Miami Out & About February 2008 Update

MIAMI’S ‘OLD COLORED BEACH’ REOPENS: Miami’s ‘old colored beach,’ Virginia Key Beach Park will hold its re-augural celebrations and official grand reopening on the February 22-24, 2008 weekend, in closing out Black History Month – an exciting line-up of gala events for the whole family – a natural tourist attraction, with headline entertainment, sandcastles, car show, old school party, salsa, reggae, historical experiences, ecological fantasy, and a breathtaking view of a tropical paradise. For more information call 305.960.4606.

SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL DRAWS NEAR: Set against the backdrop of glamorous South Beach the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival will take place Thursday, February 21 - Sunday, February 24 with a slew of exciting events for which tickets are still available. Among the highlights is the exclusive D’Vine Divas dinner, featuring top female chefs and sommeliers at the Biltmore Hotel, countless cocktail clinics featuring Patrón, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Gekkeikan sake and Grand Marnier, amazing wine seminars, and the not-to-be-missed interactive Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen events hosted by culinary stars Tyler Florence, Dylan Lauren and Guy Fieri.  This year’s exciting new addition, Fun and Fit as a Family, is sure to become a perennial favorite.  Taking place Saturday, February 23 & Sunday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Jungle Island, Fun and Fit will feature an array of educational, fitness, and nutrition-oriented activities, along with appearances by celebrity chefs Rachael Ray, Jamie Oliver, Tyler Florence and Ellie Krieger. To access the festival schedule or purchase tickets visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.

THE SECOND ANNUAL MIAMI MUSEUM MEMBERS MONTH:  Seventeen museums in Miami-Dade County will kick off the second annual Miami Museum Members Month (M4) in February, 2008. Initiated by The Wolfsonian-FIU, the program allows members of a single museum to visit all participating seventeen museums during the entire month of February, 2008. Whether a person has been a longtime museum supporter or has just signed up, the program enables everyone to museum-hop and experience the Miami cultural scene. The month will be marked by a wide range of members-only programs at each institution, including exhibition openings, cocktail hours, panel discussions, family days, and educational lectures. For more information visit www.JoinOneSeeThemAll.com.

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 25^TH ANNIVERSARY: The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary February 28-March 9, 2008—an exciting and distinctive milestone in the history of the Festival! This anniversary year will be overflowing with thought-provoking films, lively events, educational programming and meaningful community outreach. In 2007, more than 70,000 people attended the Festival to enjoy 120 films from all over the world. This year’s festival will host more celebrities than ever before with the following stars expected to attend:  Colin Firth, Juliette Binoche, Carlos Santana, Harvey Keitel, Tony Shalhoub, Alfred Molina, Demi Moore, Kate Beckinsale, Heather Graham, Gael Garcia Bernal and Emilio and Gloria Estefan, debuting their film “90 Miles.” For more information visit www.MiamiFilmFestival.com.  

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