The Hispanic Cultural Arts Center “wants to do more” by providing you with cultural things to do in Miami
Eriberto Jimenez is the director of the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center. Located in Little Havana, the center consists of four local organizations. All aim to provide locals and tourists with an insight into the cultural things to do in Miami.
The first organization is the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. This group conducts performances four times per year. The shows are occasionally put on at the outside stage at the Hispanic Cultural Arts Center. However, most shows occur at theaters, like the Dade County Auditorium.
A branch off of that organization is the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami School. The school operates on Mondays through Fridays, offering a range of classes. Ballet classes are available to children ages three up until the professional level. The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami School also offers professional dance classes. These are available on Mondays through Fridays at 10 a.m.
The International Ballet Festival of Miami is also affiliated with the center. For 25 years, this event has occurred in mid-July through mid-August. The center brings professional dance companies from all over the world to perform. The festival has been held at the center, as well as other Miami and Fort Lauderdale venues.
The fourth organization partnered with the center is the Creation Arts Center. This group is in charge of any in-house events.
Located at the J.W. Warner House, the center has a lot of history in its building. When he bought the center, Jimenez found two boxes of documents from the original owners. These boxes had photographs, letters, and accounting records from the late 1800s.
Jimenez keeps these documents on display at the center, so visitors can get a taste of the history. The center also has open art galleries on the first floor for anyone to walk in and view. Every month, they try to highlight different exhibits from different local artists. On the second floor, there is a private collection of donated artwork. These art exhibits are open to anyone for viewing from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.
Beyond constant art displays, the center also holds a few monthly events. On the third Friday of every month is Viernes de Tertulia. This now-virtual event streams live via the center's Facebook page. Facilitator Luis de la Paz invites a writer, poet, or another artist for an interview. The artist discusses their work and reads a sample of their writing. The goal is to start a conversation amongst local artists and the community.
The center also hosts a poetry or book reading program for kids. The reading event occurs at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Jimenez hopes to be able to conduct more children-oriented events in the future. Although the center hosts many events, they are always hoping to take more on.
“We have more ideas to start involving more of the community and we want to do more.”
Eriberto Jimenez
To keep up with the cultural things to do in Miami, follow the center on Instagram at @miamihispaniculturalartscenter. You can also follow @cubanclassicalballetschool and @cubanclassicalballetofmiami for more information about the ballet classes.
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