Gumby art by GiveWave

Underground artists, designers, and musicians took to The Stage for the July 12th edition of Mixology. Produced by RAW, a national independent arts organization, the packed showcase gave over 20 hand-selected artists the opportunity to exhibit, sell, and promote their unique works.

Vizcaya Swimwear teamed with Make N Style for a sultry runway show, bilingual rockers Malayera performed, and GiveWave took guests inside the secret life of Gumby (yes, that Gumby). RAW's next Mixology meeting is slated for August 9. 170 NE 38th St., Miami

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Lobster tempura, one of the daily specials at Katsuya

 

Spicy albacore sashimi with crispy onion

 

Creamy rock shrimp tossed in the chef's special sauce

 

Crispy rice with spicy tuna

 

Japanese doughnuts with raspberry sauce

 

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Next door to the whimsical world of José Andrés at The Bazaar, master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi diligently crafts sushi, sashimi, robata, and entrées at his eponymous restaurant, Katsuya. Upon entrance, guests are greeted in Japanese and ushered through the sleek, minimalistic black, white, and lipstick red dining room designed by Philippe Starck.

Katsuya's menu is rife with signatures dishes, which feature fresh spins on simple ingredients. The crispy rice with spicy tuna layers thin slices of savory tuna on top of seared rice chunks, creating a chip-like outer rim that delightfully contrasts its moist filling.

As entrées go, the Kobe filet with foie gras is outstandingly tender and topped with a smooth plum wine reduction. The miso-marinated cod is beautifully presented alongside softly steamed broccolini and potato. More must-trys include the baked crab handroll and creamy rock shrimp. For dessert, the Japanese doughnuts with raspberry sauce are not to be missed. 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-455-2995

Kaskade will perform at Klipsch Amphitheater this Saturday

Mixology Art Show  
Thursday, July 12, 8 PM
Local artists, musicians, and designers will showcase their latest works during indie arts group Raw: Natural Born Artists’ Mixology event. Furor Moda, Jesse Stark, and Trek6 are among the evening's presenters. Presale tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. Cocktail attire is strongly suggested. The Stage, 170 N.E. 38th St., Miami; rawartists.org

The Donkey Show
Friday, July 13, 7:30 PM & 10:30 PM
Grab an oversize afro wig and those old disco dancing shoes and head to opening night of The Donkey Show. Led by a cast of over 20 aerialists, acrobats, and roller skaters, this interactive disco spectacle transports guests to the days of Studio 54. Tickets begin at $35. Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami; arshtcenter.org

Equinox Beach Volleyball
Saturday, July 14, 10 AM–12 PM
Hit Miami Beach's pristine sands for Equinox's new beach volleyball class. Professional volleyball player and Equinox instructor Andreas Olesen will guide players through a two-hour session, complete with boot camp drills, partnered exercises, and a closing match. The free weekly class kicks off this Saturday. RSVP to Christopher.Grys@equinox.com. Between 7th and 8th Streets, Miami Beach; equinox.com

Kaskade at Klipsch Amphitheater
Saturday, July 14, 6:30 PM
Kaskade brings his "Freaks of Nature" tour to Bayfront Park's Klipsch Amphitheater. Panic Bomber, FareOh, and Alvin Risk are slated to open the Saturday night show. General admission tickets are $39.50 and can be purchased at livenation.com. 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Pommes frites at Angelique Euro Café

Angelique Euro Café
Friday-Saturday, July 13 & 14
Bastille Day diners will be treated to gratis pommes frites with any lunch entrée on Friday and Saturday. On Bastille Day (Saturday), the café will offer live music and a special three-course menu with wine selection. Escargot, bouillabaisse, and coq au vin are among the evening's Parisian plates. 117 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305-529-9922; angeliqueeurocafe.com

Chalk Miami
Saturday, July 14, 10 PM
Miami Beach's ping-pong mecca will host an "Absinthe Minded" Bastille Day bash. Guests can enjoy complimentary Champagne and absinthe cocktails from 10 to 11 PM, a pop-up crêperie, and a video montage by O’Cinema. Resident DJ Tom LaRoc and guest DJ Grace Jones will bump French-imported beats until the wee hours. 1234 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-532-8662; chalkmiami.com

National Hotel
Sunday, July 15, 12–3 PM
The National's Sunday brunch will put a special spin on classic French staples like coq au vin, fruits de mar, and charcuterie. For $49 per person, guests can savor these French flavors as well as unlimited flutes of Perrier-Jouët. After brunch, hit the beach for a private pétanque tournament. 1677 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-532-2311; nationalhotel.com

Swap your calorie-laden Friday night cocktailing with Get2BFit’s new weekly Happy Hour Fitness series, which kicks off Friday, July 27. The ladies-only course features an hour of high-intensity dance cardio followed by a 15-minute abs session. Classes will be led by local personal trainer and lifestyle guru Janette Janero.

