Miami Countdown (Part II: Design District Doings)

As noted earlier, perhaps the best way to network in Miami is through the parties. Each of the fairs has a VIP reception and you should make use of your best connection with a participating gallery to get passes to those. But all along South Beach there are private parties in the trendy hotels nearly every night. I'm still working to secure invites to some of those, though, so I'm sorry pumpkins, but you're on your own there.... Again, a good way to hear about such parties and other events is to hang around the "Containers" during happy hour or, at least in previous years, end your evening at the late-night bar the art shippers hang out at. Just ask around...you'll learn where it is. Do be careful around there though, a few folks got jumped after flashing cash late at night last year.

Each year, however, the number of events (i.e., networking opportunities) in the Design District (see map here) seems to have grown exponentially, with this year no exception. The big night here is Saturday, December 3rd, when "Art Loves Design" takes over the streets and exhibition spaces, 8:30p.m. - Midnight for a block party that's always a blast. There's a mix of open and by-invitation-only parties here as well. But this year it seems Thursday, December 1st, will also be a big night in the district as well.

In addition to the block party, events to enter in your PDA include:

* The "Co-Dependent" exhibition I noted yesterday.

* Pierogi in Miami
DECEMBER 1–5, 2005
Design District
180 N.E. 39th St., SUITE 218
BUENA VISTA BUILDING
Pierogi Opening party: December 1st, 8:30 - midnight
Street party: December 3rd, 8:30 - midnight
Daily: Noon-8pm

* Form Follows Dysfunction (Art and/or Furniture)
Presented by Michael Steinberg Fine Art
Friday, December 2 – Sunday December 4th, 9 AM to 12 NOON
The Mosaic Building 155 NE 40th Street, Miami Design District
T: 305.573.8116 – info@msfineart.net
Artists Include: Alex Arrechea, Elena Bajo, Jean Blackburn, Christine Callahan, Linus Corragio, Carlo Ferrari, Barbara Gallucci, Rob Nadeau, Laurie Thomas, Richard Tuttle, Penelope Umbrico, Nari Ward

If you're not the beachy type, during the day, don't miss out visiting some of the world-class collections in the Wynwood District, right next to the Design District, including the Rubell Family Collection and The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse...better than many contemporary art museums! Many visitors to the fair will make an effort to stop in to at least these two, so you never know who you'll run into here.

Tomorrow...South Beach events!