Downtown Miami May Events

May means that summer is right around the corner.  In celebration of South Florida’s hottest season, Downtown Miami is packed with events.  Here’s Met Miami Properties’ guide to downtown Miami May events.

Community Events

13^th Annual Haitian Compas Festival

May 14

3:00 p.m. to midnight

Bicentennial Park

Festival features Harmonik, T Vice, Djakout, Carimi, Kreyol La, Nu Look, Disip, Zenglen, Jahnesta, and more. Tickets: www.sakapfet.com.

Cirque Eloize Kick-Off Party on the Plaza

May 19

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Thomson Plaza for the Arts

Free event celebrating the new theatrical summer spectacle, Cirque Eloize iD.  Featuring live graffiti art, a temporary tattoo shop, merchandise giveawayrs, live stunts by the iD cast and more!

More information including VIP tickets: http://www.arshtcenter.org/cirqueidkickoff/

Music and Theater

Celebrity Autobiography

May 5 through May 15

Show times vary.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Carnival Studio Theater

The international smash hit comedy where hilarious and true celebrity tell-alls are acted out live on stage. Appearing May 5-8: Mario Cantone, Rachel Dratch, Craig Bierko, Sharon Gless, Dayle Reyfel and Eugene Pack! Appearing May 12-15: Bruce Vilanch, Cady Huffman, Paul Provenza, Sharon Gless, Roger Bart and Dayle Reyfel!

Dates, times and tickets: www.arschtcenter.org

Big Poppa E and The E Band

May 9

8:00 p.m.

Tobacco Road

Calienta Miami Festival Music

May 12

7:30 p.m.

James L. Knight Center

Featuring: Khris y Angel, Yomo, Fuego, Baby Ranks, 2 NyCe, B.Z, La Persecucion, Dj C., and Prince Wylkins.

Tickets: http://www.jlkc.com/events.php

Camilo Sesto Live in Concert

May 14

8:00 p.m.

American Airlines Arena

Spanish singer and composer Camilo Sesto was the most prominent male voice of Spanish pop music during the 1970s and the 1980s. He became famous for his powerful, carefully arranged ballads, pop and rock. He has the world record of more number ones in the world.

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco

May 14

11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Night Concert Hall

Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco will take you on a journey into the rich multicultural landscape of Louisiana. Families will discover an indigenous American roots music genre important to the cultural identity of the South and our country. Audiences will experience an engaging and interactive performance that will leave them intrigued and fascinated with the French speaking multicultural, mixed race Louisiana Creoles and their lively Zydeco music!

Dates, times and tickets: www.arschtcenter.org

Luis Miguel

May 19 and 21

8:00 p.m. (May 19) and 8:30 p.m. (May 21)

American Airlines Arena

Luis Miguel is best known for his high-grossing tours and his outstanding live performances. His ’Amarte Es Un Placer Tour” had a length of 8 months and run through Mexico, USA, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil and Spain between 1999 and 2000. The Tour consisted of 104 concerts and was attended by approximately 1.5 million fans. It was the highest-grossing tour ever made by a Latin artist, as well as the most extended. These two records have been broken by his ’Mexico En La Piel Tour.” In 2006, he was awarded with the ’Estela de Plata” by giving 30 concerts at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico, gathering 260,000 spectators.

Luis Miguel is one of the most popular & prestigious Latin performers with more than 60 million records sold worldwide.

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Ayikodans

May 22

7:00 p.m.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Carnival Studio Theater

Visionary choreographer, dancer and educator, Jeanguy Saintus expresses the richness and beauty of Haitian culture with his extraordinary dance company, Ayikodans. Based in Port-au-Prince, Saintus has fostered the emergence of a new, contemporary Haitian aesthetic that, while rooted in tradition, reflects a modern Caribbean culture and creativity that would surprise many who associate the country with disaster, poverty and helplessness.
Ayikodans has been showered with critical praise for their performances and Jeanguy Saintus has been awarded the prestigious Prince Klaus Award for inspiring pride in the strength, beauty and richness of Haitian culture. Saintus also runs an ongoing dance-training program in Haiti, Dansepyenu (Dance Barefoot), for youngsters unable to afford tuition. Proceeds from this benefit performance will be donated to Ayikodans to support their efforts in Haiti.

Tickets: www.arschtcenter.org

Gente De Zona

May 27

9:00 p.m.

James L. Knight Center

Tickets: http://www.jlkc.com/events.php

Joaquin Sabina “El Penultimo Tren” Tour

May 27

8:00 p.m.

American Airlines Arena

The great Spanish singer and composer, will perform for the first time in the U.S. At the top of his successful career, Sabina, who usually sells out all the seats wherever he goes, will sing his greatest hits, which mix humor and sadness.

During a three-decade career, with 15 albums recorded, he has created hits like ’El Bulevar de los Sueños Rotos”, ’Y Nos Dieron las Diez”, ’Medias Negras”,’Y Sin Embargo” and “Princesa.” He has recorded duets with superstars such as Fito Páez, Raphael and Joan Manuel Serrat.  The concerts, for which he will sing with his own band, will include also some songs from his latest álbum, ’Vinagre y Rosas.”

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Best of the Best

May 28 and May 29

5:00 p.m. (May 28) and 3:00 p.m. (May 29)

Bicentennial Park

May 28: Chris Brown, Lloyd, Keri Hilson, Jeremih, Miguel, Travis Porter, Marsha Ambrosius, and more. Hosted by Rickey Smiley

May 29: Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Shabba Ranks, Tarrus Riley, Alison Hinds,
DJ Khaled, Vybz Kartel, Assassin, Trina, and more.

Tickets: www.bestofthebestconcert.com / 305-438-9488

4^th Annual Memorial Weekend Comedy Festival

May 29

8:00 p.m.

James L. Knight Center

Rickey Smiley, Don “DC” Curry, George Wilborne, Rodney Perry, Donell Rawling, Lady Roz “G”, & Shawty Shawty.

Tickets: http://www.jlkc.com/events.php

Hair

May 31

8:00 p.m.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Ziff Ballet Opera House

The Public Theater’s new production of HAIR is the most electric celebration on Broadway! This exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. Featuring an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Good Morning, Starshine” and “Easy To Be Hard.” Its relevance is undeniable. Its energy is unbridled. Its truth is unwavering. It’s HAIR, and it’s time.
Disclaimer: While many find this show suitable for young adults (13 and older), parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.

Tickets: www.arschtcenter.org

Sports

Miami HEAT vs. Boston Celtics

May 11

Time is TBD

American Airlines Arena

Rickey Smiley, Don “DC” Curry, George Wilborne, Rodney Perry, Donell Rawling, Lady Roz “G”, & Shawty Shawty.

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com