Actually Fun Things To Do in Miami This Weekend
Explore a tropical garden, watch an MLK doc, or run a 5K through a winery.
Thanks to COVID lockdowns and rough winter weather, it seems one or two people have decided to relocate themselves to South Florida this month. To all of you, welcome! You’ll do just fine as long as you refrain from mentioning your tap water’s ability to make magic bread or the relative size of your beach’s “swells.” Instead, get out and enjoy your new home before it gets unbearably hot, sing along with the Beatles in a tropical garden, and run a 5K through a winery in January. All that and the start of hockey season highlight the best things going on in South Florida this weekend.
Sing along with the Beatles under banyan trees
Friday, January 15Fairchild Garden
It’ll be a little like your own personal version of Yesterday at this month’s edition of Fairchild’s Date Night, as they host a Beatles sing along from 7:30-10 pm. The Super Fuzz and Vic Kingsley will play the part of the Fab Four, and guests are invited to bring a blanket and join them in belting out all their Beatles favorites. The show starts at 8:30 pm, but be sure to show up early for a warm, tropical walk.
Cost: $55 per person. $40 for members
Hear a live version of that song from the Ocean Spray skateboard video
Friday, January 15The Casino at Dania Beach
No video summed up the “Well, f**k this year, I’m just trying to chill” vibe of late 2020 like the man who rode a skateboard drinking cranberry juice to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” He won’t be at Stage 954 at the Dania Beach Casino at 8 pm. And neither will Fleetwood Mac. But Rumors, one of the top Fleetwood cover bands, will be. And you bet they’re gonna do something special for that song.
Cost: Tickets start at $15
See the first symphony face-off of the season
Friday, January 15Online
It’s a little like American Idol for New World Symphony fellows Friday night, when six different sections of the orchestra take part in this year’s version of Face Off. Each section will compete playing different pieces, and the online audience will vote for who they think is best. The event is hosted by the one and only DJ Fly Guy, and it’ll all be online with unlimited voting from home.
Cost: $15
Meet the artist behind the painted mannequins at the Surfcomber
Friday, January 15Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
Ahead of Black History Month, the Kimpton Surfcomber has invited Jamaican-born artist Marcus Blake to bring a collection of colorfully painted mannequins into its lobby, and give them a literal and figurative seat at the table. The artist will be on hand to explain what it’s all about and share some wine and light bites with anyone who stops by at 5 pm. The exhibit runs through February 28.
Cost: Free
Drink unlimited wine with your fine steak
Friday, January 15 - Sunday, January 17Fleming’s
Never ones to drive up the price of a check any more than they need to, the good folks at Fleming’s are letting you drink all the Belle Glos wine you want when you order any entrée now through February 11. They’ve got four varieties to choose from—including Pinot Noir and Cabernet—and it’ll only cost you $28 to add onto your meal.
Cost: Menu prices vary; wine special is $28
Dance to the Glenn Miller Orchestra in your living room
Saturday, January 16Online
One of the most legendary big band orchestras in history takes the stage at the Banyan Bowl at 8 pm when The Glenn Miller Orchestra continues Pinecrest Gardens’ JazzAid series. The band who gave the world Moonlight Serenade and The Chattanooga Choo Choo will play a livestream-only show, with proceeds going to Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
Cost: $15
Watch at MLK doc under the moonlight
Friday, January 15Phillips Park
Premiering this week at the Coral Gables Art Cinema is MLK/FBI, a documentary that uncovers the surveillance and harassment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The film features newly declassified documents and interviews with key figures like former FBI Director James Comey to depict the extent of the government’s targeting of Black activists in an incredibly relevant film.
Cost: $12.75 and under, but cinema members pay $8
Run a 5K through a winery, then celebrate with a glass
Sunday, January 17Schnebly Redland’s Winery
Just because we don’t have stuff like “rolling hills'' or “weather conducive to growing grapes” doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy a little exercise through South Florida’s version of wine country. The Schnebly Redland's Winery will host a 5k run starting at 9am, where you can race your way through the agricultural wonderland and enjoy a cool glass of their finest vintages at the finish line.
Cost: $45. $10 for the “0K” wine tasting only.
See the first face-off of the season (part 2)
Sunday, January 17BB&T Center
The 2020-21 National Hockey League Season is a bit of a misleading name this year, as the season officially kicks off this weekend. Your Florida Panthers will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in Sunrise at 7pm, with mask requirements and 25% capacity. Or, basically, a typical home crowd.
Cost: Tickets start at $38
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Matt Meltzer is a contributing writer for Thrillist. Follow him on Instagram @meltrez1.