Best place to celebrate 4th of July in Miami

Every year, people contact the MiamiBeachVisitorsCenter.com for recommendations on the best places to celebrate the 4th of July in Miami, Fl. Our recommendation is to spend this year's Independence Day on a special 4th of July Dinner Cruise on the Biscayne Lady.

The best thing about this special 4th of July Dinner Cruise is how it combines the best things about Miami including the water, dinner cruises, fireworks, sun, sightseeing and the best views of Downtown Miami skyline.

For only $85 dollars per adult, you get to enjoy unlimited food, open premium bar and the Downtown Miami skyline.

Purchase tickets 4th of July Tickets .

SoBAY Festival of the Arts at the Deering Estate in Miami

Set against the backdrop of a growing South Biscayne Bay (SoBay) Community and founded in 2006, the SoBay Festival of the Arts celebrates the literary, performing, and visual arts at the Deering Estate at Cutler. In partnership with LegalArt, Bernice Steinbaum, the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, the Miami-Dade College Theatre Department and individual artists such as Xavier Cortada, Jennifer Basile, Deena Blazejack, Cherie Clark, Ingrid Eliasson, and Vickie Pierre we celebrate the best of Miami’s artistic talent.

The following events will be held from January 31st through February 14th at the Deering Estate:

Sunday, January 31st
ArtSoBay Exhibit Opening
7:00 - 9:00 pm; Free. Open to the public.
Join us for the ArtSoBay Exhibit Opening with a progressive evening of art, history, and entertainment! Xavier Cortada will present his genographic project, "Ancestral Journeys,” a series of installations and performances using DNA to trace the ancestral journeys of people living in Miami. Guest juror, Bernice Steinbaum in partnership with LegalArt and the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a group art exhibit in the Stone House, Richmond Cottage and main grounds of the Estate. Artists in Residence – Jennifer Basile, Deena Blazejack, Cherie Clark, Ingrid Eliasson, and Vickie Pierre will present a culmination exhibit of their past year’s work while in residence on the Estate. Vignettes in the Courtyard will be featured by the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the Miami Dade College Theatre Department.

Sunday, January 31st – February 26th
ArtSoBay Exhibit: "Ancestral Journeys," Xavier Cortada
In developing the works for the "Ancestral Journeys" installations and performances at Deering Estate, Cortada will be using DNA to trace the ancestral journeys of people living in Miami. Cortada will do so through the Genographic Project. The site-specific works Cortada proposes to install and perform during February 2010 include The Ancestral Dinner Party, Ancestral Journeys and Ancestral Miami. The artwork shows the interconnectedness between those who came from different countries across the Hemisphere to build their lives in Miami and their relationship to the natural world. In their blood they capture evidence of the routes their deep ancestors took in response to climatic changes from their original journey out of Africa 60,000 years ago. Looking at their biology to explore how nature influenced human history, the art piece will use genetic data to create a portrait of Miami's community.

Friday, February 5, 2010
Greater Miami Youth Symphony Performance
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; $15
Join us for an evening celebrating emerging young artists in our community as they perform various vignettes of Chamber Music in the historic Stone House Ballroom. The Greater Miami Youth Symphony - our youth performance Artists-in-Residence - will co-host the evening.

Saturday, February 6, 2010
"Book Nook by the Bay" - "EcoArt"
10:00 am - 12:00 pm; Free with Estate admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children (ages 4-14).
Join the Deering Estate at Cutler's staff and Artists-in-Residence and find inspiration in the natural features of the Estate while creating an eco-art project that focuses on the importance of environmental stewardship.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
“Icon of a Moment” – Panel discussion and lecture in the Ballroom
7:00 - 9:00 pm; $15
Join the Deering Estate's own Literary Artists-in-Residence, Deena Blazejack, guest historian, Dr. Paul George, Independent researcher and author from the Chicago area, Jennifer Faus, and Education and Interpretive Staff, Jessical Cabral as they lead a discussion and discovery of the juxtapositions of technology and culture depicted through Charles Deering - an icon of a moment in our nation's history.

