The Miami Book Fair is 40 years old, and Miami is going to party. Miami New Times is going to have a party to celebrate the readers who support them, which includes me. Miami is a stomping ground for Flamenco dancing. If you love vintage glamour, don’t miss the Vintage Auto Show. I can’t wait.

Miami Book Fair Kicks Off with a Dance Party!

LEGENDARY DJ LOUIE VEGA KICKS OFF THE FAIR WITH A DANCE PARTY

Sunday, Nov. 12, 5-9 p.m. | Miami Dade College Wolfson Plaza | FREE! |

The festivities are going to start off on the first day of Book Fair 2023 with a block party the likes of which downtown Miami’s never seen. At the turntables, legendary DJ/producer Louie Vega, fresh from gigs in Ibiza, Barcelona, Italy, L.A., Amsterdam, Chicago, D.C., and other major party cities around the world, backed by NYC percussion and keyboards – the Book Fair is prepping the dance floor, and Smorgasburg Miami is bringing the cocktails and bites!

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate books and dance under the Magic City’s stars. Free and open to all.

Friends of the Fair reap a long list of membership benefits that include complimentary tickets and early access to the Evenings With lineup, advance entry and VIP seating at author sessions, a first look at the complete Fair program schedule, invites to exclusive receptions, and more! Plus, you also get perks throughout the year, not just during Book Fair week. Join the Friends family today to take advantage.

Get VIP Treatment.

Meet The Miami New Times Editorial Staff 

It’s always fascinating to meet the people who report on the news in Miami. I find this true in every city. Who are these people who tell me what’s going on in the outside world?

When I saw this opportunity to meet the Miami New Times editorial staff I had to jump on it. On Thursday, November 30, the Miami New Times is going to have a party to celebrate the readers who support them. I made a contribution. Right away. The happy-hour event was created to meet and mingle with the editorial staff from 5 to 7 p.m. at a soon-to-be-announced location. I’m waiting for an email to tell me the location. That’s the way the new world works, security first.

Nearly three years ago, the New Times inaugurated a membership program, inviting readers to make one-time gifts or regular monthly contributions to support their journalism and peruse their website without the intrusion of ads. Since then, they have seen their supporter count steadily rise, and they are extremely grateful for the response.

The timing coincides with the beginning of Miami Art Week, attendees will be treated to a sneak peek at the cover of the annual Art Week print issue. I’ve included past covers.

New Times has hosted plenty of events over the years, but this intimate, members-only occasion will be a first.

“I am thrilled to be a part of planning the first of many members-only events at Miami New Times,” says Lily Black, our new membership manager. “This event is a testament to, and celebration of, the vibrant community that New Times has cultivated over the years. As a members-only affair, this ‘arty party’ is designed exclusively with our core supporters in mind.

It’s a recognition of the shared passion and enthusiasm that binds us together as readers, and it’s a unique opportunity to engage with our publication in a whole new way.”

Once I made the contribution, I received a note from the editor.

Dear Lois,

I wanted to add a personal comment expressing how much I appreciate your decision to subscribe to one or more of our newsletters. I hope you enjoy hearing from us about what’s happening in the city we love.

Tom Finkel – Editor-in-Chief

Fall Flamenco Festival

From the Miami-Dade County Auditorium to the Miami Beach Bandshell and the Moss Center, it’s a fall flamenco festival.

“Lo Preciso.” 8 p.m. Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3, at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-547-5414; fundarte.us. Tickets cost $20 to $30.

Israel Fernández and Diego del Morao. 8 p.m. Saturday, November 4, at Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-547-5414; fundarte.us. Tickets cost $41.20.

“Domingos de Vermut y Potaje.” 2 p.m. Sunday, November 5, at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-547-5414; fundarte.us. Tickets cost $20 to $30.

“Flamenco Puro.” 6 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, November 4, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, November 5, at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211th St., Miami; 786-573-5300; mosscenter.org. Tickets cost $30 to $35.

Thank you Artburst Miami,  our local culture and arts publication, for reminding us that November is Flamenco month. We will be dancing our heads off.

With four separate events to choose from in this first week of November, the menu ranges from the purest cante jondo (deep song) to the most avant-garde performance art, the sharp lines of the solo male dancer, or bailaor, to the florid and feminine hands of the female dancer, la bailaora.

