 | M Ensemble Company Presents Inspiring Drama FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA
The M Ensemble Company invites you to see FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, a compelling and inspiring drama by Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland. Dates are April 17th through May 11th. This professional production is staged at the M Ensemble Actors Studio located at 12320 West Dixie Highway in North Miami. Show times are 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and, 3:00 p.m. matinees on Sunday.
Based on a true story, From the Mississippi Delta chronicles the hard life of a black girl born in Greenwood, Mississippi in 1944. Directed by New York’s Jerry Maple Jr.,this riveting play stars Tampa actress Brandii Edwards, Miami’s Carolyn Johnson and Carey Hart. All actresses play multiple roles spanning gender and race. Dr. Holland’s coming-of-age story is a magnetic memoir of a young girl’s life derailed by poverty, molestation, rebellion, expulsion from school, prostitution, shoplifting, jail and assault. However, the troublemaker finds saving grace when she stumbled across the civil rights movement and found herself developing into a leader.
Dr. Holland’s emotional account of her life was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize award. She never forgot a community of civil rights workers, friends and her ‘street family’. After twenty years of struggle to ‘be somebody’…that young rebellious girl danced across the stage at the University of Minnesota to accept her Ph.D. Comments Director Jerry Maple Jr., “This play is for all people who have fallen down but gotten up by God’s grace and mercy.”
Tickets are $30 for the Opening Night performance, reception and cast party which includes additional entertainment. General Admission is $25; $20 for students and senior citizens. Group discounts for all shows are available for 20 or more persons. However, groups of five to nineteen persons can receive discounts for Thursday evening performances. The theater is handicap accessible; please call in advance to arrange seating.
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Rucht D`Oleo Designs

Fresh Beauty and
Fashion
Rucht D`Oleo Designs and Fresh
Beauty Studio are joining together to offer their select clientele
a night that will be all about Fresh Beauty and Fashion.
Come to Rucht D`Oleo Designs
to enjoy three hours of fashion and beauty tips while you
shop the latest trends at incredible savings. You will have
the opportunity to have a private make-up consultation with
Nikol Johnson, creator and founder of Fresh Beauty Studio.
Please RSVP by Sep 26th. Fresh
Beauty Studio will be offering mini makeup applications featuring
the latest fall colors. With a purchase of any 2 cosmetics
receive a free gift (while supplies last).
Also receive 20% off on Rucht
D`Oleo`s new Fall-Winter collection, which include the most
chic dresses for the upcoming holiday season.
Enjoy complimentary wine and
cheese all evening while you update your fall wardrobe and
create a new color palette.
Rucht D`Oleo Designs
Friday Sep 28th, 200 From 7p.m. to 10p.m.
773 NE 125 St, North Miami, Florida 33161 (305) 892 4481
info@ruchtdoleo.com
Rucht D`Oleo Designs
Officially established in January
2006, Rucht D`Oleo Designs is a new, trendy, sophisticated women’s
boutique located in North Miami, carrying the latest fashion
trends of the season.
At Rucht D`Oleo Designs
you always find a dressed look for every occasion, from summer
fun in the sand, to winter Miami chic looks, evening gowns,
to blossoming spring weddings. It has everything for you,
carrying plain and floral printed cocktail dresses, casual and
evening tops, evening gowns and career wear designed
and produced in house, using all natural and organic fabrics
such cotton, silk, and linens so nothing feels like an itchy
wool sweater 2 sizes too small. If something doesn’t
fit right, alterations are made on the spot, so in other words,
everything is made for YOUR comfort and movement!
We also offer custom made dresses for you,
if you have a dress in mind that you can’t find anywhere,
don’t look any further, just make an appointment with
us and we’ll make sure that your dream dress comes
to reality.
Rucht D`Oleo, owner and head designer has
more than 10 years of experience within the fashion industry,
including head designer of her house of couture in her native
Dominican Republic. She has a bachelor’s degree in
fashion design and has become a successful business woman
and fashion designer. Last year she won “Best New
Designer” for the Miami Fashion Industry Awards and
her designs have been featured in Aventura Magazine, The
Miami Herald and other high standing fashion magazines in
Miami. Rucht D`Oleo is also a distinguished Alumni of Miami
International University of Art and Design, where she completed
her education in fashion design.
