As a starry-eyed girl who felt like I was growing up just out of reach of meaningful, iconic explosions of counterculture, I’ve devotedly longed for a possible reemergence of a modern nightlife that held all that fiery wonder of decades past. Its as if I’m always chasing that special pack of unexpected tight knit outsiders with a lust for life and time to burn. This past Saturday night, I made my way to the ‘VIDIUM x PARTYWITCH’s ‘FACE 2 FACE’ dungeon show. What was waiting for me was much more than just the event I had selected to attend. A smorgasbord of galleries, small themed events, and chatty vendors awaited my arrival. It was a virtual playground with the beginnings of everything I ever wanted from Miami’s nightlife. I got the sense that I had finally found what I’ve been searching the Magic City’s neon soaked, pastel streets for… A place to call home.
This time around the energy feels remarkably distinct while still remaining objectively familiar. The potential for a perfect storm is in our midst… A perfect storm of all-inclusive acceptance from individuals committed to fostering the longevity and growth of an emerging renaissance. This is far from a regular party or show that’s made its way onto Miami’s famed Club Row on 11th Street or along a tourist & hipster filled street in Wynwood. It’s an electrifying feeling to be able to take a step back, look at the big picture, the sum of its parts, and just take it all in. That’s what’s being offered here on Flagler Street and that’s what makes an event & conglomeration of this nature so damn special.
There was so much to explore and take in here. As I made my way through the skeleton of Downtown’s ‘777 International Mall’, I set out to discover what the newly named ‘Mana Contemporary Miami’ building now has to offer. Looking up at the well preserved, azure blue ‘777’ sign, I had flashes of nostalgia and memories I had made in the building when I was just a child. I felt the exact same excitement and giddy nature I would experience with my grandmother as a child. We’d dash through the mall, hurrying to make our way to the fabric store… Always in anticipation for what we may find next. That’s exactly how I felt now in the same exact building!
After hours of frivolously exploring each floor & enthusiastically interacting with every art dealer, vendor, and patron at every turn, it’s more than fair to say that this renaissance is in full swing right here in the heart of Downtown Miami. This multidisciplinary arts center has reinvented the once abandoned spaces with a wide variety of demonstrative and interactive installments, giving you the green light to pick at an artists brain and make lasting connections with friends, old and new alike.
Kink Kulture, BDSM, Rave, Drag, Transformative Media, among many others were alive and well this past Saturday night. Historically, these groups lose steam, eventually fizzling out with age. Much like Saoirse Ronan’s character in ‘Lady Bird’ many of us “grew up,” dropped the persona, and became “Catherine’s” in the late 90s to early 2000s. Fortunately there are people like ‘Rat Bastard’ & ‘Otto Von Schirach’ (amongst others) who continue to provide substance & flare to the existing countercultures and refuse to let that special part of them take the back burner. It’s these avant-garde type innovating figures that provide encouragement and inspiration, fostering both change & stirring, new artists… All while melting dance floor junkie’s egos away with filthy experimental dance sets. Can’t beat that.
The realization that the goal of these diverse group of creatives is the furthest thing from an unrelenting rat race brings a much needed sense of calm to all the anxious artist types looking to create something new. Just knowing we are in this together and supporting one another is exactly what is going to continue to make this brave new world thrive. The ‘FACE 2 FACE’ event itself was a blast. However, the real magic and fervor of this auspicious subcultural renaissance lies within the framework of ‘777 International Mall’ and has to be seen to be believed.
********Written By Yackarette Borge**********
TVTime/Letterboxd/FB/IG/Path/Pin/Tumblr/Twitter: @SpotlightSaga
📺TVTime📺
http://www.tvtime.com
✅Spotlight Saga FB Page! Give us a like!✅
http://www.facebook.com/spotlightsaga
🚧Spotlight Saga’s Main Page is Under Works🚧
http://www.spotlightsaga.com
🔥The Culture Pit FB Group🔥
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtsEntertainment
@CulturePit
Kevin Cage // Justin O'Malley // Cody Cole // Jerry Wilson // Kat Holiday // Carolyn Holt //Yackarette Borge // Carina Enered // Vanessa Stewart // Danny Drastic
