SoBAY Festival of the Arts at the Deering Estate in Miami

Set against the backdrop of a growing South Biscayne Bay (SoBay) Community and founded in 2006, the SoBay Festival of the Arts celebrates the literary, performing, and visual arts at the Deering Estate at Cutler. In partnership with LegalArt, Bernice Steinbaum, the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, the Miami-Dade College Theatre Department and individual artists such as Xavier Cortada, Jennifer Basile, Deena Blazejack, Cherie Clark, Ingrid Eliasson, and Vickie Pierre we celebrate the best of Miami’s artistic talent.

The following events will be held from January 31st through February 14th at the Deering Estate:

Sunday, January 31st
ArtSoBay Exhibit Opening
7:00 - 9:00 pm; Free. Open to the public.
Join us for the ArtSoBay Exhibit Opening with a progressive evening of art, history, and entertainment! Xavier Cortada will present his genographic project, "Ancestral Journeys,” a series of installations and performances using DNA to trace the ancestral journeys of people living in Miami. Guest juror, Bernice Steinbaum in partnership with LegalArt and the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a group art exhibit in the Stone House, Richmond Cottage and main grounds of the Estate. Artists in Residence – Jennifer Basile, Deena Blazejack, Cherie Clark, Ingrid Eliasson, and Vickie Pierre will present a culmination exhibit of their past year’s work while in residence on the Estate. Vignettes in the Courtyard will be featured by the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the Miami Dade College Theatre Department.

Sunday, January 31st – February 26th
ArtSoBay Exhibit: "Ancestral Journeys," Xavier Cortada
In developing the works for the "Ancestral Journeys" installations and performances at Deering Estate, Cortada will be using DNA to trace the ancestral journeys of people living in Miami. Cortada will do so through the Genographic Project. The site-specific works Cortada proposes to install and perform during February 2010 include The Ancestral Dinner Party, Ancestral Journeys and Ancestral Miami. The artwork shows the interconnectedness between those who came from different countries across the Hemisphere to build their lives in Miami and their relationship to the natural world. In their blood they capture evidence of the routes their deep ancestors took in response to climatic changes from their original journey out of Africa 60,000 years ago. Looking at their biology to explore how nature influenced human history, the art piece will use genetic data to create a portrait of Miami's community.

Friday, February 5, 2010
Greater Miami Youth Symphony Performance
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; $15
Join us for an evening celebrating emerging young artists in our community as they perform various vignettes of Chamber Music in the historic Stone House Ballroom. The Greater Miami Youth Symphony - our youth performance Artists-in-Residence - will co-host the evening.

Saturday, February 6, 2010
"Book Nook by the Bay" - "EcoArt"
10:00 am - 12:00 pm; Free with Estate admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children (ages 4-14).
Join the Deering Estate at Cutler's staff and Artists-in-Residence and find inspiration in the natural features of the Estate while creating an eco-art project that focuses on the importance of environmental stewardship.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
“Icon of a Moment” – Panel discussion and lecture in the Ballroom
7:00 - 9:00 pm; $15
Join the Deering Estate's own Literary Artists-in-Residence, Deena Blazejack, guest historian, Dr. Paul George, Independent researcher and author from the Chicago area, Jennifer Faus, and Education and Interpretive Staff, Jessical Cabral as they lead a discussion and discovery of the juxtapositions of technology and culture depicted through Charles Deering - an icon of a moment in our nation's history.

Friday, February 12, 2010
Miami-Dade College Theatre Department
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; $15
Under the direction of Deborah Mello, Miami-Dade College's Theatre Department will present an evening of Vignette's on the Estate.

Saturday, February 13, 2010
ArtSoBay Exhibit: Curator's Tour & Lunch
Tour at 11:00 am; Lunch at 12:00 pm; $25 includes gourmet boxed luncheon.
Join Xavier Cortada, Artists-in-Residence, featured ArtSoBay artists, LegalArt Executive Director, Kathleen Carignan, and Exhibits and Collections Manager of the Deering Estate for a guided tour of the exhibits followed by a discussion of the Economic Impact on our Community over lunch. RSVP required by Tuesday, February 9th. Please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Sunday, February 14, 2010
11th annual "Moonlight & Music" Valentine's Day Concert
Concert begins at 7:00 pm; gate opens at 6:00 pm; $20 general admission.
The festival will end on a romantic note with the 11th annual “Moonlight and Music” Valentine’s Day Concert. The concert will feature Johnny Rodgers who will delight guests with his original soft rock ballads, Taylor-flavored melodies, and sultry jazz arrangements. Johnny Rodgers performed to a sold out crowd at the Deering Estate's July 2009 Summer Cabaret Concert. Liza Minnelli discovered Johnny several years ago, bringing him on as a pianist and guest performer on her world tours and recently featured Johnny in “Liza’s At The Palace” on Broadway. Johnny Rodgers grew up in Miami and is a product of Westminster Christian, Southwood Middle School, and New World School of the Arts. He also attended University of Miami Frost School of Music.

