Tag Archive for: Miami

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Check out the Winterfest Boat Parade in Ft. Lauderdale

What do the holidays signify to you? Do you like to bundle in layers of clothing, spend a few hours playing in the snow, curling up in front of a cozy fire with a steaming cup of hot cocoa?

If so, South Florida is not for you.

  • You won’t wake up to snowflakes pattering against your window.
  • You won’t need to put on a hat and gloves just to get your mail.
  • You won’t shovel snow from your driveway.

You will, instead, enjoy a new kind of holiday. A tropical holiday.

Here in South Florida we enjoy all the wintry festivities without the wintry weather. We dress up our palm trees with twinkling lights. Santa doesn’t need a warm suit here, he’s just fine in shorts and a tee. We replace snow skis with water skis. Down here, the holidays are celebrated with a magical, tropical twist!

One of the greatest events to get you in the spirit is Hard Rock Casino’s Winterfest Boat Parade. It draws hundreds of thousands of spectators every year and is a true extravaganza of lights and holiday cheer. Known as the “Best Show on H2o”, the Winterfest Boat Parade is a collection of hundreds of boats, yachts and megayachts decorated to the max in lights and thrilling decorations. All of which takes place along the New River starting from 4pm on December 10.

Aside from the parade itself, there will be:

  • Live music and plenty of entertainment
  • Sweepstakes and contests, including a Festive Pet Costume Challenge
  • Black Tie Ball
  • Family Fun Day

Tickets for optimal seating with a view are available on the website.

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Salsa Dancing in Miami

What is Salsa?

While salsa originated in Cuba, it started as an appropriate “sauce” of musical and dance elements introduced by European immigrants and African slaves to Latin America.

Salsa can be traced to the early 19th Century, though it hit a stride of popularity in 1910 when Cubans started to produce actual records.

How did Salsa get here?

When prohibition in the 1920s sent more and more Americans to Havana for booze, salsa’s popularity exploded in the United States and beyond.

Is there more than one style of Salsa?

With salsa’s grand entrance into Latin immigrant-heavy cities like Miami and New York, different styles of the dance started to emerge. At present, there are up to 7 types of salsa dancing.

  1. New York Style: An infusion of Cuban and Puerto Rican elements, along with Jazz, R&B, and dances like Mambo.
  2. L.A. Style: A recent development of the late 1990s/early 2000s. Influenced by tango, swing, Latin Ballroom dance and contemporary hip hop. More theatrical than most.
  3. Casino Style: A Cuban style of salsa that was developed outside of the country itself.
  4. Miami-style Casino: Classic Cuban style with backward diagonal moves that you can’t find in any other salsa style. Obviously the most important of them all!
  5. Colombian (Cali) Style: Showy, sensual, and still popular today in nightclubs.
  6. Rueda de Casino: Emerged in Havana in the 1950s as a group-like approach to dancing, with participants in a circle following the moves called out by the lead dancer.
  7. Ballroom Salsa: A professional, prepared approach to salsa generally performed by a pair for an audience.
Why should I dance Salsa?

Salsa is a great way to move your body and meet new people. Dance concepts also offer excellent nuggets of wisdom that you can carry into your real-life relationships.

Sign me up!

If you’re interested in dancing, check out Salsa Driven Dance Academy for private or group lessons, as well as a schedule of salsa-inspired events around Miami.

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Where to Celebrate Halloween in Miami

It’s the spookiest time of year (according to the calendar, anyway). With Halloween around the corner and a plethora of things to do, you might be wondering where to don your werewolf ensemble. Here is a short list of things to do in Miami for Halloween.

For everyone:

Lincoln Road Halloween Parade
October 31
South Beach
What is it? A people-watching frenzy of children and adults alike in their craziest costumes. As the night goes on, Lincoln Road turns into a party with DJs and plenty of open-container beverages. Get there early to grab a restaurant seat with a view and get ready for the show.
Cost: FREE!

For families:

Hay Maze Miami
October 21 – November 6
Bayfront Park
What is it? An actual 6,000 sq.ft. maze constructed of bales of hay, plus a beer garden, plenty of food stands and a treat-or-treating opportunity on the big night. There will also be goat yoga on October 29, if that’s on your list of Halloween to-do’s.
Cost: Ranges from $35 to $80.

