Downtown Arts + Science Salon
& Downtown News
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DOWNTOWN MIAMI HISTORY
The first cultural history of Downtown Miami ever published. An illustrated compilation of essays by prominent historians, journalists, architects, and local professors. It is informative and informed, elegant, at times very funny.
A perfect gift for anyone who calls Downtown Miami home.
$35.00 (Free Shipping)
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Downtown News
Online and in print. The only publication exclusively focused on Downtown Miami.
Third Anniversary Issue. Read it here.
The latest article, August 2. Photo Essay with notations on Downtown Miami, Civilization, sandals, beards and love. Read it here.
Recent Salon: 125 YEARS OF MIAMI HISTORY
July 27, 7-8:30 pm. Miami Dade College, the Wolfson Campus.
To commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Miami, the Downtown Arts + Science Salon (DASS), in partnership with Miami Dade College, is presenting the Salon 125 Years of Miami History.
Panelists (alphabetical order.)
Dr. Paul George, HistoryMiami Historian in Residence.
Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 5.
Christine Rupp, Executive Director, Dade Heritage Trust.
Allan Shulman, Author of Miami Modern Metropolis, and University of Miami Professor of architecture.
Moderators
Dr. Beatriz Gonzalez, President, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus.
Christina Vazquez, Local News, Channel 10.
Raul Guerrero, Director, the Downtown Arts + Science Salon.
The Salon revolves around four topics
1. Women who have made a difference.
2. The evolution of institutions (the judiciary, media, hospitality, real estate, and fintech).
3. Architecture, preservation and repurposing of historic buildings.
4. Culture and the arts as catalysts of economic development.
A Film Montage
A ten-minute montage of Miami history through film from 1915 to the 21st Century will be shown, produced by the Wolfson Archives.
Reception
The Waldorf Astoria Gallery will offer a reception to close the Salon to celebrate Miami's Anniversary and the launching of DOWNTOWN MIAMI HISTORY, a book edited by Raul Guerrero, (8:30 - 10:00 pm), featuring a historical musical interpretation arranged and performed by multiple Grammy winner, jazz violinist Federico Britos.
Where
The Salon will take place at MDC Live Arts Miami theater, located at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 1101 (Building 1000, first floor) Miami, FL. Attached please find campus map.
Waldorf Astoria Gallery, 400 Biscayne Boulevard.
Parking:
*Event guests: MDC Garage G1 (Building 7, 500 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL)
Please refer to the enclosed campus map for full view of parking locations.
DOWNTOWN MIAMI HISTORY
A commemorative book chronicling the story of Miami from 1896 to 2021. DOWNTOWN MIAMI HISTORY is a lively compilation of essays, articles, adapted book chapters, interviews, vignettes, and case studies to whet the appetite for the cultural history of our Magic City. The book interweaves the four stated topics in a long journalistic chronicle of Miami from its origins to becoming the epicenter for finance, tech and culture that it is today. Collaborators include distinguished historians, cultural critics, professors and journalists. Illustrated by original photography by Niels Johansen. The illustrated edition is complemented by a multimedia eBook to be distributed to high school and college students free of charge.
RSVP for Salon 125 Years of Miami History and Book Launching
May: Fencing.
The Art and Science of Fencing
An introductory lesson with an Olympic fencing champ.
Fencing boils down to touching and not being touched, as Moliere defined it.
Sword fighting goes back to the dawn of time, samurais, Romans, and, of course, the sword made it to America along with the cross, the Spanish language, and germs for which natives had no immunity.
Zorro, the California noblemen we all know used the sword in duel after duel to soften the morality of nice Catholic women. “The ultimate immorality for women was sex,” from Curiosities, “even thinking about it was sinful, but Zorro undressed women with two or three swift movements of the wrist, yes, fencing is all in the wrist.” An unforgettable night of improvised duels.
May 15. 7 pm.
More information at DASS Blog
April 13, 7 pm. Community Salon.
What is a Community?
What role do citizens play in building a community? And government, higher education, the arts, urbanism? The Salon features Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, the only Downtowner elected official, the President of Miami Dade College, the Wolfson Campus, Beatriz Gonzalez, and the distinguished architect and urbanist Juan Mullaret. Moderator: Raul Guerrero, Academic Curator DASS, and Editor Downtown News.
The Salon is divided in four sections, plus a musical bonus at intermission.
1. Urbanism. Integrating society through urban design, making downtown more pedestrian and transit oriented. Neighborhoods more connected. Mix-use urban centers as opposed to shopping malls, and emphasis on street-level shops. Also address parks and streets as community centers and venues.
2. Government and community participation. Community feedback to draft policies. Conducting needs assessment surveys. Covid-19 and the Vaccine, community mechanisms for dissemination of information.
3. Musical Bonus. An exclusive jazzy arrangement of John Lennon’s song Imagine for piano and voice, performed by soprano Ria Iparraguirre.)
Check video of performance @ Magazine DASS.
4. Urban colleges. Their increasing importance, from civic participation and democracy (citizenship) to creating qualified labor force. Downtown is experiencing an influx of high-tech and finance companies, what role does MDC play in reskilling and career enhancement for the changing work market? What areas of training are available beyond the traditional hospitality, health and technical skills?
5. Art and culture as catalysts of community cohesiveness. Developing a sense of local identity, fostering a shared vision—essential for building community, and nurturing health and well-being. Bring together different demographic groups. Young and old, poor and affluent. The role libraries, arts facilities, museums, and entertainment venues play.
About Downtown Arts + Science Salon (DASS)
The motto is simple: Rediscover the art of conversation over a glass of wine, or two. Salons take place in downtown’s iconic venues. For now, however, the safety of Zoom must do, and the comfort of one’s home.
No politics. No private agendas. Just intelligent conversation.