All Access

All-Access Weekly Digest

Miami

Miami Members

Miami Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Miami.

Axios Miami Thought Bubble

Axios Miami

From parking tickets written in pentameter to a billboard ballad, O, Miami wants residents to experience poetry firsthand as part of its festival next month.

Driving the news: The 12th annual poetry festival throughout April, which marks National Poetry Month, will feature a series of events, public exhibitions and workshops aimed at fostering county-wide cultural exchanges.

Why it matters: "Each year, we hope our festival is a way for people to talk to one another," O, Miami founder and artistic director P. Scott Cunningham said in a statement.

"Miamians are deeply imaginative, funny, and brilliant, and O, Miami exists to give them a public platform," he said.

What's happening: The festival kicks off Saturday night with a free panel discussion at Historic Lyric Theater, where poet and 2021 MacArthur Fellow Hanif Abdurraqib and writer Alexandra T. Vazquez will discuss the power of music and culture to create a sense of place.

On Sunday, the popular and free Poetry in Pajamas event returns to the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, where kids of all ages will recite their favorite poems surrounded by a pajama-wearing audience.

And next week, you can take part in an online poetry workshop about country music star Dolly Parton, a reading with author Clint Smith and poets José Olivarez and Jalen Eutsey, and a photo booth experience that will produce portraits with poems for participants.

What else: Apart from the many scheduled events happening in April, the festival will also host impromptu poetry demonstrations and civic publishing projects, such as:

Parking ticket trickery: If you happen to park your car at the right place at the right time, you may find a fake parking citation on your windshield with a poem.

The project, by Christina Frigo, looks to make getting a ticket a positive experience. Citations can also be picked up at select O, Miami events so you can ticket one of your friends.

If you find a fake parking ticket in the wild, organizers want you to post it to social media with the hashtags #omiami and #poetryparkingticket.

Zip Ode billboard: For much of April, the downtown billboard across from Miami-Dade Arena will display a resident-submitted "Zip Ode," or place-based poem written about a specific Miami ZIP code. Each number of the ZIP code dictates the number of words in each line of the poem.

Out of 1,500 submissions, O, Miami will select the winning poem on April 5 to display on the billboard through April 23.

Every Saturday in April, Miami's NPR station WLRN will announce the top ten "Zip Odes" of the week.

Select poets will be invited to recite their poems at Vizcaya on April 26.

Megaphone recital: You might be hanging at the beach one day when a group of poets breaks out into a flash mob-like poetry recital, using megaphones to communicate with the masses.

The poems, which will be in English and Spanish, explore Miami's relationship with the "poetic world."

Go deeper: Check out all the other cool projects and events that O, Miami has planned next month.

Poetry festival O, Miami puts poems on parking tickets and billboards

"Miamians are deeply imaginative, funny, and brilliant, and O, Miami exists to give them a public platform," the festival's founder said.

A poetic parking ticket. Photo: Gesi Schilling.

From parking tickets written in pentameter to a billboard ballad, O, Miami wants residents to experience poetry firsthand as part of its festival next month.Driving the news: The 12th annual poetry festival throughout April, which marks National Poetry Month, will feature a series of events, public exhibitions and workshops aimed at fostering county-wide cultural exchanges.

Things to Do

After more than 50 years in captivity, the orca known as Lolita may soon leave Miami Seaquarium to rejoin her native waters in the Pacific Northwest, where she was captured as a baby.

Why it matters: Lolita, also known as Tokitae, is considered one of the oldest captive orcas in the U.S.

For years, animal rights groups have called for her release, pointing to reports of mistreatment and the 20-foot-deep tank they say can't suitably house a 5,000-pound creature.

Driving the news: A coalition including the Seaquarium, a whale conservation group and billionaire NFL owner Jim Irsay announced a proposal Thursday to relocate the 57-year-old orca to a netted sanctuary in the Puget Sound off the coast of Washington.

The project is still in its planning stages, but the Seaquarium released a statement estimating it could take 18-24 months before relocation is possible.

The group estimates it could cost between $15 million and $20 million to move Lolita, including renting a cargo plane, building the enclosure and stationing trainers and veterinarians there to care for her.

Yes, but: Not everyone agrees that releasing Lolita is what's best for the aging orca that's still undergoing medical treatment.

What they're saying: Charles Vinick, executive director of the Whale Sanctuary Project, tells Axios that the group is committed to caring for Lolita forever.

The netted enclosure would allow her to enjoy a better quality of life than her current tank, he says, and to give her the human interaction she needs while readjusting to her native waters.

Vinick said Lolita's vets have signed off on the move and that the team would seek to bring along some of her current trainers at the Seaquarium to help her adapt.

