Arts

We live in one of the best cities, proven by the fact that millions of people vacation here every year. But even in paradise, we get caught up in our daily routines. We let weeks or even months go by without heading to the beach, closing our eyes and enjoying the sounds, aromas and tastes that make our home such a worldwide draw.

We're here to help.

Miami's eclectic community of artists, local musicians, singers and fans will converge at Sweat Records and Churchill’s Pub on Saturday, April 20, for the 4th annual Sweatstock -- an 18-hour block party of live bands, up and coming DJs, coffee, ticket raffles and Crossfit competition. 

Stages will be set up outside of the two venues.

The Sweat Street Stage will feature local music favorites like Awesome New Republic and Beatmachines.

Last month, we introduced you to nine acclaimed authors who call South Florida their home, at least part-time. But that was just a small sampling. South Florida boats a tribe of critically acclaimed scribes living anywhere from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach County. Below are seven folks who are building on the tradition of hometown heroes like Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen (who actually now lives just a little bit further north in Vero Beach.)

"I think feeding the deeper hunger and serving the world starts with what you serve for dinner," says writer Ellen Kanner. She admits "that's asking a lot of dinner."  Feeding the deeper hunger is the unifying theme of her new memoir and cookbook, Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner.

As part of our That's So Miami poetry project running during the month of April, we have been airing select submissions from our community of listeners and readers.

In fact, serendipity struck today during one of these pre-recording sessions. One of our contributing poets, Christine Armario of Miami, brought her abuelo, Manuel Armario, who wrote a poem too. Go ahead and read them. Hers is in English; his, Spanish.

Miami Beach is usually pretty colorful. Art Deco buildings boast vivid shades of pink and turquoise. Bright green palm trees line the streets year-round.

But this weekend the city is awash in every color of the rainbow in celebration of Miami Beach Gay Pride, and if last year is any indication, that means a massive throng of at least 60,000 people could flood Ocean Drive.

Well everybody, I have a new assignment. I'm WLRN's Flawed-But-Fabulous beat reporter.

We were invited to El Paso, Texas to cook at a gathering of ‘Oldways Preservation’, a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachussetts. ‘Oldways’ is one of the premier educational forums for focusing on healthy, culturally diverse and historically respectful eating. They put on conferences around the world and invite scientists, farmers, professors, chefs and food/wine media to promote positive lifestyles.

Director Alfred Hitchcock is one of film history's truly iconic figures.  Long after his death, his influence can be felt both on the screen and in pop culture.  Why do we find still find him so fascinating?  Caroline Breder-Watts and author and cultural critic Scott Eyman discuss Hitchcock's allure.  To hear the complete interview, log onto www.artsradionetwork.com.