The 26th Miami International Film Festival has just released its selections for the 2009 season, March 6-15. Under the leadership of the festival’s new director, Tiziana Finzi, who has curated film festivals in Switzerland and Italy, the roster includes 97 feature- length films and 40 shorts from 40 countries. Details of the films and schedule may be obtained through the Miami International Film Festival website.
We have found the films to be high quality and of interest for those seeking cinema beyond standard Hollywood fare. For new comers to the festival, we recommend trying to see a film at the splendid Guzman Theatre in downtown Miami, which evokes the 20s architecture and ethos of old Miami. Hearing the old pipe organ played in a preclude to a film presentation is special indeed.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
Classical music lovers need not wait for the stunning new Frank Gehry building to be finished to enjoy superb concerts at the New World Symphony on Lincoln Road Mall. Recently we attended a wonderful all Mendelssohn matinee which featured world-class piano and violin soloists, backed up by the talented young musicians honing their skills in post-graduate fellowships. All for the amazing price of a $12 general admission ticket in the existing concert hall, which has good acoustics if somewhat uncomfortable seating.
It was thrilling to see such talent, passion and dedication in young musicians who come from around the world to study under renowned conductor and music director Michael Tilson Thomas. We highly recommend a visit for all who vacation here and those of us who live in Miami Beach and walk by the NWS without taking time to actually buy a ticket.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
The impressive mixed-use development by renowned Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron is underway. Anchoring the west side of the South Beach pedestrian mall at Alton Road, the development will include 40,000 sq. feet of high-end retail, two restaurants, 110,000 sq. feet of office space, a 300 space parking garage and four luxury residences of 2,500 sq. feet each.
For an exciting view of the project, a visit to the website is well worth the time.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
The country’s most successful contemporary art show will continue to be held in Miami Beach until at least 2011, according to the Miami Herald (Sept.11, 2008)
The four-day art festival held in December had modest beginnings in 2002, but has developed into an highly-successful international event, attracting prestigious dealers, serious art collectors, celebrates and international media coverage.
Some 40,000 visitors are expected to sample the wares of over 200 galleries from across the globe, according to the Miami Herald article.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
A fabulous new yachting resort, “The Residences” at Island Gardens Miami by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, will break ground late 2009 on Miami’s Watson Island. Watson Island is ideally situated between Miami and Miami Beach and boasts some of the loveliest water views in the region .
The stunning mixed-use development will include private residences in the Shangri-La Hotel, available through either full or fractional ownership. The ownership plans include use of the development’s yachts, anchored at what will be Miami’s only mega-yacht marina.
The development will include high-end international retail shops, a selection of waterfront restaurants from cafes to celebrity chef venues, and a super luxurious spa in the hotel. Developers say that of the 100 private residences, about 17 have already been spoken for. Prices range from $215,000 for a one-eighth share of a small unit to $10,000,000 for a penthouse unit, which are only sold as full ownership units.
A one-eight ownership will purchase 45 days of use, plus two days of yacht use. Rentals are permissible. The project is expected to finish construction at the end of 2011.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
Les poids lourds du monde politique et de la finance ont décidé de réaménager le Centre-Ville de Miami. Plus spécifiquement, leurs plans visent à construire un tunnel sous la Baie de Biscayne vers le port de Miami, afin de réduire le trafic au centre de Miami. Voir les poids lourds éviter le centre ville semble une bonne idée, et pourtant le projet ne fait pas l’unanimité.
Moins controversée est la création du “Museum Park” sur pres de 14 hectares de terrain peu utilisé situé en bordure de la Baie de Biscayne, là où un nouveau musée a été conçu par les architectes Suisses Jacques HERZOG et Pierre de Meuron. Le Musée d’Art de Miami devrait voir sa construction terminée en 2011. Sa conception brillante, sa situation unique et l’aura de ses architectes en feront un véritable emblème pour Miami. Le Parc et Musée des Sciences de Miami accroîtront l’intérêt du site, et attireront de nombreux visiteurs.
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Jane et Jean-Marie Losson: +1-305 924 0232
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
Movers and shakers in Miami, in both political and business spheres, are engaged in plans to reshape downtown Miami. Most significantly, plans call for a tunnel carrying traffic under Biscayne Bay to the increasingly important Port of Miami, rather than through the downtown area. Getting huge container trucks out of downtown seems like a brilliant idea, though the plan does have its opponents.
Less controversial is the creation of Museum Park on 29 acres of underutilized land on the shores of Biscayne Bay, where an exciting new art museum has been designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. The Miami Art Museum building is scheduled to be completed in 2011. It is destined to become a signature building for Miami with its stunning design, unparalleled location and world- renowned architects. The Miami Science Museum and parks will also anchor the space, providing an interesting destination for visitors and residents alike.
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson +1-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
This fascinating look at the creation of Miami Beach and its early history is told by its authors through the looking glass of their prominent families. Both the Oka and Wolfson families have been highly visible players in Miami Beach’s political and social life for decades.
This book is filled with interesting black and white photos — many from family archives — not found elsewhere. The book tells the story of Miami Beach from a uniquely personal perspective. From its early development from a huge mangrove swamp through the glamorous sixties when world famous entertainers lived, performed and partied in Miami Beach, this book is evokes Miami Beach’s romantic past.
Miami Beach: Blueprint of an Eden by Michele Oka Doner and Mitchell Wolfson, Jr., Feierabend Unique Books, 2005
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson 001-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
This beautiful cocktail table book chronicles the storied architectural history of the Magic City.
It features wonderful archival photos of the Miami in the early 20th century when “Spanish” style reigned, a history of the brilliant Art Deco era in South Beach, and glossy depictions of ultra-contemporary structures built in the 21st century by some of America’s most renowned architects.
Dunlop’s prose is both lively and informative, consonant with the power and scope of the book’s photographic history. Miami’s architecture “at once lulls and stimulates residents and visitors alike,” says A.M. Stern, in the book’s thought-provoking introduction.
To understand this apparent duality is to understand one reason for Miami’s enduring allure.
MIAMI Mediterranean Splendor and Deco Dreams by Beth Dunlop and Steven Brooke, Rizzoli, New York, 2007
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Jane and Jean-Marie (John) Losson 001-305 924 0262
Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors, Inc.
