Soho Studios likes to recognize the excitement Miami has to offer, even outside of our venue. Last month, Chef Danny Serfer invited the entire Miami community, no matter their religious background, to join him on a scavenger hunt to find hidden matzo balls. The 2016 Blue Collar Matzo Chase consisted of the chef placing cardboard matzo balls around town for everyone to find in celebration of the story behind the Jewish holiday Passover. Those who found the faux soup dumplings won cash prizes. Traditionally, in Jewish households, matzo balls are hidden, and the children win a few bucks for finding them. Serfer’s extreme version allowed participants to walk away with prizes such as a Heroes of the Torah commemorative glass, a T-shirt or a $50-gift card to Danny’s Blue Collar Restaurant.

Passover began Friday, April 22, 2016 with Jewish families all over the world gathering for festivities, referred to as Seder by the community. Families substituted bread for matzo, which is symbolic of the Israelites and what they ate as they left Egypt. A traditional Seder consists of the retelling of the story of Exodus, but hiding three centers of matzos under a special plate makes the holiday interesting to children. In Danny’s version, participants were to locate 2-by-2-foot large matzos, but it’s still based on tradition. To make the hunt fair, Danny was the only one to know where they were hidden. Danny primarily stuck with his restaurant’s neighborhood, MiMo, and a little bit north and south of that area.

The contest started on the morning of Monday, April 25, 2016. The entire contest was conducted through Twitter. It began with a tweet from Blue Collar with a photo and a riddle regarding the location of the three matzo balls. Participants waited for the tweet and followed the instructions. Anyone who found a matzo ball had to reply to @BlueCollarMiami via Twitter. On the cardboard cuisine, participants found a hashtag to tweet along with a photo of themselves with the matzo ball.

What a great way to involve and bring some excitement into the community!

There’s always more than one way to bring in the holiday season. In Miami, November is full of fun! During November 6-15, the city will be taken over by patrons and residents who all flock to the Miami International Car Show to see the latest concept cars, performances and drivers we know and love. This will be a two-day event series with a car showroom theme, complete with a driving track and simulation area that mirrors the actual venue. Food, drinks and giveaways will be themed based on the car dealer, concept car, or sponsor. Open to the public, this venue will have a special VIP area where autographs and pictures can be taken with the drivers, and a separate paid photo area where patrons can take pictures with the concept cars.

In its 44^th year, the auto show will capitalize on its success in 2014 with popular returning exhibits, including Topless in Miami’s display of convertible cars, Havana Classics, a spin-off of Memory Lane celebrating nostalgia of the 50’s and Camp Jeep, part of the Ride & Drive events. This year’s attractions include the first ever “Cars Meet Art” exhibit showcase featuring several world-famous urban artists who have painted a variety of cars and matching murals. A smaller version of Million Dollar Alley, complete with simulation screens for a reality-based drive will be one of the main attractions, complete with million dollar keys and trinkets for those who win the driving game.

Vendors and retailers will be able to showcase and sell their car accessories, with major performances by local and national artists. Celebrity spokespeople from each car dealer will be on hand to shoot live commercials and video interacting with attendees.

Specialized areas will feature each car on display from the manufacturers, simulating their “world” and all the perks that go along with being a part of their family. The event will be hosted in conjunction with the South Florida Automobile Dealers Association and the Miami Beach Convention Center. Tickets for this multiday party go on sale on September 1 and start at $35 dollars, with one-day tickets priced at $15 each. VIP tickets start at $50, with an increase based on certain attractions.

The Miami International Auto Show started in 1971 and is recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious in the world. The main events are held at the Miami Beach Convention Center every year and spans over a period of ten days each year.