Nine Upcoming Summer Fun Events in Miami

Summer’s a-wasting, so why not go out and have some fun? Oh, appliance problems have got you down. Once Pink Flamingo has repaired those problems, you can go out and partake of some of the many events in the Miami area. Whether you are in the single’s scene, a young family, or nearing retirement and the young-at-heart, here are a few things we’ve found that sound like fun to us!

The theme here is “All for Rum & Rum for All!” That is, of course, if you’re 21 or over. This is the second year for this event with live music in the poolside gardens of the Confidante Hotel. On Friday, August 16, you will be able to sample assorted rum brands and discuss rum with those who know the most about this celebrated liquor. Enjoy the samplings through the sponsorship of more than 25 rum brands that make the National Rum Day Festival possible.

On weekends through August 19, the XXIII International Ballet Festival brings in dancers from around the world to present five different performances, in five different venues, in one of the finest celebrations of ballet in the U.S.

Enjoy the film series, art exhibit series, and book presentation. Workshops are offered for intermediate to advanced dancers followed with a Ballet Masters Class for those selected. Catch the Closing Gala of Stars on August 19. If you like ballet, you won’t want to miss this performance.

On Sunday, August 26, the whole family can join the staff of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to learn how to aid in keeping the Biscayne Bay healthy. Various organizations will be stationed in the gardens to offer education, arts and crafts, and other activities.

Coordinating with the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and CARTHE, a team of ocean scientists at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the goal is to start a conversation about trash and pollution, or more so, how to prevent it. The Health of Biscayne Bay takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

On Sunday, August 26, or Sunday, September 23, you can learn how to “sweat it out,” during this Fitbit Local free workout at Margaret Pace Park. At 9 a.m. you will meet your local Fitbit ambassadors before warming up with your 30-minute Yoga Flow. Following, you’ll beef it up with the Bodyweight Bootcamp. Whether you are experienced, or a newbie, you will learn techniques best for you, your shape and size, in yoga warm up and working out.

Wear sunscreen, and bring your yoga mat, a towel, and water. Following the workout, stay for the opportunity to win during the Fitbit giveaway.

For the budding filmmaker, you have a chance to learn a lot during the three-day Urban Film Festival, August 31 – September 2 with workshops at The Lyric Theater, Art Africa, and RED Miami. On Friday morning take part in the 1st Take Youth Film Program UFF Edition. On Saturday and Sunday, choose your interest with workshops on acting, writing, directing, cinematography and more.

The Urban Film Festival is designed to offer education, exposure, and distribution. Their aim is to “bridge the gap” between creative individuals and going professional.

For musicians and those in the industry, the 10th annual Coast to Coast Music Conference takes place in the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, August 31 – September 2. This conference is for independent artists, producers, and DJs from around the area with some of the top in their fields speaking.

Hear from A&R at Atlantic Records’ Success, Branda Ringo, A&R at Warner/Chappell Records, and Dreamville Records’ A&R Matt Mcneal, to name a few, with other Grammy Award-winning and top producers. You can learn from some of the top experts in the music industry. Most conferences and panel discussions take place at Miami Live.

If you like tacos, this festival is for you! Miami Taco Takeover takes place Saturday, September 8 from 6-9 p.m. Top local restaurants will be serving original tacos and other Latin treats, and you get to vote for what is the best. It’s for the 21-and-over crowd also being offered a variety of Cuervo Tradicional cocktails to taste and compare.

Enjoy the fiesta with food and drink, live music and games at the Soho Studios.

Also at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, another family program takes place on Sunday, September 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kitchen Botany shares the various edible parts of different plants from stems to leaves, roots to flowers. Be prepared for taste testing with plants you may have never thought of as eatable before.

Start off the day Sunday, September 30 by joining thousands of others in a Walk for the Apes, a 5K, raising funds for the Center for Great Apes. Check-in at 7, warm up at 8 and begin your walk at 9 a.m. Visit the family interactive exhibits and learn more about the center, which houses some 50 rescued apes, and about the animals themselves.

Also starting at 9 a.m., you can take in the vibes of local high school bands while strolling through some of the wares the area’s finest artists have to offer. The first art festival of the fall season, Under the Sun partners with the walk for a full day of activity and fun at Tropical Park. And, yes, there’s food! Local food trucks will offer a variety of options to keep you going.

When there’s trouble on the home front, it’s difficult to go out, relax and have a good time. Whether your washer is overflowing, the oven bakes only half the cookies on the sheet, the dishwater forgets to dry the dishes, or your freezer’s frosting up, the technicians at Flamingo Appliance Repair will take the time to find the problem and solve it for you. Then you will have time to go out and enjoy some of these summertime events.