The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach has outlined a full summer schedule featuring a Masisi Radio residency focused on sound, cinema, and performance, a soccer themed viewing event, music and meditation programs, youth art intensives and camps, and the exhibition Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, which remains on view through July 19, 2026. Masisi Radio Residency Launches Club Sinema at The Bass The Bass will host Move Your Body: Imagination Club Sinema Film Festival Debut as part of a three part summer residency by Miami based Masisi Radio that centers movement as a form of memory, imagination, and liberation within the museum galleries. Rooted in the legacy of Black, queer, and trans communities that helped shape disco, house, and global club culture, the residency brings artists, DJs, filmmakers, and performers together within the floor to ceiling installation assume vivid astro focus: XI, which combines sculpture, video, and design into a participatory environment. The debut of Club Sinema introduces a three part film program on Black queer cinematic practices, including a Miami Shorts Block of emerging and archival works, a feature screening of Looking for Langston by Isaac Julien, and a Music and Movement Cinema Block. Each section includes talkbacks and intermissions to encourage dialogue around cinema as a tool for imagination and future conditions of Black life, with complimentary admission available by RSVP through The Bass website. Midday Soccer Screenings Connect Exhibition and World Cup Season As part of its World Cup related programming, The Bass is presenting Midday Matches at the Museum, a late lunch series that streams live soccer matches in the museum from 3 to 5 pm. Visitors wearing a favorite team jersey receive free museum admission and can view Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, on view through July 19, while watching the matches. Onsite café service offers drink specials during the afternoon screenings, and parking is available nearby at the Collins Park municipal garage, with RSVPs accepted via the museum’s event page. Workshops, Music Series, and Youth Art Camps Round Out Summer Offerings The Bass is offering an adult workshop titled Pistoletto’s Mirrors: Reflecting Gaze and Breath, in which participants tour Michelangelo Pistoletto: Mirror of Eternity before engaging in mirror gazing and breathwork exercises designed to encourage creativity, mindfulness, and conversation. Registration details are available through the museum’s program listing. The museum’s Power Access South Beach Jazz Summer Series features FASE: An Evening of Strings and Percussion, showcasing the Frost Alternative String Ensemble with performers from the University of Miami and the wider South Florida community in a program that spans jazz, rock, bluegrass, R&B, and world music. RSVPs are handled through an Eventbrite page. For teens, The Bass is organizing a Studio Summer Art Intensive for ages 13 to 18, focused on portfolio preparation in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, while younger children can enroll in weeklong Summer Art Camps for ages 4 to 12 that emphasize hands on projects across multiple media. Both programs run with optional aftercare, and registration details for the intensive and camps are available on the museum’s Teen Studio page and Summer Art Camps page, with scholarships described on a dedicated scholarship program page for families experiencing economic hardship or for students with disabilities. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait Aligns with World Cup Season Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait remains on view at The Bass through July 19, 2026, coinciding with FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and fan events taking place in host city Miami. The two channel film installation by Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno focuses on French soccer player Zinédine Zidane and reconsiders portraiture through the lens of contemporary spectacle by presenting two simultaneous large scale projections. One projection combines live television broadcast footage into a composed, cinematic edit, while the other presents unembellished close ups drawn from a dedicated camera, emphasizing differing modes of image making. Further information on the presentation is available on The Bass website. By ML. Photo(s)/The Bass Museum of Art

Construction firm Robins & Morton joined BayCare Health System to celebrate the topping out of the $563 million BayCare Hospital Manatee on July 10 in Palmetto, Florida. The topping out ceremony marks a significant milestone with the placement of the final steel beam, signifying the structural completion of the project. The new 450,000-square-foot hospital, conveniently located one mile north of the I-75 and I-275 junction in Manatee County, will include 154 beds in private patient rooms, expanding access to healthcare for the growing community. “As Manatee County’s only not-for-profit hospital reaches full height, it represents an important step toward expanding access to the high-quality, compassionate care BayCare is known for across West Central Florida,” said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners. “It moves us closer to delivering essential services, specialty care and more convenient access for this area.” The hospital is expected to open in 2028. “Reaching the topping out of BayCare Hospital Manatee is a proud milestone for our entire team and trade partners, and a reflection of the strong collaboration driving this project forward,” Robins & Morton Operations Manager Bryan Durkin said. “This moment represents more than structural progress; it’s a significant step toward delivering a high-quality healthcare destination that will serve the Manatee County and surrounding South Tampa Bay community for generations to come.” Robins & Morton is the general contractor for the project. Gresham Smith is the architect. By ML Staff. Content and image courtesy of Robins & Morton.