Friday, February 12, 2010
Miami-Dade College Theatre Department
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; $15
Under the direction of Deborah Mello, Miami-Dade College's Theatre Department will present an evening of Vignette's on the Estate.

Saturday, February 13, 2010
ArtSoBay Exhibit: Curator's Tour & Lunch
Tour at 11:00 am; Lunch at 12:00 pm; $25 includes gourmet boxed luncheon.
Join Xavier Cortada, Artists-in-Residence, featured ArtSoBay artists, LegalArt Executive Director, Kathleen Carignan, and Exhibits and Collections Manager of the Deering Estate for a guided tour of the exhibits followed by a discussion of the Economic Impact on our Community over lunch. RSVP required by Tuesday, February 9th. Please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Sunday, February 14, 2010
11th annual "Moonlight & Music" Valentine's Day Concert
Concert begins at 7:00 pm; gate opens at 6:00 pm; $20 general admission.
The festival will end on a romantic note with the 11th annual “Moonlight and Music” Valentine’s Day Concert. The concert will feature Johnny Rodgers who will delight guests with his original soft rock ballads, Taylor-flavored melodies, and sultry jazz arrangements. Johnny Rodgers performed to a sold out crowd at the Deering Estate's July 2009 Summer Cabaret Concert. Liza Minnelli discovered Johnny several years ago, bringing him on as a pianist and guest performer on her world tours and recently featured Johnny in “Liza’s At The Palace” on Broadway. Johnny Rodgers grew up in Miami and is a product of Westminster Christian, Southwood Middle School, and New World School of the Arts. He also attended University of Miami Frost School of Music.

For more information, please visit http://www.deeringestate.org/.

Enjoy Miami on a Holiday Dinner Cruise

Island Queen Cruises will be hosting daily holiday dinner cruises between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Their nightly dinner cruise will be aboard their two luxury yachts the Venetian Lady and Biscayne Lady.

Their price of $75 dollars per adult is crazy! I highly recommend purchasing a ticket immediately, you can not find a better priced dinner in all of Miami for that price. Purchase holiday dinner cruise tickets now!!

Plus, their yachts are ideal for cruising Biscayne Bay and see Miami's spectacular skyline. You will not want to miss one of their nightly dinner cruises so make plans immediately!!

Personally, I've had a chance to be on board both vessels through the years. The Biscayne Lady is a huge vessel and extremely spacious while the Venetian Lady is spectacular and sleek. Even the show Top Chef filmed an episode on the Venetian Lady

As for the food, you will savor every bit from their chef, Clinton Smith. He makes incredible dishes.

Summer Concerts in Miami at the Deering Estate

Stay cool this summer and enjoy an intimate, cabaret-style concert at the Deering Estate’s 6th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series. The series features eclectic and world music artists in the historic Stone House Ballroom on June 27th, July 25th, and August 29th.

The Deering Estate kicks-off the 2009 Summer Cabaret Concert Series on Saturday, June 27th with the Jazz Trio - Cindy Curtis & Company. Cindy Curtis has written original lyrics to the melodies of many jazz standards including: Blue Bossa, Footprints, and High-Fly. The second concert will be held on Saturday, July 25th and will feature Johnny Rodgers. A native of Miami, Johnny Rodgers is an award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist whose original songs are influenced by the Beatles, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Sting, Paul Simon and John Mayer. Jorge Heilpern “Tangoman” will be performing for the final concert on Saturday, August 29th.

