By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly
“Summertime and the Living is Easy,” sings Ella Fitzgerald. What better time to slow down, take a moment and enjoy what Miami has to offer? From recreational and sporting events, to dancing, skydiving, and creative endeavors there is plenty to fill up your calendar.
To give you an idea of the summer programs in Miami they include taking a class in jewelry and ceramic-making, adult education courses at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Miami, acting classes, flower arranging, or glassblowing and many more. It’s the perfect time to go out on the water. Do good and enjoy yourself at the same time – book a sunset boat trip with the Pelican Harbor Seabird Sunset Cruise and see the city of Miami at its best. Combine that with dinner and it makes for a perfect evening out. Keep reading and you just might feel inspired. Happy Summer!
Pelican Harbor Seabird Sunset Cruise
Pelican Harbor Marina and nearby Bird Key have long been magnets for seabirds and shorebirds in Miami. Residents Harry and Darlene Kelton began rescuing injured birds and other wildlife in 1980 from their houseboat.
Over time, others volunteered, including veterinarian Jim McCoy, and in 1992 The Miami Dade Parks Department provided the land upon which the current station was built.
Since then, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station has become Miami’s premier native wildlife hospital and a world-class wildlife rescue, rehab, release and education center. They are dedicated to improving the lives of sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the ecosystem, enabling future generations.
There is still significant work to be done to reduce seabird injuries caused by human activity, including motor boats.
Help them in their cause while enjoying a beautiful and relaxing sunset cruise. Tickets $60. Private and group tours available year-round. Binoculars provided, or bring your own. Bring a snack or drink, alcohol permitted. All items must be securely packed in a bag for safety.
Tours depart from Crandon Park Marina, 4000 Crandon Blvd., Miami, FL, 33138. Tel: (305) 751-9840.
Visit https://www.pelicanharbor.org/
Rooftop Cinema Club
With “love, peace and great film” as their motto, you know the Rooftop Cinema Club offers something special. From its beginning in London in 2011, the concept has expanded with rooftop cinema venues in Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Houston, Chicago, Fort Worth and of course, the Magic City. With a goal of bringing people together and changing the way people experience film, the venue offers everything from cult favorites, to classics to new releases. Come early to socialize, play a few table games, watch the sun setting over South Beach and catch a flick under the stars and moonlight. Full bar and food menu available.
Rooftop Cinema Club is located on the 6th floor of the parking garage at 1212 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Self-parking available on floors 2-5 for $10 with validation. Visit https://rooftopcinemaclub.com/
Single Adirondack seat tickets $22.75. Adirondack and popcorn seat $26. Loveseat and popcorn tickets – $29. For a small upcharge, splurge and purchase a footrest. Purchase tickets on the website.
Summer Programs in Miami: Classes
Belly Motions – https://bellymotions.com
Think “Arabian Nights” Anne Baxter as Nefretiri’ in “The Ten Commandments,” or pop star Shakira, and you get an idea of the allure and mystique of belly dancing.
Fast forward to 2026, and belly dancing – an ancient art form dating back to 5th century Egypt – is a great way to have fun, stay fit and experience Middle Eastern culture.
Belly Motions, founded in 2005 by International Belly Dance Star and Dance-Fitness Instructor Portia Lange, fuses fitness principles, guidelines and group exercise protocol with authentic Arabic and Middle Eastern dance movement and music allowing participants to experience the joy and benefits of belly dancing.
With over 20 years’ experience teaching belly dance locally, online and abroad, Lange’s classes are high-energy, up-beat and communal.
Lange, known as “Miss P.” is determined to get your hips in motion while putting a smile on your face. Her specialties include: Belly Dance Technique, Belly Dance Fitness, Dance-Cardio & Sculpt and Belly Dance Fitness Instructor Training.
Belly Dance techniques are influenced by American Belly Dance styles, Egyptian Raks Sharqi and Egyptian Folklore styles. Currently classes are taught both live and on-line. Additionally, pre-recorded and on-demand belly dance videos are available for rent.
A single class begins at $28. Purchase a package for best value. 10 Class Package – Valid for six months; Five Class Package – Valid for three months; Single Class – Valid for 30 days. Bring your friends and have a belly dancing party – $350 for one-hour, unlimited guests.
Belly Motions is located at the Jill Mallory Studio of Dance, 13270 SW 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33176. Tel: (305) 663.1553.
The National Croquet Center
Just 70 miles north of Miami, is The National Croquet Center – the largest and finest dedicated croquet center in the world, situated on ten beautiful acres in West Palm Beach.