Fresh
Beauty Studio
Fresh
Beauty Studio is a complete on location makeup studio right
at your front door, photo shoot or production. Nikol Johnson
creator and founder of Fresh Beauty Studio is a veteran in
the fashion industry; after winning FORD Models “Supermodel
of America” contest for Miami in the early 1990’s,
she gracefully traveled the world working in print, national
commercials, film and runway. She is an active member of Screen
Actors Guild. After a 15 year run in the modeling industry,
Nikol moved forward with her passion for skin care and cosmetics
and became a makeup artist in 1996. She has worked for Bobbi
Brown, Laura Mercier and Lancôme. She graduated from
the nationally recognized Cosmix School of makeup artistry.
She is also a licensed esthetician. Accessibility is a unique
and important aspect of Fresh Beauty Studio’s services.
Nikol’s expertise in skin care, cosmetics and makeup
application is available on yachts, private planes, off hours,
on location and out of state.
Visit her website at www.freshbeautystudio.com
or 954-850-1065.
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The Zed Gallery
One of NoMi's newest galleries, the Zed Gallery is located at 783 NE 125 Street. Contact Jorge Chirinos (JC) at 305-308-6561.
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Galvin Calls for Theater Use Committee
Now that the city has decided to lease/purchase the old MiamiWay Theater, Councilman Galvin will propose that a temporary "Theater Use Committee (TUC)" be named. The committee's focus would be to determine the best future use of the old theater, which hasn't shown films since the early 1980s.
Possible uses could include: performance-art theater, community meeting space, and historic museum.
Galvin thinks that the TUC should be made up of area businesspersons, a MoCA representative, and other local theater entities (like Miami's Lyric Theater). The committee would be appointed by the city council and would serve only long enough to give purpose and direction to the theater now in control of the city.
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Dogma Coming to Downtown NoMi
If you love hot dogs, then this announcement will really whet your appetite! Dogma is coming to downtown North Miami. According to owner Jeffrey Akin, the store, located at 899 NE 125 Street will open on November 21, 2007. Their hours of operation will be from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm.
Dogma specializes in all-sorts of hot dogs. Whether with chili and sauerkraut...or with parmesean and basil, you're sure to find a dog that's for you. They also serve delicious fries and mint lemonade.
Dogma makes Downtown NoMi even more of a destination. We are thrilled to have them in town!
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MoCA Announces Expansion Plans
North Miami's highly-successful Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) has announced an $18 million expansion plan that will triple its exhibition space while adding a multipurpose room for performance art and film screenings. It is expected that the project will be complete by 2010.
The expansion will also add an outdoor sculpture roof overlooking the reflecting pool and a 1,500-square-foot skylit reception lobby. Said director Bonnie Clearwater in the Miami Herald, "It's all about being able to do more."
MoCA opened in 1996. This expansion will be funded through a private-public partnership, with MoCA soon to launch a capital and endowment campaign that will include selling naming rights to the new building. For more info on all things MoCA, visit www.mocanomi.org.
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Trees Planted Downtown
Trees have been planted along NE 125th Street and West Dixie Highway corridors, replacing trees that had
been considered hazardous. The new look with a variety of Palm trees will continue downtown's renaissance.
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Starbucks Brings Live Entertainment
Bored? Tired of staying at home? Want to meet some new and exciting people? Want to get enticed by the sultry sounds of live Jazz Bands?, poetic vibes, & intoxicating scents of great coffee? If your answer is Yes to these questions than come on down and indulge into this invigorating environment at
Starbucks @ 750 N.E. 125th St. (parking in rear)
Check out our wonderful & very entertaining line up enlisted below:
Friday, 4/20/07 at 7pm - Mecca & Family Poetry Night....
Saturday, 4/21/07 at 8pm - Jazz by John McMinn....
4/22/07 & Every Sunday at 7pm - "StAgE tHerApy" Poetry Nights Hosted by Will Da~Real One Bell
(vibe set by DJ Make It Do What It Do).....
Tuesday, 4/24/07 at 7pm - Open Mic Music Night hosted by Adrian Gverra...
