Art openings make for a wonderful social life. One of the exciting art openings we went to recently was for Jen Clay. I attended the annual women’s history month event for The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade last Monday night with over 150 women who showed up to support the organization and to network. Miami is going rock this weekend whether you like it or not with the arrival of the Ultra Music. If you can’t make it to Cuba, you should go to Miami’s Little Havana. As soon as the tourist season calms down, I’m going on the Culinary Tour.

Jen Clay: Why Art Gallery Openings Can Change Your Life 

While everyone was looking at Jen Clay’s quilted monster-like wall hangings in her first solo exhibition at the Emerson Dorsch gallery last Saturday night, I was focused on the crowd. I thought to myself, “Who are all these people? Do they all love art? Why are they here?

This was not the first time that I asked myself those questions. I seem to do it every time an art gallery has an opening. It astonishes me that so many people leave their homes to pay tribute to an artist just by showing up. I’m sure that 95 per cent of the attendees don’t buy anything but their support is totally appreciated.

Those who make an appearance, or stay for the entire opening, quickly understand that if they attend two art shows a month, they have already enhanced their social life. Everyone talks to each other at these events, and after the third one, people greet you like you are in the “in” crowd.

No one is going to quiz you about the artist, how big your collection is, and which artist has the best investment. Going to an art opening is almost like a wake, the body lies off to the side, and people stand in the middle of the room talking about all kinds of topics.

All kidding aside, art openings make for a wonderful social life. My husband Eliot and I had no idea when we moved to Miami full time that we would get so well connected to so many people. Art does that for you. It gives you the freedom to meet people from all over the world, talk about new opportunities and go places you never thought you would go to locally and beyond. You can do all this at your own pace.

One of the exciting art openings we went to recently was for Jen Clay at Emerson Dorsch. The show was called “This World Doesn’t Belong To You.” 

Unlike most artists, Jen focuses on performative objects and quilted wall hangings. In an essay that accompanies the show, curator Tyler Emerson-Dorsch considers Clay’s references to behavioral science, popular culture and cultural theory, especially the concepts of cosmic horror and cosmic pessimism, in relation to a style she calls friendly aesthetics. Wow, that was a mouthful.  Learn more about the exhibition.

It’s true, Jen Clay’s body of work often places monster-like sculptures and wearables in situations that encourage interaction with them. Jen’s promotional material said, “The artist uses forms, fabrics and techniques familiar to her from the time and place of her youth, a time when she was in the company of hallucinations. Indeed, she had hallucinations until age nine and her spoken language was delayed. Her work, then, seeks to recognize and validate that experience in herself and others. Clay’s work also helps viewers who do not have this personal experience to stay with their fears so that the discomfort dissipates, and a new plane of existence is possible.”

Eliot and I actually bought one of her quilted wall hangings because we wanted a textile piece on our walls, and we have been fond of her work for a long time. We always buy work from the artists we admire. I often tell people that we buy the artists, not necessarily the work. That means we like looking at work in our home that was created by serious, devoted and accomplished artists.

An Introduction to the Women’s Fund Miami-Dade 

Kathryn Mikesell at the mic introducing all of the dignitaries.

Kathryn and Dan Mikesell, co-founders of Fountainhead Arts hosted the annual women’s history month event for The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade last Monday night. It was an extraordinary event because over 150 women showed up to support the organization and to network. I found the event eye opening because I got to meet so many women who have the same  interests as I do. Everyone was introducing themselves, chatting about female current events and exchanging business cards. I already received several calls from members asking me if I want to have coffee and talk more.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County’s first-ever woman Mayor, (elected in November, 2020) was an honored guest. I quickly grabbed a selfie with her. I’m shameless. The older I get, the more I crave attention. If I don’t do it, no one else will.

The Woman’s Fund creates positive change for women and girls through grantmaking, advocacy, research and leveraging collective impact. The four pillars: Economic Mobility, Leadership, Health & Well-being, and Freedom From Violence.  Learn more.

