Hurry, before it’s too late! American Apparel is having a huge warehouse sale in the Wynwood district of Miami. Today is the last day – a perfect Saturday afternoon activity. You can check out the sale and then stroll around Wynwood, Midtown, and visit the hip art galleries and restaurants.

Check out Soho Studios Miami

WHEN:
Today, December 10, 2011 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

WHERE:
Wynwood Convention Center
2136 NW 1st Ave
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 600-4785

Free admission
Cash, credit, and debit accepted
All items are FINAL SALE

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*This is not an advertorial; however, Soho Studios is an advertiser on the Aventura Blog.

This weekend is the best time to relax and blow off steam at Aventura’s hottest nightclub – AVENUE 29 80s style.

This Saturday spend the night partying to the 80s! Everyone loves a good 80s party and at Avenue 29 in Aventura you’ll get the full experience. Amazing 80s music and visuals to create an amazing party atmosphere. Plus there are $5 drink specials all night and $150 bottle specials.

Avenue 29 is the destination nightclub, bar, and entertainment venue in Aventura.

Stay tuned for more good times at Avenue 29.

We’ve had many great times at this club and look forward to helping spread the word.

The epicenter of Aventura, in some circles, is the world famous Aventura Mall. This celebrated retail paradise has been a Grand Central Station here since it was constructed during the early eighties – people from all over the world collide and travel through the doors. Take a closer look and you’ll notice many striking art installations at key locations throughout the mall. This didn’t happen over night; as time passed the mall evolved into the brand it is today. Clearly, the owners at Turnberry Associates have a vision that guides a new retail experience offering guests at the mall a lifestyle and not just a place to spend money. This plan is most evident by Turnberry for the Arts, a cultural initiative that embraces the notion that art belongs where the people are and the people here are at the mall in Aventura.

The best way to visit the art collection is to vigilantly seek it out like a holiday sale. Start at one end and slowly navigate the streets of retail. If you’re less adventurous, you can always visit the concierge desk and ask for a list of the collection. You’ll quickly noticed the art surrounding a continuous retail experience as shoppers buzz around each piece of art, many without even noticing. If shopping isn’t your thing, wait for the next rainy day and visit the closest thing to a contemporary art museum in Aventura.

The artwork is located next to various destination locations of shopping and relaxing – perfect places to interact with the art. The artists come from a variety of backgrounds and embrace unique styles; however, research revealed that each artist, in some aspect, explores the concept of how people interact with art and how art can transform a space. This idea is being lived at the Aventura Mall as millions of guests store photos of the artwork in their minds’ eye – it’s the store next to the digital image of the walker, turn right at the eyeball chairs, meet me at the fountain with the sculpture inside. Even if guests don’t consciously take notice, the art installations offer a fresh look on our reality in the most unexpected places, a shopping mall.

The artists consist of a talented eclectic group: Click on the name of each artist to visit their profile on the Turnberry for the Arts website. The Youtube videos below will give you some insight to the artists.

Please share your thoughts about their work, the initiative to place art in the mall, and tell us which piece of art speaks to you. Drop us a comment below, thank you.

Daniel Arsham

Julian Opie

Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III

Jorge Pardo

Lawrence Weiner

Donald Baechler

Louise Bourgeois

Gary Hume

Tom Otterness

Jaume Plensa

It’s tough to visit the Aventura Mall and to have a clear plan of what stores to visit first. The best way to have a positive shopping experience at the mall is to get a list of stores at the Aventura Mall and highlight the stores you want to visit. This way you and your friends or family has a shopping plan. Also, you might want to plan your parking spot based on the stores you plan on visiting, this way you don’t have to schlep your bags all around the mall.

Let’s get started with the list. Many of our readers have found our Aventura Mall directory very useful and have helped update the list of stores.

Click here to visit the Aventura Mall directory.

You can also visit our new index with a list of businesses in the area, depending on the category many are located in the Aventura Mall.

Check the Aventura Business Index
Here’s an example of the list of clothing storesin the index.