Participants at the kick-off course on July 27 will take home an exclusive goodie bag filled with beauty and wellness essentials. Get2BFit's in-house health stand will also serve-up discounted mocktails and fruit-filled smoothies. Guests may purchase individual class tickets at $15 each or nab the five-week bundle for $60. (6-7:15 PM) 3250 N.E., 1st Ave., Miami

Don Lemon and Jesse Williams at a panel discussion on Voters in America: Who Counts

A new documentary airing on CNN this Sunday (July 15) shines a light on pending Florida voter legislation that could keep important minority and youth votes from being cast in the next presidential election. The hour-long special, Voters in America: Who Counts, premiered to Miami audiences at June’s American Black Film Festival, where CNN anchor Don Lemon and documentary narrator Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy) led a panel discussion with producers Geraldine Moriba and Robert Ruff. If passed, the new legislation (House Bill 1355) will eliminate one of the two Sundays during early voting days (popular with minorities and students), enforce a tight 48-hour window for community groups, like the NAACP the League of Women Voters, to submit new voter applications, and make upwards of 80 other changes to Florida’s election laws. We talked to Lemon and Williams offstage to learn more about the film and the bill.

What made you want to get involved with this documentary, and the discussion today?
JESSE WILLIAMS: I had the opportunity to lend my voice to something that would cross generations and also educate myself in the process. It couldn't have come at a better time, with the election coming up. The stakes are extremely high and Florida is an important state.   

DON LEMON: My simple answer is I work for CNN. If you want to see the best documentaries on television, they are on CNN. This is an important issue coming up in an election year. People have real issues when it comes to voter fraud and suppression. We'll be choosing the leader of the free world, the president of the United States, so there are fewer things that are as important.

Some have argued that Florida's swing state status is not as crucial as it was during the 2008 election. Do you agree?
DL: Florida is very important, especially when you look at what is happening now with immigration and when you talk about the number of electoral votes it has. One of the vice presidential candidates on the Republican side could come from Florida in [Senator] Marco Rubio. [In 2008] we didn't think, at least I didn't, that the nation could be so partisan and so divided, and it is even more divisive now. It's unbelievable. When you talk about politics, or even report on it, the number of negatives you get from both democrats and republicans is just amazing to me.

JW: It's getting out of hand. It is affecting lives at this point. It's consistently more divisive and has turned into a battlefield. This was an opportunity for us to try and heal that divide, with information and arming people with wisdom. It's not just about the polls, it's about being informed on the many, many moving pieces that are involved in our policy making.

What about the inherent goal of House Bill 1355 to prevent voter fraud?
JW: There is certainly some merit [to the bill]. But it's not about bad guys or good guys, it's about information

What’s the best course of action for inspired viewers of the film?
DL: The best way to do something is to carry your butt to the polls and vote. Everyone should vote; it is a right as well as a privilege.

*Update: CNN's Voters in America: Who Counts has gone back into production and will not air on July 15, but rather in September. Jesse Williams' narration will not be featured.

Spinning Around by Pepe Mar

The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University (FIU) will open two exciting new exhibitions at next week’s Target Wednesday After Hours (July 18) reception. The first, entitled "This and That: Unconventional Selections from the Permanent Collection" will highlight some of the museum's standout pieces. Each compilation is tied together by an aspect of unconventionality, either through physical manipulation or the use of multiple media. Works by local artists Jillian Mayer, Guerra de la Paz, Pepe Mar, and Bert Rodriguez will be displayed in the show that runs through October 21.

The night’s second debut, "Shared Threads: Maria Lino's Portrait of a Shipibo Healer," is an introspective film compilation captured in Pucallpa, Peru. For "Healer," Lino traveled to Peru for eight months, stringing together a visually captivating portrait of ancient artistic traditions and cultural ascendancies. Lino's installation is sponsored by Latino Magazine and will run through September 30. The evening will also feature light refreshments, sounds by FIU's Radiate FM, and guided tours. (6-9 PM) 10975 S.W. 17th St., Miami

Leading up to the return of the MOCA Mystery Dates fundraiser, MOCA’s young professionals group (MOCA Shakers) will host a cocktail party at Juicy Couture on Lincoln Road on Tuesday, July 17. Among the night's hosts are television personality Erin Newberg and local movers Meredith Becker, Valerie Graves, Sarah Arison, and Julia-Ford Carther. Beats will be provided by DJ Irie and guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Tuesday's event aims to build membership buzz while also catalyzing interest in the soon-to-be announced location of the next Mystery Date dinner. Admission is free for MOCA Shakers and their guests. Online RSVP is required. (7-9 PM) 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Lester's

One of the July’s most enticing culinary evenings, Wynwood Supper Club at Lester’s is pairing with The Gypsy Kitchen food truck for an international food and wine pairing on Tuesday, July 10 ($60 per person). The four-course menu includes Korean barbecue short ribs, local fish crudo, khao suey noodles, and a brûléed banana dessert. Each dish will be paired with a dry or sweet Riesling or Shiraz. Capacity is approximately 25 guests, so space is limited and the reservation book will likely close fast. Reservations can be made by emailing info@lestersmiami.com. (7:30 PM) 2519 N.W. 2nd Ave., Miami, 305-456-1784