For more information, please visit http://www.deeringestate.org/.

Summer Concerts in Miami at the Deering Estate

Stay cool this summer and enjoy an intimate, cabaret-style concert at the Deering Estate’s 6th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series. The series features eclectic and world music artists in the historic Stone House Ballroom on June 27th, July 25th, and August 29th.

The Deering Estate kicks-off the 2009 Summer Cabaret Concert Series on Saturday, June 27th with the Jazz Trio - Cindy Curtis & Company. Cindy Curtis has written original lyrics to the melodies of many jazz standards including: Blue Bossa, Footprints, and High-Fly. The second concert will be held on Saturday, July 25th and will feature Johnny Rodgers. A native of Miami, Johnny Rodgers is an award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist whose original songs are influenced by the Beatles, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Sting, Paul Simon and John Mayer. Jorge Heilpern “Tangoman” will be performing for the final concert on Saturday, August 29th.

Concerts begin at 8 pm and the main gate opens at 7 pm. Guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show. Single Tickets are $20 and the three-concert series is $55. Limited seating is available. Advance tickets are recommended. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. During the summer, historic house tours are offered daily with admission to the Estate. EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs please visit the Deering Estate website.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Deering Estate

Enjoy Mother's Day in Miami at the Deering Estate! Treat someone special to a morning of delicious food in an elegant setting on Sunday, May 10th from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Enjoy an endless selection of food, desserts, and beverages provided by Bill Hansen Catering. After brunch, guests can tour the grand Stone House and historic Richmond Cottage and explore the grounds as they enjoy a relaxing day at the Deering Estate. The cost is $70 for adults and $45 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free. For more information on the Mother’s Day Brunch, or to purchase tickets, please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Deering Seafood Festival in Miami

Seafood lovers get ready to party! The enchanting rhythms of steel drums and towering stilt walkers greet you as you’re drawn into the magical, island-style celebration that has become the Deering Seafood Festival. Bring your family and friends on Sunday, March 29th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and plan to spend the day because this event just keeps getting better.

Meet on the lawn of the biggest backyard on Biscayne Bay, where the Bay Roots Reggae Band play their calypso beat, and the colorfully costumed, free spirited Bahamian Junkanoo dancers weave playfully throughout the crowd. Every island celebration needs some fire eating and limbo dancing, and the entertainment at the Dearing Seafood Festival offers that and more. Also, back by popular demand is the crowd-pleasing band, Mr. Nice Guy.

Throughout the day seafood markets, restaurants and caterers such as Golden Rule Seafood Market, Bizcaya Ritz-Carlton, Fleming, Shibui, Rodbenders, Sports Grill, Tropical Palate and The Les Seafood Express prepare an outstanding array of the freshest catch that includes delicious lobster, fried conch, shrimp egg rolls, grilled dolphin, garlic blue crabs and mountains of shrimp that are steamed, fried, or just peel and eat.

Under the big top tent local celebrity chefs conduct cooking demonstrations, and share their unique recipes and impart culinary advice. Taste delectable samples of seafood dishes prepared by Sean Bernal (Oceanaire); Barb Freda, (Les Dames d’Escoffier); Cindy Hutson (Ortanique on the Mile); Philippe Pinon (Bizcaya, Ritz-Carlton); and Paula Da Silva (3030 Ocean, Ft. Lauderdale) who was recently seen on Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Professionally attired culinary students from Robert Morgan Education Center work along side the chefs and offer assistance in food preparation. In the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone, Ariana Kumpis (Ariana’s Etiquette) conducts a cooking event designed just for children.

While festival goers of all ages are enjoying the scrumptious seafood and lively entertainment, some of the other exciting activities include an Artists’ Village with original paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry; the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone for kid-friendly fun; pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key; and a limited number of nature hikes and tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage.

Admission tickets include park entrance and entertainment, Adults $12 online and $15 at the gate; Children 4-14 year $5, and Foundation Members Free. For more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 263 or log on to Deering Seafood Festival.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.

