Books, dinners and music
Hi there, happy Friday! Here we go…
A collection of artists books about Cuba at Tropic Bound
Let’s kick it off with last Saturday’s Tropic Bound Artists Book Fair in the Design District, an event I’d been looking forward to ever since I wrote about it. It was everything I’d expected and more. I spent a good two hours stopping at every table, engaging in conversation with just about every single one of the participants. The books were stunning, delicate, moving and many of them had an emotional story behind them. I left exhilarated, inspired and with lots of business cards and a new journal. I absolutely loved the event and can’t wait until it’s back in 2025!
Shrimp shumai from Sushi Yasu Tanaka at MIA Market
Afterwards I went to MIA Market in the Design District and got some delicious shrimp shumai from Sushi Yasu Tanaka. It was delicate yet flavor packed. A great bite!
Sunday night, Vance and I went to dinner with our friends Kevin and Michelle and Raquel and Darryl who were visiting from Orlando. We had a great dinner at Vinya Table in Coral Gables, the appetizers were the best. Hamachi tiradito, medjool dates wrapped in chorizo, venison carpaccio and lamb baklava were the standouts. Then we crossed the street to check out the reopened and remodeled John Martin’s. It was a fun night.
The Tenors who performed an Elvis Presley/Pavarotti medley and a very moving rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that brought me to tears.
Gail Seay belting out the Stevie Wonder hit “I Wish”
Monday night I went to the Miami Symphony Orchestra concert with Monica. It was a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of The Moore Building in the Design District. We sat in the second row of seats set atop a red carpet that stretched for one full block, watching Maestro Eduardo Marturet conducting a program featuring music by Bizet, Strauss, Brahms and welcoming special guests singer Jon Secada, saxophonist Ed Calle and singer Gail Seay, all from Miami and the foursome known as The Tenors who hail from Canada. Sitting directly in front of me was Emilio Estefan, who has played an instrumental role in the Orchestra performing in the Design District. It was a magical evening.
Chicken slaw from Tran An Miami
After the concert, we grabbed a bite at Tran An Miami on NE 2 Ave. and 82nd St. in Little River. I had my favorite, the chicken slaw and got to meet the Chef/Owner Jon Nguyen who I wrote about for Edible South FL a while back. He’s so passionate about his heritage and makes a delectable sauce that’s an ode to his grandma.
Tuesday night I met up with my friend Janet, who I hadn’t seen in ages. We met at CHICA Miami for a cocktail and then went to Andiamo Pizza right nearby to grab a bite. It was great catching up with her.
Wednesday night was our outing for trivia night at Old Tom’s Sports Bar in Miami Springs with Kevin and Michelle and we’re on a roll. This week we won first place!!!!
And on a final note, I want to share with you my post about Spring Break Art Camps around Miami which I wrote for Artburst Miami and also encourage you to visit The Wolfsonian-FIU on Miami Beach. It’s one of my favorite museums in the city with a fantastic collection and great rotating exhibitions.
That’s all for this week, see you next Friday right here in your inbox. Have a great one!
