In Miami, an Alternative Cultural Renaissance
Could South Florida be getting... hip?
The eyes of Morrissey, Bjork, and Iggy Pop gaze out from the mural on a busy street in Little Haiti, overlooking the homeless guys directing traffic, stray dogs dodging cars, dilapidated houses, and Vodun botanicas. Painted by artist CP1, the “Wall of Idolatry” adorns the exterior of Sweat Records and marks the spot next to Miami’s most dependable live-music venue and dive bar, Churchill’s pub.
Sweat, the record store, isn't just a place where music fans seek out the best new sounds. Owner Lauren Reskin estimates that between vegan waffle brunches, comedy shows, and live music, the shop hosted 150 events this past year. And Sweat’s online store went live this March, making Miami’s talent available for purchase by the rest of the world with music, t-shirts, and posters by local artists.
Six years ago, when Reskin was just 22, she opened the shop to fill a gaping need on the Miami mainland. “It was embarrassing to me that Miami didn’t have an indie store,” Reskin says.
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Part of her success has come via a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation's Knight Arts Challenge. Entering its third year, the Miami-based initiative funds locals to transform the community through the arts, giving organizations and individuals whom they deem worthy the support necessary to thrive. This money has strengthened not only the record store’s capacity to sell and entertain, but also contributed to a cultural renaissance taking place in South Florida....
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.