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Axios Miami
Lights, camera, action: Miami Film Festival begins
Miami Dade College's Miami Film Festival is back for its 41st year, featuring more than 180 films from over 30 countries starting Friday.Why it matters: This year's festival, which runs through April 14, is the largest to date, and the lineup features more films made for and by Miamians.There are about 40 locally made features and short films in the festival's lineup, according to the Miami Herald.The big picture: Screenings and events are slated for venues across the city, including the Adrienne Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall, O Cinema South Beach, the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Coral Gables Art...
Immersive ocean film premieres at Frost Science Museum adult-only event
If this week is stressing you out, meditate to the sounds of whales and dolphins at a new movie premiering Thursday at the Frost Science Museum's planetarium.State of play: "Sounds of the Ocean," an immersive 360-degree film screened across the world, takes audiences on a "mindful underwater odyssey."Thursday's screening is part of Frost's adult-only nightLAB evening programming, which lets patrons over 21 years old visit the museum from 7pm–10:30pm.Zoom in: "Sounds of the Ocean" combines high-resolution footage of whales and dolphins with original music and visual art.The museum will also have a DJ, telescopes on the rooftop, and marine science-themed challenges and activities.What they're saying: Film director Joshua Sam Miller tells Axios he hopes the film "helps people fall more deeply in love with ocean life" and make changes in their lives to help save the environment.If you go: Tickets are $34.95 for non-members. Parking is $8.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Miami Beach will conduct national search for next city manager
After heated debate, Miami Beach commissioners voted Wednesday to launch a national search for a new city manager following the resignation of its top administrator last week.Why it matters: The city manager is the government's CEO, overseeing day-to-day operations and its public workforce.The resignation of city manager Alina Hudak, who was praised for leading Miami Beach's spring break crackdown last month, is one of several high-level city hall departures this year.There are currently seven department head vacancies in the city, though interim directors have filled some of those roles, a city spokesperson tells Axios.The latest: Assistant City Manager Rickelle Williams...
Two Miami chefs among James Beard finalists
The James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday its finalists for the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards, and two Miami chefs made the cut.Why it matters: The awards are considered the Oscars of the culinary world, and the finalists are chosen from a long list of semifinalists across nearly two dozen categories.Five Miami restaurants, bakeries and chefs were among this year's semifinalists.Miami's finalists:Jesus Brazon and Manuel Brazon of Caracas Bakery in Doral and MiMo in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.Valerie Chang of Maty's in the Best Chef category.Flashback: Chang earned a nomination in the same category alongside her brother and father, Nando and Fernando, respectively, while at the now-closed restaurant Itamae. Maty's is Valerie's first solo project.What's next: The winners will be announced at the gala ceremony in Chicago in June.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Spanish restaurant at Miami art museum wants to be seafood destination
Leku, the upscale Spanish restaurant at the Rubell Museum, is rebranding to cater to seafood lovers.State of plate: The Allapattah eatery is changing its name to Leku Fish & Garden and overhauling its menu, though it will continue to specialize in Basque food traditions.New menu items launching this Friday include artisanal tinned seafood "preservas," a crab rillette with caviar and homemade brioche, and a tuna loin with coffee, blue cheese and pine nut sauce.You can choose how your fish is prepared with new "Fish Your Way" options.But don't worry, some of our favorite dishes — like the creamy Basque cheesecake...
Spanish restaurant at Miami art museum wants to be seafood destination
Leku, the upscale Spanish restaurant at the Rubell Museum, is rebranding to cater to seafood lovers.State of plate: The Allapattah eatery is changing its name to Leku Fish & Garden and overhauling its menu, though it will continue to specialize in Basque food traditions.New menu items launching this Friday include artisanal tinned seafood "preservas," a crab rillette with caviar and homemade brioche, and a tuna loin with coffee, blue cheese and pine nut sauce.You can choose how your fish is prepared with new "Fish Your Way" options.But don't worry, some of our favorite dishes — like the creamy Basque cheesecake...
Cuban-American writer, teacher named Miami-Dade poet laureate
Cuban American poet Caridad Moro-Gronlier wants to help Miamians express the stories hidden within their hearts as Miami-Dade County's new poet laureate.Why it matters: Moro-Gronlier, an award-winning poet, literary editor and English professor, was appointed to the county post yesterday on the first day of National Poetry Month.Her 2021 book, "Tortillera," details "the queer experience of coming out while Cuban" and reclaims the Spanish slur.What they're saying: Moro-Gronlier, who teaches dual enrollment English at Miami-Dade Public Schools and Miami-Dade College, tells Axios that she wants to host poetry events for residents of all ages across the county to create connections...