Learn to play in the Palm Beach County Summer Golf Croquet League at the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. The Golf Croquet League is a perfect opportunity to come to the center, experience the game and make new friends
First played in 13th century France, the game became popular in the 1800s in England and soon became one of the primary social and recreational activities of the British leisure class as well as in its colonies. In the 1970s, croquet re-emerged as a competitive sport and has continued to grow in popularity. Because croquet can be played by everyone, it is a very social game and men and women compete on an equal playing level without separate divisions.
Age does not dictate skill levels, and the entire family can play wicket sports together with special family memberships. If you pewish to play croquet at the National Croquet Center, you can come up to two times for free “Golf Croquet” lessons offered every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Reservations are required. Otherwise, they offer court play, with all equipment required, at a daily rate of $35 with reservations for specific events or USCA members.
The National Croquet Center is located at 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Tel: (561) 478-2300. Visit https://www.croquetnational.com
Arthur Murray Dance Studio (arthur-murray.com)
It takes two to tango. If you’d like to learn this sensual dance and other ballroom or social dance styles, check out the Arthur Murray Dance Center in Coral Gables. In addition to Argentine tango, they offer a full array of Latin dance, including rhumba, cha-cha, meringue, bachata, Milonga, etc., and the Brazilian social dance, Zouk.
Ballroom styles include traditional dances such as the waltz, foxtrot and quickstep and East and West Coast swing and even country western dance.
Whether you want to practice for a wedding dance; begin a fun, new hobby; reconnect with your partner; get in shape; meet other people; or simply learn how to dance, dance classes put the f-u-n in fun!
Arthur Murray Dance Center is located at 2916 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida 33134 Tel: (305) 444-6136.
More Summer Programs in Miami
Skydiving in Miami – miamiskydivingcenter.com
If former president George Bush could jump out of a plane on his 90th birthday, you can do it, too! Get your adrenaline pumping! At the Miami Skydiving Center, (now part of iSkydive America) you can witness the beauty of Miami’s cityscape from a bird’s eye view as you drift gently back to earth with your open parachute.
Not for the faint-of-heart – their 120 mph adrenaline-pumping freefall brings you two miles up and lets you soar over the city.
Sign up for the VIP package, including a private landing area, with a two-jump minimum for $999, which includes photos and videos of your jump, a personal concierge, T-shirt and city views of downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, the Florida Keys and Miami Beach.
All tandem jumps take place at The Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport. If you want to jump at the Miami Executive Airport, please visit www.skydivesouthbeach.com. Prices range from $299 cash/person for a tandem jumps on the weekend or $269/person during the week. Photos and videos available for an additional $149.
For more information in sky diving in Miami visit: www.miamiskydivingcenter.com. They are located at the American Flying Academy, 14300 SW 129th Street, Ste. 201, Miami, Florida, 33186. Tel: (305) 230-4769.
Acting Classes – adultactingcoach.com
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up,” goes the famous line from Norma Desmond in the 1950 film, Sunset Boulevard.
You too can be ready for your close-up in Sara Rogers acting classes.
Hone your skills with one of South Florida’s premiere adult acting coaches. The two-time award-winning acting coach and Women in the Arts recipient, worked as an instructor with Hollywood Playhouse where she created and taught monologue and scene study as well as improvisation classes. With 30 years experience in the film industry, Rogers’ experience includes teaching and coaching, casting, writing, stage management and talent.
Current offerings include how to audition for the camera, public speaking, unearthing your narrative, a taste of improv, selecting your monologue, learning the business end of the profession and building your brand as an actor, among others.
As part of building your brand, Rogers covers techniques and topics including: memorization techniques, how to work with agents and casting directors, taping monologues, set and agent etiquette, headshots and identifying your type.
Who knows – you just might be discovered!
For more information visit: www.adultactingcoach.com or join her MeetUp group at: www.meetup.com/South-Florida-Actors. Classes are held at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Tel. (954)462-8190. Free parking.
More Summer Programs in Miami, the Arts
Now’s your chance to get your hands dirty and play in the mud.
Learn to make pottery at the Ceramic League of Miami, whether you are a beginner or an experienced ceramicist. They offer group classes, private classes, clay parties, tile making, raku, sculpture, mosaics, hand building and wheel throwing.
Classes are available for both children, teens and adults, beginners to experienced and workshops for the more experienced ceramicists.
During summer, the League hosts a series of Maker’s Markets to highlight the creativity of fellow makers in a variety of mediums, including pottery, jewelry, home décor, wooden items and gifts.
The Ceramic League of Miami is located at 8873 SW 129th St, Miami, Florida 33176.
Tel: (305) 233-2404. Visit CeramicLeagueMiami.org for schedule. Classes are ongoing through August 2 and then resume in September.
