CultureFest 305, a Gathering of the Unique Sights, Sounds, and Flavors of Miami

CultureFest 305 returns on November 9 at the HistoryMiami Museum, showcasing the vibrant, diverse spirit of Miami. The different cultures and traditions integrate smoothly into the fabric of Miami, giving the Magic City its soul. At CultureFest 305, you will have the opportunity to feel, touch, and interact with local traditional artists and performers.

“Our goal is to actively encourage folks to connect with other people at the festival,” said Vanessa Navarro Maza, Folklife Curator and Manager of the Folklife Department at HistoryMiami. The festival highlights the City’s traditional artists for a day of performances and demonstrations, craft activities for all ages, and cuisine from local restaurants.

Arts & Crafts

Beginning at noon, families can enjoy live performances by traditional local artists, participate in interactive demonstrations, and take part in a variety of activities designed to engage, educate, and bring our community closer. Events will take place throughout both wings of the museum and the plaza.

Festival-goers can interact with the artist in residence, Pedro Zepeda, as he carves a Seminole canoe; you can ask him questions, touch, and feel the canoe. Stop by and see traditional artist, Eddie Osborne, create African musical instruments. He’ll share with you how he crafts the instrument, and you can even make one yourself.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and learn how chocolate is made at the Cao Chocolates booth, the first and only small-batch artisan bean to bar chocolate business in South Florida. Chef and artisan, Ricardo Trillos, will take you from cacao bean to chocolate bar. He will demonstrate how the cacao beans are ground and share the process that leads to the rich, wonderful final product: an experience not to be missed.

Creating Community with Radical Partners

“The spirit of the festival is to create a sense of community,” said Maza, and CultureFest 305 Connection Bingo aims to do just that. At the Radical Partners booth, they will be handing out Connection Bingo cards. The answers to the bingo questions will be found at different points throughout the festival grounds, even from the person standing next to you. This interactive bingo game will have you turning strangers into friends and exploring every space of the museum as you gather the answers to your bingo card. Prizes will be awarded, but the best reward will be the memories and connections you will take with you.

Overview of CultureFest 305. Photo by Yamila Images

Music

This is a Miami festival, so you know that music will bathe the plaza. Starting with James Kelly, artist in residence and one of the best Irish fiddlers in Ireland – who now calls Miami home – will be performing on the plaza. Paul Groff featuring the Breffni Academy Dancers will join him, and together they will fill the square with beautiful Irish music and dance.

There will also be performances by Rose Max & Ramatis, a Brazilian group, Henry Linarez Ensemble from Venezuela, and returning performer, Spam Allstars, with their Latin Funk and Electronica interpretation.

Another must-see-stop is the Interactive Music area. There you will see a display of all the musical instruments used throughout the year for the museum’s educational programs. You will learn about the different instruments featured and even get to play them.

Cultural Diversity

We all have a Miami story, and the Folklife Department would like to include yours in their archives. Make sure to stop by the Miami Stories Recording booth, where you can share your Miami story or answer the question that launched CultureFest 305 — “What makes Miami, Miami?” Be a part of Miami’s folklife by sharing your Miami experience.

Festival guest at the Chinese calligraphers booth. Photo by Yamila Images

Make sure to stop by the Chinese Traditional Arts, World Languages Department and Confucius Institute at Miami Dade College booth, they will write your name in Chinese calligraphy. And, visit Cushy Gig Creative, graffiti artists, and have your name tagged.

Interactive artwork with local artist and young festival-goer. Photo by Yamila Images

Attending the festival for the first time will be Eleventh House, an organization that brings together local mystics, brujas, and healers. For centuries, this spiritual work has been misunderstood. Visit their booth to  learn about the different spiritual traditions that, at one time, were considered taboo.  Celebrate the work’s unique roots in Santeria and voodoo as spiritual workers share and explain what they do, lifting the veil on this century-old tradition.

About HistoryMiami

The HistoryMiami Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is one of the largest private, regional history organizations in the southeastern United States. For the past 80-years, the museum has diligently been safeguarding and sharing Miami’s rich cultural history. The museum’s collections include more than 37,000 three-dimensional artifacts that cover everything from prehistoric archaeological finds to 20th-century Afro-Cuban folk art.

The Folklife Department of the HistoryMiami Museum has been curating Miami’s ever-evolving culture for the past 30-years. It is dedicated to documenting, presenting, and supporting the region’s cultural heritage and traditions. “We look at living traditions. If you look at a history museum, they focus on things from the past. The Folklife Center focuses on traditions that are alive and well and happening in our community at this moment,” said Maza.

CultureFest 305 will take place on Saturday, November 9, from noon to 6:30 PM and will engage your five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. To see the complete list of activities and to RSVP, visit www.historymiami.org. CultureFest 305 is a free family event, reservations are recommended.

Top image: Columbian folk dance group and festival participants. Photo by Yamila Images

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