Let the Festivals Begin! November in South Florida is a WOW. . .
Categories: Around Town, Community Events, Front Page, Life & Style
hiNovember is Festival Time in South Florida! The weather is beautiful, and while the rest of the country is freezing, you are outside in a T-shirt . . . aaaah, the cool tropical breezes . . . Life in Paradise. Let’s celebrate:
South Miami ART FESTIVAL • FREE
November 3rd & 4th Sunset Drive between South Dixie Highway and Red Road is closed to traffic for the South Miami Art Festival. One of the nation’s top fine-arts shows, this events features jewelry, mixed media sculpture, mixed media paintings, watercolors, printmaking, and photography, as well as the expected smells of festival foods tempting you as you walk along the colorful and creative exhibits. Those cinnamon nuts . . . Mmmmm! 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, call 305-661-1621 for more information
FESTIVAL MIAMI’s Grand Finale
If you haven’t been to any of the Festival Miami events, don’t miss this one: “The Creation” by Haydn will be performed by the Frost Symphonhy Orchestra and the Frost Chorale at 8:00 PM on November 9th and 10th at the University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables. 305-284-4940. Tickets are $15-45 11/9 and $15-60 11/10.
The BOOK FAIR
Everyone wants to come here to South Florida in the winter, and authors are no exception. Check out the full list of appearances at the Miami Book Fair web site. The Fair events start on November 4 and run through the 11th,the Street Fair is the weekend of November 9-11. November 4-9 is FREE to all, November 10 & 11 $5 Admission, but Free to children 18 and under. 305-237-3258.
Visit publishers, take creative writing classes, listen to poetry readings (in different languages), even hear Dave Barry’s band The Rock Bottom Remainders play! But don’t come home empty-handed, there are literally tons of books for sale!
Among those appearing this year are Caroline Kennedy, Padma Lakshmi (from TV’s “Top Chef” series), “Hardball” host Chris Matthews, romance fans take note! A Woman of Substance author Barbara Taylor Bradford, and Erica Jong Fear of Flying), Robert Draper, Ralph Nader (Yes, the Ralph Nader), Michael Ondaatjee (The English Patient), and Presumed Innocent author Scott Turow. There are many cultural activities and something for everyone from everywhere!!
The HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-5:00 PM, November 17th and 18th at the “Youth Fair Grounds” (Miami Fair and Expo Center) Coral Way at SW 112th Avenue.
Catch the Christmas spirit when you visit the Historical Museum of South Florida’s Biannual Harvest Festival. The best craft fair around, it’s a great place to find all your Christmas decorations–from yard signs to ornaments, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list–if you can keep from spending all your money on things you want. This ever-popular two-day celebration is an event for the entire family. 
305-375-1492. $6 Adults, $2 Children 5-12, under 5 FREE.
•Handmade Arts & Crafts for Sale
•Model Train Village
•Living History Village
•Historical Reenactors
•Vintage Automobile Show
•Antique Flywheel Engines
•Musical Performances by local musicians
•Festival foods
Beat the crowds and go to the Early Bird Sale, Saturday, November 17th, 8:00-10:00 AM!
The RAMBLE
November 17th and 18th is also the weekend for the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s “Ramble“ open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 6-17, and FREE to children 5 and under, and to Fairchild Members. 305-667-1651.
The Ramble is a Garden Festival celebrating with food and music the joy and beauty of your own backyard. Be inspired and purchase garden decorations and beautiful plants. (Tired of the seeing the same plants for sale at your local garden store? Choose from over 18,000 plants at low prices to dress up your own ‘Secret Garden’, and, best of all, they have volunteers who will help you take them to your car in a wheeled cart, so no schlepping.)
Sample exotic fruits and food flavors, and ramble around the beautiful setting that is Fairchild Garden enjoying the creative, fun, and unusual in garden-themed books, crafts, and art. There is also a very popular antiques tent. Stop and rest over a cup of tea at Nell’s Tea Garden and be served by lovely ladies in large hats!
The SHORT FILM Festival
Monday, November 26th kicks off the 6th Annual Miami Short Film Festival. This year, the University of Miami’s School of Communication has been joined by the Miami Museum of Science:
Museum of Science
Monday 11/26, 7:00 PM (movies plus Opening Ceremony)
Tuesday 11/27 , 6:30 & 8:15 PM (8:15 movies plus Opening Ceremony featuring Directors)
Saturday 12/1, 8:00 PM (movies plus Awards Ceremony)Cinematheque on Miami Beach
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 11/27-29, 8:30 PM
Friday 11/20 at 6:00 PMUM’s Cosford Theater
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11/28-30, 6:00 & 8:15 PM
Saturday 12/1, 2:00 & 5:00 PMMiami College Tower Theater
Thursday 11/29, 8:15
Friday 11/30, 8:15 (”Latin American Movies”)Miami Children’s Museum
Sunday 12/2, 3:00 PM (”Family Matinee”)
Call 305-854-2229 for more information. This year’s festival features 150 domestic and foreign films from 6 continents. There are 4 categories: Narrative, Experimental, Animation, and Documentary. Check their web site for a list of films showing at each location on each date.
ART ATTRACTIONS BEACHES HISTORIC HOMES MOVIES MUSEUMS SHOPPING THEATRE
