The Commodore, at the Ritz- Carlton Coconut Grove, invites cocktail and book lovers to unwind with the new Books & Books Summer Reading Series, presented in partnership with Coconut Grove’s beloved neighborhood bookstore, Books & Books. From July 10 through September 21, guests can enjoy a curated sip-and-flip experience: order a signature cocktail crafted by local cocktail expert and influencer, Gio Gutierrez with @chatchowtv, select a Miami-inspired book to enjoy while sipping, and simply return the book to the bar staff before departure. As a special perk, participants will receive a 10% discount at Books & Books Coconut Grove, perfect for continuing the summer reading journey.

Each cocktail in the series is  paired with a local literary selection:

HAVANA ESPECIAL – $20
Havana Club Blanco, pineapple, lemon, maraschino liqueur
Paired with The Last Train to Paradise by Les Standiford

DÉRIVE – $20
Patrón Silver, agave syrup, calamansi juice, Chinola mango, lime
Paired with Seeing Differently: Miami Color Theory by Laura Paresky Gould

FUACATA – $20
Grey Goose Vodka, Havana Club Clásico, Cuban coffee, Fernet Menta, crème de cacao
Paired with Ventanitas: A Window Into Miami’s Coffee Culture by Danielle Perez Miron

Guests can also look forward to Meet the Author events featuring Les Standiford on Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Laura Paresky Gould on Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. Additional dates for September will be announced soon.

Thanks to the Funding Arts Network I found out about the whole world of Hispanic theater in Miami which I and many people I know (even Hispanic friends) didn’t know existed and just in time for The 38^th annual International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami will take place from July 11 to August 14. It features dramas, musicals and even a special play for International Children’s Day. Theater companies from six countries including Spain (multiple cities), Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela as well as Puerto Rico and our own Miami with Teatro Avante which is presenting it. Several of the works have English subtitles and a number have a forum to discuss the work after the performance. Venues include the Adrienne Arsht Center at its Carnival Studio Theater, Key Biscayne Community Center, Koubek Center and the Westchester Cultural Arts Center.

For the complete lineup, click here: https://www.teatroavante.org/programa

Love latin music? Here’s one for you¡Viva la Parranda! is a vibrant, music-driven theatrical experience that immerses audiences in the soul of Venezuela through the rhythms, flavors, and traditions of the Afro-Venezuelan community of El Clavo, Barlovento. It runs July 10-27 at the Colony Theater in Miami Beach. Led by the powerful voice of Betsayda Machado and the authentic ensemble La Parranda El Clavo, the production blurs the line between performance and lived experience, presenting sung memories and heartfelt testimonies rather than a scripted narrative. Featuring ancestral percussion instruments and the aroma of simmering sancocho, the play transforms the stage into a communal space where music, culture, and food converge to celebrate resilience, migration, and identity. Rather than portraying characters, the performers embody their truth, offering a deeply moving encounter with tradition, joy, and the unbreakable spirit of a people who resist and rejoice through rhythm. ¡Viva la Parranda! at the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. For tickets and information: miaminewdrama.org or 305.674.1040.

In the category of cool things for families to do in Miami July 2025 — The Frost Art Museum is presenting Frost Family Day called Art in the Wild: Everglades Explorers on Saturday, July 26 from 11 to 3 p.m. It’s a day of art making and story telling for the entire family led by National Geographic Explorer and primatologist Dr. Mireya Mayor with interactive activities led by a Zoo  crew.  The day is inspired by the Path of the Panther exhibition by National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. who explores the wild beauty of Florida and the endangered Florida panther. Activities range from birdwatching/locating activity and watercolor painting to a scavenger hunt focusing on the Path of the Panther exhibition and storytelling and more. For more information and to register, click here. It’s free.

Sponsors include the Green Family Foundation, Zoo Miami, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, The Children’s Trust and the Fine Arts Students Association at FIU.

Here’s something else very cool —ART AFTER HOURS | FAIRYTALE MASKS at the Bass Art Museum in Miami Beach. 
Join them July 17 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.  for the monthly mix and mingle experience; Art After Hours: Fairytale Masks. Participants explore the fantastical world of Rachel Feinstein: The Miami Years by designing and crafting wearable masks inspired by Miami’s landscapes and classic fairytales.
🦄Drawing on Feinstein’s blend of whimsy, scenography, and storytelling, attendees will create their own imaginative masks, transforming everyday materials into expressive, wearable works of art.
✨Art After Hours is created for adults ages 21+ at any skill level. All art-making materials are provided and available to take home after class! The class is $25 for museum members and $30 for nonmembers.

To register, click here,

Rounding out the things to do in Miami July 2025 –If you haven’t been to the Miami Beach Bandshell concert venue, you’re missing out.  Managed by the Rhythm Foundation, the outdoor amphitheatre (roofed) has welcomed diverse acts from all over the world as well as hosted music festivals. They have some of the more exciting and different popular music concerts  around town besides being a sometimes venue of the Nu Deco Ensemble company. Coming up in July are happenings ranging from the July 4 roller disco (free) and Steel Pulse roots reggae to Dance Africa Miami, West African dance, drama and culture. For more information, click here.

Miami Beach bandshell, 7275 Collins Avenue, Miami 33141