WGM: The Only Sh*t You Should Do for Art Basel with Jack Benmeleh aka DJ Jack Listens
Live like a local. Start somewhere good. Get lit. And wander.
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Art Basel is one of the craziest weeks of the year in Miami. Unless you are a full-time bon vivant or an art aficionado, you probably will be overwhelmed by the amount of events happening. If you try to boil the ocean you will end up trying to see everything and see nothing.
That is why we have brought in our friend and fellow Gemini Jack Benmeleh, aka DJ Jack Listens, aka Basel Daddy. He is both a bon vivant and an art aficionado, along with being a lawyer, a DJ, an art consultant, and professional luncher. If anyone knows Basel it’s Jack. He has put an artinerary together for all of us lay people, so we know what’s worth seeing…
ART FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS
Art Basel Miami Beach
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Dates: Dec 3–7
Jack’s Take: This is the daddy of all the fairs. The OG, the crème de la crème. The best art, the highest sales — this is the main event.
Untitled
Location: 1200 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach
Dates: Dec 2–7, 11 AM
Jack’s Take: A curated contemporary fair on the sands of South Beach. Seeing art on the beach is a whole different frequency, it turns the experience into something uniquely Miami.
NADA
Location: Ice Palace Studios, 1400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
Dates: Dec 2–7, 11 AM
Jack’s Take: NADA emphasizes new voices, younger galleries, nonprofits, and artist-run spaces. If you want to discover emerging artists and what’s next, this is your fair.
Design Miami
Location: Convention Center Drive & 19th Street, Miami Beach, USA
Dates: Dec 3–7, 11 AM
Jack’s Take: High design, collectible objects, interior inspiration, it’s where the art world meets the design world. Always a beautifully curated experience.
ART PARTIES
ICA Miami Art Week VIP Opening Reception, Presented by W Magazine
Tuesday, Dec 2 • 6–9 PM
Jack DJ Set: 6–8 PM
Location: ICA Miami at Miami Design District, 61 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL 33137
Miami Gallery Night ft. Midnight Generation
Tuesday, Dec 2 • 10 PM–2 AM
Jack DJ Set: 10 PM – 2 AM
Location: ZeyZey Miami**
Elliot and Erick Jimenez — El Monte
Location: Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
Bold, spiritual, Miami-rooted work.
Jack Pierson — The Miami Years
Location: The Bass, 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 3313
Text. Photography. Memory. Miami mythology.
Kat Lyons — Full Earth
Location: Marquez Art Projects, 2395 NW 21st Terrace, Miami, FL 33142
A strong painter’s show — one of Jack’s must-visits.
SUSAN KIM ALVAREZ (Lil Susie) — “The Best Show During Art Basel”
Location: KDR Gallery
Jack’s official endorsement.
MUSIC & SOCIAL EVENTS
Long Feng Art Car: Very Special Guest & Arodes @ Toe Jam XL
Friday, Dec 5 • 9 PM
Location: Toejam Backlot, 150 Northwest 21st Street, Miami, Florida 33127
A Miami classic, art, music, energy. Long Feng Art Car and Soundtuary are taking over Toe Jam XL on Friday, December 7th for Art Basel featuring a Very Special Guest, Arodes, Rony Seikaly, Peace Control and Dwitches.
Jamie xx on the Beach: Faena Art Music Series
Friday December 5th, 3 PM
Location: Faena Beach
A full concert on Faena Beach. One of the most iconic settings every Art Week.
BLOND:ISH at Faena Theater: Faena Art Music Series
Tuesday, Dec 2 • 10 PM–2 AM
Location: Faena Theater
Faena Art ignites Miami Art Week with a late-night celebration at Faena Theater, where BLOND:ISH sets the tone for an evening of high energy and bold creativity. A night shaped by irresistible rhythm, vibrant atmosphere, and the spirit of the week ahead.
PLACES TO BE SEEN
Mr Chow
Location: W Hotel
Jack’s Take: The classic and quintessential Basel dinner spot, forever.
Sunshine Coffee
Location: 1426 Washington Ave at Esmé Hotel
Jack’s Take: Half coffee shop, half art installation. The Miami Iced is the perfect pre-fair ritual and a post-fair reset.
Whats Happening: Brand with Recess. Don’t miss the limited edition merch and the Strawberry Rose Palmer is the perfect afternoon refresher mixing lemonade, iced tea, hibiscus syrup, and Strawberry Rose Recess which is infused with Magnesium and adaptogens to keep you calm all Basel long.
Walrus Rodeo
Location: 5143 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Jack’s Take: The perfect place to get Basel energy, amazing food, and but leave the world behind. The younger sister of Boia De is one of our favorites (and best values) all the time, but feel like its just the right mix of greatness and calm for Basel.
Closing Thoughts
Don’t try to boil the ocean.
Live like a local.
Start somewhere good.
Get lit.
And wander.
There is too much stimulation, but there is also so much love. Enjoy the journey. Basel is a dream and a traffic nightmare. Leave your expectations at home and just flow.
Keep your SPF high and your standards higher.
See you at the beach.
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Created by: THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT
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