Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest (Oct. 16-18) Boogie by the Beach (Otc. 30-31)



By Bari Auerbach

“Come on babe, why don't we paint the town?...And all that jazz!”

Oct. 16-18, Sunny Isles Beach will be the terrific town hosting the city’s 2nd annual Jazz Festfeaturing the world-renowned Neville Brothers as well as other notable jazz artists including Nicole Henry, Roberto Perera, Sammy Figuerga and Angela Liano.

This year’s Jazz Fest, presented in conjunction with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association with support from Ed King Pop Art and Hands on Miami, benefits Joshua’s Heart Foundation - assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival.  Joshua’s Heart Foundation, was founded by a five-year-old boy named Joshua. The main focus of his vision is to “Stomp out Hunger” in indigent and underprivileged communities and among those who battle debilitating diseases that affect their ability to earn enough to feed themselves.

Event Schedule

Before the Jazz Fest gets underway, Neo-pop artist Ed King, who designed this year’s official Jazz Fest poster, will be at a VIP signing event benefitting Joshua’s Heart Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Trump International Beach Resort (18001 Collins Avenue).

Friday, Oct. 16: Jazz Vibrations and Libations, Acqualina Resort & Spa, Aaria Bar & Lounge, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the front desk, 305-918-8000

Saturday, Oct. 17: Jazz Fest featuring The Neville Brothers and performances by Nicole Henry and Roberto Perera, $25 general admission, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., complimentary general parking beneath the Lehman Causeway (19150 Collins Avenue) with shuttle to Samson Oceanfront Park (17425 Collins Avenue)

Sunday, Oct. 18: Sunday Brunch featuring Sammy Figueroa and Angela Liano
11 a.m.-3 p.m., tickets are $20 and are available through the Newport Concierge, 305-949-1300, Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort (16701 Collins Ave)

Sponsors of the 2009 Jazz Fest include: Acqualina Resort & Spa, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, Trump International Beach Resort, Around Town Magazine, Atlantic Broadband, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, Classic 92.3 FM, Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman, Jack Flavored Rums, Key Transportation, Luke’s-Sawgrass Landscape, The Miami Herald, Pinnacle Vodka, St. Tropez, 88.9 WDNA Serious Jazz and WLRN.

For more information about the 2nd annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest or sponsorships, email Ibis Romero at ibis@sibfl.net or visit sunnyislesbeachjazz.com

City celebrates ‘monster success’

Everyone who plans to attend the city’s “Booogie by the Beach” Halloween event Oct. 30-31 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Pelican Community Park is sure to have fun celebrating all the treats with no tricks that make life in the city something to howl about!

Once again, the city’s devilishly clever Cultural and Human Services Department is coordinating fun festivities for the whole “Adams family” including games, rides, music, food, contests and “the spookiest Haunted House in town!” The method to the madness is just one more example of the spooktacular Sunny Isles Beach renaissance spawned by ultra-luxurious new developments, revitalization and beautification projects  perpetuating “monster success!”

Even more good news really making residents shriek with delight is the City Commission recently approved the new fiscal year budget with no cuts in municipal services and a slight increase in property taxes (2.65 per $1,000 of assessed property value up from $2.48). Many may even see a reduction in their tax bills due to a drop in property values (just under three percent in Sunny Isles Beach according to the Miami-Dade County property appraiser’s office).

Leaving no stone unturned, when it comes to finding dedicated leaders, there’s no need for a séance or Ouija board to call upon the “always at your service” Sunny Isles Beach City Commission: Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Lewis J. Thaler and Commissioners Roslyn Brezin, Gerry Goodman and George “Bud” Scholl. City Manager Rick Conner, department heads and members of city staff are also part of the “Who ‘ya gonna call? Goal busters!” team on a mission to make the best even better.

So whether you come to the Booogie by the Beach event in costume or come as you are, every Sunny Isles Beach resident is sure to be wearing the same smile as they join in celebrating the city’s “monster success!”

Booogie by the Beach - the community’s invited -
Howl at the moon, bring the kids, get excited!
Another fun city event bringing people together –
Let’s all hope for picture perfect weather!
Come as a ghoul, a goblin or a ghost -
Join in three-cheers and a non-bubbly toast!
Have a great time and a happy Halloween -
Here’s to Sunny Isles Beach – the best city ever seen!