By Ashlee Thomas
Enjoy Caribbean Heritage month this June!
There are tons of exciting experiences for the Dance Hall King and Queen, Live Music Feign, Foodie, Art Lovers and Intellectuals. Here are 7 things to do in Miami that add a taste of the Caribbean flair for cultural explorers.
Music Feigns
Love Reggae music? Every Sunday during the month of June, catch Reggae sensation Kulcha Shock live at the Wynwood Yard. They have a special line up to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month which include:
1. June 3rd: 2pm -12am: Kulcha Shock Muzic features resident DJ Lance-O and international guest, INNAVISION all the way from Hawaii. Every first Sunday is themed Kulcha Kids — expect lots of reggae families, toddlers, and good vibes.
2. June 16th: 2pm -12am: Kulcha Shock Muzic brings reggae band KATCHAFIRE to Wynwood Yard. This international sensation is an all Maori band, an indigenous culture of New Zealand, with a love for traditional Reggae Music. Tix: $15 -$20 | Kid Friendly
Dance Hall King & Queens
Ever Heard of Soca? Founded in Trinidadian culture where the word “lime” is synonymous with party, Soca music is a fusion of African rhythms, calypso funk, and very witty lyrics. Grab a partner, put a smile on that face, move those feet and wind that waist.
3. June 10th: 3pm -9pm | UberSoca Cruise: Destination Miami | $20 | 1306 North Miami Avenue: This global crew travels the Americas, blessing those who love to dance to the pulsating sounds of calypso, dancehall and ragga music. They stop in Miami this June with six DJ’s to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month. Stay hydrated, make friends, and dance the night away.
4. June 23rd: 10pm -3am | Ryan Saeed presents FLIRT MIAMI | HYDE at American Airlines Arena | $20-$30: Come dance to the bombastic sounds of DJ Ryan Saeed and his worldwide cast of Soca and Dancehall DJ’s. Practice some moves with Ryan’s Saeed podcast from last year’s Flirt Miami party and get ready for the 2018 Soca turn up!
Arts. Culture. Foodies.
Pop Quiz: When did Haiti gain its independence? January 1, 1804. Which General is best known as leader of the Haitian Revolution? Toussaint L’Ouverture. What makes Haiti’s independence unique from the rest of the Caribbean Islands? It is the first and only Afro-Caribbean nation in the west to liberate itself from the clutches of enslavement. Ever tried Soup Joumou? This delicious pumpkin soup is traditionally served to celebrate Haitian Independence Day. Explore more of this story at Miami Dade College (MDC) North Campus.
5. June 6th: 12pm| Caribbean Heritage Kick-off | MDC North Campus, Arts Complex (Bld 5000) | Free: Visit Miami Dade College North Campus to explore an interactive storyboard exhibition, Toussaint L’Ouverture. This exhibition is made possible by MDC, Haitian Heritage Museum, Private Collector Pierre Dommond, and Museum of Haitian National Pantheon (Haiti). The opening exhibition is followed by a culinary taste of cultural dishes of the Islands. The exhibit is on display from June 6th – July 28th, 8am -5pm. Arrange a guided tour by calling 305-237-1450.
Avid Readers & Intellectuals
Stories of exile & the future of the tropics; let’s talk about it. Check out these intellectual conversation starters during Caribbean Heritage Month:
6. June 9th : 2pm| Electric Booklovers Meet the Author: Cecilia Fernandez | Little Haiti Cultural Center| Free: Jamaican Native and book aficionado, Natasha Wright is the founder of Electric Booklovers and is gifting the community with a platform to meet contemporary authors. Electric Booklovers presents a series of conversations with published authors in South Florida. On June 9th, meet the author, Cecilia Fernandez.
Fernandez’ book, Leaving Little Havana, tells the true story of a young girl, uprooted by revolution, family in disarray, plopped down in Miami’s first Cuban Ghetto and her question of survival as an immigrant in 1960’s America. Signed books will be available for purchase at the event.
7. June 27th | The STEMversation w/ Dr. Rolando Santos | MDC North Campus | Free: Miami and the Caribbean share a wonderful tropical climate that produces exotic and fruitful delights, allows for year-round farming and perpetual outdoor life. For nature lovers who enjoy critical conversations of next steps to saving the tropical eco system, STEMversations will deliver. Enjoy a Talkback session with Dr. Rolando Santos on “why the Everglades Ecosystem Health matters for South Florida’s Coastal Habitats, Fisheries and neighboring tropics.” While the talk focuses mainly on Everglades restoration, this talk details the global impact this repair will have on neighboring global communities. This event is free, but RSVP is required for time and location. For RSVP, call or email Miguel Murphy, 305-237-8371.
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