 West Flagler Street

Visit some of the City of Miami Police Department’s most noble guards – police horses at Lummus Park, the city’s oldest park. Meet Sgt. Ralph Toirac, supervisor of the mounted patrol. Hear about the history of Miami’s Mounted Unit and its role in public safety and community service with guide Sylvia Gurinsky. Advance reservations and payment required. HistoryMiami members: $10; Non-members: $15. To book your City Tour, please call 305-375-1621 or email citytours@historymiami.org  More info: http://www.historymiami.org/happenings

 

Miami River to Miami Circle® From Bayfront Fountain

Friday, December 16

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Boulevard

Enjoy a beautiful walk with guide Sylvia Gurinsky along the confluence of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay while learning about the history of Miami, from the Tequesta Indians to pioneers and people of modern times. The tour ends at the National Historic Landmark, the Miami Circle®. Advance reservations and payment required. HistoryMiami members: $20; Non-members: $30. To book your City Tour, please call 305-375-1621 or email citytours@historymiami.org. More info: http://www.historymiami.org/happenings

 

Merrie Christmas Park: Botanical Wonderland and Eco-Walk

December 17,

10:00am – 12:00pm

Merrie Christmas Park, Barbarossa Avenue and Lejeune Road, Coconut Grove

Wander with eco-historian Frank Schena through this lush tropical enclave in the South Grove, and admire colossal banyans and grassy vistas. Learn about explorers who combed the world to find the colorful flora that grace our community, and how to create an oasis in your own back yard. Advance reservations and payment required. HistoryMiami members: $20; Non-members: $30. To book your City Tour, please call 305-375-1621 or email citytours@historymiami.org. More info: http://www.historymiami.org/happenings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free General Admission and parking provided at the Miami-Dade County Cultural Plaza Garage,
50 NW 2 Avenue.