Osprey Cam films family of Florida hawks growing one egg at a time
A family of osprey at the University of Florida is growing — and you can tune into the cuteness via a live video feed.The latest: Two baby chicks hatched Sunday, and parents Stella and Talon are awaiting the birth of a third, the Florida Times-Union reports.The couple have created a 100-pound nest from moss, twigs and other material on top of a light pole near a softball field on the Gainesville campus.Catch up quick: The fish hawks, known for their marine dive-bomb attacks, have called UF their seasonal home for the past two years, according to a press release.Early this...
O, Miami's month-long poetry festival returns
O, Miami's month-long poetry festival is back for its 13th year: Beginning Monday, poetry-infused and -inspired events will be taking over the city.Why it matters: The local nonprofit — founded in 2011 — aims to have every Miamian encounter a poem through community gatherings, workshops, readings and civic publishing initiatives often proposed and realized by locals.The festival "strives to be a celebration of Miami and its people," and is guided by the belief that "poetry is for everyone and anyone can be a poet," according to the nonprofit.For founder P. Scott Cunningham, "the festival is our love letter to the...
A Miami sixth grader's poem inspired the O, Miami Poetry Festival tote bag
We secured the bag — the O, Miami tote bag.Why it matters: The poetry festival releases a new tote bag each year with a different poem on it. These have become must-have collectibles.The latest: This year's bag features a poem written by a local sixth grader.Kerlande, a student at Morningside K–8 Academy, writes, "I hear and hate, but listen and love. I love where I live and I would never leave."What they're saying: "Reading Kerlande's poem, it conveys a strong desire for more empathy and community in this place," an O, Miami spokesperson tells Axios."At O, Miami, we want to encourage empathy in a city that is continuously rewriting itself so her poem especially resonated with our team."Pro tip: The totes are free at O, Miami Poetry Festival events!Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Outgoing O, Miami founder P. Scott Cunningham had parting words for his community
This will be the last O, Miami festival under the leadership of executive director P. Scott Cunningham, who is stepping down June 30 for new adventures in Chicago. (He will remain on the board.)Before he goes, Cunningham is leaving his Miami neighbors with some parting thoughts — and a poem, of course — in an exit interview with WLRN.What they're saying: Cunningham told WLRN that his favorite public activation O, Miami has done was last year's "[Your Poem Here]" campaign, in which the group published a resident-submitted poem on a billboard across from the Kaseya Center.Little Havana resident Luz Rossy's...
Sounds like Miami: Listen to our playlist of March's songs-of-the-day
Every day, we pick a song to go along with the newsletter. Sometimes we pick one that's obvious ("Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on Opening Day); other days, it's just a song we like.Why it matters: Each month, we're going to publish a playlist of the songs we chose.Today, we're including March's playlist.What's next: We want you to participate, too! If there's a song you think sounds like Miami, send it our way, and we'll include it in a newsletter.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Nearly half of Miami residents never or rarely attend religious services
Easter is almost here. But are Christians in Miami more interested in the candy-filled eggs than going to church?About 43% of Miami metro area residents say they never or rarely attend religious services, compared to the national average of 49%, per a new analysis of Household Pulse Survey data.The big picture: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion's role in public life is shrinking, per a recent survey by Pew Research Center — the highest level since the group first started tracking such sentiment in 2001, report Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng.Many Americans are unhappy about that, with about...
This Aventura mansion for sale used to belong to DJ Khaled
The Aventura mansion where Miami music mogul DJ Khaled once lived is on the market for $16.4 million.What's inside: The six-bed, seven-bath home comes with 14K gold and crystal chandeliers, a movie theater and a custom shoe closet where Khaled used to keep his collection of over 500 sneakers. (The shoes are gone, but the closet still has Khaled's "We the Best" logo on the floor.)The Island Estates mansion sits on a double lot with nearly 25,000 square feet and 240 feet of water frontage.Flashback: Khaled sold the home for just $4.9 million in 2020.The current owners are Nahim Jorge Bonilla and Melissa Granda, owners of Ruido Callejero Music and Mandrake Miami, per a press release.Their home is being listed by Janet Ben Zvi with ONE Sotheby's International Realty. DJ Khaled's old shoe closet. Credit: Become Legendary/ONE Sotheby's International RealtySign up for Axios Miami for free.