Anyone from the most ardent aficionado to the culturally curious will be able to satisfy their hunger for a taste of this ancient and alluring art form.

I wanted to know more about Flamenco (Spanish pronunciation: [flaˈmeŋko]) dancing so I went to Wikipedia. I thought I would share it with you.

Flamenco is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Murcia. In a wider sense, the term is used to refer to a variety of both contemporary and traditional musical styles typical of southern Spain. Flamenco is closely associated to the gitanos of the Romani ethnicity who have contributed significantly to its origination and professionalization. However, its style is uniquely Andalusian and flamenco artists have historically included Spaniards of both gitano and non-gitano heritage.

To sum it up, it’s a great way to stomp off some steam and have fun doing it.

Nov. 5. 11th Annual Vintage Auto Show – Tickets On Sale Now!

This is the event that I didn’t want to miss this November.  It has vintage glamour, automobile history, nature, the ocean, exercise, people watching, and most of all something for the whole family.

The Deering Estate, in collaboration with the Antique Automotive Club of America – South Florida Region, is hosting the 11th annual Vintage Auto Show on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Even the Deering Estate special events team said,   “Guests can enjoy a relaxing day outdoors as they stroll down memory lane. Car enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy a variety of vintage cars, from 1965 and older, displayed on the historic grounds of the Deering Estate.”

Make sure you see the salute to Charles Deering, the first chairman of the International Harvester Company. The 1950 International Harvester Truck will also be on display. The Harvester Truck, which was donated to the Deering Estate Foundation, was purchased brand new in Chicago by Marion Deering McCormick, Charles Deering’s daughter. After Mrs. McCormick passed away in 1965, the truck passed to her son and was maintained by the McCormick family until they donated it to the Deering Estate Foundation.

Additional activities include:

• Vintage automobile scavenger hunt: Use photo clues to identify a selection of cars on display.
• Vintage Auto Show Craft: Pre-packaged crafts available for children that can be done at home. Limited supply.
• Lawn Games: Enjoy a variety of outdoor lawn games.
• Nature Preserve Tours: Offered at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. Space is limited and will be filled first come, first serve. All guests, including Deering Estate Foundation Members, must sign up on the day of the event.
• Self-guided nature trails: Explore some of the nature trails on-site and use the free iNaturalist mobile app to identify flora and fauna.
• Award winning film “On This Land: The Charles Deering Estate” Funded by the 100 Ladies of Deering, written by author and preservationist Becky Roper Matkov, and produced by Emmy-Award-winning director Carl Kesser. Also available online in English & Spanish.

Food & beverages will available for purchase from Sports Grill & Coffee Vibes.

Guests are also welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and small picnic baskets. Please note that the historic house museums will be closed and not accessible at this event.

NO PETS ALLOWED.

Early Bird Tickets are $13 for adults (ages 15+) and $6 for children (ages 4-14) now through 11:59 PM on Friday, November 3.  Beginning Saturday, November 4, tickets will cost $15 for adults (ages 15+) and $7 for children (ages 4-14). Children under 4 years old do not require a ticket, and tickets are free with RSVP for Deering Estate Foundation Members. Tickets are limited!

Tickets and Foundation Member Tickets are available via Park Link. Create your Park Link account today! To guide you through how to register for a Miami-Dade County Park Link account to purchase your tickets, you may view an instructional PDF by clicking here.

About the Deering Estate 
Deering Estate, located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Miami, is a 21st Century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. Deering Estate is designated as one of seven Miami-Dade County “Heritage Parks” which have a vital role in our community’s history, environment and in providing recreational and cultural experiences.

About the Deering Estate Foundation
For those who treasure the Deering Estate, who advocate for its preservation and wish to invest in its future, the Deering Estate Foundation provides opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to partake in membership, signature events, and one-of-a-kind experiences, all in service of providing vital funding and support to the Deering Estate. Through these efforts, the foundation fulfills its mission to uphold the legacy of Charles Deering’s cherished 1920s-era property, to provide funding for the cultural, educational and recreational experiences it offers, as well as its significant scientific and archaeological endeavors to conserve its diverse flora, fauna and the eight native ecosystems that thrive on its 450 acres, and to ensure its longevity as a prized American heritage site. Established in 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. is a community-based charitable 501(c)3 Florida Corporation and the philanthropic partner of the Deering Estate.