Miami is one of the liveliest cities in the United States, serving as a local and international tourist favorite, thanks to its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and diverse culture. Image by Antonio Cuellar / Pexels To top it all, Miami's economy is booming, with notable growth in multiple sectors such as healthcare, technology, and finance, a relatively strong job market, and a large number of businesses setting up operations in the city. This progress makes Miami one of the most rapidly growing major urban regions in the United States, which increases the demand for internet connectivity in the city. To support many businesses operating, numerous families binge-watching their favorite shows, and the growth of remote work, a reliable internet connection is essential. The good news is that there are countless Miami internet providers to choose from. However, with a huge number of services available, choosing the right internet provider can seem like a challenge. No need to worry! This guide shortlists the best options, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs, whether you’re a student who needs constant connectivity, a gamer who needs latency, or a business owner looking to support seamless online transactions. Some of the internet providers in this list also offer bundles, providing you with a higher value at a lower overall cost. You can check out LocalCableDeals for cost-effective bundles that include internet, TV, and phone services. Image by Summit Art Creations / Adobestock Now, let’s take a look at the top internet providers in Miami and their features, so you can make an informed decision. Top Internet Providers in Miami (2025) When choosing a provider, there are multiple aspects to consider, the most crucial ones being: Speed Pricing Availability This list ranks ISPs after assessing the aforementioned aspects for each of them. Let’s explore! AT&T AT&T provides a wide variety of internet services, including 5G home internet and AT&T Fiber, which is the largest fiber internet service in Miami. AT&T Fiber is the right choice for you if you prefer fast speed with an extremely low latency. The fiber-optic technology ensures dependable high-speed internet that can support multiple devices simultaneously, even during peak hours. Their fiber internet plans have no data caps, offering families endless entertainment and businesses with opportunities for scalability. Key Features: Speeds reaching up to 5 Gbps Plans starting below $60 monthly 88.5% availability Xfinity As one of the most widely available internet providers, Xfinity offers high-speed cable and fiber internet services across 41 states in America. The provider’s fast speeds, widespread network, and cost-effective plans make it the perfect choice for a broad range of Miami residents, such as occasional internet users, remote workers, heavy streamers, and gamers who need to download large amounts of content. Cable internet is their primary offering; however, fiber is available in a few parts of the city. Key Features: Speeds reaching up to 2 Gbps Plans starting below $40 monthly 92.2% availability Verizon 5G Home Internet This is the right choice for families with multiple devices or streamers and gamers who prefer flexible wireless internet plans, free of any hidden costs. The ease of setting up 5G home internet has given rise to its popularity and Verizon offers one of the leading 5G home internet services in Miami. Their plans come without the need for an annual contract and spare you the costs of equipment fees, and early termination fees. Additionally, they offer no data caps, so you can free yourself from worrying about overage charges. However, their upload speeds are on the lower end, ranging between 10 to 50 Mbps. Image by Andrii / Adobestock Key Features: Speeds reaching up to 1 Gbps Plans starting below $50 monthly 41% availability Starlink Straight from the mind of Elon Musk to the vibrant streets of Miami, comes one of the most widely available satellite internet providers: Starlink. While there are other satellite internet providers available in the city like HughesNet, Starlink secures a place in this list due to its higher speed and superior performance when compared to the latter. Being a satellite internet provider, Starlink offers a convenient setup all across the city which requires just a clear view of the sky. Its low latency, fast speed, and convenient setup make it the perfect choice for Miami residents in areas with poor internet access, such as in coastal neighborhoods, or among skyscrapers. Key Features: Speeds reaching up to 220 Mbps Plans starting below $150 monthly 100% availability Viasat Viasat is a nationwide internet provider offering services in all 50 states, including parts of Alaska and Hawaii. Using satellite technology, the network offers decent speeds and reliable connections in remote or rural areas, making it perfect for those living or on vacation in such areas where cable and fiber are not easily accessible. While Viasat offers unlimited data, you may notice speed throttling during peak hours when you cross 850 GB of data usage. Key Features: Download speeds reaching up to 150 Mbps Plans starting below $90 monthly 100% availability Image by xiaoliangge / Adobestock Staying Connected in Miami With Miami’s booming economy and vibrant fast-paced lifestyle, a reliable and high-speed internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Choosing the right internet provider does not have to be a challenge. Whether you prefer the speed of Xfinity or the wireless connectivity of Verizon 5G home internet, you can find a provider that fits your lifestyle and budget. Take the time to thoroughly research each of the providers mentioned in this list, analyze your options, and choose the provider that aligns the best with your needs without compromising on quality or cost. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Adobestock & Pexels