"None of us would do it if we thought it was a risk to her health," he said.

Irsay, a philanthropist who's been fascinated with whales since he was a child, said he's committed to Lolita's long-term well-being and, ultimately, hopes she can return to the open ocean one day.

"I know Lolita wants to get to free waters. I don't care what anyone says," he said. "She has lived this long to have this opportunity."

The other side: Shanna Simpson, Lolita's former senior trainer of six years at the Seaquarium, tells Axios it would be "absolute cruelty" to remove the orca from her home of five decades.

Simpson, who is now an animal curator at a zoo in Kansas, said she fears Lolita wouldn't survive the trip to Washington due to the stress and would be exposed to untreated, polluted water in Puget Sound.

"Are you going to take your dog and just drop him off in the wild because that's where they originally came from?" she said.

What's next: The relocation plan would require federal approval, in part because Lolita is classified as an endangered Southern resident whale, and local approval from Washington to build the enclosure, Vinick said, adding that discussions have started.

Inside the $20M plan to move Lolita the orca from the Miami Seaquarium

The 57-year-old orca would be relocated to a netted sanctuary off the coast of Washington.

The audience at the Miami Seaquarium watching Lolita the killer whale at its 40th anniversary performance. (Photo by: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The audience at the Miami Seaquarium watching Lolita the whale at her 40th anniversary performance. Photo: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Whales

After more than 50 years in captivity, the orca known as Lolita may soon leave Miami Seaquarium to rejoin her native waters in the Pacific Northwest, where she was captured as a baby.Why it matters: Lolita, also known as Tokitae, is considered one of the oldest captive orcas in the U.S.

News

As spring break in Miami Beach comes to a close, city officials have already begun crafting a message to the large crowds planning to visit next year: Party's over.

What's happening: Commissioners voted Monday in support of imposing a curfew for spring break 2024 and to explore creating a gun-free perimeter along world-famous Ocean Drive through a private event.

"The message today has to be resoundingly clear: Miami Beach is shutting the door on spring break once and for all," Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who sponsored the curfew measure, said ahead of the vote.

Why it matters: Despite a heavy police presence and year-round planning, Miami Beach has long struggled to manage the disorder and violence that often accompanies large spring break crowds.

Two fatal shootings on Ocean Drive during St. Patrick's Day weekend this month sparked a midnight curfew and renewed a sense of urgency among city leaders to take action.

This is the third year in a row that the city has ordered curfews during spring break in reaction to disorderly crowds or shootings.

The intrigue: The City Commission on Monday voted to direct city manager Alina Hudak to impose the restrictions for the two busiest March weekends of spring break 2024.

It's an unusual move for Miami Beach because curfews are not typically imposed a year out.

Meanwhile, in a separate vote, commissioners directed staff to explore bringing a private event to South Beach next year in order to create a "secure perimeter" with checkpoints around Ocean Drive to stop guns from coming into the area.

What they're saying: City attorney Rafael Paz justified a proactive curfew by comparing it to a hurricane barreling toward the city. After three straight years of curfews, there's enough precedent to expect the next spring break to bring more of the same, he argued.

Hudak didn't say during the meeting whether she would impose the curfew, and the commission left the details up to city staff to develop.

Lyle Stern, president of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, told commissioners that the reputational damage to the city required extreme measures.

"I think this is a moment to be incredibly aggressive and heavy-handed," he said. "We have to make it super uncomfortable for people to come here."

Miami Beach wants to impose a curfew for spring break 2024

City commissioners also want to explore creating a gun-free perimeter along Ocean Drive.

People stand on Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 24, 2022. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images

Gun violence

As spring break in Miami Beach comes to a close, city officials have already begun crafting a message to the large crowds planning to visit next year: Party&#x27;s over.What&#x27;s happening: Commissioners voted Monday in support of imposing a curfew for spring break 2024 and to explore creating a gun-free perimeter along world-famous Ocean Drive through a private event.

Miami has a lot of opinions on the use of digital menus at restaurants.

Axios Miami asked readers this week where they stand on the QR code debate and most responded that they prefer physical menus over digital ones — but not everyone agreed!

What you're saying: Readers gave several reasons why they dislike QR code menus, including that they can be hard to read and promote the use of phones during meals.

Reader David S. says, "QR menus do a terrible job of presenting the food and beverage offerings of a restaurant. I don't know any customer who prefers QR menus over paper menus."

Ashley D. says she finds digital menus hard to read sometimes and hopes restaurants get the memo: "I can't imagine someone older dealing with that on their phone and not having the option of a physical menu."

The intrigue: Miami-Dade commissioners agree with the anti-QR crowd. They passed a resolution urging the state to require restaurants to offer paper alternatives.

Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who sponsored the resolution, told Axios that she hasn’t heard from lawmakers yet but hopes that she “shamed a few restaurants into giving folks the option.”

The other side: Patricia M. — a former server, bartender and hostess — says paper menus aren't hygienic:

"Usually it’s someone's side work to wipe them down but when it does happen (if it does) it's usually with a dirty rag or dry rag (no cleaner).”

"Everyone is always on their phone anyway, QR codes are easier and cleaner," she wrote. "An added bonus is that restaurants have to keep their menus updated online now, which is a huge pro for foodies or people who like to plan their meals."

Reader Mike F. says QR-code menus are a "smart simple solution" that save restaurants money and time, though he said they can be improved.

"[It] would be nice if the menus were optimized for viewing on a mobile phone vs. just a PDF of the paper menu," he wrote.

Most Miamians hate QR codes, according to readers

Some say they're hard to read and promote the use of phones during meals.

A QR code for the menu at the Native At Browns restaurant in London, UK, on Friday, May 6, 2022. Photo: Miles Willis/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Restaurants

Miami has a lot of opinions on the use of digital menus at restaurants.<ul><li>Axios Miami asked readers this week where they stand on the QR code debate and most responded that they prefer physical menus over digital ones — but not everyone agreed!</li></ul>

Food and Drink

Miami Beach Pride is back for its 15th year and organizers are excited to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with more than two weeks of events, culminating in the big parade on Ocean Drive later this month.

Yes, but: The annual celebration feels heavier this year as Florida lawmakers "seek to legislate us out of existence," Bruce Horwich, Miami Beach Pride chairman, tells Axios.

Why it matters: As Miami's most popular Pride celebration kicks off, LGBTQ advocates say Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature are attacking their community, Politico reports.

A series of bills introduced in the current legislative session would prohibit the use of preferred pronouns at school, tighten restrictions on drag venues that allow minors to attend and prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, even those already receiving care.

What they're saying: "It's impossible to ignore the realities of what is happening around us and the implications for our community are deeply concerning," Horwich wrote in an email.

"Now more than ever before, our programming is more important as a source beyond our celebratory festivities," he said.

Zoom in: This month's slate of events includes a panel discussion on transgender rights, an Easter family picnic and the Miss Miami Beach Pride Pageant honoring a local drag performer.

And it all kicks off tonight with the raising of the Pride flag at Miami Beach City Hall and a memorial event on Lincoln Road to "light up the sky in Pride colors" for the victims of the Pulse Nightclub and Club Q shootings.

What's ahead: On Saturday, organizers are throwing a pool party at the Clevelander from noon-6pm ($20).

Next week's events also include a rooftop movie night and a queer art showcase. Check out the full lineup of events online.

Details: The headlining event — the free, two-day Pride Festival — will take over Lummus Park on April 15 and 16, coinciding with the Pride Parade.

There's going to be drinks, several stages with live music and a drone show.

Performers include Todrick Hall, Gale and DJ Dan Slater (among many more). Tribute artists will honor the music of Celia Cruz, Selena and Jennifer Lopez.

The Pride Parade, scheduled for noon on April 16, will bring together thousands to march in solidarity along Ocean Drive. "Mean Girls" actor Jonathan Bennet and husband Jaymes Vaughan will serve as this year's celebrity grand marshals.

Expect floats, cheerleaders, drag performers and maybe a celebrity sighting. (Actress Gabrielle Union and Heat legend Dwyane Wade attended in 2019 with their family.)

The bottom line: "We hope that the community can come together in a defiant celebration," Horwich said.

"Defiant celebration": Miami Beach Pride kicks off amid GOP bills

The annual celebration feels heavier this year as Florida lawmakers "seek to legislate us out of existence," Bruce Horwich, Miami Beach Pride chairman, tells Axios.

Participants on a float are seen during the Miami Beach Pride Parade on Ocean Drive on Sept. 19, 2021. Photo: Jason Koerner/Getty Images

LGBTQ

Miami Beach Pride is back for its 15th year and organizers are excited to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with more than two weeks of events, culminating in the big parade on Ocean Drive later this month.Yes, but: The annual celebration feels heavier this year as Florida lawmakers &quot;seek to legislate us out of existence,&quot; Bruce Horwich, Miami Beach Pride chairman, tells Axios.

Martin Vassolo

Featured stories

"Defiant celebration": Miami Beach Pride kicks off amid GOP bills

Inside the $20M plan to move Lolita the orca from the Miami Seaquarium

Poetry festival O, Miami puts poems on parking tickets and billboards

Most Miamians hate QR codes, according to readers

Miami Beach wants to impose a curfew for spring break 2024