Dinners, a play and articles

The headline says it all, especially that last word…articles, lots of them. They kept me so busy this week. I’ll be honest, I don’t like being that busy but… I enjoyed writing all those articles and seeing them published.

Dancers at HistoryMiami’s CultureFest 305

Performance at HistoryMiami’s CultureFest 305

First things first though, last weekend I spent the day at HistoryMiami enjoying their annual CultureFest 305 with my best friend Monica. We watched lots of international dance troupes, enjoyed some delicious pastelitos from Pastelito Papi and had an overall lovely afternoon. I also got to meet Natalia Crujeiras, HistoryMiami’s new CEO & Executive Director who is mentioned again later in this article as well as mural artist Daniel “Kraveart” Fila who was at the event as well encouraging kids to work on a mural that day.

Fish ‘n Chips at Mickey Burke’s

Then that night, my son Nicholas and I had a blast at dinner. We checked out our friend Mike Palma’s restaurant Mickey Burke’s on South Beach. I had their fantastic fish ‘n chips that was so abundant I had plenty to bring home and when I checked the fridge the next day the leftover fish was gone. I’m sure my daughter Elizabeth was the culprit! I loved the presentation of the dish too. Thanks to Mike for hosting us, looking forward to going back for brunch.

Display at Fairchild’s NightGarden Experience which is up until January.

Yvonne “Ita” and I at Fairchild’s NightGarden Experience.

Then on Wednesday night had a blast checking out the NightGarden Experience at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden with my friend Yvonne. The displays are extra beautiful this year and we just had a great time chatting and laughing. It was a really fun night and the light up fairy crowns they gave us were just too adorable!

Last night was extra special. I bought myself a ticket to Miami New Drama’s play “Elian” at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road. As always, a stellar presentation. It was funny, touching, heartbreaking and memorable. It stirred up so many memories of that volatile time in our city back in 1999. The run ends on Sunday, if you live in Miami and can make it there, I recommend you go see it. And I always recommend anything at Miami New Drama, so click on the link and see what they’ve got coming up.

And to cap off this week, my husband Vance and I went to dinner at Alexander Greek Taverna just minutes from our house. We ordered a few things to share including the Htipiti appetizer, a delicious warm huge pita bread served with a feta, roasted pepper, olive oil, chili flakes and red wine vinegar dip. We also shared an amazing avoglemono soup with chicken breast, celery, lemon, carrot, egg and chicken stock. On a coolish night like tonight, it was absolutely perfect. And the oyster mushroom and orzo with sauteed oyster mushrooms, onion, garlic, oregano, butter and parmesan was heavenly.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I was quite busy wrapping up writing assignments this week. I wrote about the Moss Center arts venue in Cutler Bay, a Camillus House client’s story of resilience and courage, a profile on HistoryMiami’s new Latina at the helm and an upcoming 10th Anniversary celebration at El Fresco Studio in Little Havana. Click on the links to read some or all of them!

I was also thrilled when my friend Andi, a producer with CBS4, sent me a link to a follow up Miami Proud segment she did on Lauren and Ken Mason of Be The Change South FL. Click here to watch it.

That’s all for this week. Next week I’ll share my shenaginans from the Miami Book Fair this weekend and whatever comes up next week!