Slava’s Snowshow
July 24 - August 17

A cross between Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group, this entertainment phenomenon created by Slava, the original Cirque’s clown genius, is an awesome theatrical experience and a profoundly moving spectacle full of wondrous images, delightful comedy, haunting music and snow—lots and lots of snow. Slava’s Snowshow has “stage effects that are dazzling” and a “finale that blows you away!” Supported by American Airlines.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
305-949-6722

Battle of the Bands
Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m.

Installment Two of MOCA’s Battle of the Bands is presented in conjunction with the museum's special exhibition "Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967," which will be open for view. Young, up-and-coming musicians from South Florida were selected from an open call for submissions by professionals from MOCA and Sweat Records, a leading indie music store in Miami. The bands, each performing their own original music, play a 20-minute set, competing to be the chosen Audience Favorite. Winners receive a free Gibson Epiphone Guitar and a recording session at JamRock Studios. The Grand Prize winner who will be announced at the final concert on August 28th, will receive one day of recording time at the legendary Hit Factory Criteria Miami. Bands scheduled are: Old Wives Tales (Alternative Rock); Treasures (Crunk, Experimental, Idol); Minimal (Latin Rock Alternative); Psycho Daisies (Psychedelic Brit Rock Acid Blues); and The Hongs. Refreshments are courtesy of Grolsch Beer and VitaminEnergy drink, and Dogma Grill will be selling hot dogs.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
In the Paradise Courtyard
770 N.E. 125th Street, North Miami
305-893-6211

International Hispanic Theatre Festival
Thursday - Sunday, July 24 - 27

The International Hispanic Theatre Festival (IHTF) of Miami presents Teatro Avante's production of La Celestina, by Fernando de Rojas, adapted by Raquel Carrió, and directed by Lilliam Vega. What truly grips us about La Celestina, who could be anyone, is the way in which old age pulls the strings of the age of innocence. At the end of the performance, we are left with a question. That uneasiness, which has lingered for more than five centuries, is the secret thread that connects us through time. In Spanish with English supertitles. Tickets are $25 general admission and $20 for seniors and students. Performances are Thurs - Sat at 8:30 p.m. and Sun at 5 p.m.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Carnival Studio Theater
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami
305-949-6722

Miami Libre - World Premiere
July 25 - August 17

Join the party! Get up and dance when the Knight Concert Hall is transformed into the hottest nightclub in town! Miami Libre features one of the brightest new stars in Latin entertainment, singer and actor Jencarlos Canela, recently seen in Telemundo’s hit telenovela “Pecados Ajenos;” Cuban-born actress and model Everlayn Borges; Miami’s own sizzling timba band, Tiempo Libre; and the hottest dancers north of Havana. Be among the first to experience Miami Libre - a Cuban dance odyssey that tells the story in, English and in Spanish, of a musician’s search for love and liberty. The show celebrates Cuban music and the millions who carry it in their hearts, no matter where they go. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes! Preview performances are July 25 to 29. Miami Libre opens July 30 and runs ’til August 17.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Knight Concert Hall
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
305-949-6722

Jazz at MOCA
Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m.

Pianist, educator and author Mike Orta will be the featured performer at Jazz at MOCA, the concert series sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company and the City of North Miami. Orta is a well known performer in the Miami jazz scene. His virtuoso technique and creative improvisations make him a noted solo performer, while his refined musicality makes him a favorite accompanist. He has performed and toured with Arturo Sandoval, Nestor Torres, Sammy Figueroa and recorded with Paquito D’Rivera, Nicole Henry and Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra. Jazz at MOCA is a free outdoor concert and is performed the last Friday of the month, rain or shine. MOCA galleries will be open by donation from 7 to 10 p.m. so that guests can view “Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll since 1967.”

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
770 N.E. 125th Street, North Miami
305-893-6211

Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m.

Miami Lyric Opera presents Madame Butterfly, an audience favorite that rated number 1 of the 20 most-performed operas. It's the ill-fated story of Lieutenant Pinkerton, an American Navy Officer, and a 15 year-old young Geisha, named Cio-Cio San or Butterfly, as she is called by her friends, whom he marries for convenience. When Pinkerton's tour of duty is up, he returns to his homeland, assuring Butterfly that he will return. Butterfly gives birth to a boy child she names Sorrow (a name to be replaced when Pinkerton returns with the name Joy). When Pinkerton does return, his American wife travels with him to attempt to adopt the child. Pinkerton realizes the damage done to Butterfly but is too late; she kills herself to “die with honor.” Tickets, available at the Colony box office or through Ticketmaster, are $30 and $25 at the box office for students with ID. A second performance of Madame Butterfly will be August 2 at the Colony.

Colony Theater
1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305-674-1040

Thespian Garage Sale
Saturday, July 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m

A local high school drama troupe, devoted to learning about and promoting theatre arts in the community, is holding their first ever Summer Garage Sale Fundraiser to benefit their upcoming theater season. There will be toys, clothes, electronics and furniture to purchase. Come out and support the RMEC theater students as they work to supplement costs for their two main stage productions and local and state competitions.

Robert Morgan Educational Center
18180 S.W. 122nd Avenue, mIAMI
786-210-4642

Family Fun in Miami's Snow Playground
Saturday, July 26 at 9 a.m.

