Miami rhapsody
MELODY SANTIAGO CUMMINGS • O, Miami
WORK • Thursday Routine
MELODY SANTIAGO CUMMINGS • executive director • O, Miami
Neighborhood you work in: Little River
Neighborhood you live in: Miami Shores
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
O, Miami recently moved into a bright, sunny new office space within the former Little River Post Office. It’s quickly become a joyful gathering place — not just for us, but for our wider network of teaching artists and collaborators. After nearly five years of working from home, I really value the energy of being in person with our team.
Our walls are lined with our Civic Publishing projects, Day-Glo posters, poetry street signs and poetry ephemera from the last 15 years of programming. It feels a little like walking into a living O, Miami archive. And this month, we’re especially excited to be installing a poem on the building’s facade in collaboration with our friends at Free Plastic. It’ll be an effective way to root our presence in the neighborhood and invite poetry into public space.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Right now, I’m in the thick of producing, attending, and celebrating the 14th annual O, Miami Poetry Festival, which runs from April 1-30. Our mission is to reach every single person in Miami-Dade County with a poem, and this year that means over 40 events and programs — from a poetry workshop in a cemetery, to prototyping a custom domino set, to hosting a photo zine-making session at the Miami Zine Fair or a Puerto Rican picnic at Roberto Clemente Park.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
For happy hour, Offsite is a short walk from our office and I often drop in for a quick refueling. Come supper time, Recoveco in South Miami is my new favorite restaurant. It’s a casual, intimate setting of 34 seats. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. (I can’t wait to go back on April 29 for an exclusive O, Miami dining experience.)
How about a little leisure or culture?
At Frost Science’s planetarium, O, Miami debuted a new original pre-show animation UniVerse, which features original poems written by Miami-Dade students. I love Bookleggers library and their storytime on Saturdays. Browsing their endless stacks of books is a perfect way to spend a hot or rainy day indoors. For live music, it’s the Miami Beach Bandshell. I also like visiting Legion Park’s farmers market on Saturdays and Vizcaya Village on Sundays — the fresh tropical fruit juice from Clive is a must.
Any weekend getaways?
Just a few hours from Miami, Anna Maria Island is a serene, Old Florida beach community that’s a perfect weekend escape. While the island is still recovering from last year’s devastating hurricane season (the iconic pier remains closed for now), the community has rallied to bring it back to life. It’s best explored by bike or golf cart, allowing you to ride to the beaches, ice cream shops, and beachfront bars and restaurants. The sunsets are breathtaking, especially from places like The Sandbar or Beach House. For something casual, Poppo’s Taqueria is a go-to for fresh, quick tacos and burritos, or check out the Donut Experiment for customized, made-to-order donuts.
What was your last great vacation?
We always visit Cape Cod in the summer and I love spending time in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. My most memorable vacation was spent at The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin. This set of charming cottages and lofts have the best views of Nantucket Harbor overlooking the boats and gorgeous scenery. Dogs are very welcome and they provide the cutest pet accommodations with goodie baskets and special dog tags and treats.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Easy Peasy, an inclusive and welcoming tattoo shop and gathering space. Also, Rose Coloured Floral for fresh flowers, and Little River Cooperative for plants and garden service.
Where are you donating your time or money?
O, Miami of course, specifically investing and volunteering in our poetry in schools program, Sunroom. And again: Bookleggers, Miami’s first and only free bookstore. They’re expanding access to books and engaging the city through thoughtful and thematic popups. And Miami Freedom Project for Democracy, which advocates for climate, economic, health, immigrant and racial justice across our community. Co-founder Ana Sofia Pelaez is a force of nature.