The 21 Best Things to Do in Miami This Week

Miami New Times | Jesse Scott and Clarissa Buch | December 26, 2018

Thursday

You know a Riot Ten show will be anything but boring. The word “riot” is right there in his name. Hitting Club Space this Thursday is his Hype or Die Tour, bearing the same name as the El Paso-bred artist’s EP, which dropped earlier this year. If your soul needs some high-quality dubstep and electronic deliciousness, Riot Ten — with singles such as “Hit the Floor” and “Scream” — rarely disappoints. 10 p.m. Thursday at the Ground, 34 NE 11th St., Miami. Tickets cost $15 to $30 via eventbrite.com.

Being relaxed and jolly and all, everyone moves a little slowly this time of year. But if you want to see some fast-paced flying from Saint Nick, Mrs. Claus, and all kinds of fun holiday characters, head to Santa’s Circus. The 90-minute show at Jungle Island includes acrobats, holiday garb, and seasonal stories to warm your heart. The piece was created by Cirque du Soleil veteran Francisco Javier Santos, so you know you’ll get a topnotch experience. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and additional showings through December 30 at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; jungleisland.com. Tickets cost $21.99 to $65.99.

Wanna get folk’d up before this year ends? All Folk’d Up is all about presenting the latest and greatest female folk talent in the region. Its showcase Thursday evening at Churchill’s will certainly be no exception. Riot Grrrls & Womyn of Folk will include performances by Raffa Jo & Max, Dracula, Rachel Angel, Last Pew, Turtle Grenade, and other badasses. 9 p.m. Thursday at Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; churchillspub.com. Tickets cost $5.

Christmas is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy coquito. Sometimes called Puerto Rican eggnog, the recipe varies by household, but traditionally, it’s made with coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a healthy helping of rum. Jacqueline Cid is a Puerto Rican coquito maker behind Coquito El Cid, which specializes in exotic versions of the classic holiday drink. This Miami Lakes-based operation offers various flavors daily, so call to see what’s in stock. Flavors might include guava, pistachio, almond, Nutella, dulce de leche, coffee, and brandy. The cost for a bottle of original coquito is $23, and exotic flavors run $25. Coquito El Cid makes the beverage year-round and delivers throughout Miami-Dade. Call 305-302-2470 or email coquitoelcid@gmail.com to place an order.

Friday

LeBron James dumped the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers after bringing them glory. Now his exes, both hovering around mediocrity, will face off in the 305 this Friday. OK, enough being nice: The Cavaliers are absolutely horrible this year, and anything but a Miami win would be shameful. So, Heat, don’t let us down. K, thanks. 8 p.m. Friday at American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $40 to $375 via ticketmaster.com.

Everyone has at least a couple badass ladies in their lives. To celebrate the amazing women in theirs, the performers of the Peter London Global Dance Company are bringing a powerful new production, Women Voices & Men Hearts to Women, to the stage. The show is an ode to a number of women choreographers and composers, celebrated by an all-Miami crew of choreographers and dancers. Can’t-miss performers include Sharron Lynn Williams (with Ailey II and The Lion King) and Kashia Kancey (performing a tribute to Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, among others). 7:30 p.m. Friday and various times through Sunday at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; arshtcenter.org. Tickets cost $40.

Holiday magic didn’t leave town Christmas morning. You can watch performers fly during Cirque Dream Holidaze. The colorful piece, set on a multimillion-dollar stage, boasts more than 20 high-flying acts, as well as singers and costumes galore (300 costumes to be exact). On this high-paced winter-wonderland journey, you’ll meet penguins, reindeer, gingerbread men, snowmen, and all of your favorite seasonal characters. 7:30 p.m. Friday at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second Ave., Miami; jlkc.com. Tickets cost $33 to $68.

At No. 3 Social, the rooftop cocktail bar above Norman Van Aken’s restaurant Three, enjoy live music and nighttime views of downtown Miami while sipping a warm cup of Lookin’ for Some Hot Stuff, a dark-rum hot chocolate enriched with walnut bitters and cocoa. Sweet and creamy, the dessert-like drink is topped with torched marshmallows ($15). It’s the perfect treat to keep the holiday spirit alive. 50 NW 24th St., Miami; 305-395-5811; no3social.com.

The writer/director of Vice, Adam McKay, shared an Oscar for best adapted screenplay for The Big Short, his 2010 explainer comedy about Wall Street malfeasance in the economic crash of 2008. And from that success, he seems to have learned that audiences prefer in a feature info-dump sketch comedy explicating recent history rather than compelling dramatizations of it. Vice is McKay’s hyperactive wiki survey of the life of Dick Cheney, but don’t look to it for psychology or even a sense of presence. Still, there’s alarming truth in the arguments Vice makes about Cheney, the seizure of executive power, and the outsourcing of our foreign and energy policy to energy companies. In theaters across Miami-Dade. Ticket prices vary by venue and showtime.

Saturday

Who has won four of the last seven college football championships? That would be the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Who could stop this powerhouse from reaching the January 7 championship? The University of Oklahoma Sooners. The Bama-OU Orange Bowl is set to happen at Hard Rock Stadium, where a title-game spot will be on the line. Oklahoma is a two-ish–touchdown underdog, so the Sooners will need all the help they can get. 8 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens. Standing-room tickets cost $100 via ticketmaster.com.

