It's Miami Art Week/Art Basel
What on earth could make me leave my condo during Miami Art Week? Read on to find out (hint: it's not a $120,000 banana)
Once again, the calendar has reached December. While the rest of the world is shopping for presents and drinking eggnog, Miamians are fighting inane traffic, vying to get their names on party lists, and generally trying to decipher the pomp, circumstance, and nonsense of Miami Art Week.
What started as the sunny version of the Swiss art fair has morphed into a week of partying, C-list celebrity sightings (with the occasional A-lister spotted in a baseball cap actually buying art while trying not to be seen), and general tomfoolery.
Is there art at Miami Art Week? Yes, there are still legit pop-up galleries and shows.
But the main reason to go to Miami Art Week is to drink a $50 champagne in a plastic flute, take plenty of photos for social media, and eat at the pop-ups that sprout like weeds between the cracks of Miami Beach’s sunbleached sidewalks.
Honestly, the press releases read like something SNL’s Stefan would say. But in the middle of the madness, there are a few gems:
Brunch and Dinner Hosted by Jean-George Vongerichten at Matador Room at The Miami Beach EDITION
On Friday, December 5th, Jean-George Vongerichten will be hosting a tasting brunch and dinner at Matador Room at The Miami Beach EDITION (2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach). Brunch is from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and costs$175++/pp. Tickets & RSVP here. Dinner is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and costs $275++/pp. Tickets & RSVP here.
Michael’s Genuine Bistro at Design Miami
James Beard winner, Michael Schwartz pops up at Design Miami (Convention Center Drive and 18th Street, Miami Beach) with a French take on his Design District classic, Michael’s Genuine. Think escargot in parsley butter, croque madame, duck confit, mussels with fries, and braised short rib frites. The pop up runs from December 3 to 7.
Natural Born Grillers Apocalypse BBQ at Ray’s Hometown Bar
In celebration of Art Basel, Ray’s Hometown Bar Miami (inside the Freehand Hotel, 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach) is hosting “Natural Born Grillers” for a South Florida backyard barbecue, in partnership with Apocalypse BBQ and presented by Resy on December 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. The menu includes BBQ brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sides of beans, cole slaw, mac n’ cheese, cornbread, and esquites. Choose between a barbecue-only experience or barbecue and two specialty cocktails, wine, beer, or mocktails from Ray’s Hometown Bar menu. All tickets include a branded giveaway reusable cup, a trucker hat, and a poolside towel. Guests are welcome to bring their swimsuits for a cooling dip in the pool at Freehand Miami. Tickets on sale here.
Chef Andy Quinn Dinners at Oro
ORO (818 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach) will welcome Andy Quinn (The Noortwyck) for a two-night collaboration dinner timed to Art Basel on December 3rd and 4th. Guests will gather at ORO’s patio terrace starting at 8 pm to enjoy a six-course prix fixe menu by chef Andy’s and Oro’s chef Victor Muñoz. Reservations can be made via OpenTable here, and tickets are $225 per person.
Panther Coffee’s 16th Anniversary
While the rest of the U.S. runs on Dunkin’ or Starbucks, Miami runs on Panther Coffee. This coffee shop celebrates its 15th anniversary during Art Basel — and its flagship shop just happens to be right in Wynwood (2390 NW Second Avenue). On December 4, Panther invites everyone to celebrate with coffee, bites, and a toast with a special limited-edition sparkling wine made in collaboration with Michigan’s MAWBY Winery. RSVP HERE
Cherlato at the Faena Hotel
Let me preface this one by saying that, as a resident of South Florida, there’s only two things that could get me to venture out into Miami Beach during Art Basel: Dolly and Cher.
Now, the news:
Cher’s own gelato (yes, Cher has a gelato) CHERLATO!, is popping up at the Faena Hotel for Miami Art Week. The Faena partnership is a collaboration with Assume Vivid Astro Focus (AVAF), running through December 7.
Is there a chance that Cher, herself, might grace Miami Beach with her presence? Who knows? But, this is the one Art Basel event I am not missing…