Tag Archive for: Miami Culture

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Salsa Dancing in Miami

What is Salsa?

While salsa originated in Cuba, it started as an appropriate “sauce” of musical and dance elements introduced by European immigrants and African slaves to Latin America.

Salsa can be traced to the early 19th Century, though it hit a stride of popularity in 1910 when Cubans started to produce actual records.

How did Salsa get here?

When prohibition in the 1920s sent more and more Americans to Havana for booze, salsa’s popularity exploded in the United States and beyond.

Is there more than one style of Salsa?

With salsa’s grand entrance into Latin immigrant-heavy cities like Miami and New York, different styles of the dance started to emerge. At present, there are up to 7 types of salsa dancing.

  1. New York Style: An infusion of Cuban and Puerto Rican elements, along with Jazz, R&B, and dances like Mambo.
  2. L.A. Style: A recent development of the late 1990s/early 2000s. Influenced by tango, swing, Latin Ballroom dance and contemporary hip hop. More theatrical than most.
  3. Casino Style: A Cuban style of salsa that was developed outside of the country itself.
  4. Miami-style Casino: Classic Cuban style with backward diagonal moves that you can’t find in any other salsa style. Obviously the most important of them all!
  5. Colombian (Cali) Style: Showy, sensual, and still popular today in nightclubs.
  6. Rueda de Casino: Emerged in Havana in the 1950s as a group-like approach to dancing, with participants in a circle following the moves called out by the lead dancer.
  7. Ballroom Salsa: A professional, prepared approach to salsa generally performed by a pair for an audience.
Why should I dance Salsa?

Salsa is a great way to move your body and meet new people. Dance concepts also offer excellent nuggets of wisdom that you can carry into your real-life relationships.

Sign me up!

If you’re interested in dancing, check out Salsa Driven Dance Academy for private or group lessons, as well as a schedule of salsa-inspired events around Miami.

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Where to Celebrate Halloween in Miami

It’s the spookiest time of year (according to the calendar, anyway). With Halloween around the corner and a plethora of things to do, you might be wondering where to don your werewolf ensemble. Here is a short list of things to do in Miami for Halloween.

For everyone:

Lincoln Road Halloween Parade
October 31
South Beach
What is it? A people-watching frenzy of children and adults alike in their craziest costumes. As the night goes on, Lincoln Road turns into a party with DJs and plenty of open-container beverages. Get there early to grab a restaurant seat with a view and get ready for the show.
Cost: FREE!

For families:

Hay Maze Miami
October 21 – November 6
Bayfront Park
What is it? An actual 6,000 sq.ft. maze constructed of bales of hay, plus a beer garden, plenty of food stands and a treat-or-treating opportunity on the big night. There will also be goat yoga on October 29, if that’s on your list of Halloween to-do’s.
Cost: Ranges from $35 to $80.

For runners:

Halloween Half-Marathon
October 22
South Beach
What is it? Relatively self-explanatory. If candy is your weakness, grab your sneakers and hit the pavement for Miami Beach’s Half Marathon. Costumes are welcomed. Spaces fill up fast so secure yours today! Not into that whole half-marathon thing? Opt for the Freaky 4-Miler instead.
Cost: Ranges from $40 – $90

For pets [or the people that like them]:

Howl-O-Ween
Pinecrest Gardens
October 29
What is it? We all know pets are the real stars of the show on Halloween. Head to Pinecrest Gardens to see the latest fashion trends sweeping the dog world. Bring your own, in costume. Tricks, treats, food, drinks are readily available, as is live music.
Cost: Ranges from $10 – $12

For partiers:

Haunted W Miami Rooftop Halloween Party
W Hotel, Brickell
What is it? Two DJs, insane views, party favors, gorgeous people letting out their alter-egos. If partying on a rooftop til the wee hours dressed in a sexy version of your favorite superhero sounds like your kind of Halloween celebration, the W Hotel is where it’s at. Get your ticket quick, this party is as popular as they come.
Cost: Ranges from $32 to $1,695

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Who says Oktoberfest has to take place in October?

What started as a wild wedding party between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen changed the course of beer’s history forever.

It’s the year 1810 and the location is Munich, Germany. The Royal Wedding is set to take place and the citizens are invited. Well, not to the ceremony itself, but to the FIVE DAY afterparty! Locals arrive to the city gates to enjoy nearly a week of food, music, parades and of course, beer. To culminate the party, a horse race around town took place. Even though the horse race was eventually dropped, the beer celebration was not.Today the surprisingly family-friendly party lasts up to 18 days!

Sounds fun, right? But October is so far away, and so is Germany.

If you’re like the rest of us and unable to sit still another two months to partake in this unforgettable, world-famous celebration of beer, no need to fret. We’ve got you covered in the Magic City. Did you expect any less?

The great news is that Miami has its own version of Octoberfest and it takes place in September. For 3 glorious days, Samuel Adams will host its 12th annual block party in Wynwood Marketplace. Aside from the obvious beer hall and pumpkin-themed decor, there will be activities for both humans and dogs alike. Expect games, freebies and a photo booth to prove to the Instagram world that you’ve made the commitment. Live music will abound, as will those beer competitions you thought you left behind in college.

With your Festive Party Pack ticket, should you choose to purchase, comes 1 free beer, a stein, and more Bavarian treats and goodies from Sam Adams.

Sign up here.

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​​Kush Welcoming Locals Back to Ocean Drive

Everybody knows the Clevelander. Likely, everyone living in Miami for at least 5 – 10 years has been to the Clevelander. More than likely, not one local can be found there today.

That’s all about to change. Matt Kuscher, owner of Miami-famous Lokal restaurant and Kush Hospitality Group is taking over operations and is determined to bring the locals back to Ocean Drive. How? With a recognizably-Kush menu of local ingredients, fresh produce and homemade sauces served around the iconic pool.

In addition, the rarely-used Games on Sports restaurant will be converted into Kush Clevelander with a food and cocktail menu to match a Miami Beach locals vibe. While the pool will remain the place to party, Kush Clevelander’s sports bar will give locals a place to watch the big game without distraction.

The new look is expected to be unveiled at the end of August. Just in time for the NFL Kickoff on September 8th and the Miami Dolphins’ first regular season matchup against the NE Patriots at 1:00pm on Sunday, September 11.

It’s Avocado Season! Seven Fun & Surprising Facts about Florida Avocados.

July 31 is National Avocado Day, making it the perfect time of year to investigate one of Miami’s greatest assets.

Florida avocado season is in full swing. Also known as Alligator Pears, these fruits (and yes, they are fruits!) are a bigger, lighter, smoother and nuttier alternative to the traditional Hass you commonly find in stores or as the base to guacamole.

If you haven’t tried one yet, there is no time like the present. Head to Little Havana or Homestead where locals sell these beauties on the side of the road. Check out Los Pinarenos Fruteria on SW 8th Street & 13th Avenue in downtown Little Havana for freshly picked avos.

In the meantime, here are seven facts about Florida Avocados that just might surprise you.

  1. They are lower in both fat & calories. Florida avocados contain 3-15% oil and no cholesterol. They’re a great source of potassium and vitamin A.
  2. Avocado trees have a long lifespan of 500-600 years.
  3. There are 600 varieties grown in the state of Florida.
  4. In the early 1900’s, Charles Deering had enough avocado trees on his estate that he could make a minimum profit of $6,500 per year in sales – roughly $100,000 today!
  5. Avocados are considered a berry!
  6. Some varieties, like the Choquette, can weigh up to 2.5 pounds.
  7. Ripen avocados quickly by putting them inside a brown paper bag or placing them next to bananas.

Buen Provecho!