Nigerian-bred Nicole Moudaber has graced big-time stages at Coachella, Glastonbury, and Electric Daisy Carnival. Now, this Saturday at Wynwood Factory, the DJ/producer will spin an intimate set alongside Cristoph and ALX. The shindig is slated to roll until 5 a.m., so be sure to stretch before enjoying hours of techno goodness. Moudaber has been busy managing her label, Mood Records, as well as a weekly radio show, In the Mood. 10 p.m. Saturday at Wynwood Factory, 55 NE 24th St., Miami. Tickets cost $20 to $30 via electrostub.com.

Damian Lazarus makes any space his own. He has captivated a jungle. He has bashed at beaches. And he wrote some new history amid the Mayan ruins in Mexico. Lazarus will take his worldly electronic-ness to the Space Terrace alongside Australian-gone-Berlin house extraordinaire YokoO. In a world that seemingly gets weirder by the second, you’ll appreciate the escape into what these guys bring. 11 p.m. Saturday at Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami. Tickets cost $10 to $30 via ticketfly.com.

Learn how to make your favorite seasonal cocktails at Drinkhouse Fire & Ice Bar’s annual Holiday Cocktail Class. You’ll begin by sipping a classic holiday cocktail upon arrival; then continue with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own rendition. The class includes numerous tastings and small bites. Plus, you’ll get admission to the ice bar plus a fur coat and gloves to wear while you’re there. 7 p.m. Saturday at Drinkhouse Fire & Ice Bar, 1672 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-534-2423; sobefireice.com. Tickets cost $50 via eventbrite.com.

Sunday

Somewhere between rockin’ The Tonight Show and planning goodness for a new album, the Roots are hitting the road. The Grammy-winning band’s aptly titled the Roots Holiday Run, dashing into the Fillmore this Sunday, will be loaded with hip-hop faves. The Philadelphia-bred collective, which has been around for more than 30 years, now has 11 studio albums under its belt and a 12th slated for 2019. 9 p.m. Sunday at the Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $66.50 to $85 via ticketmaster.com.

Monday

You can go spend a gazillion dollars on a fancy New Year’s Eve superparty at a crowded megaclub. Or you can go to Wynwood NYE 2019, pay no cover, and buy whatever the hell you want to make your night great. Wynwood Marketplace will be loaded with fire-eaters, dancers, Hula-Hoops, and DJs to ring in 2019. There will be booze and grub for sale too, and if you RSVP, you’ll snag a free beer. 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday at Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami. Admission is free. To RSVP or purchase a $16 party pack that includes a drink and party favors, visit wynwoodnewyearseve.com.

Miami has no shortage of festive New Year’s Eve parties. But the most Miami NYE celebration is still hanging with Mr. 305 himself — Pitbull — and tens of thousands of other party animals at Bayfront Park. In addition to the free WorldWide NYE bash, there’s also a VIP shindig happening. Tickets for the VIP Food & Wine Party include more than a dozen food stations; unlimited wine, craft beer, and curated cocktails; and a champagne toast. Plus, you’ll be up close and personal for Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution performance. 8 p.m. Monday at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $295 to $495 via worldwidenye.com.

She was named one of Time‘s 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. And she’s not going anywhere in 2019. You can ring in the new year with Tiffany Haddish at the James L. Knight Center. Since her breakout role as Dina in Girls Trip, she’s hosted Saturday Night Live, starred as Shay in The Last O.G., and inked big-time roles in 2019’s The Lego Movie 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2. 9 p.m. Monday at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second Ave., Miami; jlkc.com. Tickets cost $47.50 to $247.

Tuesday

After partying your ass off on NYE, perhaps you need something a little mellower. Enter the New Year’s Day Reggae Jam. Hosted by the legendary Jamaican-born jammers of Inner Circle, the showcase will present ten bands, including Mykal Rose, Mighty Diamonds, Jo Mersa Marley, and Papayo. Inner Circle is celebrating its 50th year in the biz and recently wrapped a three-month tour that hit 27 countries. Welcome back to the States, fellas. 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29th St., Miami. Tickets cost $25 to $35 via eventbrite.com.

Happy new year! Keep the party going with a few glasses of champagne at the Veuve Clicquot New Year’s Day Picnic. Rally your friends and head to the Wharf for a full-day of champagne specials, live music, and food from Miami’s best, including La Santa Taquería, Mojo Donuts, King of Racks BBQ, and Cracked by Chef Adrianne. Various bottles will be priced from $100 to $150, and glasses will start at $25. Cocktails and beer will be available too. Noon Tuesday at the Wharf, 114 SW North River Dr., Miami; 305-906-4000; wharfmiami.com. Admission is free; RSVP via eventbrite.com.

Wednesday

The SoundScape Cinema Series continues with free film screenings on a 7,000-square-foot wall. The first flick of the new year will be the 1955 drama Pather Panchali. The debut feature by Indian director Satyajit Ray, it follows the plight of a son named Apu. The “Apu Trilogy,” with two sequels, went on to become a cultural icon in India and beyond. 8 p.m. Wednesday at SoundScape Park, 400 17th St., Miami Beach; mbartsandculture.org. Admission is free.

If you’ve been to Wynwood recently, you might have noticed a lush space on NW Second Avenue surrounded by cacti. Bakan, which recently opened in the neighborhood, offers authentic food from several regions of Mexico. A wood-fired grill turns out various meats and vegetables for the restaurant’s asado a la lena, and the bar serves about 500 tequilas and mezcals. The focal point of the space is the large indoor/outdoor bar lit by hanging basket lanterns and framed by large cacti. The entire scene is designed to make you feel as though you’re in a chic yet minimalist desert home. Noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday at 2801 NW Second Ave., Miami; 786-542-9139; bakanwynwood.com.