Carnaval on the Mile

This is super late, I realize that. But sadly, this is the first time I have had the time and energy to sit down in front of my computer for any reason other than work for the past two weeks. I had been waffling over creating a post about COTM because it's been so late, but ultimately I decided better late than never. And the main deciding factor was because the two days I went, I was super relaxed. Maybe writing about that stage will bring some bliss into my life, right?

Anyway. So we went on the Friday kickoff event/Coral Gables Art Walk to see Conjunto Progresso, who were fantastic, as usual. The crowd had been milling around the stage for the previous band, but when Conjunto started, they gathered close to the stage, people played maracas and danced salsa with their loved ones. It was awesome.



It's hard to see in this light, but the band had as much fun playing as people did listening to them. They were an eclectic crew, most of which played several instruments and the younger guys liked to dance in sync. It was really fun.

As you walked around, there were the standard artists in the circles, as well as cigar rollers:

To me, the whole event of the Coral Gables Art Walk is a homage to the Cuban culture, with art galleries that happen to be open. And speaking of galleries, you tend to find some sort of vintage car outside at least one. But this one was unique:


During the actual Carnaval on the Mile, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, there were street vendors, food, art (most of it generic, but some good things in between) and bands. Lots of bands. With a lineup of Suenalo, Afrobeta, Locos por Juana, ArtOfficial, Brendan O'Hare and Conjunto Progresso, you cannot go wrong.

This was Brendan O'Hare. Super awesome sound.




And here are some scenes from COTM:




(Another example of art that is a homage to Latin culture... And one of my favorite things, Coffee)


There were lots of dogs. I kept pointing out the ones I liked as examples to El Hombre



Lebo Car!

I think my favorite thing was the fact that I was in my comfy bathing suite and BoHo gear, walking around in the sun, largely by myself at first, just exploring. After I got a free 5 minute massage from BlueCross BlueShield, I grabbed a coffee and a little table off the walkway, and soaked in the sun, listened to the bands in the distance and just relaxed, watching people with their families run past, looking at the street performers, games, giveaways and wares.

Artopia

Last Thursday, I went toThe Miami New Times Artopia event in the Wynwood Arts District. Sometimes I am wary of these types of events because I feel like they can be cheesy, but this one was actually pretty cool.

As you walked in, there was a large, outdoor space with sponsors, music, models and a bar full of free alcohol. There were a few places you could sit and chill with friends before walking into the building, where the art was displayed.

We walked in, and to our left were several models, some of the vintage swimsuit variety, and some in the designer wear. There was also a pool. This was an interesting, somewhat hazardous setup, evidenced by the fact that this guy, dressed exactly like Kanye West (sorry, but that adds sort of a douchey aura to him already) walked in, spotted the models and totally started walking towards them, and falling straight into the pool. That was possibly the greatest thing I saw all night.









As you walked past the pool, you see the trailor park set-up, which I wasn't so sure about:




I get it, it's white-trash-class, or whatever. But in retrospect, it was just a funny sort of thing, and not really any sort of statement to me.

Local artist Lebo was also there, doing a live paint and showing art:




I know he isn't as "indie" or whatever as most things you see in Wynwood, but I still really like Lebo's style, and I am glad to see a local artist making it big here.

The New Times also arranged for tasty food, interesting performers and cigar rollers:



The guy in the blue was awesome. He kept getting in people's faces, which didn't seem to faze anyone. Probably because of the massive amounts of free alcohol.

This event, like Iron Fork, was a fun one. They are good venues to meet up with friends, hang out and wander around. The music was good, the art and fashion were intersting and the flow of the venue worked. And it was a night in Wynwood with a totally different scene than the art walk.