Louis Vuitton has unveiled the Escale en Alaska, a one-of-a-kind unique timepiece that stands as the most complex pocket watch ever created by its Geneva-based watchmaking atelier, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Part of the Escales Autour du Monde collection, the piece combines high-end horological complications with extensive artistic craftsmanship. Mechanical Complexity The pocket watch is powered by the in-house developed LFT AU14.03 manual-winding caliber. Consisting of 751 components and 81 jewels, the movement delivers an 8-day power reserve at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. It integrates several traditional horological complications, including: A minute repeater that chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes. A tourbillon mechanism. An automata module that drives 17 moving parts to produce nine distinct animations on the dial face. To keep the dial's miniature scene unobstructed, the traditional blue-fired timekeeping hands are positioned on the caseback rather than the front face. The movement itself required 500 hours of manual assembly and finishing, featuring 735 hand-beveled inner angles and Côtes de Genève striping. Artistry and Dial Design The 50mm white gold watch depicts a winter night scene inspired by Alaska's Margerie Glacier under the Northern Lights. The dial animates various Arctic wildlife, including a blue whale, an orca with hand-sculpted white gold teeth, and families of penguins. It also incorporates classic Louis Vuitton motifs: miniature trunks that open and close to reveal monogram flowers, a spinning gold compass rose at 12 o’clock, and a 0.05-carat LV Monogram Star-cut diamond—the smallest ever produced by the House. The creation of the dial involved multiple specialized artisan techniques: Engraving: The master engraver dedicated 160 hours to hand-sculpting the dial's moving parts and an additional 40 hours to carving snowflake and rain motifs into the white gold case. Enameling: The master enameler spent over 300 hours executing Grand Feu champlevé, cloisonné, and miniature enamel work, utilizing 32 distinct color shades and requiring 35 individual firings. Gemsetting: The bezel is set with 41 baguette-cut colored sapphires, 16 baguette-cut diamonds, and 8 baguette-cut tourmalines. The Escale en Alaska is accompanied by a white gold chain and a bespoke exotic leather travel bag finished in a matching blue hue. For further information: www.louisvuitton.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

Chloe Bailey built her career at the intersection of music and acting. Raised in Atlanta before moving to Los Angeles, she first gained attention alongside her sister, Halle Bailey, as one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. Their online covers led to a deal with Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment, while the pair later earned five Grammy nominations and expanded their screen work through projects including Grown-ish. Now working as a solo artist and actress, Bailey takes on a different kind of musical role in STRUNG. She plays Laila, a gifted violinist whose drive to reach the Philharmonic leads her into a polished world where opportunity comes with danger. The character’s relationship with music gave Bailey a personal entry point: she played violin in school and returned to the instrument for the film, training on demanding pieces before shooting began. In this exclusive interview with Miami Living, Bailey discusses the pressure and uncertainty behind Laila’s ambition, her collaboration with director Malcolm D. Lee, and what she learned from sharing scenes with Lynn Whitfield. She also reflects on choosing roles that challenge the public’s perception of her, as STRUNG arrives after its premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. Miami Living (ML): What first drew you to the role of the violinist in STRUNG? Chloe Bailey: What first drew me to the role of the violinist in STRUNG was definitely the passion that Laila had for her artistry. It was something that I could relate to, being a fellow musician. In 5th and 6th grade, I even played the violin in orchestra. So, it was like a piece of me was within the script through Laila, and that’s what excited me. And then of course once I continued on further in the script, and saw how musical instruments were used as weapons, I was hooked. ML: How did you prepare to portray a character whose passion for music is tied to fear, ambition and uncertainty? Chloe Bailey: I definitely took inspiration from my life. Any time there have been moments when I knew I had a dream, but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fulfill that dream, or make it, it’s a very scary feeling. I allowed