Miami is big on presenting movies on the water. Fountainhead Arts premiered a foundation video

The first half of the function was held in the home of the Mikesell’s. The second part was held outdoors in a neighbor’s backyard on Biscayne Bay. T

Ultra Music Festival Begins This Weekend 

If you are going to be in Miami this weekend, watch out. It’s going to be very noisy. Every year at this time the Ultra Music Festival comes to town. It’s scheduled to begin Friday, March 24th. Organizers say 170,000 electronic dance music fans are going to show up. The concerts are expected to generate $200 million in income.

The Ultra Music Festival starts at 4 p.m., at the Bayfront Park, where EDM DJs (electronic dance music) will perform at the same time. Can you imagine the noise from seven groups playing rock music in different areas of the 32-acre public space. Miamians can hear the music miles away. The music is so loud it feels like it is pounding your heart. People who live close to the park are miserable all weekend. Many folks have left the vicinity for quieter destinations. The areas that will be impacted the most are downtown Miami. Between the spring break, a Miami Heat game on Saturday night and The Ultra Music Festival, traffic is going to be super congested.

The musical groups include Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack, Alesso, Carl Cox, David Guetta, Marshmello, and Tiësto.

I don’t know too many youngsters who have this kind of money, but the $1,500 three-day VIP tickets, are sold out. The general admission tickets at $400 are still available. Get the details.

Miami is going rock this weekend whether you like it or not.

Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour

If you can’t make it to Cuba, you should go to Miami’s Little Havana. It will certainly give you a taste of what’s it’s like to visit the island which is only 90 miles away from Miami. Little Havana is well-known for its historical, political, culinary, and artistic traditions.

As soon as the tourist season calms down, I’m going to take the Miami Culinary Tour because it gives you access to places that no one else offers. You get to experience delicious food the local way at family-run eateries including a stop at a traditional bakery, a hidden ventanita and an open-air market.

Here are other features:

• Explore an authentic cigar factory and learn the art of cigar rolling.
• Enjoy plenty of food tastings that equal a full lunch and the best mojito in town!
• See the work of artists that inspire our community including a visit to the Damas De Blanco mural.
• Visit Domino Park located next to the Little Havana Cultural Center, The Cuban Memorial Blvd, The Tower Theater, and learn the history behind them.

The tour also features an empanada at one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Filled with rustic charm and graced by a large illustration of Cuba across the walls, this establishment forms part of the daily routine of Little Havana locals.

There is more food on this tour. Pace yourself. I’m going to just take a bite of each.

El Pub Restaurant

Authentic Cubano & Cuba’s Famous Drink.  You can’t leave the neighborhood without trying the best Cuban sandwich in Miami! Layered with two kinds of pork, loads of melted Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard – this Cubano makes the city proud!

Olds Havana Restaurant 

Guayaba Love. Made daily from scratch, this Cuban favorite puff pastry filled with a tropical fruit called guayaba is smooth, light, not too sweet, and incredibly delicious.

PC Bakery

The Island Staple. Indulge with freshly squeezed guarapo juice, plus enjoy a brief education of the various exotic tropical fruits and vegetables grown in our subtropical weather.

Los Pinarenos Fruteria

Salty, Sweet & Crispy. Let’s face it, churros are a heavenly invention – they’re crispy on the outside, soft and salty on the inside.

ChurroMania

The “Must Have” In Little Havana by the Travel Channel. This dark, potent liquid is Miami’s everyday fuel. Similar to an espresso, this ultra-sweet and a revitalizing shot of energy is a Cuban staple.

If you are interested in touring Little Havana, the price is $69 and you meet at the Tower Theater at 1508 SW 8th St. Tours are available 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 3:30pm.  The tours are limited to 14 people.

LOCATION 1000 5th St #200, Miami Beach, FL 33139. (303) 578-6877   

GET THE DETAILS.