4/25/07 & Every Wednesday at 7pm - Koffeeoke (Coffee & Karaoke), choose from over 60,000. Hosted by KJ Ste7en....
Most Thursdays at 7pm - Jazz by Mel Morley...
4/26/07, Thursday at 7pm - Pablore Black a.k.a. Mr. Muzik with a Reggae Jam Session....
4/28/07, Saturday at 8:30pm - " Sir Majesty" with InDiE rOcK....
5/8/07, Tuesday at 8pm - Landon Knoblock Jazz Trio
REMEMBER, these events are held at Starbucks @ 750 N.E. 125th (parking in the rear)
.....BE THERE OR BE SQUAREEEE!!!!!!!!!!!.....
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Starbucks
in NoMi Now Open
Downtown
North Miami's first Starbucks, Located at 750 NE 125 Street
is now open. Join your friends in the new 79-seat coffeehouse
for a festive toast of Christmas Blend as the season of cheer
has arrived at Starbucks. The 1,800 square-foot storefront
was formerly occupied by Heirlooms of Tomorrow.
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NoMi Clean-Up Begins
Tony
Crapp, director of North Miami's CRA, provided this opportunity
to update everyone on the progress so far in the implementation
of our Phase I of the Commercial Corridor Improvement Program
(CCIP):
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Downtown
Projects Approved!
The
North Miami city council has approved several new projects
designed to improve the aesthetics of the Downtown NoMi corridor.
Here is a recap:
* Pressure cleaning of the brick pavers on the sidewalks and
plazas, including one "deep cleaning" and one regular
cleaning. Work will be performed on the weekend to minimize
disruption to businesses. The cleanings will occur during
August and September.
* Repair and improve the fountain located in the plaza between
NE 6th Avenue and West Dixie Highway. Water will finally run
again!
* Remove the mahogany trees that pose problems with leave
and bird droppings. Trim back others where necessary.
* Install 53 trash receptacles in the downtown area.
* Remove all concrete furniture located along NE 125 Street,
between NE 6th and 8th Courts. Fill in area with plants, sand,
and/or new pavement.
The
council also awarded a grant not to exceed $70,000 to La Baguette,
located at 680 NE 127 Street, for a facade renovation. This
money comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant
program. It will allow one of the most-visible businesses
in the area to spruce up their building.
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Resolution
Establishing Sidewalk Cafes Passes
The
North Miami city council has passed a groundbreaking resolution
allowing sidewalk cafes on city rights-of-way. This is a giant
leap forward for our city and I expect it to help boost restaurants,
especially in the NoMi arts district.
Sidewalk cafes provide a unique environment
for relaxation and dining. Our new legislation allows for
outdoor seating while providing standards that protect the
safety of customers. Proof of insurance must be provided by
the city to the dining establishment, as must drawings depicting
the layout of the proposed dining area. Permits must also
be attained, but the first year of the permit is free. There
will be a $50 annual renewal fee every year thereafter.
The ordinance was co-sponsored by Mayor Burns and myself.
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Commercial
Facade Rehab Program Set
In order to help improve local
commercial corridors, the city of North Miami Facade Program
offers financial incentives to property owners of eligible
commercial buildings to complete a facade rehab program.
The program offers a grant of 50% of the approved projects
cost up to $45,000 per building. In addition, buildings with
5 contiguous storefronts or more may be eligible for an additional
$5,000. Since the program is intended to primarily assist
small businesses, projects must not exceed a total budget
of $350,000.
The city will make grant payments (in the form of reimbursement)
during the duration of the project, after completion of roughly
25%, 50%, 75%, and at the completion of a qualified project.
Projects must be approved prior to beginning construction
to participate in the program. Interested parties may apply
through the Planning Department by calling 305-893-6511.
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Savino
& Miller Design Studio
12345
NE 6th Ave
North Miami, FL 33161
Tel. 305.895.9082
Fax 305.892.9083
E-mail: barry@savinomiller.com
http://www.savinomiller.com
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NoMi
Projects Receive Boost through CRA
When
the CRA governing board (city council) adopted the 2005-06
budget for our Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), several
Downtown NoMi projects received boosts. Thanks to the
leadership of Councilman Galvin and Mayor Burns, $100,000.00
was set aside to provide incentives to businesses either already
located within or wishing to relocate to the NoMi arts district.