myself to sit in that space of desperation, the zone Laila was in, because whenever you’re desperate, you tend to overlook the red flags and the red signs. And I feel that’s what eventually gets her into trouble. ML: The film explores trust, power and emotional instability. What part of that journey was most interesting for you as an actress? Chloe Bailey: The part of this journey that was most interesting for me as an actress is I was definitely challenged. I really enjoyed my director Malcolm and how we were able to collaborate. And having the legendary Lynn Whitfield as my scene partner was so educational and so liberating at the same time. She made me want to be a better actress, and in our scenes that we had together, I was pushing myself beyond limits and limitations. I was able to get lost in the character as Laila, and at some point it didn’t feel like I was acting anymore. ML: What was it like working with Malcolm D. Lee on a psychological thriller? Chloe Bailey: I have always loved Malcolm’s classic films like THE BEST MAN and GIRL’S TRIP and I know he knew how to capture the essence of Black women. What was really exciting was knowing that this was our first psychological thriller together. I loved how he gave me the space and the freedom to find who Laila was, but he also helped guide me towards that in a very free-flowing way. I will admire Malcolm till the end of my days. ML: Your character enters an elegant but dangerous world. How did you approach showing both her ambition and her vulnerability? Chloe Bailey: How I approach showing both Laila’s ambition and her vulnerability? You know, that’s how you know when the script is great because I didn’t even have to try. It was written in between the lines. Her vulnerability came through her insecurities and feeling as if she wasn’t good enough to make it into the Philharmonic. Her ambition allowed her to continue practicing every day, even through grieving her younger sister. When she meets this family and realizes that this is a blessing to live in this beautiful home but also get to practice on her skill and have open doors to meeting people in higher places that will get her to where she needs to be for her gift, it really excites her. So I think I just had to approach it from a very real and honest place. ML: Music is central to this story. How did your own background as a performer help shape your connection to the role? Chloe Bailey: Being a performer definitely helped shape my connection to Laila. You know, I had a full crash course for a week and a half of all of the pieces that Laila played on the violin. The very first scene that we shot in Cape Town was the dream sequence at the beginning where Laila’s playing the Mendelssohn, and that’s not an easy piece. It’s very, very beautiful and complex. I had a wonderful violin teacher named Stephanie here in LA who helped me nail the fingerings and get everything proper. There was also a lovely woman named Tony in Cape Town who also helped me. I feel like if I wasn’t a musician already, with a production background and an understanding of the concept of music/notes, I don’t think I would’ve been able to accomplish that difficult challenge in a week and a half before filming. I thank God that they chose me as a musician to do it. It was challenging, but I did it, and it looked so good on the screen. ML: On a personal level, what do you look for now when choosing projects at this stage of your career? Chloe Bailey: I look for things that excite me. As a fan, what would I want to see, what would I want to watch? Things that would challenge me. What would stretch me as an actress, where people can see what I really can do? What are things and roles that I can take where people won’t look at the screen and see the singer “Chloe Bailey” but see the actress of the character I am playing? ML: You have grown up in the public eye as both a singer and actress. How do you stay grounded while continuing to evolve creatively? Chloe Bailey: Yes, I have grown up in the public eye. How I stay grounded? Well, I continue to evolve. I definitely keep a small circle, and I keep my family and loved ones close, because it’s very easy to get lost in this career. You constantly have people filling your head up with praise, or even sometimes negativity. At the end of the day, you have to remind yourself that it’s a job, and not allow it to validate who you are as a human being. ML: About your visit to Miami for the American Black Film Festival, what does it mean to bring STRUNG to an audience here? Chloe Bailey: I had the best time at the ABFF Festival, and it meant so much to me to be able to headline the festival and premiere there. It was just so wonderful, the audience was so electrifying and hearing them and their reactions just really was such a surreal feeling and I will never, ever forget that. ML: Miami has such a strong connection to film, music and culture. Is there anything about the city that inspires you creatively when you visit? Chloe Bailey: I love Miami. I was recently in Miami just a month ago with Timbaland on something special that we have coming. Being able to go to Miami again to promote and premiere STRUNG, I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something. There might be some special sauce in Miami for me. You can follow Chloe on: Instagram By ML/Staff. Photos courtesy of Yellow Jacket Credit: PEACOCK/Ilze Kitshoff

