Art Basel can easily be a crazy conundrum for any person to tackle. For people interested in the black aesthetic on all things art, music and fashion, the task of finding who, what and where the fabulousness is has just been made easier for you:

<

strong>Tuesday December 4

Arrive before the festivities officially begin and get rewarded with these treats:

Luxury Pick: International Contemporary Jewelry Fair Opening… on a Yacht!

SeaFair will be docked at the Intercontinental Hotel Dock adjacent to Bayfront Park, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131. | 6 – 10 p | Free w/ RSVP

Get your fancy on and rub shoulders with diplomatic reps from Brazil – home to the largest number of black diasporans in the world. RSVP early and get shopping for some glitz now!

http://www.expoships.com/email/icjf2012partners/soul.htm

 

The Afterset: BARDOT and MOCA SHAKERS Presents YOUNG GURU VS JUST BLAZE

3456 North Miami, Miami, FL, United States, 33127 | 10p – Until | $20

Two of the hottest hip-hop DJ’s in the country are battling out in a preview to Bardot’s heavy hitting lineup for Basel. Stop by later in the week for some cool finds that’ll make the inner hipster in you smile.

http://www.bardotmiami.com/events/12-4-young-guru-vs-just-blaze-with-the-world-famous-ricky-powell-slide-show

 

Wednesday December 5

Still not in full swing yet but don’t let that fool you, the city will be buzzing:

Daytime Look: AOA Tribal Art Show

Red Dot Art Fair Pavilion |11a – 7p | $15 for a one-day pass

See

the highest quality traditional arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas, curated by renowned international experts.

http://tribalartmiami.com

 

Artist to Watch: Whitfield Lovell @ Miami Project

NE 1st Avenue & NE 29th Street | 11a-5p | $20 0

The inaugural Miami Project, a new contemporary and modern art fair will consist of presentations by 65 galleries from around the world.

http://miami-project.com/miami/miami-project-2012-fair-guide

 

Celebrity Art: BLACK ART IN AMERICA (BAIA) Mobile Media Lounge™

LMNT, 55 NW 36 Street 12p – 8p | FREE

Check out the Celebrity Art Series of Square Circle Miami and get insight at the Black Art in America crew at LMNT. Go later, stay through the Gentleman Jack Event in the evening.

http://blackartinamerica.com/page/do-you-basel

 

“Kick it” Pick: Gentleman Jack Art, Beats and Lyrics @ LMNT

LMNT, 55 NW 36 Street | 7p – 12a | Free | Open Bar

If you’ve ever been to a Gentleman Jack event you know what’s in store: #turnedup with class. Be sure to RSVP and get a designated driver for the night because the drinks will be flowing.

http:// www.gentlemanjackabl.com

 

Thursday December 6

The party has officially started!

Artist to Watch: Wangechi Mutu @ Fountain Art Fair in conjunction w/ RUSH Philanthropic

2505 N. Miami Ave. | 11a-7p| $15 Day Pass

Kenyan-born Wangechi Mutu is a Brooklyn-based artist whose sculptures, works on paper, installations, and videos explore gender, race, and sexual identity using collage.

http://www.fountainartfair.com/

 

Afro-Techies on the Beach: Moving the still GIF Festival

318 NW 23rd Street (Enter on NW 2nd Ave) | 12p-7p | FREE

Presented by Paddle and Tumblr here’s a rare chance to look at the creative behind those animated gif’s that made our recent political season so entertaining. Best of all—it’s by the beach.

https://www.facebook.com/events/374877772603569/

 

Amuse Bouche: Global Caribbean IV Opening Reception

Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212-260 Northeast 59th Terrace | 6pm | FREE

Artist and Curator, Edouard Duval Carrie, will present the fourth installation of Global Caribbean art entitled French West Indies & Guyana, Focus on the Contemporary Expression featuring fourteen artists from the French Caribbean.

https://www.facebook.com/LittleHaitiCulturalCenter

 

Entrée: Miami Project VIP Opening

Miami Project Art Fair, NE 1st Ave & NE 29th St | 8p – 10p | FREE w/ Invite

Marcia Anderson of the Heritage Continuum serves as one of the event hosts which alone means you’re in for a good time with forward-thinking entrepreneurs, artists and the “who’s who” of the black art world.

http://www.miami-project.com/miami#visitors

 

Dessert: “The Speakeasy” Art Africa After Party co-hosted by The Afripolitans & LaVie Couture

Avenue D, 8 S. Miami Ave | 10p – 2a | $20

Welcome to Overtown, the former hotspot and hangout for Muhammed Ali and Sammy Davis Jr.; and the center of one of Miami’s biggest neighborhood overhauls. Check out where Harlem meets U Street.

https://www.facebook.com/events/117471841746615/

 

Friday December 7

Now things are rolling…

Artist to Watch: Rashid Johnson

N’Namdi Contemporary Miami , 177 NW 23rd St.| 11a – 6p | FREE

N’Namdi will be hosting their collectors preview reception in the evening but be sure to check out the black-owned gallery’s full collection during the day.

http://www.nnamdicenter.org/

 