In the past, a similar incentive fund helped Burrito's Grille
buy outdoor seating and assisted Luna Star Cafe with an air-circulator.
The new funds, which must be applied for through city hall,
could be used for similar small programs, or perhaps to entice
major businesses to set up shop in NoMi.
Additionally, it was agreed that money for landscaping NE
125 Street could come out of the Road Construction section
of the CRA budget. Though no specific landscaping project
has been agreed upon, identifying an up-front funding stream
was of great importance to Councilman Galvin.
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NoMi
Legislation Wins Approval
In recent weeks, the city council
has approved three pieces of legislation I proposed. Since
they directly impact NoMi, I wanted to tell you about them:
•
Prohibiting the Use of Paint Window Covering that Exceeds
25% of the Total – This makes it illegal for businesses
to paint-over their windows, as one near city hall recently
did. There are also storefronts covered with adhesive stickers
and/or adhesive reflective material that are aesthetically
undesirable. The ordinance requires storefronts to maintain
at least 75% of the window frontage with see-through visibility
at all times.
• Prohibiting Liquor Packaging Businesses in the Downtown
Overlay Arts District (NoMi) – Though restaurants can
still sell liquor, packaging stores can not open in the area.
• Creating a section to our Nusiance Ordinances entitled
“Private Property Nuisance Abatement” –
This specifically requires owners of properties that are termite-infested
to take immediate steps to get rid of the termites. This helps
adjoining property storefronts who previously were powerless
if a neighbor with termites refused to tent.
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Heirlooms
of Tomorrow Inc at 662 N.E. 125 St
Phonee: 305-899-0920
Email them at: hot_gifts@bellsouth.net
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The
Ambrosino Gallery, located at 769 NE 125 Street.
Gallery hours are: Wed, Thur, Fri
11-2, 3-6pm and Sat 12-5pm.
Call 305-891-5577 for details.
Email them at:AmbrosinoGallery@aol.com
Visit his site at: www.ambrosinogallery.com
or check his current exhibition at:
http://hometown.aol.com/ambrosinogallery/
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Belvair
for Modern Living at 859 NE 125th Street.
Open Thursday thru Saturday,
Noon - 6 pm.
Email at belvair@hotmail.com
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Vermillion
Gallery at 765 NE 125 Street.
Phone them at 305-893-7800.
Dealing in 20th Century furnishings, and fine art, circa 1920s-1960s.
Web: http://www.galleryvermillion.com
or email at susancutler@earthlink.net
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Colors
Style & Design clothing at 773 NE 125 Street.
Phone at 305-895-9141.
Email: colorsstyle@aol.com
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Visit
the Luna Star!
The
great Luna Star Cafe, located
at 775 NE 125 St., has been named
"Best Coffeehouse" by
the Miami New Times newspaper. Luna Star is very
deserving of this recognition!
Luna is open Tuesday thru Sunday, from
10:00 am till 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays and
w eekdays till midnight.
Check out their web site at: http://members.aol.com/luna13star/index.html
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M-Ensemble
Dance Company -
Florida's oldest established
African-American theater company offering musical, contemporary,
classical and original plays; theater workshops for children
and adults; and special vibrant presentations for Kwanzaa
and Black Music Month. 12320 West Dixie Hwy.
Web: http://www.mensemble.com
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Deborah
Grey Mitchell Photography -
For all your photography needs.
Also home to an art and exhibition gallery.
12345 West Dixie Highway.
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"NoMi"
Gallery Walks Continue
Join us on the last Friday of
each month as ALL the galleries in NoMi are featured.
The Gallery Walk is the perfect opportunity to explore the
many new galleries, restaurants and cafes located in the citys
downtown arts district on NE 125th Street. The North Miami
arts district is known as NoMi (short for North Miami.) For
information, please call MOCA at 305/893-6211.
The excitement starts at 7:00 pm with many of the galleries
opening their doors. Of course, refreshments at the
Luna Star are always available (775 NE 125 Street).
