A few hours after Ultra -it’s time for more peaceful pursuits. People caught up in the hustle and bustle of our fast growing metropolis forget that there are still some rural pockets within the city limits. This ranch shot was taken Sunday morning west of Redlands where the roads are still not paved and the loudest sound is the wind.

Ultra was truly fantastic – a huge new concept to this writer – a veteran of long ago Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones concerts. The experience was truly electric ( my only vice was Red Bull ) – with 75000 people dancing in every direction in 10 different venues. The first tent I went to featured Carl Cox. ( Tent picture above.) I went on to see Prodigy live on stage ( pictures later ) In later posts I’ll discuss the shows with more pictures. The crowd was great – everyone very cool and very nice – very different from rock and rap shows – it raved throughout the cold starry night.

Even more happening this week –Funkfashion. Many of us moved to Miami from NY to create the New New York – we just didn’t realize how fast it would happen.

Just two more days till one of the world’s biggest ( or at least in the USA) technofests. Paul Oakenfold is one of the headliners , along with Paul Van Dyk.Both are the ultimate. Be ready for 13 hours of total trance out!

Nikki Beach is a real hotspot this weekend. Actually it is every weekend – but this weekend – in conjunction with the Winter Music Conference – it will be a true scene – a volleyball tournament and a modeling contest. If you don’t mind paying $12 for a rather mediocre drink – it’s a great place to hang for the whole weekend.

I just got back from Calle Ocho. The photos were snapped about an hour ago. The weather is great – hot sun and cool breezes – quite enjoyable for the crowd of half a million. Lots of reggaeton,salsa y merengue. Near 25th Avenue I had some great arepas y chicharonnes. Check it out – the Fiesta goes till 7 tonight.

She mentioned the “fibrous, unyielding, supersized Florida creations that boast long shelf life and easy handling and shipping but little else” in the NYT. Link: Fairchild Mango Festival. And let’s not forget this.

Tomorrow is the Calle Ocho Festival – on Calle Ocho between 27th and 4th Avenues. Read here for more details. Be ready to walk a lot and eat heavily. It will be hot. Of interest to those in the marketing or media industries – the festival is one of the biggest showcases for new products being tested or targeted to the Hispanic market.

March in Miami leaves no time for sleep. The next few weeks are a nonstop entertainment venue. Right now,from the 3rd to the 12th is the Miami International Film Festival. Next Sunday, the 12th is the Calle Ocho Festival in Little Havana. And finally – the the world’s largest techno dance scene – the Ultra Music Festival on Saturday the 25th.

I’ll be reporting from all these events as they happen.