Art entitled “Afrogalactic Girl and the Freudian Slip 

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRISTINA NICOLA 

Staff Report

MIAMI – It’s that time of year again when Miami’s streets will light up with art galore for the annual Art Basel festivities. To make sure your experience is as exciting as possible, it’s only fitting that we give you the scoop on where you can find some of the most compelling works and performances by artists of color this year.

Whether you’re the type who enjoys visual arts displays, concerts, films, delicious bites or educational talks, there’s something you can enjoy this year.

Highlights include Soul Basel in Historic Overtown, The 7th Edition of Art Africa Miami Arts Fair: Back To Black: No On/Off Ramps, The Prizm Art Fair and more.

Art Africa Miami is housed between the Pan-African Pavilion at 919 Plaza at The Lyric and the Featured Artists Pavilion at the 920 Historic Clyde Killens’ building on NW 2 Avenue in Overtown. Twenty-five artists from the United States, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America are set to showcase their work.

Check out our highlights.
DECEMBER 2

Art Blues & BBQ Festival: This Art Basel inspired event features the authentic sounds of the Chicago Blues All-Stars, Ike & Val Woods and the Valerie Tyson Band performing live on an outdoor stage; a brilliant art exhibition by Addonis Parker inside the Amadlozi Gallery; a highly competitive BBQ grilling challenge with VIP judges and contestants who are public figures, local leaders and nonprofit organizations. 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC), 6161 NW 22 Avenue in Miami. Free, however RSVPs are encouraged at ahcacmiami.eventbrite.com. Interested food vendors should contact the AHCAC. Call 305-638-6771 or visit www.ahcacmiami.org.

DECEMBER 5

Prizm Art Fair: Spanning two weeks and coinciding with Miami Art Week, this fair dedicated to showcasing the works of artists of color presents “Universal Belonging,” a global program curated by Mikhaile Solomon that unravels and explores complexities inherent in transcultural dialogue. Dec. 517 at Mana Contemporary Downtown, 141 E. Flagler Street in Miami. To get a full schedule of events, visit http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/event/prizm-art-fair/9315.

DECEMBER 6

Art Africa Exhibition Opening: The Black Party: This signature night transforms Historic Overtown for the ultimate Black Party. Come dance the night away to DJ Dorenzo spinning Island beats & the cultural sphere of Black Arts to serve as your backdrop. Music by Melo Groove Steele Orchestra and Carnival costumes by D-Junction Mas Carnival-all powered by Miami Carnival. Attire: Black. 7-11 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Art Africa Miami Gallery spaces.

Funky Turns 40! Three Evenings of Funk, Art & Soul: During Soul Basel, experience a 3-day celebration hosted by comedian Rickey Smiley that features the sounds of the SOS Band and George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars, the Black Archives Honors Award Ceremony, and the unveiling of its new exhibition “Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution” showcasing cartoons and animated images with African-American casts from the 70s. Dec. 6-8 at the Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW Second Ave. in Miami. $125 and up. Call 305-6362390 or visit www.BAF40eventbrite.com.

DECEMBER 7

#OurVoiceMatters Opening Reception: Urgent, Inc. will present a multimedia exhibit of youth photography, art and media from 3-6 p.m. at the Ward Rooming House Gallery, 249 NW 9 Street in Miami. Free.

Junction AF (Artists First): A new food hall, Junction 2027, will debut with its inaugural showcase providing art enthusiasts and foodies in Miami with a four-day event that combines food, art, music and culture under one roof. Dec. 7-10 at Junction, 2027 NW 7 Avenue in Miami. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will also grant attendees with a first look at the new food hall space that is scheduled to open summer 2018. For more information on how to be considered for future space in the food hall, visit: junctionhalls.com.

Talk by Neil Hall: Enjoy a thoughtful discussion about Art & Community led by Art Africa’s founder, Neil Hall, with local and international street artists on the importance of an ongoing commitment to the cultural resurgence of the Historic Overtown neighborhood through the activation of art and culture. 6-7 p.m. at the Art Africa Miami Arts Fair. Visit www.artafricamiamifair.com. Complimentary wine will be served.

DECEMBER 8

‘We’ll Look After You-For Now!’ Pop Up Performance & Film Screening: Enjoy a variety of artistic performances in an open mic format during which people can come showcase their talents in poetry, song, etc. Take a tour of the historical museum and enjoy a screening of “Detroit Revealed” at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The film is by Cannon Hersey, the grandson of Pulitzer prize-winning journalist John Hersey who helped capture many of the events that unfolded during the aftermath of Hiroshima. Dec. 8-9. Overall event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum, 480 NW 11 Street in Miami. Free with RSVP, $15 at door. Call 305-329-2513.
Urban Soul Experience: The Resilience of Creativity: Enjoy this outdoor exhibit with art, food and entertainment intermixed with an eclectic blend of contemporary and street art. Dec. 8-9 from 4 p.m. to midnight at 925 NE 2 Court. Free. Visit soulbaselovertown.com.

Art of Conversation: Join City of Miami Commission Chairman Keon Hardemon, the Southeast Overtown Park West (SEOPW) CRA and Headliner Marketing Group for a professional networking mixer featuring a special film screening where Generation X and Millennial professionals can converse, network, enjoy live music, cocktails and art. 6 p.m. to midnight at The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2 Avenue in Miami. RSVP required. Visit soulbaselovertown.com.

DECEMBER 9

Community Art Day: Youth are invited to participate in a hands-on event about technology and art. Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ward Rooming House Gallery, 249 NW 9 Street in Miami. Free.

Soul Basel Lounge: Come out for an art party Historic Overtown-style. 7-11 p.m. at the Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW Second Ave. in Miami. Call 305-636-2390 or visit soulbaselovertown.com.

It’s A Fashion Affair 2017: Come view Neesha’s Finest Fashions’ showcase of designer fashions with celebrity models and entertainment. VIP Reception, 1 p.m. Fashion Show, 24 p.m. at Ramada West Palm Beach, 1901 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Pick your prize auction to benefit the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast. $20-$40. For more information, call 561-3129771 or email amahanif@aol.com.

Atman: The Caribbean Lion: View Derrick Grant’s artistic exploration of the ego and how it relates to our reality through Dec. 30 at The ARC, 675 Ali Baba Avenue in Opa-Locka. Call 305-687-3545.

Little Haiti Cultural Museum: Enjoy exhibits that are important to the cultural fabric of the African Diaspora’s contribution to America including: “Visionary Aponte: Art and Black Freedom” curated by Eduard Duval-Carrie featuring Jose Bedia, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Sanford Biggers and Asser St. Val; “Now or Neverland: Ode to Hip-Hop,” the South Florida Webfest and ArtBeat Miami curated by Carl Juste at the center, Dec. 6-10. For more information, call 305960-2969.

ONGOING:

John Dunkley: Neither Day Nor Night: The late Jamaican artist’s work will be on display. Known for his detailed landscapes, this is the first time Dunkley’s work has been on display outside of Jamaica. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through January 14, 2018 at Perez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Free with museum admission of $16, $12 for seniors, students with ID and children. Call 305-375-3000.

For more information on Art Africa Miami call 954283-7195 or visit www.artafricamiamifair.com. PLEASE NOTE: The Galleries open at 12 p.m. and close at 8 p.m.