At the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at
770 NE 125th Street, visitors can pick up NoMi Gallery Walk
information and coupons, and view MOCAs current exhibitions.
The Museum of Contemporary Art and participating NoMi galleries
will be open until 10:00 pm. Jazz at MOCA will present
a free outdoor concert in the plaza outside the Museum of
Contemporary Art at 8:00 pm.
Downtown NoMi is fast becoming one of Miami-Dade Countys
most vibrant cultural districts. Galleries, alternative art
spaces and restaurants are increasingly finding the area to
be an ideal location thanks to its affordability, easy access
to major highways, ample free parking, and proximity to the
Museum of
Contemporary Art.
Downtown NoMi is also home to a variety of restaurants serving
a wide range of world cuisines from West African and Italian,
to Chinese and Mexican.
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New Exhibits Always Featured
New exhibits are always opening at the Museum of
Contemporary Art and all the other NoMi galleries.
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Performing
Arts Network Opens North Miami Home
The
widely known and respected Performing Arts Network (PAN) has
opened a new home at 13126 West Dixie Hwy. PAN
has long been considered a cultural hub for arts activity
as well as a laboratory for new artists and new work.
Among other things, they offer an array of dance classes for
children and adults.
We are extremely excited to have PAN
as part of our city. For more information on their programs,
call 305-899-7730 or email
PANMiami@aol.com
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City
Establishes Guidelines for Downtown Incentives Fund
The City Council established
at Downtown Incentives Fund as part of the FY 2001-2002 budget.
$100,000 was appropriated. The Downtown Business Area
is defined as the area of the city that is bounded by NE 6
Avenue on the west, NE 126 Street on the north, NE 9 Avenue
on the east, and NE 123 Street on the south.
Eligible
businesses for grants from the fund are those businesses that
promote the arts and culture of the city and include, but
are not limited to, art galleries, restauratns, antique stores,
bookstores, coffee shops, music clubs, and dance studios.
Persuant to the resolution, the city
manager is authorized to provide grants not to exceed $5,000
for capital expenditures for eligible businesses.
Additionally,
the city manager is authorized to assist new eligible businesses
by providing a grant covering first month's rent and entering
into an agreement with the renting landlord to provide for
a guarantee of security deposit and last month's rent.
The resolution also provides for $10,000 to be spent on cooperative
advertising. All other expenditures would require city
council approval.
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Downtown
Arts Overlay District
Our
newly created Downtown Overlay District is in place. Its
intent is to help create an official forum for artists and entertainers
to demonstrate their crafts and provide various ambiance to
residents.
The boundaries run from the west on NE 4th Avenue to the east
on NE 12th Avenue. On the south, it begins on NE 123 Street
and continues north to NE 126 Street.
However, it does run north along West Dixie Highway, from 125
to 135 Streets.
Arts-related businesses in the Overlay District are eligible
to apply for funding assistance under our Downtown Assistance
Fund (see article above).
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Artists
Get Break on NE 125 St.
Artists
hoping to start a business in our downtown area get a financial
break. New occupational license fees are in effect,
allowing artists and antique dealers to get licenses for less
money.
Antique and art dealers pay only
$25.00 annually, down from the old fee of $77.00.
Museums and art galleries pay only $10.00.
I feel these reductions will help our downtown revitilazation.
Museum
of Contemporary Art
Located
at 770 NE 125 Street, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)
opened its
building in February, 1996.
The 23,000 square foot structure is a site for discovering
new artists, contemplating the work of
contemporary masters, and learning about our living cultural
heritage. MoCA maintains an active exhibition schedule,
presenting 8 to 10 exhibitions annually.
Visit their web site
at http://www.mocanomi.com
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Traffic
Calming
To
help create the appropriate atmosphere for our downtown, it
would be helpful to eliminate the "speedway" traffic
along 125 Street.
By adding a landscaped median down the middle, and reducing
the lanes to one each way, I think we
would go a long way toward that.
We will soon hire a traffic engineer
to study the feasibility of this idea. Though I want
motorists to travel 125 Street, it is not productive for them
to use it as a quick short cut between Biscayne Boulevard
and I-95.
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