Miami: The Miami Beach Bandshell
Miami (and Miami Beach) is the “hottest” city in the country and I am not referring to the air or water temperature. No, I salute the incredible cultural explosion that has occurred over the past fifteen years. Miami has become a magnet for international talent and capital. Billionaires moving en masse, high tech and AI firms relocating from California and Texas, private equity and hedge fund moguls transitioning from New York and Chicago- the capitalist drive creating conditions leading to great momentum in the arts, both infrastructure and programming. The sheer abundance of offerings is also enriched by the amazing diversity associated with the dynamic influx and influence from Latin America, Israel, Europe and the Caribbean. Attending an art exhibit or a musical concert in Miami is analogous to attending a session of the United Nations General Assembly. A multicultural and multilingual mosaic of performers and producers. It is rather overwhelming. A dazzling journey from the sleepy Miami I remember from the 80’s. Bravo!
A distinct feature of the Miami scene is that everything is “new”, “modern”, “innovative”, or “cutting edge”.This is not a town anchored by century old art institutions or locked in by customs or traditions. The cultural and social doyennes of London, Paris and New York would be shocked by the speed of Miami’s development and perhaps a bit skeptical of its quality or staying power. They would be wrong- Miami and Miami Beach are here to stay as cultural capitals. These communities may not project a“classic” or “vintage” image, but the heady mix of ambition, money, talent, dynamism, risk taking and diversity is unstoppable. The future is promising. Join the party!
The ever expanding list of festivals, concerts and openings confirms the breadth and depth of Miami’s creative juices. The South Beach Jazz Festival, Art Deco Weekend, the International Boat Show, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, Jazz in the Garden, Calle Ocho Music Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Miami Film Festival, Miami Tennis Open, the Miami Ballet, Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Miami Book Fair, the Perez Art Museum, the Rubell Art Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Art Basel Miami, Scope, Context, Untitled, Art Miami, Art Wynwood, the Colony Theatre, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts- the list is endless and impressive.
You should now be convinced that Miami is an art mecca. Let’s change the narrative for a minute and reflect- does Miami actually have any institutions that are characterised by an actual HISTORY? Perhaps some wrinkles or grey hair ! Any places that have aged gracefully and improved like a fine bottle of wine? The answer is YES, but the list is finite and short. The Art Deco Historical District in South Beach is amazing and definitely worth a visit (outside spring break). The Deering Estate and Vizcaya are outstanding examples of architectural excess from an earlier Gilded Age. The Fairchild Botanic Garden is mature and world class. My favourite “oldie” and the focus of today’s musings is the Miami Beach Bandshell. We have attended four events there in 2024 and it is an enchanting venue with a fascinating history and a unique design vibe. I recommend a visit during your next sojourn to Miami Beach. Why?
The Miami Beach Bandshell is located at 7225 Collins- the main artery in the mid beach Normandy neighbourhood. It is “urban” in spirit . It was designed by Norman Giller in 1961. He was a leading proponent of the Miami Modern Architecture Movement (MIMO) and the bandshell is one of his most renowned structures. It has geometric design and when I first approached it memories were stirred of the 1960’s sci-fi cartoon- The Jetsons. I always enjoyed that program more than the Flintstones. The National Register of Historic Places granted it landmark status in 2022. Historian Randall Robinson describes the Bandshell as “a futuristic take on a Roman Amphitheater.” It has an open air feel, the seating is basic and the acoustics are decent. I haven’t tried the food or bar. A fun element is recognising its history as a player in early television. The Mike Douglass show was held there in the 70’s. Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle did stand up. Like many venues, it ebbed and flowed in popularity and usage based on the demographics and dynamics of the neighbourhood. When Miami Beach devolved to a quiet community for pensioners and retirees, the Bandshell was allowed to deteriorate. As Miami Beach embarked on its amazing recovery, the Bandshell regained its proper place as a first class destination. In 2015, the Rhythm Foundation assumed management control from the City of Miami Beach. They have aggressively recruited talent and the venue now hosts over 100 concerts and events annually. The price points aren’t sacrilegious. The musicians love the intimacy and vibrancy of the space. The main stage is about 100 yards from Collins Avenue and the occasional accident, screeching of tires or Latino road rage add a urban realism component to the audience viewing experience. All good!
The mot appropriate illustration of the rich offerings at the Bandshell is to provide bullet or mini reviews of the performances Amalia and I have attended this year.
