Robbie does (and is doing) Art Basel

20 days before Christmas and all through the house, the people were scurrying for Art Basel night.

Okay, I am not a poet, but I live just off downtown Miami and when I tell you there is movement going on in the Design District and Midtown - trust me, there is movement! Thousands of folk are visiting my neighborhood to check out the art. I must say, I have not found many artist of the darker persuasion. I walked around last night and felt somewhat "out" rather than "in". My friend Toni and I (Robbie & Antonia right)) made a late stop at The Plaza, Miami Art Museums big bash which we were told had about 6,000 folk earlier on. The highlight of the evening was artist Jeff Koons bunny rabbit - a 53' silver balloon that made me think of my one and only trip to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade at least 30-years ago. My observation on the whole scene: interesting.

Thus far I am aware of four events that include artists of color, maybe there are more, I have only seen Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Curator of Diaspora Vibe Gallery has Deborah Jack exhibiting at Art Space on Lincoln Road in the 900 building; British born Nigerian artist, Yinka Shonibare's MAM exhibit, MBE: A Flying Machine for Every Man, Woman and Child, and tonight's opening of a Purvis Young exhibit at Miami Art Space (See The Arts for event listings). There is much talk about the Rubell Family Collection's exhibit: "30 Americans" focuses on works of contemporary African-American art. This is a private collection, the Rubells own everything they show in this 45,000 sq. ft. gallery. I plan to visit tomorrow but this exhibit is up for awhile. The bottom line: aside from Gordon-Wallace, where are the vendors of the darker persuasion? Where are the buyers of the darker persuasion. Understand, I am not saying that we must buy art by black artist, I just want black artist to have an opportunity to show their art; I want to see more face of Black African descent in the crowd. I do understand the economy conversation, but trust me, everbody ain't hurtin'.

You know how Oprah does her favorite things? Well, next week I am going to give you a list of Robbie's favorite things and things to do/buy. Tonight I am off to the Gansevoort Hotel for one of those art parties, then on to a bit of steppin - I am going to the Steppers Black & Red Ball.

Until next week - enjoy life! Robbie

Upcoming Happenings:

Drop what you’re doin’
Today, December 5

Hollywood
Tucan Tango
Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort 8 pm – 2 am
Jim Berry presents the South Florida Steppers 4th Annual Black & Red Affair –
101 North Ocean Drive - 305.259.6217 - $35.00

Miami
MAS (Miami Art Space) & Grace Galleries present the works of Purvis Young. Opening night party 7 - 11 pm TONIGHT - FREE!!! 954.921.1231 - 244 NW 35th Street.
Tomorrow night you can actually meet Purvis, he will be present at the host feature an auction to benefit Shake a Leg, The Sun-Sentinels Children Foundation & the United Negro College Fund - admission $35.00
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The Sound Scene

Dec. 6 – Deering Estate - 7 pm - 10 pm
Deering Estate at Cutler celebrates their 10th annual "Holiday under the Stars" outdoor concert. This years concert features Dana Paul, Wendy Pedersen, Lisanne Lyons, Nicole Yarling and the Miami String Project.
tickets or info call 305.235.1668 ext 233 or visit www.deeringestate.org.

Dec. 12 - Miami – Arsht Center Jazz Roots: Bossa Nova, The First 50 Years
Program honoring the Bossa Nova - jazz band
305.949.6722 – arshtcenter.org - $45-$125

Dec. 14 - Hollywood - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Kool & the Gang and KC & The Sunshine Band

Jan. 10 - Davie - South Florida Jazz 17th Anniversary concert series
Eldar Trio – jazz pianist
8 pm – RAMPAC 954.462.0222
southfloridajazz.org - $35

Jan. 14 - Ft. Lauderdale - Broward Center for Performing Arts
A Tribute to Oscar Peterson by pianist Oliver Jones
7:45 pm - Gold Coast Jazz Society - 954.524.0805
Jan. 16 - Miami – Arsht Center Jazz Roots: A Tribute to Machito & Tito Puente
Latin Jazz all-stars celebrate these two great musicians
305.949.6722 – arshtcenter.org - $45-$125

Jan. 22 - Miami –Arsht Center
Wynton Marsalis
305.808.7446, ConcertFla.org

Jan. 23 - Miami –Arsht Center
Temptations & Four Tops
305.808.7446, ConcertFla.org

Jan. 30 - Miami Beach - Fillmore Miami Beach
John Legend, Estelle, Andre 3000, Bandy & Kanye West
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Community Connections

Dec. 14 - Miami - The Links, Inc., Greater Miami Chapter invite you to visit Overtown's Historic St. Agnes' Episcopal Church for a spirited holiday program of classical and jazz styles that will have toes tapping, spirits soaring, and St. Agnes' pipe organ (and you) singing!
Coral Gables Congregational Church (CGCC) Community Arts Program (CAP) Conservatory for the Arts' and its Young Musicians' Junior Orchestra led by Ross DeBardelaben and Advanced Orchestra, conducted by Cristian Grases.
1750 NW 3rd Avenue
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The Arts

North Miami through Dec. 21 - M Ensemble presents: Joe Turner's Come and Gone
8 pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and matinee 3 pm Sunday - M Ensemble's Actors Studio
12320 W. Dixie Highway - 305.895.0335 - themensemble.com.

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Weekly Happenings

Sundays
Ron Gibbs & Jawan Strader present Recoup Sundays
Dec. 7th Theme: Big Boys & Their Toys Hosted by Dennis Rodman
This is a RSVP MUST – call 305.232.3757
Nikki Marina, 3600 So. Ocean Drive, Hollywood

Tuesdays
Miami Lakes - The Alibi Restaurant & Martini Bar – 8:30 pm
The Band with No Name
7357 Miami Lakes Drive – 305.823.0440
Fridays
Hallendale Beach - Gulfstream Track – Sport of Kings Room - 8 pm – 2 am
Louis Oliver presents: F.A.M.E. (Film, Fashion, Art, Music & Entertainment)
Dinner reservations & bottle service: 954.457.6201
Comp $25 Casino free play – $20 Cover after 10 pm

Hollywood
Sushi Blues – 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm - Poppa E Live – 2009 Harrison St – 954.929.9560

North Bay Village - Barchetta on the Bay – 10 pm
4 Play Fridays - Ron Gibbs & Jawan Strader along with 103.5 host

Channel 7’s Donovan Campbell’s birthday celebration -

1601 79th St. Causeway – VIP guest list & comp entry em: 4PlayFriday@bellsouth.net
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Things To Do

Don't want you to miss this great travel opportunity. If you are so inclined to head to Paris in the spring...

"Culture, Cuisine et Josephine"

April 1 - 9, 2009 - 9 days /8 nights in Paris and the Dordogne
Kiss winter goodbye and say "bonjour" to springtime in Paris! Culture, Cuisine and Josephine combines the best of Black Paris with a unique excursion to the Dordorgne (5 hour train ride from Paris) for a private tour of Josephine Baker's former residence, Chateau des Milandes (pictured left). See Black Paris Divas. Join Robbie & her old travel bud, Kat St. Thomas. Call Robbie at 305.528.8557 or write Robbie@GoToRobbieBell.Info