Miami Writers Association

REMINDER tonight’s MUTT meeting is being held at 6:30 PM, at a really cool photo studio space located at:

ONE FLAGLER BUILDNG, Suite 305
14 NE 1st avenue
Miami, FL 33132
directions: Building is on the northwest corner of Flagler St.
and E 1st Ave. Entrance is on 1st Ave.

Come out for the whole meeting or just for part of it. We’ll be talking about the videos and readings that are linked in the email below -
How does our city get branded?
How does this branding influence the future of Miami?
How can we work with branding to effect positive change in Miami?

Feel free to bring your dinner or snacks.

MUTT – Miami Urban Think Tank is an ongoing collaboration of Miami residents who read, write, meet and discuss the city. We love our city, its history, its culture, its past, its future . Our goal is to provide a positive critique and form new lens to understand our city.

Here is the information for our next meeting:
What:   “Branding the City” dialogue
When:  Tuesday, October 12th, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Where: Hosted by local photographer and MUTT friend Meg Pukel (www.megpukelphoto.com)
at her new downtown studio, located at:
ONE FLAGER BUILDNG, Suite 305
14 NE 1st avenue
Miami, FL 33132
directions: Building is on the northwest corner of Flagler St.
and E 1st Ave. Entrance is on 1st Ave.
Why:   Because its your city. Claim it!
Who:  Anyone who is curious about Miami (brings friends too!)

We will be using several videos as cases to analyze this topic:
1. DDB Miami (ad agency) Branded Reel
2. Cocaine Cowboys movie intro
3. Miami Vice tv show opening credits
4. NBC Miami promo commercials
5. Dunk Ryders/Trick Daddy music video: xxxx the other side
(this video has some explicit material)
6. Miami Workers Center tribute
7. AE District Creative Art Space Promo
8. No Reservations: Anthony Bourdain
(travel show that focuses on capturing unique elements of city food and culture)
9. Andres Duany’s

Their ideas about branding are interesting. If you think about “The Secret” and “visioning boards” on a larger scale, the movie screen and TV are the collective “visioning board” of America…and who exactly is behind it? Hollywood. The Capital of Swooshy Grafix.

I mean, really, why do I spontaneously think about cupcakes sometimes? I am convinced that the visioning board I consumed throughout the 1980s somehow lodged images of cupcakes into my subconscious.

Perhaps it’s all a bit sci fi. Or maybe, after reading the description of the MUTT meeting, we are all becoming aware of how mass media is affecting us…how powerful it is in creating the image of a PLACE. No one thinks of Miami as a place other than a party zone. Just like no one would ever take Las Vegas as a place for anything other than a place for gambling…

And yet, the people who live in Miami full-time are normal and live relatively SANE lives. There is a thriving art culture. Wellness culture. Conference culture. The only major Hollywood film that makes Miami feel like a place where real people live is “Miami Rhapsody” starring Sarah Jessica Parker and directed by none other than the guy who directed Sex and the City. This was back in 1995. Imagine how much Miami has changed since then???

That’s what Boomtown Fever is all about. Yes, it’s a story about the real estate boom and bust, but more importantly, it’s a story about the people of Miami during a grand transition akin to NYC at the turn of the century. It’s the “Great Gatsby,” and “The Fountainhead.”

Last year I connected with filmmakers who have the same ideas that I do. I remember how I excited I was to have found my people..I had a script…actors and a venue during Art Basel:

I found out what it truly means to be a writer/producer/filmmaker…and it was freaking hard work…

So now I am here in DC…rubbing elbows with highly educated people who are motivated in some shape or form to “change” something. Whether it’s the climate or politics or health care. I gave up the idea of changing the world a while ago. I know the only thing I can truly change is myself…and if I happen to inspire others along the way, then that is the true work, I think. But I know at some point my path will lead me back to Miami, with a toolbox of new skills and knowledge that will allow me to act upon the ideas the MUTT members are discussing. I am really not surprised Meg is a part of the movement. She truly “sees” the city, and you can see that in her photography.

What’s my point? My heart is still in Miami.

by “JJ,” MWA eye witness reporter – this is NOT fiction, people.

Shortly before 7:30 pm there are about 35 people waiting for the South Miami city council to decide if the Wallflower Gallery, a 13-year-old arts and culture venue in downtown Miami, will LIVE or DIE. The seats in the audience are straight out of a high school auditorium. I sit with them and am immediately recruited to pass around a petition which I don’t do so well since half the audience are city employees and are looking at me funny.