Concerts begin at 8 pm and the main gate opens at 7 pm. Guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show. Single Tickets are $20 and the three-concert series is $55. Limited seating is available. Advance tickets are recommended. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. During the summer, historic house tours are offered daily with admission to the Estate. EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs please visit the Deering Estate website.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Deering Estate

Enjoy Mother's Day in Miami at the Deering Estate! Treat someone special to a morning of delicious food in an elegant setting on Sunday, May 10th from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Enjoy an endless selection of food, desserts, and beverages provided by Bill Hansen Catering. After brunch, guests can tour the grand Stone House and historic Richmond Cottage and explore the grounds as they enjoy a relaxing day at the Deering Estate. The cost is $70 for adults and $45 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free. For more information on the Mother’s Day Brunch, or to purchase tickets, please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Deering Seafood Festival in Miami

Seafood lovers get ready to party! The enchanting rhythms of steel drums and towering stilt walkers greet you as you’re drawn into the magical, island-style celebration that has become the Deering Seafood Festival. Bring your family and friends on Sunday, March 29th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and plan to spend the day because this event just keeps getting better.

Meet on the lawn of the biggest backyard on Biscayne Bay, where the Bay Roots Reggae Band play their calypso beat, and the colorfully costumed, free spirited Bahamian Junkanoo dancers weave playfully throughout the crowd. Every island celebration needs some fire eating and limbo dancing, and the entertainment at the Dearing Seafood Festival offers that and more. Also, back by popular demand is the crowd-pleasing band, Mr. Nice Guy.

Throughout the day seafood markets, restaurants and caterers such as Golden Rule Seafood Market, Bizcaya Ritz-Carlton, Fleming, Shibui, Rodbenders, Sports Grill, Tropical Palate and The Les Seafood Express prepare an outstanding array of the freshest catch that includes delicious lobster, fried conch, shrimp egg rolls, grilled dolphin, garlic blue crabs and mountains of shrimp that are steamed, fried, or just peel and eat.

Under the big top tent local celebrity chefs conduct cooking demonstrations, and share their unique recipes and impart culinary advice. Taste delectable samples of seafood dishes prepared by Sean Bernal (Oceanaire); Barb Freda, (Les Dames d’Escoffier); Cindy Hutson (Ortanique on the Mile); Philippe Pinon (Bizcaya, Ritz-Carlton); and Paula Da Silva (3030 Ocean, Ft. Lauderdale) who was recently seen on Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Professionally attired culinary students from Robert Morgan Education Center work along side the chefs and offer assistance in food preparation. In the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone, Ariana Kumpis (Ariana’s Etiquette) conducts a cooking event designed just for children.

While festival goers of all ages are enjoying the scrumptious seafood and lively entertainment, some of the other exciting activities include an Artists’ Village with original paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry; the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone for kid-friendly fun; pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key; and a limited number of nature hikes and tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage.

Admission tickets include park entrance and entertainment, Adults $12 online and $15 at the gate; Children 4-14 year $5, and Foundation Members Free. For more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 263 or log on to Deering Seafood Festival.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.

Mother's Day Dinner Cruise Miami

This year, Island Queen Cruises is hosting a special Mother's Day Dinner Cruise aboard the Venetian Lady. This is going to be the best place to take your mother or wife and entire family for this special day. Make plans for this incredible Mother's Day Dinner Cruise.

This special Mother's Day Dinner cruise includes an unlimited dinner buffet of a tenderloin carving station with fresh baked dinner rolls, chicken marcela, bow tie pasta with 2 types of sauces fresh grilled garden veggies, scallop potatoes, fresh Greek salad and a Hong Kong desert table.

Our Venetian Lady yacht will be boarding between 3:30pm to 4:30pm and cruising until 7:30pm. The cruise will navigate the clear blue, calm waters around Miami and beautiful Biscayne Bay. Sit back and enjoy the scenery, while relaxing to our tropical background music and savor some of the best cuisine in South Florida. The most memorable Mother's Day imaginable!

Our modern yacht, the Venetian Lady, features three grand decks, 2 full bars, 2 dance floors, and state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. She is Miami's newest private luxury charter yacht.

Please contact our office at 305.379.5119 ext 201 to make reservations for this spectacular Mother's Day Brunch Cruise. Limited Seating!

Price Adults $95.00 Children $42.95

Click here to purchase Mother's Day Dinner Cruise tickets!