The Miami Book Fair primarily courts literary enthusiasts, but the week-long event is also known to offer plenty of programming options for music fans. Live music is a staple at the fair, and musicians-turned-authors are frequent guests on panels. This year, MBF veteran Patti Smith returns with her latest release, A Book of Days; a collection of more than 365 photographs spanning a single year.
Another rock ‘n’ roll legend, Thurston Moore, also makes an appearance in support of his memoir, Sonic Life. On the local front, Too Much Love founder Flor Frances moderates a panel with actress, singer, and rock progeny Moon Unit Zappa, author of Earth to Moon: A Memoir. Ale Campos and Emilie Milgrim of Las Nubes also serve as moderators on a panel with Punk Under the Sun authors Joey Seeman and Chris Potash, Artifacts Gallery founder Howard Davis, and author and drummer Joey Maya.
The Miami Book Fair runs from November 17 through 24, 2024. Here are the best music events to check out at the fair.
Daily
Children’s Alley. Family programming includes music and drawing activities, performances by local singer/songwriter Brian Jacobson and Latin Grammy Award® winner Lucky Diaz, and more. 300 NE 2nd Ave.
Lost Chapter. Nightly sets by local DJs, food and drinks by Smorgasburg Miami. 300 NE 2nd Ave.
Off the Shelf. Music programming includes a DJ set by Vagabond founder DJ Carmel Ophir, a jam session with Miami Girls Rock Camp, a performance by the Carol City Marching Band, and more. 300 NE 2nd Ave.
Sunday, Nov. 17
Opening Day Block Party, with Tedd Patterson, Hector Romero, Tony Touch, and Joi Cardwell. 4 p.m. at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave. Event details.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Moon Unit Zappa on Earth to Moon: A Memoir, moderated by Too Much Love founder Flor Frances. 10 a.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 2106 (Building 2, 1st Floor). Event details.
Miami Underground: What We Did Is Secret, with Punk Under the Sun authors Joey Seeman and Chris Potash; Ale Campos and Emilie Milgrim of Las Nubes; Artifacts Gallery founder Howard Davis; and author and drummer Joey Maya. 11 a.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., MAGIC Screening Room (Building 8, 1st Floor). Event details.
The Saving Grace of Books & Music, with Glory Edim, author of Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me; and Alice Randall, author of My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future. 12 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 3209 (Building 3, 2nd Floor). Event details.
My Life as a Feminist Punk, with Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, and author Ada Calhoun. 12:30 p.m. at The Pavilion, NE Second Ave. at NE Third St. Event details.
Sonic Life: A Memoir, with Thurston Moore and Johnny Temple, editor-in-chief of Akashic Books. 2:30 p.m. at The Pavilion, NE Second Ave. at NE Third St. Event details.
Rockin’ in the Book World – 32 Years of the Rock Bottom Remainders, with Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Sam Barry, Roy Blount Jr., Greg Iles, Mary Karr, Stephen King, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, and Alan Zweibel. Moderated by Lisa Napoli. 2:30 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Chapman Conference Center, Room 3210 (Building 3, 2nd Floor). Event details.
Celia Cruz: Ícono de la Música Caribeña, with Omer Pardillo Cid and Alejandro Ríos. 4:15 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 8525 (Building 8, 5th Floor). Event details.
A Book of Days, with Patti Smith. 6 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Chapman Conference Center, Room 3210 (Building 3, 2nd Floor). Event details.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Love, Loss & Rock ’n’ Roll, with Lori Tucker-Sullivan, author of I Can’t Remember If I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Love, and Legacy; and Vera Ramone King. Moderated by Peggy Sue Honeyman-Scott. 12 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 8202 (Building 8, 2nd Floor). Event details.
Celebrating Music Legends, with Deborah Paredez, author of American Diva: Extraordinary, Unruly, Fabulous; and Alice Randall, author of My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future. 1:30 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 8301 (Building 8, 3rd Floor). Event details.
Music as Medicine, with Daniel J. Levitin, author of I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine, Neuroscientist and Composer. 2:30 p.m. at 300 NE 2nd Ave., Auditorium (Building 1, 2nd Floor, Room 1261). Event details.
Johnny Pacheco: Tres de Café, Dos de Azúcar Y Ponle Salsa!, with Juan Moreno-Velázquez, María Elena Pacheco, and Alejandro Ríos. 4 p.m. at 300 NE Second Ave., Room 8510 (Building 8, 5th floor). Event details.
For More Information visit: www.miamibookfair.com
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