The only Miami Beach hotel with a permanent collection of contemporary art, the Sagamore (1671 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach) hosts a show called "Fundamental" that features selections from their Cricket Taplin Collection and includes works by Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Mike & Doug Starn, and Michele Oka Donner. They're also hosting their annual Art Basel Brunch on Saturday, December 8.
The Standard Hotel Miami (40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach) is hosting a party for The Wrinkles of the City: Havana Cuba (pictured above). It's the latest book published under their Standard Press imprint run by the hotel's creative director Claire Darrow. Wrinkles documents the recent collab between French artist JR and Brooklyn-based artist José Parlá that resulted in a huge mural installation in Havana for the Havana Biennale. JR and Parlá photographed and recorded 25 senior citizens who had lived through the Cuban revolution. There will also be a screening of a documentary film about the project.
The NADA fair hosts their annual "Pool Party" from 2 to 7 p.m. around (and in?) the Deauville Hotel's (6701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach) outdoor pool. Look for beach paintings, installations, nail art and a performance by Dent May, plus DJs Tim Barber, Nelleke McCowan and Nektar De Stagni.
NYC's bar/club/gallery LIT has a party tonight at The Garage (1661 Pennsylvania Avenue) with DJs including Paul Sevigny and Brian Degraw.
The annual SPiN Galactic Ping Pong Tournament is this afternoon, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Standard Hotel (40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach).
One of the week's biggest and best parties, Basel Castle (41 NW 20th Street, Wynwood, Miami), returns tonight. This year's combo of art + music includes performances by Purity Ring, Twin Shadow, Brenmar, Dave 1 (Chromeo) Dj set, Jacuzzi Boys, Nick Catchdubs and tons more. On the visual-arts side, look for works by Anthony Lister, Buff Monster, Ron English, Anthony Ausgang, Mike Bode and more. Register here for a free ticket, but be aware that entry is still first-come-first-serve, starting at 6 p.m.
For the second year, Art Basel will be using the giant 7,000-square-foot video wall on the side of the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center as a showcase for their Art Video series. There will be a special dusk-to-dawn screening of the 12-hour film "Bliss" by Ragnar Kjartansson starting tonight at 6 p.m. BYO food, beverage and blanket.
Superstar DJ Tiesto is spinning at LIV in the Fontainebleau Hotel (4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach). It's the last night of his 8-city world tour sponsored by GUESS. He's also scheduled for a performance and autograph signing at the GUESS store on Lincoln Road at 6 p.m.
Moncler is opening a new store in the Bal Harbour Shops (9700 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach). Pharrell Williams will be in the store at 6 p.m. to sign copies of his book Pharrell: Places and Spaces I've Been. BTW: Pharrell's Miami apartment is for sale. Where's he going?
The Impossible Cool and Sonic Editions are having a "poolside" party hosted by blogger Sean Sullivan at the Freehand Miami (2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach) this afternoon.
The University of Miami hosts their fifth annual exhibit of works by their Masters in Fine Arts students with an opening reception from 2 to 10 p.m. in the Wynwood Building (2750 NW 3rd Avenue. Suite 4).
Check out "Free Radical," new works by Miami artist Jona Cerwinske, in Midtown Miami building 4 around 5 p.m. Also on board: Knowa and DJ Courtney.
Photo: JR and José Parlá, La Havana, Alica Adela Hernandez Fernadez, 2012.