Prior to the meeting the Mayor addresses us to basically say we have the votes so don’t take too long with the remarks. I mean ‘less is more’ in this case folks. He asks for a “couple people who can speak eloquently” and reminds us that we’ll be “preaching to the converted.”

Manger in lieu of full presentation about the Wallflower Gallery said a few words and turned it over to those eloquent speakers. He intro’ed by describing the Wallflower Gallery as an institution and described this measure as an opportunity for the CRA to fulfill its purpose by energizing a colony of artists who’ll bring a renaissance to the City similar to what Coconut Grove saw in the 50’s. Tonight is just to give the City’s commitment [read: real negotiations come later].

As first speaker gets up in comes a “rara” text from Melanie Feliciano, president of the Miami Writers Association:

RA RA sis kumba! Go wallflower!!!

[which means deal is done at this point but I am only one who knows this].

Sara Yousuf spoke, calling Wallflower Gallery a ‘meeting space’ and ‘place of ideas’ where ‘social issues’ are discussed.

The second speaker was from Emerge Miami who said Wallflower Gallery was a place where artists get ‘equal access’ for events and called Flash an ally for activists. She also mentioned kids loitering at Sunset place with no space to go to.

Eddie Osborne, a musician from Miramar, spoke for about 8 seconds and said Wallflower Gallery is ‘an asset.’

Beth Schwartz proclaimed herself the “mother hen of the Wallflower Gallery” and reiterated that it is an all ages venue where no alcohol is served and children can come. She said Wallflower Gallery has all types of art and sets a positive example. She then had the honor of introducing “Flash the Funk Finder.”

F the FF with of course shades on, and it was noted with some satisfaction also wearing shoes, said that the Wallflower Gallery has been there for 13 years as a space where people can interact, develop, share and express themselves. He contrasted it with conventional places that offer that on the side to bring people in and make a profit [whereas that is the principle offering of the Wallflower Gallery]. It is not a bar and nothing is ‘for sale.’ They built a community in downtown where none thought it could be done. F the FF is a resident of South Miami and he wants to bring the same here.

The Manager spoke again and said he thinks the Wallflower Gallery will help the City ‘blossom’ and said again this serves the purpose of the CRA and he wants to bring a deal to the City soon.

Commissioners all make very short statements in favor. Manager suggested folks didn’t need to stay unless they wanted a lesson in how government operates. On that ‘you’ll be bored/nothing to stay for’ queue the Wallflower Gallery contingent got up and walked out, congratulating Flash and team in the hallway on the way out! I was on my way home by like 8:05p.

So that was the B by B on F the FF in the “City of Pleasant Living.” Do you feel like you were there?

Our venue for tomorrow night’s event is on the endangered Miami cultural species list, so Miami Writers Association is transforming our writing workshop into an activist rally!

The Wallflower Gallery Presentation at S. Miami City Commission Meeting

On Tuesday, March 16, The Wallflower Gallery is going to be presented to the City Commission of South Miami as a potential Community Redevelopment Agency Project. The Commission Meeting will start around 7:00 p.m. and include Public Remarks after the City Manager’s presentation. We are encouraging people to show up and provide support with your presence or short remarks on behalf of The Wallflower Gallery.

If The Wallflower Gallery gets approval with a majority vote of support, then we will be able to go to the next phase of the process.

Ultimately, we are working to establish The Wallflower Gallery in South Miami and have a good location to showcase local talent and provide resources to people in the community.

The Commission Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. – please be timely.

South Miami City Hall
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami 33143

The South Miami City Hall is near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Sunset Drive. When turning off U.S. 1, go West on Sunset Drive – the City Hall is on the South Side of the street with parking in the front.

We are encouraging people to come out and show some support – particularly if you live in or around South Miami.

We are also encouraging people to come for outside South Miami to show that The Wallflower Gallery is draw to bring people into the area.

I have checked out the potential location – it is a big building on ground level with high ceilings and some good size rooms. The location is being prepared for the potential occupiers now.

Our goal is to be chosen to utilize the space and be able to establish a fully funktional arts facility in South Miami.

We really need to show our positive impact and having a strong crowd will go a long way to make it happen.

Since we are going to be out of our current building by the end of May, it would be great to be able have a new target location to re-establish The Wallflower Gallery.

Please help and spread the word and get involved.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you for your effort.

Hope all’s well.

Enjoy

Flash
Funk Finder, The Wallflower Gallery
10 N.E. 3rd Street
Downtown Miami 33132
305-579-0069
www.wallflowergallery.com
www.myspace.com/wallflowergallery