Miami Book Fair Brings Back the Ultimate Outdoor Hangout Space

Miami Dade College’s (MDC) 35th Miami Book Fair, Nov. 11 – 18, will once again treat locals and visitors to The Porch, the ultimate outdoor hangout space...Miami style. Enjoy live music, performances, craft beer, silent poetry disco, games, food trucks, and so much more. The Porch opens Sunday, Nov. 11, and will remain open throughout the fair. 

This year, The Porch will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Miami Book Fair with a photography introspective photo exhibition. Take a walk back in time from the fair’s early days to the birth of Children’s Alley, Street Fair and through the astonishing collection of iconic authors. Who knows, you might just spot yourself in the crowd! 

Located at the corner of N.E. Second Ave. and N.E. Third St., The Porch is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Miami Foundation, Miami DDA and Geico. All events at The Porch are free unless otherwise noted.

Check out some of this year’s highlights:

Sunday, Nov. 11

4 p.m. – Opening celebration with music, food trucks, giant outdoor games, community coloring walls, a silent poetry disco, barbecue, craft beers, and Miami Stories Recording Booth.  

6 p.m. – Music: Latin Grammy-nominated producer and DJ, Mr. Pauer.  

Monday, Nov. 12

5 p.m. – Transoceanic Video Exchange, a selection of video art by artists practicing in the Caribbean, Pacific Islands and their diasporas, curated by Miami-based Caribbean artist collective, Third Horizon. 

8 p.m. – Rum & Coke Dance Party featuring DJ Le Spam and DJ Kumi. 

Tuesday, Nov. 13

6:30 p.m. – Puppet Poetry: Miami-based poets Arsimmer McCoy-Early and Calvin Early present a box-puppet theater performance.  

7 p.m. – BLCK Freedom Sessions presents Shenzi, a Miami-based multi-genre quintet that combines jazz, hip-hop, soul and Latin beats. 

Wednesday, Nov. 14

6 p.m. – O, Miami’s “Palace out of Paragraphs: Prose poetry and Flash Fiction” readings    

8:30 p.m. – Experimental musical performance by Dog Heat, featuring Eddy and Gregorio Alvarez 

Thursday, Nov. 15 

6 p.m. – First Draft with John Dufresne: Have a drink and do some writing. You never know what you might knock out as you knock one back. 

7 p.m. – Noir at the Bar: Readings by rock star authors Alex Segura, Lynne Barrett, George Pelecanos, Mike Creeden, Lauren Doyle Owens, Hector Duarte Jr., Joe Clifford, and Jonathan Ames. The Gold Dust Lounge Band keeps the ambiance sultry and murderous between readings. 

Friday, Nov. 16

11 a.m. – UNISTIQ, sounds by alumni from the arts-based mentoring program Guitars Over Guns. 

1 p.m. – WLRN’s Florida Round Up show live and in person.  

6 p.m. – House of Speakeasy: 305 Edition – The show the Wall Street Journal calls “Think-y entertainment” brings together writers to riff and ruminate on the evening’s theme. Start your street fair weekend in speakeasy style at The Porch with Miami Book Fair weekend authors and performances by some of Miami’s most beloved singer/songwriters.

Saturday, Nov. 17

*Included with admission to the Street Fair, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Entry fees: $10; ages 13 – 18 and over 62 $5; 12 and under free.  

12 p.m. – Exchange for Change readings of poems from prison.  

2 p.m. – Live storytelling by Lip Service: True Stories Out Loud  

3 p.m. – Live Music from powerhouse reggae band Jahfe 

5 p.m. – Live Music by Patrick & The Swayzees  

Sunday, Nov. 18

*Included with admission to the Street Fair, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Entry fees: $10; ages 13 – 18 and over 62 $5; 12 and under free. 

11 a.m. – Guided meditation with The Sacred Space 

1 p.m. – Live music by Ample Samples: Members of Suenalo, Afrobeta, Shenzi, Aaron Lebos Reality, PRD Mais and The Goodnites are led by OIGO's Adrian Gonzalez in an epic jam session

2 p.m. – Acoustic hip hop that melds poetry, storytelling, and live music with Sekajipo for the People 

3 p.m. – Live Music by Aroze Twobadou 

For Miami Book Fair updates, please visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528 or email wbookfair@mdc.edu.