Valentine's Day Jazz Concert featuring Nicole Henry at the Deering Estate

Don't miss the 10th annual "Moonlight & Music" Valentine's Day Concert at the Deering Estate featuring Jazz Vocalist Nicole Henry. Nicole will be performing a variety of jazz and romantic classics. There will also be an opening performance by Erin Pettit.

The concert will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Guests are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy the outdoor concert. The gate opens at 7 pm and the concert begins at 8 pm. Parking is free. General admission is $20.



The “Moonlight and Music” Concert is a Valentine’s Day South Florida tradition. It offers couples the opportunity to celebrate their love at a romantic outdoor concert under the stars, on the edge of Biscayne Bay, at the historic Deering Estate.

This is a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day in Miami - especially compared to the long wait that you will experience at many restaurants!

Holiday Events in Miami

Enjoy a variety of holiday events and activities at the Deering Estate in Miami. The historic Estate kicks off their Holiday Season of Events on Friday, December 5th with a “Tree Lighting Ceremony." Students from Miami-Dade College will be performing some of your favorite Holiday music in the Stone House Ballroom.

The 10th Annual “Holiday under the Stars” outdoor concert will be held on Saturday, December 6th from 7 – 10 pm. The concert will feature musical performances by Doug Cameron, Dana Paul, Wendy Pedersen, Lisanne Lyons, Nicole Yarling and the Miami String Project. During the concert and intermission, guests can tour the historic houses and see them filled with holiday accents and decorations created by the District XII Garden Clubs. The holiday decorating effort is an annual tradition and is a special project of the District XII Garden Clubs, which includes 26 branches in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. The holiday decorations will be on display throughout December and is free with regular admission to the Deering Estate.

Santa Claus will be visiting the Estate for story-time and kids crafts on Saturday, December 13th and Saturday, December 20th from 10 am to 12 pm. And for those who want a break from holiday shopping, take a relaxing Bay Cruise on Sunday, December 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

For more information on the Holiday Season of Events at the Deering Estate please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Biscayne National Park Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary

It has been 40 years since the creation of Biscayne National Park, originally known as Biscayne National Monument. Biscayne National Park stretches from the south point of Key Biscayne to the north end of Key Largo, and most of its 300 square miles are underwater. The tropical sanctuary was created after decades of struggles by local conservationists to prevent residential and industrial development on the bay’s chain of barrier islands.

The Deering Estate at Cutler is pleased to partner with Biscayne National Park to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a series of events in October. A month long exhibit entitled "Biscayne Bay - Then and Now" will open on October 1st at the Deering Estate at Cutler. The exhibit chronicles the 40 year history of Biscayne National Park and new plans for the Biscayne - Everglades Greenway. The exhibit will be on display in the Richmond Cottage from October 1st - November 14th. The exhibit is free with admission to the Estate.

The South Florida National Parks Trust will host a fundraising and awareness dinner on Friday, October 17th at the Deering Estate at Cutler to honor those who led the effort 40 years ago to save Biscayne Bay and establish the park.

On Saturday, October 18th the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) will host a symposium on the state of Biscayne National Park and the marine resources it protects. The symposium will be held at the Deering Estate at Cutler from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. The cost is $15 and includes breakfast, lunch and entrance to the Estate. Keynote speakers include: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson. For more information, please call 954-961-1280 ext. 201 or email suncoast@npca.org. Please RSVP by October 9th to 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

The celebration will conclude on Sunday, October 19th, from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm, with a birthday party at the Biscayne National Park in Homestead. Enjoy a free, fun-filled day with a concert featuring Grant Livingston, a book signing with Lloyd Miller and hands-on activities for the whole family.

Canoeing and Kayaking in Miami

Miami-Dade Parks offers a variety of EcoAdventure Tours, including canoeing and kayaking on Biscayne Bay. The Deering Estate offers naturalist-guided canoe trips on Sunday mornings. On the trip, you will canoe to Chicken Key, a seven-acre mangrove island and restored bird rookery, which is located one mile offshore from the Deering Estate. Keep a look out for the manatees and sea turtles, as well as other marine wildlife along the way. The canoe trip is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 9-14.

Interested is trying something different? Then checkout the Moonlight Canoe Tour also at the Deering Estate. You will canoe to Chicken Key under the light of the full moon. This night-time adventure includes a camp-fire and light snacks on the island. The moonlight canoe trip is from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm and is $35. You must be 18 years and older for this trip. Helpful hint: reserve your space early because this trip is sold out months in advance.