Thirty years ago, five young women from the UK redefined what a pop group could be. When the Spice Girls burst onto the scene in 1996 with their debut single Wannabe, they helped to reshape discussions around gender, sexuality, power and pop culture. The Spice Girls (L-R) Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Mel B, Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell. Featureflash Photo Agency/Canva At first glance, their formula seemed straightforward; catchy music, bold personalities and an explicitly commercial brand. This helped the Spice Girls to dominate the pop charts of the 1990s and 2000s. But their approach was very rare for British female artists – most girlbands relied on matching outfits and a unified look as opposed to the Spice Girls brand of individual personalities. The strategy resulted in huge success but also reflected, and arguably was the catalyst for, deeper shifts in the music industry and society at large. The Spice Girls arrived at a moment when “girl power” (a phrase they popularised globally and now features in the dictionary) tapped into a growing appetite for female autonomy and visibility. Unlike many pop acts before them, each member of the Spice Girls had a distinct identity: Mel B (Melanie Brown) as Scary Spice, Melanie C (Melanie Chisholm) as Sporty Spice, Emma Bunton as Baby Spice, Geri Halliwell as Ginger Spice and Victoria Beckham as Posh Spice. These personas were often caricatured, but they provided a lens through which fans (particularly young girls) could see multiple versions of femininity represented in mainstream media. The music video for Wannabe, the Spice Girls’ breakthrough single. Another significant element of the Spice Girls’ audience is the LGBTQ+ community. The group has often pointed to the importance of this audience for their success. Many of their LGBTQ+ fans have pointed to the loud and proud message of the band as an important part of their self-acceptance and positive self-esteem. Later generations of female and LGBTQ+ artists have attributed Spice Girls as inspirational figures including Adele, Billie Eilish, Olly Alexander, Charli XCX and Dua Lipa. These artists in turn continued to keep the Spice Girls legacy alive with younger audiences, helped by the easy access of legacy music catalogues on digital streaming platforms. The Spice Girls legacy The band’s debut album, Spice, is the best-selling album by a girl group in history. Their global reach helped solidify the late 1990s and early 2000s as a peak era of British pop culture exports. Throughout their career the band had nine UK number one singles as a group, and eight solo number ones. No other girl group comes close to that total. But the band’s significance cannot be measured by sales alone. The Spice Girls helped normalise the idea that female acts could dominate the global market on their own terms, without conforming to male-defined industry expectations. For example, they sacked a male manager in the maelstrom of their success and managed themselves while enjoying several more number one singles, platinum album sales and sold-out tours. The Spice Girls reunion at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The Spice Girls also exerted an unusual degree of control over their music; notably cowriting all of their songs and challenging the industry norms that often sidelined female artists in decision-making processes. In doing so, they anticipated later debates about authorship, authenticity and agency in pop – decades ahead of modern conversations about music ownership and power such as Taylor Swift’s journey to owning her own master recordings. The legacy of the Spice Girls is not without tension, however. “Girl power” has been both celebrated in that it made feminism accessible to young people and critiqued as a commodified slogan that reduced complex political ideas to marketable soundbites. At their last reunion tour in 2019 Geri repackaged “girl power” into “people power”. Beyond the music, the Spice Girls have become an omnipresent element of British pop culture in recent years with Royal Mail stamps, Royal Mint official British currency and a collaboration with the English female rugby team. This shows that the Spice Girls’ iconic imagery is well and truly canonified in the British pop culture vernacular much like The Rolling Stones, Oasis and The Beatles. Three decades on, the Spice Girls continue to be revisited in ways that alternate between celebration, nostalgia and critique, reflecting ongoing debates about gender, commerce and pop culture in the 1990s. Words by Joel Gray, Associate Dean of Learning, Teaching, and Student Success and Lecturer in Media, Art and Communication, Sheffield Hallam University. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