Here’s a sample:
7 for All Mankind 305 932 2297
A Nose For Clothes 305 935 1022
A|X Armani Exchange 305 682 3602
Abercrombie & Fitch 305 466 0110
Action Kids 305 384 1799
Adidas Originals 305 933 4087
Adolfo Dominguez 305 931 5050
AG Adriano Goldschmied 305 692 5330
All Saints 786 664 0210
American Eagle Outfitters 305 935 6732
Ann Taylor 305 918 0510
Antropologie 305 933 3512
Astoria 305 918 0771
Babies R Us 305 705 9893
Baby Gap 305 932 2009
Babycottons 305 936 0707
Banana Republic 305 933 4722
Barneys New York Coop 305 933 0923
BCBG MaxAzria 305 933 6980
Be Fox Clothing 305 936 2505
Bebe 305 932 7330
Betsey Johnson 305 933 0291
Brighton Collectibles 305 466 0393
Burberry 305 932 9023
Cache 305 682 9623
Cache Luxe 305 931 7076
Calvin Klein 305 692 1639
Catimini 305 705 0070
Chewing Gum Kids 305 682 9727
Chicos 305 933 0960
Claires Boutique 305 935 5283
Coach 305 935 7549
Damiani 305 705 0155
DB Dungarees 305 466 6265
Desigual 305 682 1490

If you are going shopping this weekend at Aventura, we hope you find this information useful. In addition to a list of stores at the Aventura Mall, there are several other considerations if you have a baby or you are in wheelchair. Moms need to know which bathrooms have changing tables and where the elevators are located (elevators are also important if you’re in a wheelchair).

There’s a great changing table in Bloomingdale’s first floor bathrooms by the Mall entrance. There’s an elevator to the right when entering the mall by Cheesecake Factory, there’s also one by Nordstrom and Macy’s.
This way you can take these needs into consideration when reviewing the Aventura Mall directory.

All this planning and shopping will make you hungry, so plan on lunch or dinner while at the Aventura Mall. There are many great options for dining in the mall – to keep it quick head to the food court. There’s also popular options like the Cheesecake Factory, Rosalia, and Bella Luna.

Now you know, we want to hear from you. Where do you love to shop and want’s your favorite place to start? Do you use a Aventura Mall directory outlining a list of stores or do you navigate by memory?

Are you ready for another exciting weekend at the Aventura Arts Center? There’s a lot going on, here’s a recent clipping from a press release that will give you a heads up about the events.

Are you planning on going, do you have tickets? Drop us a comment below, we want to hear from you.

Press Release:

Mazel Musicals, Inc. and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts present Time After Time: The Songs of Jule Styne from Wednesday, February 9 through Sunday, February 13. Specializing in songs created for stars including Carol Channing, Ethel Merman and Barbara Streisand, Styne composed some of America’s best-loved and most enduring songs for Broadway, films, television and radio. Guest star Deborah Tranelli and some of the area’s best entertainers perform a score filled with gold standards of the American Songbook including “Just In Time,” “Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend,” “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “Time After Time,” “I’ve Heard That Song Before” and “People.” Showtimes are Wednesday, February 9 through Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 12 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, February 13 at 2 and 7 p.m. This is a presentation in the Melodies and Memories Series, which is sponsored by Vi Living at Aventura, and was conceived and directed by Barry Levitt, former Artistic Director of New York’s 92nd Street Y’s smash Lyrics and Lyricists Series. Tickets are $32.

Mazel Musicals, Inc. and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts present Zero Hour from Wednesday, February 16 through Sunday, February 27. Jim Brochu won a Carbonell Award for this striking portrayal, which brings all of Zero Mostel’s swagger, ferocity, intelligence and fantastic wit back to the stage in a volcanic tour-de-force directed by three-time Oscar-nominated film star, Piper Laurie. A naïve reporter attempts to interview the famously volatile artist, prompting an explosion of memory, humor, outrage and juicy backstage lore. Best remembered for his comedic genius and his definitive roles such creating Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Mostel was equally known for his place on the infamous Hollywood blacklist of the 50s. Showtimes are Wednesday – Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. This is a presentation of the Double Chai Theatrical Series. Tickets are $36.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-square-foot, 324-seat waterfront complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 N.E. 188 Street in Aventura and can be found on Twitter @aventuracenter.