More than 10 tons of snow will fall on the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts at the Arsht Center to herald the arrival of Slava's Snowshow and kick off Culture Shock's student ticket series. Throughout the run of Slava's Snowshow - and for other performances - there will be $5 tickets for students, ages 13-22. The snow fun begins at 9 a.m. with snowboarding, snowman building, frosty fruit smoothies, and theater games. A matinee follows at 2 p.m. - a $10 discount applies if you use the promo code ICE. All the outdoor snow fun is free!

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami
305-949-6722

The Stylist - Open Call
Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Producers of The Real World, The Simple Life, and Keeping up with the Kardashians are casting for a new television show looking for the HOTTEST ASPIRING FASHION STYLISTS! If you can't make to the casting call, check out the website for home tape submission info. More questions? Call the casting hotline.

Fresh on Fifth
458 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
818-989-8293 Casting Hotline

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Bakehouse Art Complex will be the recipient of proceeds from the raffle of a $4,000 Glas Italia mirror. It will be the first to be hung in the United States. Tickets are $50, and the winner will be selected during the reception. Email or call if you would like to purchase a raffle ticket. Pictured: Gli Specchi di Dioniso 3.

Imoderni
143 N.W. 23rd Street, Miami
305-576-2828

5th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series
Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m.

Enjoy eclectic and world music artists in the intimate setting of the historic Stone House ballroom at the Deering Estate at Cutler. The second of a three-concert series features Stephan Mikes, classically trained on the sitar as a student of sitar master Roop Verma. Mikes combines his knowledge of Eastern music with the influence of Latin, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, and Carribean rhythms to create compositions which are unique and compelling. In addition to the sitar, Mikes is proficient on guitar, zither, mandolin, lap steel guitar and various types of synthesizers. The concert begins at 8 pm; gates open at 7 pm. Tickets are $20, and guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show. Limited seating is available so advance tickets are recommended.

Deering Estate at Cutler
16701S.W. 72nd Avenue, Miami
305-235-1668, Ext. 233

An Egyptian Adventure
Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.

The Lowe Art Museum presents an afternoon of family programming themed "An Egyptian Adventure." Begin with a visit to an Egyptian Bazaar in search of clues to the location of a lost tomb. Puppeteer and storyteller Frank Lakus portrays a wacky archaeologist in search of the tomb of Pharoah Amassis, the real ruler of Egypt. Examining the various articles for sale in the market allows the audience to learn a little about life in ancient Egypt. The discovery of carved cartouches on the stone walls of the set lead to the “opening” of a detailed burial tomb complete with wall paintings, carvings, statues and a few more surprises. A rollicking dance by a marionette mummy lightens the tone, and a talking stone statue narrates this rags-to-riches story. Pictured: Puppeteer Frank Lakus in An Egyptian Adventure. Admission is $5 for the puppet show, followed by an art activity.

Lowe Art Museum
1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables

Drama@MiaSci
Thursday, July 31 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Miami Science Museum presents the next installment of the Hottest Young Professional Happy Hour (named in the Sunpost's Best of 2008 Issue)! This time around join "Just The Funny," Miami's funniest comedy/improv troupe, for a fun alternative to the regular old happy hour circuit. As usual, free drinks all night, free food, free parking and the hottest professionals in South Florida - all for a $15.00 cover. MiaSci's newest promotional partner, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas will be raffling a 4 night stay in their Royal Towers for one lucky winner. Don't miss it! Also MiaSci guests are invited to New Times Miami's Night Time Affair Party right after Drama@MiaSci.

Miami Science Museum
3280 S. Miami Avenue, Miami
305-646-4209

Cellist Mark Kosower
Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m.

The 2008 Summer Concert Series continues at Coral Gables Congregational Church with a luscious evening of music with Cellist Mark Kosower. Hailed by musicians and critics alike for his instrumental mastery and deep musical integrity, Kosower is one of the outstanding cellists of his generation. A product of Janos Starker at Indiana University and Joel Krosnick at the Juilliard School, Mr. Kosower's notable honors include Grand Prize of the Seventh Irving Klein International String Competition, first-prize at the Aspen Music Festival and the Juilliard Cello Concerto competitions, and top prizes in the Rostropovich and Pablo Casals International Cello competitions. He is joined by pianist Jee-Won Oh for music by J.S. Bach, Poulenc, Ginastera, Kodály, Mendelssohn, and Popper. Tickets are $25 and $35, purchased in advance and $5 more at the door. Credit cards are accepted.

Coral Gables Congregational Church
Community Arts Program
3010 DeSoto Boulevard, Coral Gables
305-448-7421, Ext. 33

Gables Gallery Night
Friday, August 1 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Join the fun every first Friday when Gables Gallery Night attracts collectors and young professionals to the art galleries, sidewalk tapas bars, fine restaurants and clubs in safe, comfortable downtown Coral Gables. Whisked between galleries aboard free air-conditioned minibus limousines or the city's quaint trolleys, thousands of visitors join local residents at Greater Miami's liveliest monthly event. Enjoy complementary refreshments, stroll through exhibitions of contemporary and modern Latin American, North American, and European art, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, works on paper and photography, along with art books, in a downtown area chock full of fascinating boutiques. Top off your evening in one of Coral Gables' celebrated dining spots - all within easy walking distance! Click to view participating member galleries.

Throughout the Coral Gables Business District
305-444-4493