Miami Book Fair’s street festival is returning. Here’s what to expect

The Miami Book Fair street fair returns this weekend. And while it’s not quite as big as it usually is, book lovers will find plenty to do.

The fair, held at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami, is scaled down for several reasons, all of which involve the pandemic. Around 70 authors will appear in person, with around 200 chatting online in English and Spanish.

So where do you start to plan your weekend? You already know you’ll be able to once again roam the streets around Miami Dade College and check out the vendors selling food, crafts and produce. You can listen to music and have poetry written to order. And of course you can buy books. Cheap books. New books. Used books. Old books. Expensive books.

The books are back. That’s the main thing.

Here’s what else you need to know.

Author events

There are fewer in-person author events this year, which actually makes it easier to see the people you want to see without conflicts. Mostly. With fewer rooms in use, cleaning and safety protocols and a need for social distancing, the fair is requiring a free ticket for all events. Don’t have a ticket? Get in the stand-by line. We think it’s safe to say you’ll get in. But try getting a ticket first to be safe.

Can’t decide who to see? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Maria Amparo Escandon: The Mexican-born author, screenwriter and film producer talks about her buzzy novel “L.A. Weather” with Puerto Rican-born memoirist Esmeralda Santiago. 10 a.m. Nov. 20, Auditorium

Lauren Groff: The author of “Fates and Furies” has written one of the best novels of the year in “Matrix,” about an 11th century nun who charts a course to empowerment. 2 p.m. Nov. 20, Auditorium

Myriam J.A. Chancy: She spent years talking to survivors of the 2010 Haitian earthquake and has crafted a powerful novel about it entitled “What Storm, What Thunder.” 6 p.m., Nov. 20, Room 8503.

Andy Cohen: You really can watch what happens live when the TV host and producer appears. 4 p.m. Nov. 20, Auditorium.

Alan Cumming: The Tony-winning Scottish actor, writer and activist talks about his memoir “Baggage.” 6 p.m., Nov. 20, Chapman Conference Center

Remembering John Lewis: Andrew Aydin, Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson and Russell Motley in conversation about the legacy of the late congressman and Civil Rights leader. 4 p.m. Nov. 21., Auditorium

Julie Brown: The Miami Herald reporter discusses her book “Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story.” 6 p.m. Nov. 21, Chapman

The fair also has a robust online schedule; check the website for what’s available.

Children’s Alley

This is where kids go to congregate. This year canopies take the place of the usual tents to create open-air space for projects and workshops. For safety’s sake, all timed workshops require a free ticket that you can get at the information booth. Pick up a “passport” there, too. Once kids get each activity stamped, they can redeem it for the book of their choice.

The Porch

Relax at this outdoor oasis with music, spoken word performances, magic, poetry on demand and more. On Nov. 20, enjoy music from locals like Afrobeta and Sons of Mysto and join Sweat Records and Vagabonds-at-Large for a ’90s street party with DJs and performances by the Drag Dolls.

On Nov. 21, enjoy the sounds of The Jazz Collective, spoken word performances and more DJ sets.

Miami Book Fair street fair

Where: Miami Dade College Wolfson campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami

When: Nov. 19-21

Tickets: Free Nov. 19; $10 adults; $5 for 13-18 and over 62; 12 and under free Nov. 20-21; www.miamibookfair.com

This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 6:00 AM.