A community and a resource for artists, Oolite Arts offers more than 200 art classes and a selection of talks on the current art scene, professional development classes for artists and filmmakers and in-studio art classes, open to the public on topics such as drawing technique, printmaking, figure drawing, painting, collage and lithography.
Oolite Arts is located at 924 Lincoln Road, 2nd Fl., Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (305) 674.8278 x 301. Visit
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | University of Miami
Avoid the summer slide! With the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Miami, you can take courses and programs for adults 50 years old and older for intellectual stimulation, social interaction and service opportunities.
Whether you want to learn a new language, educate yourself about world affairs, delve into the history of Iran or Ukraine or just have fun, OLLI has a class for you.
Learn to play Mah-Jongg or canasta and other games, take yoga, or learn about Tin Pan Alley and other Broadway Musicals. Other classes include a variety of art classes, a Writer’s Workshop, photography, jewelry making and learning about Artificial Intelligence.
Classes are offered in person, on-line and by Zoom.
For registration information and class information please visit: https://olli.dcie.miami.edu/
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is located at 5050 Brunson Drive, Room 111, Coral Gables, Florida 33124. Tel: (305) 284-4000.
Painting With a Twist – www.paintingwithatwist.com
Looking for a night out with the girls or guys or for a date night or even to paint your pet? BYOB – red, white or rose and come to socialize, connect with friends over a glass, have some snacks and oh, by the way – learn to paint! Started by two friends in 2007 after Hurricane Katrina as a way to build community, these events are more about the “experience” than a traditional art class. In addition, do good while having fun with their Painting with a Purpose program.
Each month, their studios host a painting event to raise funds for a local or regional non-profit organization.
To-date, the organization has donated over $5 million to nonprofit organizations across the country, including Habitat for Humanity, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
Check the website for pricing.
Painting with a Twist has locations in Coral Gables at 2399 SW 22nd Street, Miami, Florida 33145, (305) 204-6964 and in Kendall at
12582 SW 88th Street, Miami, Florida 33186, Tel: (305) 204-6964.
Visit Paint and Sip Wine Painting Parties – Paint Night Fun | Painting with a Twist.
Rounding Out the Summer Programs in Miami, the Arts
Hollywood Hot Glass – https://www.hollywoodhotglass.com/
Hot, Hot, Hot! Hollywood Hot Glass brings the experience of glass-blowing to South Florida in a hands-on way. With the help of a skilled instructor you shape and inflate your original glass piece in just 20 minutes. Create a colorful glass flower, a glass heart, a mermaid tail, a bubble bowl or a vase to hold that glass flower. The studio has made it accessible for guests to create their own original glass piece, and aims to make it an unforgettable event – no experience necessary. Work with professional glass artists in a fully interactive, hands-on, safe and exciting atmosphere. Prices range from $60 to create a colorful glass paperweight to $150 to create your own glass sea turtle or ruffle bowl. They are open Wednesday – Sundays from 1:00 – 9:00pm.
Hollywood Hot Glass is located at One Young Circle, Hollywood, Florida 33020. Tel: (954) 732-7231.
Michael’s – www.michaels.com
Offering both live and on-line classes and events, Michael’s offers creative opportunities for crafting, painting or jewelry making and beading. From metal stamping and resin to beading and more, learn the latest in jewelry-making techniques.
Learn to decoupage, create spring floral fashions such as a fabric covered flower pots, experiment with Mod Podge, or try art journaling using botanicals.
Other classes include yarn crafts, food crafting, fine arts, paper crafting, jewelry and beading and a variety of kids’ classes.
Visit www.michaels.com.
Jewelry Creations Workshop
“Bringing ideas to life through jewelry creation,” is the motto of Jewelry Creations Workshop, where classes range from “just for fun,” to beginner and advanced.
Founded in 2009 by director Steven Brownlee, Jewelry Creations Workshop has helped thousands of makers learn the art of jewelry making.
Getting married? Sign up for their DIY Wedding Ring Workshop where they help couples make their own wedding or engagement rings.
For them, making jewelry is more than learning good craftsmanship, it’s about telling stories, expressing yourself, and collaborating with a community of other creative, like-minded individuals. Additional classes are offered in soldering, stone setting, forging and metalworking, silversmithing, wire working and beading. Learn to work in copper, sterling silver and brass. Techniques used for gold will be explained upon request.
Group classes for beginners offered at Moonlighter FabLab on Miami Beach. Additional private classes offered in the Miami Shores area. Call for information: Tel: (305) 610.6560. Visit jewelrycreationsworkshop.com.
2 Responses
Thanks for this information. Very helpful.
Hope it brings you a lot of joy!