Back in December, about a week before Christmas, my @cultured.miami Instagram account just disappeared. (Some of you may have noticed this, and thank you for not mentioning it.) I got a notification that the account had violated intellectual property, but no response as to how, or whose.

Some kindly lawyers I consulted laid out a few likely scenarios, but emphasized that, regardless of what may have actually happened, my newsletter’s name was too close to that of Cultured Magazine, and I needed to change it.

Now, finding a name somewhat close to Cultured Miami that isn’t taken by somebody’s website, podcast, Substack, social media, or trademark is not an easy task, I assure you. But I’m happy with where I ended up.

As of next week, Cultured Miami Weekly will become Culture Lush Miami, covering all the same arts and events, with a side of food and nightlife. Here’s to new beginnings!

Let’s get planning…

Jump to: Music, Theater, Literary Events, Dance, Indie Cinema, or Art Events

Actor and comedian Adam Scott joins the Miami Film Festival to talk about his new film, Hokum, and reflect on an extensive career that includes roles in Parks and Recreation and Severance, the latter garnering him Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice awards.

Friday, April 17th, 7:30pm, MDC Wolfson Chapman Center, $35

Neighborhood: Downtown

Nearby Eats: ViceVersa, NIU Kitchen, Yamashiro | Drinks: ViceVersa, Lost Boy Dry Goods

Just one of the smorgasbord of films screening for the 43rd annual Miami Film Fest this week, Forge is a slick art caper film, set in Miami, about two siblings selling forgeries to high-end clients. When their paths cross with a disgraced millionaire, the three take the forgery business to the next level, with the FBI hot on their trail. Director Jing Ai Ng will attend for a Q&A after the film.

Saturday, April 18th, 12pm, UM’s Bill Cosford Cinema, $33

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Nearby Eats: Vice City Pizza, Daniel’s, Matsuri | Drinks: Fox’s Lounge, Titanic (of course!)

More Indie Cinema:

Queen of Percussion Sheila E. brings the Glamorous Life to the Arsht Center for one night only. Showing off her still jaw-dropping mastery of the drum set, Ms. E will bang through a program of her legendary hits, alongside her latest, Grammy-winning salsa album, Bailar.

Friday, April 17th, 8pm, Knight Concert Hall at the Arsht Center, $53-$152

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Nearby Eats: Aoko, Miami Slice, Bunbury | Drinks: Kaona Room, ViceVersa

The Arsht Center presents Mexican songstress Natalia Fourcade, one of the most influential artists of her generation, for two nights at the Knight Concert Hall. I apologize to everyone for not putting this concert in sooner, because the first night is already sold out and the second is selling out fast! If you’re not familiar with Fourcade’s chill, poetic songs and ethereal voice, have a listen here.

Tickets available for Saturday, April 25th, 8pm, Knight Concert Hall at Arsht, $70-$350

Neighborhood: Downtown Arts & Entertainment District

Nearby Eats: Klaw, Yamashiro, Bunbury | Drinks: Casadonna, ViceVersa

More Upcoming Music Events:

O, Miami and the Deering Estate celebrate National Dark Sky Week with Dark Sky to Dawn: A Walk into Writing, a New Day, a poetry workshop led by Brazilian poet Lúcia Leão. Participants will gather for a predawn, silent walk under the stars to the waterfront, where the sunrise will inspire a quiet poetry writing session on themes of darkness, light, nature, and nocturnal animals.

Sunday, April 19th, 5-7am, Deering Estate, $23

Neighborhood: Palmetto Bay

Nearby Eats: Get your coffee at Starbucks next to the entrance or breakfast at Old Cutler Inn

More Literary Events:

Miami New Drama presents The Zionists, a highly anticipated new play by acclaimed playwright, choreographer, and director S. Asher Gelman, whose play Afterglow, had an extended run Off-Broadway and a sold-out run in London. The Zionists follows a prominent Jewish family having a fragile reunion on a Caribbean island after the politics around October 7th had driven them apart. The fragile peace is shattered by a “sudden hurricane,” which pales in force to the storm that erupts inside as the power goes out.

Through May 3rd, Colony Theatre, $40-$90

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Mimi Chinese, Tropezón, Uchiko | Drinks: Brother’s Keeper, MILA

FINAL WEEK! From celebrated playwright Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews, Admissions), Gablestage presents a regional premiere of Prayer for the French Republic, a darkly funny exploration of history, identity and survival. The story follows the Benhamou family, who are forced to question the safety of their home in Paris, and wrestle with 1,000 years of Jewish history, in the wake of an antisemitic attack.

Through April 19th, 7pm evenings, 2pm matinees, Gablestage at the Biltmore, $40-$60

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Nearby Eats: Zitz Sum, Rò Steakhouse, Zucca | Drinks: Sospiro Wine Bar, Armstrong Jazz House

New World Symphony and Miami City Ballet are getting together to give us American Dance Odyssey, a celebration of American dance and music that features a tribute to Jerome Robbins (West Side Story, Fancy Free) and the world premiere of a new “choreographic concerto,” a collaborative work by ten visionary 21st-century choreographers and composers. I’m excited for this one!

April 17th-19th, 8pm evenings, 2pm matinee, New World Center, $55-$290

Neighborhood: Lincoln Road

Nearby Eats: Pauline, Mimi Chinese, Blue Ribbon Sushi | Drinks: Water Lion at the Sagamore, Little Torch

Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, the contemporary ballet troupe started by former MCB principals Carlos Guerra and Jennifer Kronenberg, presents Noche Latina, an evening of ballets inspired by Latin rhythms and culture. Headlining the program is the main stage premiere of Melissa Verdecia’s Hasta que la muerte nos separé, which was previewed as a work in progress at their Salon Series performance last summer.

Saturday, April 18th, 7:30pm, Sanctuary of the Arts, $33

Neighborhood: Coral Gables

Nearby Eats: Zitz Sum, Francesco, Ró Steakhouse | Drinks: Maíz y Agave, Cebada Rooftop

More Upcoming Dance:

David Castillo Gallery celebrates the opening of Material, Material World (Miami), a group show of 10 Miami-based artists whose unique mediums and processes create art that emerges from the materials themselves - everything from wood, textiles, and concrete to fur and glass.

Saturday, April 18th, Opening Reception 6-8pm, David Castillo Gallery, Free

Neighborhood: Design District

Nearby Eats: Michael's Genuine, Cote, Mandolin, Mother Wolf | Drinks: Michael's Genuine, Le Jardinier

Nina Johnson Gallery celebrates the opening of Good Dog, Seth Cameron’s fourth solo show with the gallery. Good Dog presents three distinct bodies of painting, including the Stranger/Chrysanthemums series pictured. The gallery will be opening two other shows the same night, by artists Eamon Monaghan and Katelyn Eichwald.

Thursday, April 16th, Opening Reception 6-8pm, Nina Johnson Gallery, Free

Neighborhood: Little Haiti / Little River

Nearby Eats: Walrus Rodeo, Bar Bucce, Fooq’s | Drinks: Conventillo, Mi Chini at Phuc Yea

More Art Events:

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