Tickets, group discounts and scheduling information for all performances are available through the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s box office at 954-462-0222 or online at www.AventuraCenter.org.

On the heels of its very successful production of Annie (with 15 sold out performances), the Michael-Ann Russell JCC’s Cultural Arts Theatre (J-CAT) will present their third production of this season, The Boys Next Door from January 13 through January 23. Directed by Michael Andron and written by Tom Griffin, The Boys Next Door explores the foibles and triumphs of four mentally handicapped men and the social worker who helps with their care. Hysterically funny and at times poignant, The Boys Next Door helps audiences appreciate simple things as it shows the challenges faced by these unusual characters.

Though mental disabilities and illness do not seem like a subject of comedy, Griffin’s brilliant script succeeds in finding the humor in his compelling characters without making fun of them. Portraying these unique characters is an ensemble cast that includes J-CAT veterans Linda Drozdow, Eileen Ginzberg, Brian Goldberg, Carprice Patchen, David Zabel, and Andrea Zabel. Professional actor and director, John Ferry, who both directed and performed in J-CAT’s very successful Lost in Yonkers, will play the role of Barry, a schizophrenic who seems out of place among the other men. Sonny Levitt returns after a 2 year hiatus from J-CAT to play Barry’s father.

Goldberg saw the play 20 years ago and it was at his urging that Andron decided to produce it this season. “I can personally tell you that this was one of the funniest, most poignant plays I had ever seen. The audience will definitely walk out of this show having laughed, cried, and wanting to see an encore performance.” Goldberg said. For Eileen Ginzberg, who has dedicated her life to educating special needs children, the play hits home and “addresses a critical need in our community. The Jewish Community has no independent living facilities for adults with special needs. This play will bring an awareness to the needs of this population.”

New to J-CAT is professional actor Ned Cray, with many stage, film, and television credits including appearances on Burn Notice and The Glades. “I usually only do professional theatre but when I saw the breakdown for this show and then met Michael [Andron], I knew I had to do it.” Cray explained. “Performing on the J-CAT stage is so upscale. Most of the smaller professional theaters in South Florida cannot hold a candle to this house.” he continued. Eileen Ginzberg agreed, explaining the success of J-CAT as a venue was because “the small black box theatre creates an intimacy that draws the audience into each production.”

The Boys Next Door will premiere on Thursday January 13 at 7pm with additional performances on Saturday, January 15 at 8pm; Sunday January 16 at 2pm; Tuesday January 18 at 7pm; Thursday January 20 at 7pm; Saturday January 22 at 8pm; and Sunday January 23 at 2pm and 7pm. J-CAT is located on the Sanford L. Ziff Campus of the Michael Ann Russell JCC, 18900 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180. Tickets are $20 adults, $12 seniors/students and may be purchased online at www.jcctheatre.com or by phone, 1-866-811-4111. For more information and group rates call Ana Marie Hernandez at 305-932-4200, ext. 150.

Kathlin, Esteban’s mother, finds her will to live  from her baby daughter Jennifer, who is now 15 months old. Jennifer is said to be healing well after assaulted by her father at three months old.

WHAT: Dedication of “Casa Esteban”

Kathlin would like to become a spokesperson for victims of domestic violence.

The Heaven and Earth organization reached out to Kathlin. This organization created a beautiful safe home, located in Homestead, for victims of domestic violence that choose to leave their home to escape the terror.  They have decided to name this house “Casa Esteban”, in memory of  Esteban.

WHEN: Saturday – January 15th 2011 at 1:00PM

SPACE IS LIMITED, MUST RSVP TO ENTER – Sara Zochar at 305.450.0333

WHERE: Dedication will take place at the Aventura Lakes Clubhouse.

Kathlin wants to spread the word about how important it is to seek help before tragedy strikes!

