• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts has — at long last — opened in Miami. Although performances from Aida, by the Florida Grand Opera (beginning October 28), to Cuban jazz artist Arturo Sandoval (December 16) have received deserved attention, everybody's already talking about Merce in Miami, a two-week celebration of the work of legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham beginning February 23. Merce is known for his dance company’s collaborations with designer Robert Rauschenberg and visual artists Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.

Watching a film featured at Art Basel Miami Beach.

The best thing about Art Basel Miami Beach (December 7 through 10) is arguably the presence of alternative art fairs, such as Scope Miami, that spring up around the official events. Exhibitors have yet to be announced, but expect one-person and thematic group shows.

Published on Oct 17, 2006 as a web exclusive.