For runners:

Halloween Half-Marathon
October 22
South Beach
What is it? Relatively self-explanatory. If candy is your weakness, grab your sneakers and hit the pavement for Miami Beach’s Half Marathon. Costumes are welcomed. Spaces fill up fast so secure yours today! Not into that whole half-marathon thing? Opt for the Freaky 4-Miler instead.
Cost: Ranges from $40 – $90

For pets [or the people that like them]:

Howl-O-Ween
Pinecrest Gardens
October 29
What is it? We all know pets are the real stars of the show on Halloween. Head to Pinecrest Gardens to see the latest fashion trends sweeping the dog world. Bring your own, in costume. Tricks, treats, food, drinks are readily available, as is live music.
Cost: Ranges from $10 – $12

For partiers:

Haunted W Miami Rooftop Halloween Party
W Hotel, Brickell
What is it? Two DJs, insane views, party favors, gorgeous people letting out their alter-egos. If partying on a rooftop til the wee hours dressed in a sexy version of your favorite superhero sounds like your kind of Halloween celebration, the W Hotel is where it’s at. Get your ticket quick, this party is as popular as they come.
Cost: Ranges from $32 to $1,695

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Who says Oktoberfest has to take place in October?

What started as a wild wedding party between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen changed the course of beer’s history forever.

It’s the year 1810 and the location is Munich, Germany. The Royal Wedding is set to take place and the citizens are invited. Well, not to the ceremony itself, but to the FIVE DAY afterparty! Locals arrive to the city gates to enjoy nearly a week of food, music, parades and of course, beer. To culminate the party, a horse race around town took place. Even though the horse race was eventually dropped, the beer celebration was not.Today the surprisingly family-friendly party lasts up to 18 days!

Sounds fun, right? But October is so far away, and so is Germany.

If you’re like the rest of us and unable to sit still another two months to partake in this unforgettable, world-famous celebration of beer, no need to fret. We’ve got you covered in the Magic City. Did you expect any less?

The great news is that Miami has its own version of Octoberfest and it takes place in September. For 3 glorious days, Samuel Adams will host its 12th annual block party in Wynwood Marketplace. Aside from the obvious beer hall and pumpkin-themed decor, there will be activities for both humans and dogs alike. Expect games, freebies and a photo booth to prove to the Instagram world that you’ve made the commitment. Live music will abound, as will those beer competitions you thought you left behind in college.

With your Festive Party Pack ticket, should you choose to purchase, comes 1 free beer, a stein, and more Bavarian treats and goodies from Sam Adams.

Sign up here.

Plomo Tequila & Taco Bar Launches Weekend Mexican Brunch

Plomo, Miracle Mile’s first tequila and taco bar that debuted this summer, is now open for brunch Saturday and Sunday. Created by the Atomic Group, known for popular Coral Gables eateries such as Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar and Copper 29, this Mexican-inspired lounge offers bottomless mimosas and sangria paired with a selection of Latin-influenced brunch plates.

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Celebrating Thanksgiving, Miami Style

Live in Miami and looking for a new spin on Thanksgiving this year, aka, leaving the cooking to someone else? Look no further. Celebrate Thanksgiving, Miami style! Miami and Ft. Lauderdale have plenty of options according to Miami.com, a minimum of 51 to be exact. Read more

Miami’s Idea of Luxury Unveiled in Sunny Isles

Just when you thought Miami couldn’t push the boundaries of luxury any more, it did. The Mansions at Acqualina, a 47 story condominium located on the beach in Sunny Isles, released photos of its finished units via Curbed Miami. A movie theatre, wading pools, a cigar room and a video game room are only some of the amenities available to residents. Check out the link below to see all 53 shots of this grand addition to North Miami Beach. Sorry to say, all the units have been sold. No worries! Find something similar in The Miami Luxury Realtor’s listings here.

Full Article.

Which Miami Neighborhood Do You Belong In?

Want to make the move to Miami, but not sure which neighborhood to call home? If you’re having trouble deciding between Miami Beach and Brickell, then take this quiz put together by our friends at the New Tropic! Find out the neighborhood that’s right for you, then contact Miami’s Luxury Realtor to see what’s available.

Make your dream a reality.

Take the Quiz.

New Nikki Beach Coffee Spot for SoFi Locals

If you like Nikki Beach’s sexy, beachy vibe but it’s too early for a mojito and house music, head next door to the new Café Nikki. A little oasis tucked away in the club’s corner, Café Nikki is a cozy, quaint little spot offering (affordable!) coffee, tea and other fresh breakfast items. It’s casual, it’s accessible, and it’s local. There are wicker swings and comfy couches to lounge upon while enjoying free wi-fi.  A delicious muffin for a DOLLAR? Sign me up.

Full story here.

The Beauty that is Florida

In case you needed one visual reason to make Florida your permanent residence, here are twelve. OnlyInYourState.com lists twelve of the most beautiful, photograph-worthy spots in the state. Guess which town topped the list? You guessed it. Our very own and well-loved Miami and Miami Beach. Enjoy the list, book your flight, grab your camera and check out the latest South Florida listings on heckrealtygroup.com.

See full article here.