Upstart on the Move

Going Green, Battling Bands and MIA's 112th

My journeys around Miami brought me to three very distinct and diverse events that featured politics, rock ‘n’ roll and Miami’s birthday bash.

Miami is evolving in many arenas. Environmental responsibility, however, has not been an area that has seen tremendous growth – that is until now. Recently I, along with a group of my peers from GenerationEngage, had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Manny Diaz to discuss this very subject.

I have heard Mayor Diaz speak before, but never with the passion and emotion that he displayed about our city’s initiative entitled “MIPLAN.” It’s literally Miami’s plan to move into a sustainable manner. What does that mean? A brief overview includes the use of more green energy like solar panels, an increase in bike-paths, and even a train that runs along Second Avenue around and about the downtown area.

The mayor also reminisced about when he was my age. He was apparently a radical youth who wanted to make changes in the now. He expressed to us the need for Miami’s young leaders to be more radical about the issues that we find important and fight to ensure that Miami can be all that it can be.

Like all great leaders, he inspired us to act. Oh, and by the way, Mayor Diaz practices what he preaches and leads by example. Our honorable mayor drives a hybrid.

From City Hall with the mayor to the “Battle of the Bands” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami.

Sonia Siesholtz, outreach coordinator for the museum who placed me on the VIP list, grabbed me the moment I arrived to introduce me to all the rad museum goers.

I was enthralled by all of the eclectic styles: cool ladies with retro flair, red chic eyewear, young professionals all dressed with matching “Old Wives Tale” T’s and much more. I also found a few hip guys with classically subtle, floral guayaberas, and some sharp girls with dazzled tops that reflected the night stars; fashions that were uniquely Miami.

Parents even brought their kids to jam in the fully equipped glass encased recording studio that is a part of MOCA’s Sympathy for the Devil exhibit.

The battle occurred on the outdoor patio stage. The event was great and featured lots of diverse sounds, including some classic jams from the 60’s.

Janice Angel, the mind behind the madness, was subtle and cool in her black dress. I asked her to express her personalidad. “This is it,” she replied. “I usually just stand.” The simplicity of her answer and demeanor worked for me – she’s one cool lady.

Battle of the Bands continued, and similar to the American Idol theme, the audience chose who would continue the war. The battle was on!

I wanted to leave the favorite of my adventures for last. Miami is 112 years old, and although we’re still in our infancy as compared to other major cities, we’ve come a long way from our origins of railways and orange blossoms. It was time to celebrate!

Miami’s 112th birthday bash on Calle Ocho and Third Avenue was a festive affair. Unfortunately, many of the political leaders who were invited did not attend. Nevertheless, it was the people who did show up that made this event great.

I don’t know if it was the human lizard (expressionistic dancers) prancing along the corridors of the multi-room, or the creative approaches that organizations like Imagine Miami (IM) took to celebrate our wild city, but I really dug it. Corrina Mobieus, director of IM, printed out huge maps of Miami Dade on which anyone could use crayons to draw, write, and even scribble their feelings for the MIA.

Although not all comments were positive, ultimately the consensus was that we live in a truly magical city.

My take: Miami is a diverse reservoir of creativity, eternal youth, and innovation that has captured the hopes and dreams of many who have walked the hot paths of tropical bliss. So, on the thought of celebrating our city’s birthday, let’s be sure to rejoice in all that Miami has to offer. I certainly will!