Blog No. 25 of 2025

Happy First Day of Summer!!!

Let’s get into it:

Friday was date night with Vance where we enjoyed Bookleggers Library’s 13th Birthday at their home in the Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood. I made a print with the awesome Tom Virgin of Extra Virgin Press, chatted with Director Cathy Leff and Melissa Gomez who started her own consulting firm (she was with O Cinema and O, Miami) and got a cool ghoulish photo taken. Lots of cool activations and the artist studios were open. After we went to Andiamo Brick Oven Pizza where we shared a 10” pie, “The Popeye” topped with spinach, roma tomatoes, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and basil.

Saturday I spent the day with Monica and Michelle at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden where we went on the hunt to spot all the fairy doors they had throughout the gardens. We found I believe 7 of the 10 because it was hot and the mosquitoes were out in full force! Afterwards we grabbed lunch at a great French bistro in South Miami that Monica is a fan of, La Crepe Bistro. There we enjoyed mushroom quiche, quiche Lorraine and mimosas.

Sunday was Vance’s day and for Father’s Day, he chose to have lunch at Hometown Barbecue in Allapattah. It was perfect because the three of us sat at the bar and Vance was able to watch golf on one TV and Nick the Marlins game on the other. We ordered the half chicken with salsa verde and pickled onions, always a good choice! And we split the watermelon, cucumber, feta salad, I ordered the elote and Nick had the mac ‘n cheese.

Cast of “Chicago,” at the Arsht acknowledging the on stage live band. They were spectacular.

Cast of “Chicago” taking a bow after a phenomenal show.

Tuesday I saw “Chicago” at the Arsht Center, although I did get asked if I wanted to go to the Stanley Cup Final game by my friend Monica and as we know, they won that night! I attended the play with my sister Susy and we had a great time. We enjoyed some complimentary themed cocktails before the show prepared by Havana Club Rum ambassador Gio “ChatChowTV” Gutierrez who slings a mean cocktail and is a friend and came over to say hi. The production was AMAZING, first rate! The musical numbers were spectacular, I was floored at the choreography and the singing. It’s on through the weekend, I recommend seeing it, it’s the final show of the season at the Arsht.

Glass Animals concert at Hard Rock Live.

Wednesday I went to my first solo concert and I had a fantastic time. I went to see the British indie rock band Glass Animals at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. I knew I was gonna love it, I’ve liked their sound for a long time and I had a blast vibing to their trippy/rock/psychedelic/world music sound. Their stage set was impressive, mimicking a combination spaceship/video game with neon lights and cool visuals. Lead singer Dave Bayley and fellow band members held me captive with their sounds and it was a joy to watch them have so much fun performing together. Thanks for a great night!

This has also been a heavy food rescue week and I’m glad for that, happy that I’ve helped bring food to different pantries and shelters around Miami. Monday night was my usual pick up at Panera which I bring to The Caring Place in Broward. I also began rescuing food from a new Whole Foods in Edgewater, bringing that food to both Village Freedge in Liberty City and to Lotus House in Overtown.

Here is a link to my article for Artburst Miami, click here to read it. It’s a compilation of grant resources for local artists.

That’s all the action for this week. I leave you with a few ideas on things to do and with a picture of the lovely cardinals in my backyard.

Cardinal on a wire in the backyard.

Things to do…

Area Stage is presenting “Tarzan” next month at their space in the Shops at Sunset Place.

There’s always Cultural Fridays in Little Havana on the third Friday of the month and yes, that’s tonight!

Visit the lovely Miami Beach Botanical Garden where admission is free.

And click here to see a link on fun things to do this weekend

What I’m currently reading: I’m almost done with “Chosen by a Horse,” by Susan Richards.

Until next week, goodbye from me and the lovely cardinals in my backyard!