Overtown is on the rise. You can celebrate its past and present at virtual festival
The pandemic delayed the nascent Overtown renaissance that was bubbling through the neighborhood, thanks to a surge of great restaurants, boutique hotels and art exhibitions. But its rich past is recalled in talks and performances in the Betsy hotel’s ninth annual Overture to Overtown Festival of music, poetry, conversation and images, curated by Miami entrepreneur and performer, Carole Ann Taylor; John Stuart, executive director of FIU-MBUS; and Deborah Briggs, vice president of arts at The Betsy.
This year it’s virtual, of course.
On Sept. 21, historian and author Marvin Dunn presents a talk on “Lessons from the Past” at 7 p.m.
Sept. 28, the topic is “Overtown Rising,” with Neil Shiver, executive director of the Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, and Graylyn Swilley-Woods, executive director of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalitions and senior consultant for multicultural tourism Initiatives.
Evenings include poetry readings and pre-recorded musical performances.
Register at thebetsyhotel.com/overture-to-overtown.
