The Miami Mini Maker Faire, a festival for all ages celebrating creativity and innovation, will expand activities and programming in its third year to feature a “Music Makers Showcase” highlighting regional musicians.
Produced by MIAMade in association with Maker Media, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing $250,000 to support the Miami Maker Faire and other activities during the year to help build a network of regional makers and connect them to the global maker movement.
Launched in 2013 with Knight Foundation support, the Miami Mini Maker Faire is one of several MIAMade events happening throughout the year, including Maker Saturdays, Miami Make Week and Wynwood Maker Camp. This year’s Miami Mini Maker Faire will feature interactive exhibits from over 100 regional makers and entrepreneurs specializing in everything from 3D printing, robotics and do-it-yourself science and technology, to traditional handcrafts, design and visual arts. It will be held Feb. 20-21.
“These events provide a space for collaboration, where creative people come together to celebrate their passions, from arts and culture to emerging technologies and design,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for Knight Foundation.
Havana-based singer and instrumentalist X Alfonso and Miami dance duo and band Afrobeta will perform as part of the Music Makers Showcase, a free concert being held on Feb. 20 at the National YoungArts Foundation, said Ric Herrero, founder of MIAMade and lead producer of Miami Mini Maker Faire.
X Alfonso is a classically trained musician and one of the pioneers of Cuba’s hip-hop and afro-rock scenes. Native Miami dance duo and band Afrobeta brings a distinct blend of electro-funk and colorful pop culture-inspired costumes, props and theatrics to stages across the globe, Herrero said.
Miami Mini Maker Faire takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20-21, at the National YoungArts Foundation campus. Tickets are on sale now at makerfairemiami.com. The Music Makers Showcase is 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 20. The concert is free for attendees of Miami Mini Maker Faire, though limited complimentary tickets for the concert only are available via makerfairemiami.com.