Kayak rentals are available on weekends from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Deering Estate. The cost for adults is $10 per hour plus regular park admission. The cost for children, ages 9-15, is $8 per hour plus regular park admission.

Patti Austin and Gerald Albright to perform at the Deering Estate's "Fall in Love" Jazz Concert

Enjoy an evening of jazz at the Deering Estate’s “Fall in Love” Concert featuring Patti Austin and Gerald Albright on Saturday, November 8, 2008. The concert is presented by Clear Channel Communications and Love 94FM and the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department.

The outdoor concert will be held on the beautiful manicured lawn that overlooks the tranquil waters of Biscayne Bay. The gate opens at 5 pm and the concert begins at 7 pm. Guests can bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets. No coolers will be permitted on the premises. Beverages will be available for purchase as well as a variety of food.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the gate. Tickets go on sale October 1st and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the Deering Estate located at 16701 SW 72nd Avenue. For more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Wine Tasting Event in Miami

"Wine on Harvest Moon" isn't your ordinary wine tasting event. The event, now in it's seventh year, includes fine wine, fine food and fine art under the golden light of the Harvest Moon at the Deering Estate. Every year the wine tasting event features a different region - and this year it is the Wines of Spain presented by Crown Wine and Spirits.

With a tasting map and wine glass in hand, guests can explore the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage which are filled with a variety of Tapas prepared by a select group of Miami's Top Chefs.


Be sure to enjoy a glass of wine in the Prohibition Era Wine Cellar where Charles Deering once hid his collection of fine wine and spirits.


Guests can also enjoy the best of Flamenco presented by Clarita Filgueiras - Flamenco Puro. And be one of the first to see the new permanent exhibit "Marycel and Tamarit" in the Stone House. Tickets for Members are $60 and for Non-members are $75.

Treat yourself to the VIP experience! As a VIP Ticket holder, you are invited to arrive one hour early to enjoy a special VIP Tasting with Professor Chip Cassidy, Wine Director of Crown Wine & Spirits, a culinary tour with event sommelier Marita Leonard, Ortanique on the Mile, preview the art and enjoy a special tour of Spain as seen through the eyes of Charles Deering. You will also receive preferred VIP parking and reserved VIP seating on the Stone House Court Yard for scheduled performances throughout the evening. VIP Tickets for Members are $120 and Non-members $150.

Drink and be merry because this event is for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Deering Estate Foundation, which serves as the advocacy support group and philanthropic arm of the Deering Estate at Cutler. The Foundation raises funds to support education, research, exhibits and collections, natural conservation and historical restoration and preservation at the Deering Estate at Cutler.

Purchase tickets early because this event has sold out in the past. To purchase tickets or for more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 263.

Jazz Vocalist Dana Paul to perform at the Summer Cabaret Concert Series

Don’t miss the final concert of the 2008 Summer Cabaret Series at the Deering Estate at Cutler. On Saturday, August 30th, Jazz Vocalist Dana Paul will be performing “Moments of My Life” and “A Tribute to Gershwin.” Dana is a featured vocalist with the South Florida Big Band, “The Peter Graves’ Atlantean Driftwood Band.”

The concert begins at 8 pm and the main gate opens at 7 pm. Guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show. Tickets are $20. Limited seating is available. Advance tickets are recommended. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The 5th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series features eclectic and world music artists in the intimate setting of the Stone House Ballroom. The Deering Estate hosts a three-concert series in June, July and August. The Debbie Orta Jazz Quartet performed on Saturday, June 28th and Sitar Player Stephan Mikes performed on July 26th – both to sold out crowds!

For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

An enchanted evening at the Deering Estate

Last night, The Debbie Orta Jazz Quartet perfomed to a sold out crowd as part of the 5th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series. The dim lights in the historic 1922 Stone House Ballroom set the intimate mood for the evening. The extremely personable and stunning Debbie Orta performed two sets of jazz standards and Brazilian Jazz and even returned for one more song after a standing ovation. Each member of the quartet was remarkable with their instrument - Jim Gasior on piano, Nicky Orta on Bass and Carlomagno Araya on drums.

If you missed this concert, don't fret! The Series continues throughout the summer with Sitar Player Stephan Mikes on July 26th and Jazz Vocalist Dana Paul on August 30th. Tickets are only $20 a concert (what a deal!) Be sure to purchase your tickets early because seating is limited and concerts usually sell out.

http://www.deeringestate.org/