Mayor Manny Cid unveils original Grisell Gajano mural for 305 Vox Populi podcast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Town of Miami Lakes Town Hall graced with artwork by local artist for collaborative webcast that helps train area students

Miami Lakes, FL, June 22, 2021 – The phrase “Vox Populi – the Voice of the People” has been with Town of Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid since his days as a legislative aid in Tallahassee in the 2000s. A refrain often used by a roommate when referring to the public comments section of a bill, it is now the name of his weekly podcast, which is produced with the help of a class of media production students from nearby Mater Lakes Academy. The mayor recently unveiled a stunningly beautiful original piece of mural art by local artist Grisell Gajano that now serves as the backdrop for the video cameras used to produce it.

“I’m a big believer that you constantly have to reinvent yourself, to keep moving forward,” says Mayor Cid. “If not, one becomes stagnant. Last year, I thought ‘What is a good way to share great stories from people in our community, the stories that don’t get shared enough?’” Cid next enlisted the help of Mater’s Digital Marketing Coordinator Luis Perez, and a staff of 10 students got to work producing the show, which streams from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Amazingly, demand for the class has skyrocketed to 100 students for the 2021-22 school year.

“I tried to make it a symbol of our community with all of its colors and flavors, combining them with our ever-present palm trees,” says Gajano. “It’s called Love to reflect the feeling, inclusivity, and the American Sign Language word embedded in the piece.” Gajano has collaborated with the Town of Miami Lakes before, creating an original work that still graces a wall at Royal Oaks Park, a piece called Que Siga la Tradición (Let the Tradition Continue). Says the artist: “Mayor Cid must’ve remembered my work from before because he called and asked if I’d be interested in creating one for the podcast.”

Notable Vox Populi guests include Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, Harry Wayne Casey from KC and the Sunshine Band, North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo, Power 96’s Lucy Lopez, and boxer Ulysses Diaz.Mayor Cid hopes to gain wider distribution on Amazon and Spotify soon, and someday get the show on a local cable channel.

He credits his assistant Joseph Sosa for being the glue guy. “We’re blessed to have this all come together.”  A public school educator and guidance counselor, Gajano has also painted murals in Wynwood and the Leah Arts District. See more of her art here.

For more information, visit www.miamilakes-fl.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

Third Wheel Debut at Unbranded December 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No frills rock and alternative covers band plays no frills Leah Arts District craft brewery and taproom

Miami, FL – November 23, 2020 – Unbranded have established themselves as mavericks in the microbrewing industry, eschewing trends and norms to become players in the game. Third Wheel have become known for their high-energy and straight-ahead approach to covering songs. The two entities will collaborate for the first time on Friday, December 11, 2020, beginning at 9 p.m. There is no cover and 21 and over are welcome to attend. The Unbranded microbrewery and taproom is located at 1395 E 11th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010. Local artist Grisell Gajano will also be live painting during the performance.

“It’s an exciting and important time to not only support local artists but work together with them to give everyone something fun and positive in a time where that feels all too rare,” says Taproom General Manager JC Perez. The evening will also serve as a collection point for a toy drive to benefit the Lotus House Women’s Shelter, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless women, youth and children. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy which will then be donated to the Miami-based non-profit. More information about them is available at LotusHouse.org.

Founded in 2017, Third Wheel’s repertoire consists of well-known 70s, 80s, and 90s rock and alternative staples, and unites a trio of musicians with a long musical history together. Featuring guitarist / vocalist Tony Medina, drummer / vocalist Monchy Coruguedo, and bassist / vocalist Michael Mut. Medina and Mut played in the Sony Discos-distributed Pawnshop Drunks in the 2000s, and Coruguedo and Mut have been the Birdman’s Clambake rhythm section since 2014. The band has played bars, pubs, restaurants, lounges, brewhouses and private parties in Miami-Dade and Broward counties since inception. Learn more about them at www.ThirdWheelMiami.com.

Opened in 2015, Unbranded’s 30-barrel brewhouse is situated in a 30,000 square foot building located in Hialeah’s LEAH Arts District, and seeks to bring unique beers to a burgeoning area. The taproom serves a variety of different beers in a distinctive and rustic setting right next to the train tracks of Hialeah’s historic garment district. Industrial, contemporary, and finca elements all combine to form a modern, rustic environment in which to enjoy beer in an attractive yet relaxed setting.

Gajano entered the world of art after fleeing an abusive relationship of many years. She turned to art as therapy, but little did she know that her it would lead her to painting professionally. Her murals can be seen throughout her adopted hometown of Hialeah (one near Unbranded), Wynwood, and Miami. She describes her style as a fusion of street art and “not so fine” art, jokingly dubbing it “Kinder-Urban”, because to her, it looks as if an urban Kindergartener painted it. In truth, it is equal parts whimsical, linear, and spiritual. View samples of her work on her Instagram page.

For more information, please visit UnbrandedBrewing.com or call 786.332.3097.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277

Third Wheel – photo by Ferny Coipel

Arroz Con Mango Returns to Bar Nancy November 14

Pop Up Girl’s monthly event is back after a long layoff due to the pandemic, to again offer wide variety of local vendors and live music; the Nancy to offer craft cocktails and bites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami, FL – October 20, 2020 – The Urban Dictionary defines the phrase “arroz con mango” as “a sticky situation, a mess, or a downright cluster (you know what).” What an apt description of 2020 that is. After having to postpone February’s event due to an unforeseen circumstance, the subsequent Arroz Con Mango (ACM) local marketplace events were scrubbed due to the coronavirus-induced shutdowns. That all changes on Saturday, November 14, 2020, beginning at 5 p.m., as ACM returns to Bar Nancy (2007 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135).

“This is a great opportunity to bring the ACM family back and help local artists and vendors, since they have had very few chances to display, promote and sell their goods, or to play,” says event founder and Pop Up Girl Francis Weiner. “I think people are ready to get out as long as they know it will be a safe environment, and Bar Nancy has done a great job ensuring everyone’s safety.” The venue will cap attendance at 50% capacity and strictly enforce mask-wearing and social distancing rules as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Confirmed vendors include: Orange Postman, House of Petali, Natural Buzz (CBD), Mad Element (jewelry), painter Grisell Gajano, SBVRT (vintage paperback books), Lexyair (jewelry), and Aurora’s Crystal Collection. Past vendors include: Guavette Shop, Wearhopelove, Candles by Janet, Powerful_Divine (crystals),Le Chic Miami, Hot Sauce Shero, A&C Accesories and Designs, Cloudnine Boutique, Essencia Air, Pin Pan Pun the Cubanisms book, and The Creamy Creations. Anyone interested in participating should email popupgirlevent@gmail.com.

Bar Nancy first opened in Little Havana in 2017. The bar’s theme is colonial-era nautical, and its main bar mimics the galley of the famous namesake ship. A daily happy hour offers half-priced drinks 4 to 7 p.m. and weekly recurring events have started up once again. The bar offers a sizable selection of draft and canned beers, as well as specialty cocktails and classic bar eats. An outside patio will offer vendor space and ample seating.

This month’s event will again feature live music by Birdman’s Clambake with special guest Karla Vega. Clambake features virtuoso guitar playing by Sean “Birdman” Gould backed by the powerful rhythm section of Monchy Coruguedo on drums and Michael Mut on bass and vocals. The band’s repertoire never strays too far from the blues and classics from the 50s, 60s and 70s, and includes a fair amount of improvisation. Vega is an extremely talented vocalist who leads the band from time to time.

For more information, call 305-397-8971 or visit www.nancy305.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277

Bar Nancy in Little Havana
Birdman’s Clambake – photo by Edwin Cardona