1) Alfredo Rodriquez and Friends: Rodriquez is a Cuban born pianist and composer raised and trained in Havana. He was youth prodigy and was discovered by Quincy Jones while performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Jones became a mentor and Rodriquez eventually moved to Miami. He has been nominated for a Grammy and performs internationally. His piano playing style is crisp and soothing. His musical genre is definitely fusion - a combination of latin, jazz, tango and pop. His arrangement for the Cuban classic “Guantanamera” is splendid. The concert was wonderful and I have downloaded his most recent album Coral Way to my Pandora library. Rodriquez is a professional- he established a warm connection with the audience and clearly loves what he is doing. A great fit for the Miami Beach Bandshell.
2) Eliades Ochoa; He is founding member of the iconic Buena Vista Social Club and a Cuban crooner and guitarist of the first rank. He has been labeled the “Cuban Johnny Cash”. He has released nine albums and received 4 Latin Grammys. He has performed at Orchestra Hall and at the Ravinia Festival. His Bandshell concert highlighted songs from his latest album Guajiro. The audience loved this guy- Cuban middle aged (and beyond) women dancing in the aisles and on the benches. We enjoyed the evening immensely. The Castro led Cuban Revolution caused much pain to many, but Cuban musical genius has survived. Messrs Rodriquez and Ochoa are testaments to that fact.
3) Nu Deco: This was a fun ensemble orchestra. We liked them enough to watch them a month later at the Adrienne Arsht Theatre and have also purchased tickets for their May performance at the New Colony. Nu Deco is a polished orchestra led by Jacomo Bairos and Sam Hyken. They have a unique formula- perhaps a bit gimmicky but it has proved to be audience friendly. The concert evolves in three stages. First Nu Deco executes their vision of a classical piece. At the Bandshell, it was Dumbarton Oaks by Igor Stravinsky. Stage 2 is their re-imagination of a contemporary work. Tonight, it was various songs by the rock group Police. I would wager the first time Stravinsky and Police have been on the same dance card. Stage 3 is the orchestra’s collaboration with another artist performing their own repertoire. At the Bandshell, it was Joy Oladokum, a fast rising singer and songwriter- with a focus on folk and R&B. The guest musician at the Arsht concert was Andrew Bird. Eclectic and innovative does not truly capture the nature of Nu Deco. They are bold and display great range. The New York Times hailed the ensemble as “a Chamber Orchestra for the 21st century” and Billboard stated they are “sonically spellbinding.” We join the praise.
4) The Performance: The Miami Beach Bandshell is also an excellent venue for movies. It recently hosted The Performance, a 2023 indie production directed by Shira Piven and featuring Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold of Entourage fame). The movie was presented in conjunction with the Miami Film Festival. The movie has been on the festival circuit (Rome, Berlin, Sundance, Palm Springs) and the reviews and notices have been positive. Independent movies are challenging to make and more difficult to distribute. The radical changes in the movie business since the streaming revolution have made the situation even harder. I am rooting for them here.
The movie itself was solid and kudos to the Pivens. I always cheer Chicagoans and the Evanston based Piven Theatre Workshop has always been first class. The film is based on an Arthur Miller short story and the Piven siblings acquired the rights on the recommendation of their mother who had always loved the piece. It is not one of Miller’s famous works. The plot is odd and offbeat. Piven’s character, Harold May, is a talented 1930’s tap dancer surviving in New York. He is Jewish and his parents want him to work in their fabric store. His dance troupe is a series of urban legends; the cynical ladies man, the femme fatale and an insecure young fellow. They are starving artists. Believe it or not, their big break is a tour of dance halls in the Balkans. Watering holes in Prague, Budapest, Bucharest- I kid you not! Who knew tap dancing had a cult audience in Central Europe? They press on in style- still starving but smiling every moment - until an even bigger opportunity comes their way. A suave German tap dancing camp follower sees the act and offers them an startling gig in Berlin. Big money, all expenses paid, fancy hotels, gourmet meals and a booking at the most legendary club in town. What could go wrong? Harold May relishes the chance to hit it big. Others in the group are less enthusiastic, noting the Nazis run Germany and they appear to be bad guys. Despite the doubts, the potential rewards convince them to head off to Berlin.
The movie then becomes rather predictable. The German tap dancing fan is an SS Officer. The command performance is for Adolf Hitler and the top Nazis. They LOVE the show. May is then recruited to train German dancers and create a huge tap dancing extravaganza that will inspire the youth of Germany. The complications from this effort proceed in staccato like fashion. Beatings on the streets, the band doesn’t know any songs by Jewish composers, the gay club owner is murdered. Ultimately, a final moment of moral clarity for Harold May which leads to a sad if sentimental ending. It is not a great movie but the audience gave it a 3 minute standing ovation. I clapped politely. As an aside, there are too many standing ovations today. They should be reserved for truly special performances and shows. Overall a good nite and the Bandshell works for cinema.
