Miami Countdown (Part III: South Beach)

UPDATE: For the real insiders' scoop, be sure you check out The Next Few Hours, an art blog out of Miami that's planning a daily listing of art events throughout the week.

Continuing in our list of less-publicized events in Miami during the fairs, grab your flip-flops and a mojito and lets head down to SOBE, shall we?

It may start to change eventually, given how much more there is going on in the design district each year, but so far, the bulk of fair attendees are staying in South Beach during the fair. And why not...??

You'll end up passing the same people dozens of times before the week is over, so don't do all your catching up at once...save some for the time you're stuck in the queue for that party at the Delano.

One word of warning, last year a few folks were mugged late at night walking along the beach, so do reconsider that 3:00 am moonlit stroll, unless you have company, which is more romantic anyway. Also, many of the folks you'll probably want to meet will be soaking up the rays each morning before the business starts, so bring your swimsuit and sunblock, grab a cafe con leche from the cafe at Collins and 18th (I think), and head on over. Even if the collector/curator/dealer/artist of your dreams doesn't happen along, you'll get your daily allowance of Vitamin D...which you'll need, believe me.

The center of the South Beach scene is, of course, Art Basel Miami Beach at the convention center, but there are other ABMB events spread across SOBE (for a list of events, see here). The Vernissage Wednesday will become increasingly packed as the night wears on, so do get there early if you actually want to see any art. When they chuck you out of there (and they will), many folks head over to Art Positions (aka "the Containers" [see image above, Courtesy Art Basel Miami Beach]) for drinks and a burst of ocean air. If the weather holds, it's paradise. If not, folks dash to dinner before hitting the best party they secured an invite to. For the super-exclusive parties, you're really on your own. They're tougher and tougher to crash every year.

In previous years, Jeffrey Deitch has generously sponsored a free concert on the beach this first night (last year he had the awesome Scissor Sisters), but the conditions were unpredictable (high winds made it very difficult to hear the previous year). That may be the reason Deitch is sponsoring a performance in the Raliegh Hotel this year:

Deitch Projects, M·A·C and the Raleigh Hotel are pleased to present The Citizens Band's new large-scale performance, The Trepanning Opera, November 30 at 10 PM.

It looks to be another amazing show. Deitch's folks told me the performance is open to the public on a first come first first serve basis, but they recommended getting there early for a guaranteed entry.

If you're staying on South Beach, be sure to tune your radio to WVUM 90.5 FM from the University of Miami, which will be broadcasting WPS1 ART RADIO LIVE

For the second consecutive year, WPS1 will broadcast live from Art Basel Miami Beach. Between November 30 to December 3 from 1-4 p.m. EST. WPS1, the Internet radio station of P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, will be the exclusive source for up-to-the-minute international art news, culture and gossip —all as it unfolds at one of the biggest art shows of the year.

Broadcasting from an open-air pavilion overlooking the beach, programs will include music and discussions with artists, curators, gallerists, DJs, writers and other VIP guests at Art Basel Miami Beach. Miami-based listeners will be able to tune in via local station WVUM 90.5 FM from the University of Miami.

Like I noted before, many art world types end up at the late-night bar on South Beach where the art handlers gather. If you're exhibiting, ask your shipper (I don't want to publicize the name, as that would destroy the word-of-mouth coolness of it). I didn't make it last year, but the year before this uber-hip dive provided an amazing mix of locals and art world folks. Last year, as I noted, a few folks ran into muggers way late at night outside there, but if you leave with a friend, you'll be fine.