Ricky Martin and Pitbull. Lang Lang and Yundi Li. Spiegelworld and Blackbird. Miley Cyrus and Interpol. Wifredo Lam and Christina Lei Rodriguez. These are just a few of the many artists and shows on tap as yet another performing-arts season kicks off in South Florida. Here are critics' picks.
BEST OF THE BEST
THEATER
Spiegelworld brings its traveling scene to Miami Beach's Collins Park from Dec. 20-Feb. 13 when the famous Spiegeltent -- an antique, intimate tent crafted from wood and glass, then draped in velvet -- sets up shop. Absinthe, part cabaret and part circus, is the main adults-only attraction. But expect South Florida performers, musicians and family-friendly fare to hit the Spiegeltent stage before it moves on.
VISUAL ARTS
The Quilts of Gee's Bend at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, through Jan. 7. combines beautiful artwork and remarkable stories with workaday quilts stitched into bold geometric patterns recalling outstanding modern paintings. The 70 quilts were made by four generations of African-American women in a remote part of Alabama.
DANCE
With Twyla Tharp's choreography and Elvis Costello's music, Miami City Ballet's most ambitious commission is a must-see. It debuts March 28-30 at the Carnival Center; it moves to the Broward Center's Au-Rene Theatre April 11-13.
BOOKS
Miami Book Fair International, Nov. 4-11 at Miami Dade College Wolfson campus, brings more than 300 authors. Shop at the bargain booths or antiquarian annex or immerse your kids in the joy of reading something other than Harry Potter adventures. Just go.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
John Adams' thrilling 2003 podium stand with the New World Symphony bodes well for his return engagement March 22 at the Lincoln Theatre. The American composer will conduct a program of his music including Slonimsky's Earbox, the Doctor Atomic Symphony and the electric-violin concerto The Dharma at Big Sur, featuring soloist Tracy Silverman.
POP MUSIC
How hot is 14-year-old Miley Cyrus? Hot enough that the Hannah Montana star has reignited her father's long-dormant country music career. Popular enough that your kids have been pestering you for weeks for tickets to her Nov. 20 BankAtlantic Center Best of Both Worlds show in which she'll sing songs in her Hannah Montana persona and from her solo CD.
LATIN MUSIC
Fresh, funky and too much fun -- Musica Fresca, Oct. 6 at Bayfront Amphitheater, has soulful Cuban hip-hop trio Orishas, reggaeton radicals Calle 13, original 305-homeboy Pitbull and Cuban-fusion party band supreme Yerba Buena.
JAZZ MUSIC
Gary Burton spent his early career playing with Stan Getz and later with Chick Corea and Pat Metheny. On Oct. 11-12 at Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club, he's joined by his former Berklee College of Music student and longtime collaborator, pianist Makoto Ozone.