Things to do in Miami this weekend
It's the last weekend in March. Let's close it out with a few fun activities.🚴 Get outdoors with Critical Mass, a communal bike ride that draws hundreds of cyclists on the last Friday of the month.The free event will meet at Government Center and ride through Miami and Miami Beach.Pedals up at 7:15pm. Total distance is about 20 miles.🎾 The Miami Open ends this weekend, with the women's singles finals and men's doubles finals on Saturday. Women's doubles and men's singles will be on Sunday.Ticket options include grounds and outer court passes, single session passes and packages. Prices begin at $15.🎉 Celebrate Holi (which fell on Monday this year) in Hollywood this weekend at a family-friendly festival Saturday.Admission is $1.The event is located at Raymond P. Oglesby from 11am to 7pm.🐰 Easter celebrations, ranging from egg hunts to full-day festivals.The Miami New Times rounded up the best egg hunts around the city.The city of Hialeah on Saturday is hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza, complete with entertainment, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and food and drink options.Sunrise Easter Celebration, organized by Experience Church International, begins 6:30am Sunday at Hollywood Beach.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Miami-Dade district's budget suffers amid voucher expansion
As Miami-Dade County Public Schools begins its budget discussions for the 2024–25 school year, the policy impacts of the 2023 law that expanded school choice for all Florida students are finally coming into play.Why it matters: HB 1 eliminated financial eligibility restrictions for the state's voucher program, meaning more state funds are flowing to private education and less money is available to public school districts."It affects our budget," Miami-Dade Schools chief financial officer Ron Steiger told board members earlier this month at the first of four budget workshops.Financial setbacks for the Miami-Dade district were already expected, as federal dollars from...
Miami homeless outreach veteran, who medicated the unsheltered, retires
Lazaro Trueba can't bring people back from the dead, but he has given many in the homeless community a second chance at life through his work with the Lazarus Project.Why it matters: The program, named after Trueba and the Biblical figure Jesus resurrected, provides psychotropic medication to unsheltered people living with mental illness.Trueba, a city of Miami special projects assistant, is retiring in April after decades working in homeless outreach. He received an award from the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust last week for his contributions. Catch up fast: Trueba came up with the idea for the program about 30 years...
What's going up? Short-term rentals
👋 Who's ready for some development news? Let's dive in.ONE Park Tower by Turnberry, a planned ultra-luxury, 292-unit condominium tower in North Miami, secured a $172 million construction loan on Monday.The 33-story project will be part of the SoLé Mia master development.The Rider at Wynwood, a Rock 'n' Roll-themed condo project from Rilea Group, is scheduled to break ground later this year.The 12-story boutique property will offer 146 turn-key residences that owners can list on short-term rental sites.Domus Brickell Park, another short-term rental-friendly project, broke ground last week, Florida YIMBY reports.The 12-story, 172-unit development offers fully furnished units, 24-hour building services and a housekeeping team on call. It's scheduled for completion next winter.The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater could be at risk of demolition to build a new modern concert venue in Miami Beach, the Miami Herald reports.The beloved theater, built in 1950 and renovated in the '70s, was awarded $29 million by Beach voters for additional renovations, but city commissioners are debating whether to spend the money tearing it down and starting over.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Florida elects more women to local office than most other states
Florida has a slightly higher percentage of women in local government compared to the national average, a new report from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University shows.The data includes officers of cities and towns with populations greater than 10,000, such as city council members, commissioners and mayors.By the numbers: Nearly 34% of municipal officers in the state are women, compared to the nation's average of 32%.Florida ranks 18th overall (33.6%), just behind Utah (34.3%).Colorado leads the nation (46.1%).Zoom in: Five of 13 Miami-Dade County commissioners are women, including Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.Three of five city of Miami Beach commissioners are women, while just one of five city of Miami commissioners is.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Miami Beach, Bal Harbour voters set to decide on homeless tax
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust wants to collect new taxes on restaurants in Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour to fund homelessness efforts and domestic violence centers — but some elected officials are speaking out against the idea.Why it matters: Miami-Dade's 1% food and beverage tax — charged at restaurants across the county, except for the three municipalities that already have a resort tax — funds the Homeless Trust and domestic violence shelters.The Homeless Trust reported receiving $36.2 million last fiscal year from the tax, which applies to restaurants that gross more than $400,000 a year, serve alcohol and are...
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