This is a two day art festival and is one of my favorites so far because…read more.. You get free parking in the Pinecrest Garden. The art showcase is so nice. Do not expect ta lot of different exhibitors, but the right amount. Some located outside, some on the pathway, and some in the rooms for events they have in here. Food and drink vendors can be found in this festival too. Great areas to enjoy your meal or simply seat down for some time. The vibe is so amazing! The event is on January so the weather is simply perfect.

Somebody once told me that Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to bring visual arts to Parisians by…read moredecorating Paris with paintings and sculptures. I don't know how much of this is true, but what is true is that over and over again someone creates an event where common people are allowed to enjoy fine art. Whether it is at a mall, at a hotel or at a government building, the trend is present and has lasted for hundreds of years. Fast forward to 2012, location Miami, Florida. Viernes Culturales is an event where restaurants, galleries, clubs and street vendors, among others, participate. Starting on 17th Avenue and down to 13th Avenue, merchants set up on the streets of Calle Ocho to turn it into what looks like a street fair. The City of Miami sets up an event area in the alley next to the Tower Theater to host DJs, performers, artists and sellers. Sponsors set up booths around here and offer free tastings and free gifts. Down by the McDonald's on 14th Avenue a mini market is set up where jewelers and carpenters are offering their goods. The restaurants that occupy the vicinity are all open for business. Probably this time of the month is the most active for them, though they don't offer anything special other than their regular menus. The most notable ones are Catharsis and Casa Panza, the latter making a giant paella outdoors. Almost all restaurant have performers playing Latin music or DJs either inside or outdoors. At one of the larger eateries I saw a whole orchestra set up outside. Probably the businesses that benefit the most are the art galleries. Some display the works of many local artist, some are owned by artists displaying their work. Most artwork is for sale, and some is just on loan for the occasion. Many studios also offer complimentary food and beverage, normally paid by a sponsor. The largest gallery of the bunch had a jazz trio when I visited. The band, along with the free wine, made things upbeat and sophisticated. Nightclubs and bars also have their doors open, regardless of the time of day. If you walk down the streets, you'll be able to buy drinks like "mojitos" and "Cuba libres". If you feel like getting down to boogie, you won't have a problem finding a good spot, let alone the fact that people are dancing on the streets. Cigars shops close the roundup, surprisingly hosting performers and smokers alike. If you show up you will definitely have a great time. If you want to have dinner at Viernes Culturales I would recommend checking the restaurants' info prior to arrival. The galleries showcase some amazing artwork, and the streets are filled with beautiful knick knacks. The crowds are large but not suffocating, making it good for kids. Some bars are hosting great parties, and last but not least, you can stop by one of Miami's best ice cream parlors called Azucar.

Where can you taste blueberry, pineapple and mango wine in a colada shot glass? Where do Cuban…read moreabuelitas and their family mingle with German tourists, Argentinian jugglers and same sex couples? What about entrancing yourself in a toque de santo while sampling cigars? All this and more can be had for about your $5 parking at Calle 8's Viernes Cultural! The "Viernes Cultural" (or Cultural Fridays) occur the last Friday of every month on about 3 block stretch of Calle 8 (SW 8th Street) between 14th and 17th Avenues during the early evening. For those 3 hours you get to check out street performers, established exilio artists, as well as artists just arrived from Cuba (i.e. the kitty painting). There's also the $3 mojitos and Cuba Libres (rum and coke), as well as the opportunity to check out various restaurants. A couple of the streets had street musicians jamming out to salsa, son and merengue standards, one supposedly with Luis Enrique's drummer. True, the street outside one a couple of the clubs can get a raunchy reggaeton vibe similar to the better known Calle 8 festival, but still it's fun. Heck, one of the times I even saw a couple easily in their late 60's jamming out to Daddy Yanqui "Lo Que Paso Paso" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thw0WQSn7_8 Ah, the beauty of Miami's melting pot!

Beaux Arts is Miami's oldest juried art show. It was founded in 1952 by fifty women from a…read morevolunteer group led by Anne Atkinson, then Assistant Director of the newly built Joe and Emily Lowe Art Gallery. The purpose of the group was to provide funds for the Lowe Art Museum. The first show had art on clothes lines to display it for buyers. In 1987 Beaux Art's introduced the Hands On program to bring art to children in underserved communities in Miami. The show has now grown into an annual event with over 200 artists displaying works in 10 different mediums on the campus of the University of Miami. This was my first time attending the festival and I couldn't have picked a better time. The 75th anniversary of the festival coincides with the University of Miami playing in the CFP National Championship tonight against the Indiana Hoosiers. The campus was buzzing with Cane pride. On campus parking was available in the Pavia parking Garage for $10. I also noticed that you could park across the street for free and walk over. Admission to the festival was free. I love the park like setting of UM. The campus is beautiful and it was the perfect setting for all of the wonderful art that was displayed. The fair was actually much larger than I expected it to be. In addition to the many art tents where you could vote for your favorite, there was a food area, live music, artisan vendor tents, and children's activities. There was so much going on that it would take several hours to take it all in. You could also visit the Lowe Art Museum which was open. I was really impressed with this event and it is a January highlight for many others too.

