Hurricane Season Prep: Because the Next One Might Not Swerve. Major Hurricane Erin just took a courteous right turn into the Atlantic. But let’s be real — courtesy isn’t a storm’s strong suit. Many residents have never lived through a hurricane. If the prep’s been on the back burner, or if this is all new, consider this a neighborly nudge. Here are three solid resources to get started:
- City of Miami Hurricane Handbook 2025 — Local evacuation routes, prep checklists, emergency contacts, and guidance for before, during, and after a storm. Read it here.
- Miami-Dade Guide to Hurricane Readiness — Covers storm surge zones, pet-friendly shelters, and what not to pack (looking at you, candles). Link to guide.
- Storm Surge Planning Zones FAQ — Unsure whether evacuation is on the table? Start here. It explains how surge zones work and how to find yours. Read the FAQ.
More prep tips will roll out through the season, but these three are the essentials. One thing to do this week: figure out your evacuation zone. And for the truly storm-curious, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center has an excellently geeky storm-tracking site: nhc.noaa.gov/cyclones.
Jazz on the Bay. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens hosts a sunset concert on the bay with award-winning bassist Mikailo Kasha and his powerhouse quartet. Expect layered textures, modern flair, and serious chemistry from a lineup that includes pianist Connor Rohrer, guitarist Diego Melgar, and drummer Jonathan Ziegler. Friday 8/22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Vizcaya, 3251 South Miami Avenue. All tickets under $20.
Write Now. Got a novel in a drawer or a story that won’t sit still? Local writer Cortney Casey leads a two-hour generative workshop where writers sprint, share, and shake the rust off. No homework, no pressure — just words on the page. Part of the Miami Writers Institute’s fall series. Koubek Center, 2705 Southwest 3rd Street. Sunday 8/24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free. Reserve a spot.
New Chapter, New Club. Books & Books in Coconut Grove launches its new Fiction Book Club with bookseller Katherine Wakefield at the helm. First pick: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden — a haunting debut set in postwar Netherlands. Tuesday 8/26 at 7:00 p.m. 3409 Main Highway. Free to join. More info.
Voices That Swim. Books & Books teams up with SWWIM (Supporting Women Writers in Miami) for an evening of contemporary poetry. SWWIM’s volunteer-run crew publishes daily and partners with O, Miami and Miami Book Fair. This reading brings the energy of South Beach’s Betsy Hotel to the Grove. Wednesday 8/27 at 6:30 p.m. Books & Books, 3409 Main Highway. Free.
Bingo, Bayshore Style. The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove is reprising its legendary Bingo Night and the stakes are delicious. Expect complimentary snacks, a mid-game pizza break, and plenty of giggles in the club’s historic setting. Thursday, August 28. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., first game at 7:00 sharp. Woman’s Club, 2985 South Bayshore Drive. Modestly priced entry. RSVP with name and number of guests to [email protected].
Island Vibes in the Grove. Wrap up the summer with a soulful set by Jimi Dred, whose roots-inspired rhythms bring mellow joy and good energy to the historic reading room at the Coconut Grove Branch Library. Family-friendly and free, this one’s for all ages. Saturday 8/30 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. 2875 McFarlane Road. Free.
Save Me a Seat
Spice, Sway, Repeat. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden brings the flavor with Taste of the Caribbean — a full-day cultural festival of food, music, and motion. Expect island cuisine, reggae and calypso rhythms, lawn games, and even soca dance lessons. Sunday 9/14 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 10901 Old Cutler Road. General admission includes access; tasting tokens sold separately. More info and tickets.
The Grove’s Other Symphony Habit. The Alhambra Orchestra’s 2025–2026 season opens on Sunday 9/28, and their calendar is full of free, community-based performances across Miami. This all-volunteer ensemble brings big heart and lush sound to every show. View full schedule.