The community in Aventura has been very supportive to Kathlin and her daughter. If you would like to help the family please contact Sara Zochar at 305.450.0333.

“It’s not a movie for radical queers. This is a movie made from the point of view of the older generation, which tends to think in stereotypes and use stereotypes themselves,” says Vilanch, 62, who — stereotypically — is gay, Jewish and a bit flamboyant.

Rodriguez, 31, who plays the Jewish son’s Italian boyfriend, agrees: “The movie, to me, is reflective of other communities than New York. In smaller communities, these are issues still being faced.”

Read more at the full article by Steve Rothaus

Press Release:

“OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!” OPENING IN SOUTH FLORIDA JANUARY 7TH
AWARD-WINNING COMEDY PORTRAYS FAMILIES’ REACTIONS TO SONS’ COMING OUT

Following an award-winning round at international film festivals and critical acclaim, “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!” is opening Friday, January 7 at select theatres throughout South Florida (Miami Beach, North Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton and Delray Beach).

Through the language of comedy, “Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!” delivers a powerful message through the combination of laughter, love, respect, tolerance and the value of relationships. The film portrays how two families – one Jewish and one Italian – react to the news that their sons are gay. As the parents struggle to understand and accept their sons’ sexual orientation the film ultimately delivers a poignant message, that “Love is Love.”

Produced, directed and written by Evgeny Afineevsky, the film has a star-studded and accomplished cast led by Lainie Kazan, whose hilarious portrayal of the Jewish mother has been called “the role of a lifetime,” along with Saul Rubinek, John Lloyd Young, Jai Rodriguez, Vincent Pastore, Bruce Vilanch and Carmen Electra.

Executive Producer and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Desmond Child composed a song specifically for the film, securing British legend Lulu to record it.

“Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!” is a labor of love for Afineevsky, who spent nine years working on the script. Born in Russia, raised in Israel and currently living in Los Angeles, Afineevsky created the film with a fresh perspective on a sensitive subject matter, mixing comedic elements with empathy and a realistic portrayal of family interactions.

Following a round of screenings at international film festivals, the film made its commercial debut on Christmas weekend in Columbus, Ohio, where it attracted record crowds and received rave reviews:

“While it would be natural to assume that this is a “gay” movie – or even a “Jewish” movie, in fact, neither is the case. This is, ultimately, a movie about what it means to be family.” Pam Spence, Ohio Jewish Chronicle

“This is a snapshot of how two families react to a very real situation and a terrific example of how love and understanding can bring families together…The positive message needs to be seen and heard.” Phillip Nakov, “Movieset.com”

“Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!” received 22 awards at international film festivals prior to the recent commercial release. One need not be Jewish, Italian or Gay to appreciate the message of this film. A romantic comedy, “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!” reflects not only how far we’ve come, but also how far we still have to go.

The film opens Friday, January 7 at Regal South Beach, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema in North Miami, AMC Aventura at Aventura Mall, Regal Shadowood in Boca Raton and Regal Cinemas in Delray Beach.

For further information, please go to www.oyveymysonisgay.com

Saturday night residents have the choice of visiting the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center to see Kathy Kosins or they can travel to the Jewish Community Center for a smaller scale production of Annie. If you’re feeling energized from the wonderful weather and have been recently exercising outside, test your skills at a 5k Run or 1 Mile Fun Walk at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center. At this time of the year there’s always a great mix of fun in the sun and cultural attractions. Have a great weekend and stay safe.

Stay Tuned for more holiday updates.

Kathy Kosins – The Ladies of Cool

Where: Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Date: Saturday, 12/18/10

Times: 8:00 PM

Tickets: $25

Information from Aventura Arts & Cultural Center:
“Kathy Kosins presents “The Ladies of Cool”, singing songs in the tradition of Julie London, Anita o’Day, June Christy, and Chris Connor. These “Ladies” were the extraordinary singers of the 1940s and 1950s that were household names to jazz and pop fans alike in that era.”
For video and audio clips, visit www.ladiesofcool.com and www.kathykosins.com

Get more details on the other events on the cross posting located on the Miami Herald