This is my third year attending, & I absolutely LOVE this arts fest…read more The artists are truly amazing...you see he most unique & breathtaking artistry. I was really impressed with the jewelry booths this year. There was an amazing cover band playing, & of course the food was great.

The motto of the City of Hialeah is "La Ciudad Que Progresa" - the city that keeps progressing. An…read moreexample of such progress, of having "made it", is having a wine & food (or food & wine) tasting. This past Saturday February 8th, my friend and I had the chance to attend Hialeah's first Food & Wine festival. Held in the historic Hialeah Park Racetrack & Casino, the venue provided an awesome setting for this event. The string lights over the tasting area, the classic cars & historic clubhouse for photo opps (and the practicality of potty) along with photo booths & set pieces along the food tasting area made for a fun night. But let's get to the main part of the title - food & wine! Pretty much right from the start we were greeted by a mix of chains and local Hialeah eateries. Our first bites were a spicy garbanzo and short rib made in the famous "Caja China" by Trigo. La Bodeguita (another fav) showcased their both their manchego as well as a spicy chicken croquetas, as well as vino of course. Fresa Francesa, Hialeah's first trendy retaurant had a yummy risotto. The Outback "en la 49" treated us to a delicious sampler plate of steak, Mac and cheese and of course, wine! Oh and Hialeah institution Molina's Ranch had moros and lechon. For those of us who grew up in the area, it was great to try Hill's Cafe. Why the nostalgia? Well Hillary the owner used to be a manager at Miami Lakes' institution Beverly Hills Cafe. From what I understand, the plan is to bring back some of the nostalgic favorites. The caprese skewers I tried were fresh, and provided a great tease of their salads and other dishes. Can't wait for them to officially open! Of course, there was plenty of wine, cocktails and a commemorative wine glass. Rum, Reds, Whites, all you want! There was even colada and cortaditos. Here's looking forward to their next edition!

Came to the tasting village on Saturday and had a great time!!!…read moreThe event was super well organized - Had plenty of food tents, drinks everywhere and great live music! All the food was vegan, they had so many options! Some of my favorites were: Quinoa croquetas, impossible empanadas, acai bowls, fried rice, chocolate cookies and pecan pies! Can't wait to be back next year!!

Horrendous guest experience…read more I became faint while standing in line for the vegan burger event and collapsed. As I came to, it was a struggle for the event workers to assist me, bring me water, etc. We had to leave to go get me food (Tacombi saving the day) as I was weak and could not stand in the long lines with the reggaeton blaring in the background. I emailed a day or so later requesting a refund as we were not able to properly attend given the circumstances. I received smug and unprofessional responses with examples of something like, "if you were driving on your way and got stuck in traffic and missed, we could not refund." That was not the case. They laid eyes in me while I was motionless on the floor. Appalling guest experience. 0/0

This was the best $65 I've spent all year! This event was excellent. Really good food and drinks,…read moreall included in the entry fee. I will be attending yearly as I have become a fan. My favorite restaurants that were there was Azul, and La Rosa Gastrobar. La Rosa had a Tomahaws Steak that was melt in your mouth good. Azul had the best Ceviche out of all.

I am so grateful to Yelp, giving me the opportunity to attend this event. It was an amazing…read moreopportunity to get to know more about the Gables' awesome and local community. Coral Gables is known for always having delicious, local hotspots! It never fails to draw in the crowd! This event definitely gained a lot of traction from city local politicians, businessmen, and foodies! I arrived at 6:30 and the Coral Gables Museum was P-A-C-K-E-D! People were definitely excited. I sincerely enjoyed the goat cheese empanadas, John Martin's Shepherd's Pie was savory (to the last bite!), the Ceviche was simply exquisite (I came back for seconds), House Kitchen & Bar's spicy samples has my mouth deliciously on fire, and Bulla's vegan gazpacho unforgettable. The staff from all restaurants were excited to discuss what made their dishes different big restaurant chains, what inspired certain dishes -- I loved every story behind the dish. Only recommendation is for the next event to have more trash cans available to avoid plates pilling up on tables and people leaving their drinks around, which will lead to spilling, etc. I saw this happen a couple of times during the evening. While my diet was ruined, no regrets ;)

This is a sister garden of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, located in Coconut Grove. It's…read moregated and you have to reserve your time and ticket in advance on their website. On the day of my reservation, there was a high chance for downpours. I wish we had had more than 5 minutes to walk around before the heavens opened and it started pouring rain. We did make it over to the water, but didn't really get to see the whole garden other than the area where we parked. You'll only need an hour or less to see this place, it's small. Would I go out of my way to visit? No, but if you're in the area and looking for something new, then go for it. Entry was a bit annoying as I had to get out of the car to reach the buzzer to have the gate opened. No one was answering so we wasted 5 minutes just trying to get in. All in all, interesting little garden, but no where as spectacular as Fairchild.

