Art and images of controversial Chinese dissident/artist Ai Weiwei. Perez Art Museum Miami.
A few months ago, Miami stepped up in the art world with the opening of the long-anticipated Perez Art Museum Miami. Known as the PAMM, it is a museum of modern and contemporary art befitting a very young, progressive city. It also lends itself to featuring prominent artists throughout the Americas – not a bad fit for a city sometimes known as the capital of Latin America.
Modern art is not generally my cup of tea, but this museum is a great experience however your tastes run. First of all, the building itself is beautifully put together to marry the interior with its spectacular, sparkling, bay-side setting. Columns of live greenery hang from the rafters and the views are never hidden, but seem to be celebrated. Ample outside terraces overlook nearby park areas and the soon-to-be finished Frost Museum of Science.
Parking was easy ($2 an hour), and an elevator was handy for those who can’t take advantage of the wide staircases leading to the entrance. The on-site Verde Restaurant provides much better than expected, trendy fare and has become a destination on its own.
The highlight for me was the work of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who has been a star in the art world and a thorn in the side of the Chinese government. Currently not allowed to leave China, he was also the creative genius behind the iconic Birds Nest Stadium at the Beijing Olympics. His sculpture and photography reveal interesting insights and social commentary.
Much of contemporary art is created to deliver a message and make a person think about things a little differently and our day at PAMM did not disappoint.
Just the Facts:
Closed Monday; open Tuesday through Sunday 10AM-6PM; Thursday til 9PM. On the third Thursday of the month, the Verde Restaurant offers a happy hour from 6-9PM.
At this time, second Saturdays from 1-4PM are free. Adults are $12, Seniors (62+) and students are $8; children under 6 and active Military (with ID) are always free.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take the downtown Metromover to the Museum Park Station of the Biscayne Blvd. Trolley
For exhibit info and event schedules, visit www.pamm.org and for more about the Verde Restaurant www.pamm.org/dining
It’s pretty chilly inside – so bring a jacket or wrap.
Surroundings as part of art? Just one of the beautiful views from the new Perez Art Museum Miami (looking through some of the hundreds of bicycles re-purposed as sculpture). The facility has 120,000 ‘ interior area and another 80,000’ of terraces and exterior space.
Great Italian dinner at Dolce at The Gale. Four of us shared entrees for a great tasting menu. Then we paid a visit to The Cabaret South Beach for drinks and an eclectic mix of entertainment by the talented staff, including Larry on piano singing Sinatra and Buffet; a cellist from the South Beach Chamber Ensemble; a beat-boxing bartender; some great jazz singing waiters and a few off-color jokes.
Bonus – a beautiful night for walking, temp in the 70s.
Facts:
Dolce Italian 1690 Collins
The Cabaret 233 12th St. (Between Collins & Washington)
Learn more about mountain life, wildlife and nature with a class, workshop or hike with the Smoky Mountain Field School.
A cooperative effort by The University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a wide range of programs are offered from March into the fall. Now in its 37th year, park rangers and UT faculty join forces to offer unique wilderness learning adventures and experiences.
Interactive programs range from learning how to fly-fish, backpacking with children, birding, and early settler mountain cooking, to numerous offerings about the animals, trees, flowers and even polliwogs living in the Park.
We attended a program about Elks and it was fascinating. Not only did we gain appreciation of these majestic animals and learn about their reintroduction into the park, but we also really enjoyed meeting our co-participants. To a person, they were interesting, intelligent and focused on learning more about the incredible environment within the 800 square mile Park.
For details and/or to request a catalog: smfs.utk.edu 865-974-0150
PS – for the uninitiated, the 865 area code stands for VOL
The “Greeter” at The Aviary, in Cauley Square Historic Village where the Rallye fun began.
Beautiful orchids, incredible variety, great prices (and more) at RF Orchids.
We love road rallies and this week we experienced one of the best. Robert Burr (of Burr’s Berry Farm fame), puts on a fun-filled day through the countryside of south Miami-Dade County. It’s a trip back in history as well as a peek into the wonderful locally grown and produced treasures of the area.
Even though our group was pretty familiar with the area we came away with some new experiences and some new favorites places to return.
The route started at charming, quaint Cauley Square (where the Tea Room is a long-time personal favorite) to register and pick-up our clue sheets. We hunted throughout the interesting shops in the area, briefly chatting with a raccoon trapper and rubbing elbows with the hundreds of others getting their start on the route.
Our quest led us to Burr’s Berry Farm, which I’ve described in an earlier post, as well as Phil’s Berry Farm, Knaus Berry Farm (famous for their fabulous cinnamon buns and baked goods) and the Fruit & Spice Park. We made time for lunch at the delightful White Lion Café in Homestead, a new spot for us and a real treat. The great food was only matched by the super –friendly staff. We will be back.
After our fortification we visited RF Orchids, Redland Hotel, The Florida Pioneer Museum, and uber-fruit stand, Robert is Here, before ending at Schnebly Redland’s Winery. We are also going to go back and try the Hotel Redland’s Whistle Stop Café and their Tea Room.
We learned, we had yummy treats along the way, and were very pleasantly surprised by Schnebly’s. This was our first visit and it was a stunning, beautiful setting. They have wine, beer and soft drinks as well as a few snacks; but you can bring your own picnic (just no drinks) for lunch or dinner. Friday and Saturdays they feature live music and dancing.
For a great day in the country, for any age, plan to visit the venues individually or take a #Redland Riot Tour. For information, visit www.redlandriot.com.
Just the Facts:
For more info on each of the places we visited you can check hours and details at the following websites or by calling:
- Once a bustling railroad village at the turn of the century, #Cauley Square now plays home to an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants; learn more at www.cauleysquare.com.
- #Burr’s Berry Farm is open from “sometime in December” through the end of April, for up-to-date info, visit http://www.burrsberryfarm.com.
- #Phil’s Berry Farm has lots of treats and the unusual Miracle Fruit, find out details at 305-905-2284.
- #Knaus Berry Farm is open mid-November until the end of April, and the lines get long on Saturdays (they are closed Sundays), so go early or during the week www.knausberryfarm.com.
- #Fruit & Spice Park is on 30 acres with more than 500 varieties of herbs, nuts, spices and unusual fruits; call 305-247-5727.
- #RF Orchids has thousands of orchids for sale and tours are available, call 305-245-4570.
- The historic #Redland Hotel first opened in 1904. Now featuring a popular restaurant, the renovated hotel is a perfect spot from which to visit all the sites described in this post, as well as Miami-Dade County’s two national parks, Everglades and Biscayne National. Check out the free trolley service, www.hotelredland.com.
- #The Florida Pioneer Museum is open November through May, Wednesday & Saturday 1- 5:00PM; 305-246-9531.
- #Robert is Here is celebrating turning 60, stop in for amazing fruits and vegetables, a petting zoo, and shakes extraordinaire (Key Lime is their most famous); www.robertishere.com.
- For tours and/or tastings, or just to relax in a beautiful setting, visit #Schnebly Redland’s Winery, http://www.schneblywinery.com.
Beer tasting at Schnebly Redland’s Winery: Big Rod Coconut Ale was my favorite.
I should’ve asked just how many orchids they have; this is just one area. #RF Orchids