Afternoon Imbibing: Heineken Beer Garden

Wood Tavern, 2531 NW 2nd Avenue | 12p – 3p | FREE

Basel patrons and Heineken lovers alike will enjoy Heineken’s Art Basel pop-up beer garden. Chill, relax and listen to the featured DJ.

http://music.remezcla.com/2012/latin/heineken-beer-garden-and-bike-station

 

Rock out w/ Rakim

The Stage, 170 Northeast 38th St| Doors Open at 9p | $30

Welcome to The Stage one of Miami’s hottest live music venues located in the smoldering hot Design District. It is also the only place you can hear Rakim with a live band during Basel. Get tickets before they sell out.

http://thestagemiami.blogspot.com/2012/11/friday-dec-7th-rakim-with-live-band.html

 

Terrible Living

Bardot Miami, 3456 North Miami Avenue | 12P | $22

For the inner indie in you Solange, Purity Ring, Jacques Renault and others bring the noise, funk, and a little hipster weirdness to Art Basel

http://www.showclix.com/event/3735391

 

Saturday December 8

Don’t get tired yet!

 

Celebrate: Art Africa Celebrates Jamaica @ 50

Art Africa Miami Arts Fair, 919 NW 2nd Ave. | 11a – 7p | $15 One Day Pass

Spend your early afternoon at Art Africa and be sure to stay for the Diaspora Dialogue at 1P to take part in the discussion on perspectives affecting the diaspora in contemporary visual arts.

http://www.artafricamiami.com/#!visitors/c24jx

 

Artist to Watch: Hank Willis Thomas @ Plane Text: Language in Art

Miami Beach Convention Centre, Hall D, Auditorium 1901 Convention Center Dr.] | 3p –4p

NY Based artist Hank Willis Thomas will give a short talk at the official art salon. Be sure to check out his dope VHI video feature where he paints cotton black and likens it to African hair.

http://miamibeach.artbasel.com/go/id/fze/

 

Day Party: ROYAL VANGUARD™ hosted by BAIA, Black Art in Miami + The Wolfsonian FIU

1001 Washington Ave| 3p – 5p| FREE

BAIA presents the Royal Vanguard™ Art Benefit with selections from masters and emerging artists made available online through blackartinamerica.com to support, document, preserve and promote the contributions of the African-American Arts Community. More info: artbenefit@blackartinamerica.com

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4902297905?ref=ebtnebtckt

 

Main Attraction: Basel Castle

41 NW 20th Street | Doors open @ 12P| FREE before 8P

Basel Castle, produced by creative collective, The Overthrow, is a conceptually “re:creative” minifestival combining some of the world’s most influential contemporary artists & musicians. Highlights include Atlanta’s Trinidad James and indie band Purity Ring. The project is a full-day event and actually takes place inside and surrounding a castle!

http://baselcastle.theoverthrow.com/about/

 

End The Night: Fountain Art Fair + Miami New Times + Brooklyn’s Tiki Disco

2505 N Miami Ave. | Doors open at 8P | $10

A true Afripolitan is not only interested in the standard fare “Back to Africa” exhibit. As global citizens we serve you up this gem from Fountain Art Fair. Be prepared to get your Mr. Rager on at one of the hottest events of Basel.

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2012/11/art_basel_miami_beach_2012_music_guide.php?page=4

 

Black Basel

Details on what is expected to be one of the hottest events on the “Black Basel” scene have yet to be released but keep an ear to the murmurings or you might miss out.

 

Sunday December 9

Go out with a bang!

 

Artist to Watch: Yinka Shonibare

Stephen Friedman Gallery in Hall C |Miami Convention Center] | 11a-5p | Fair Pass

Yinka Shonibare, MBE, is a British-Nigerian artist living in London. He is best known for his exploration of colonialism and post-colonialism within the contemporary context of globalization. http://www.stephenfriedman.com/news/current/stephen-friedman-gallery-at-art-basel-miami-beach-2012/

 

Street Art Lovers Unite: Heineken Artist Hub & Gallery @ The Workshop

171 NW 23 ST | 2p – 9P | FREE

Visit the Heineken Artist hub and Gallery and discover art work by Mural Project artist

Chor Boogie, Estria, CP1, Trek 6, Prime and Don Rmix.

http://mia.remezcla.com/2012/latin/heineken-artist-hub

 

Art Africa Closing Mixer @ Soyka

5556 NE 4th Court | | 7p – 10p | FREE

It’s only right that Art Africa closes out at swanky jazz venue in Little Haiti that serves up indulgent fare like French Martinis and Slow-Braised Short Ribs.

www.Artafricamiami.com

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheraé Robinson is the founder of The Afripolitans, a cross-cutting collective of savvy professionals committed to inspiring millenials to participate to the prosperity of Africa and its diaspora though content, commerce, and creativity. She has traveled to over 25 countries and documents her travel and life experiences on her blog “Sasyrae Sandiego” and via Instagram.

Cheraé also serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Development at CIMMYT, the global agricultural research institute committed to global food security and home to Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. She has spent her career working for global causes in various capacities at CARE, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in the global aging division of AARP.

Ms. Robinson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Morgan State University and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is originally from Brentwood, NY and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.