The Kampong is open by advance reservation to visitors Tuesday through Friday and is a 9 acres (3.6…read moreha) botanical garden in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States. It is one of the five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). An admission fee is charged,The fee is 18.00 The Kampong was bought as a winter home by the famed horticulturalist David Fairchild and his wife Marian in 1916.For many years he managed the Department of Plant Introduction program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., searching the world for plants that could be useful and successfully introduced into the United States. Fairchild introduced around 30,000 plant species and varietals into the U.S. At his home in Florida, Fairchild created a garden that contained many of the plants that he obtained throughout his trips. In 1931 Marian's sister Elsie and her husband, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, acquired the adjoining property on the north to use as their winter home.Fairchild and his wife made the Kampong their permanent home from 1928 until their deaths in 1954 and 1962 respectively. A year after David Fairchild's wife's death, the land was purchased by Catherine Hauberg Sweeney, a botanist and preservationist.[4] Sweeney maintained Fairchild's garden and was vital in its preservation for future use and study, securing its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1984 Sweeney donated the property to the then Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden (now National Tropical Botanical Garden), and remained its principal sponsor until her death in 1995. The Kampong's first director from July 1996 to February 1998, Thomas Lodge, oversaw completion of The Fairchild-Sweeney House renovations. He also was key in researching David Fairchild's role in the establishment of Everglades National Park. Larry Schokman served as Mrs. Sweeney's superintendent for 11 years, until 1984 when The Kampong became part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), and Schokman became an NTBG employee. As director of horticulture and then assistant director under Lodge, Schokman maintained a close working and personal relationship with Sweeney until her death in 1995. He became director of The Kampong in 1998 and retired in August 2007. He died in October 2017. Following Schokman, David Lee was director of The Kampong from 2007 to 2009. Lee was formerly the chair of biological sciences at Florida International University, where he worked for 26 years. Lee helped to safeguard The Kampong's southern boundary from development encroachment, and provided guidance for The Kampong's board of governors. In 2009, Ann Parsons took on the role of director of The Kampong. Formerly the director of education at Norfolk Botanical Garden, Parsons, along with curator of living collections David T. Jones, were tasked with preserving the rich legacy of The Kampong while planning for the future. They are doing just that--in 2011, more than 5,000 guests visited the historic estate and garden through tours, educational programs and special events. Michael Maunder was Director from 2013 to 2016. Craig Morell, formerly the horticulturist at Pinecrest Gardens became the Director of The Kampong in 2017, retiring in May 2022. Appealing to a wider spectrum of visitors than ever before, The Kampong is an urban oasis with over 1200 species of fruit trees, palms, ethnobotanical plants and teaching collections for botanical study. These visitors are key in helping spread The Kampong message about the importance of protecting, preserving, and studying tropical plants. Today the Kampong's living collections include tropical fruits including pomelo, 23 cultivars of avocado, and 65 varieties of mango, palms, flowering trees, ficus, aroids, and bamboo.This garden serves as the mainland campus for the NTBG. In addition to the diverse living collections which are the core of The Kampong, there are living quarters for researchers and scientists, as well as meeting facilities for larger groups. The site is also well configured for weddings and outdoor functions of all varieties. The Fairchild-Sweeney House - designed by architect Edward Clarence Dean, constructed in 1928,as a combination of Spanish and Southeast Asian influences. A later renovation to the home incorporated more modern features and added a second floor over a portion of the home, resulting in an unusual blend of styles. Visitors included Thomas Edison and Henry

Great festival located in the heart of Doral. I honestly didn't know what to expect since I believe…read morethis festival is fairly new. Honestly it has been great! This event was held in Doral park which is large to the east corner of the park. The event has multiple vendors mostly all located in the Doral. I'm sure there are some missing because Doral is such a growing city that I know there are vendors that decided not to attend. If you walk around you got to sample food and drinks from local vendors and even some that aren't even that close! I experienced some great esta and some good places I know I have to go and try out. Only bad part was I didn't know there was a "vip" area and in there is bocas grill which I absolutely love. :( Will come back next year if there are discounted tickets again. Will definitely get VIP.