The pain. The penalties. The hairsplitting VAR decisions and astounding off-field politics. From ageing titans to miraculous goals, the FIFA World Cup brims with drama and athleticism. Pamela Smith/AAP Where to turn when it’s all over? Some fine authors have explored the complexity of the beautiful game, from Albert Camus to Karl Ove Knausgaard. We asked six football tragics to nominate their favourite books about soccer. The Faber Book of Soccer, ed Ian Hamilton The obvious choice in light of my generation, gender and origin is Nick Hornby’s autobiographical Fever Pitch, which spawned films in Britain and the United States (the latter repurposed for baseball). Goodreads However, I favour on grounds of greater scope and historical resonance author-poet Ian Hamilton’s self-described “panoramic football-fest” anthology. Published in the same year as Hornby’s book (1992), it coincided with the first season of the globally game-changing English Premier League. In his introduction, Hamilton challenges the common wisdom that “‘Thinking’ books about soccer have no market because soccer fans don’t think”. His distinctly thought-filled collection encompasses chapters by heavyweight writer-intellectuals, revered sports journalists, managers, players, fans and ANONs. The eye-catching contributions by celebrated literary figures like Albert Camus, Vladimir Nabokov, Martin Amis, George Orwell and Harold Pinter do most to unsettle the cultural snobbery surrounding soccer and popular culture in general. The Faber Book of Soccer has all-too-apparent deficiencies, most conspicuously its total maleness and predominant Whiteness and Britishness. The editor concedes its “documentary aspect” is limited by his middle-aged perspective and cultural taste. A work both of and ahead of its time, it can still be savoured by lovers of soccer, poetry, fiction, non-fiction and journalism. A rare, readerly treat indeed. –David Rowe Tales of South American Football: Passion, Revolution and Glory, by Jorge Knijnik Jorge Knijnik’s Tales of South American Football (Fair Play Publishing) is not just a book about sport; it is a love letter written in the key of jogo bonito. Now an academic based in Australia, Knijnik’s yearning for the rhythms of his Brazilian home pulses through every chapter of this exquisitely researched non-fiction work. Fair Play publishing Across 13 beautifully expressed chapters, Knijnik explores a continent where football isn’t merely a pastime, it behaves like a secular religion. He masterfully frames the beautiful game against a turbulent backdrop of volatile politics, crushing oppression and urgent social revolution. The book thrives on human vignettes, tracking how the sport holds the unique, contradictory power to ignite fierce domestic rivalries while simultaneously binding communities together. Knijnik’s deep affection for his homeland shines brightly whether he is recalling the sheer elegance of icons such as Pelé or breaking vital new ground by documenting the grassroots development of women’s football in Bolivia. This essential, fiercely passionate read captures the literal and political heat of South American society, proving that to truly understand the continent, you must first understand its football. –Kylie A. Steel Inverting the Pyramid: the History of Football Tactics by Jonathan Wilson I really like sports history and learning how sport has changed over time, which is why Jonathan Wilson’s Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics (Orion) stands out to me. It’s actually the book you see Coach Beard reading in Ted Lasso, so it’s not just me! Goodreads The book follows soccer from its chaotic, rule-less beginnings in 19th century England through to the global game of the 21st century. It provides a historical context for why the game looks the way it does. I enjoyed reading the examples of coaches, players and teams who have changed the game, as they developed new tactics, formations and strategies to try and beat their opponents. Explanations of why some teams value dribbling over passing, while others value improvisation and creativity over keeping possession and a rigid structure were also interesting. Overall, this book helped me see football in a completely different way. Not just as a game, but as something shaped by the unique cultures, politics and people involved in it around the world. –Vaughan Cruickshank The Matilda Effect by Fiona Crawford Fiona Crawford is one of Australia’s best football writers, with a particular focus on our national women’s team, the Matildas. In The Matilda Effect (MUP), Crawford tells the story of women’s football in Australia in the lead-up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. MUP She reflects on the sport’s history, giving recognition to the game’s trailblazers and showing how the success of the Matildas was not built in a day. Through Crawford’s academic expertise and experience on the ground as a football journalist, we get insights from key figures, analysis of issues surrounding the women’s sport movement and incredibly entertaining anecdotes that show the joy of women’s football and the vibrant community surrounding it. My honorable mention is Home and Away: Writing the Beautiful Game by Karl Ove Knausgaard and Fredrik Ekelund. This unique book consists of eloquent letters between two prolific literary voices written during the 2014 men’s World Cup in Brazil. They are full of insightful observations, personal reflections and football passion. –Kasey Symons Soccer Madness by Janet Lever I first fell in love with Brazilian soccer watching the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and through the brilliance of Socrates. He was not only an extraordinary player but also a public intellectual off the field, someone who used his platform to speak out on social and political issues. At a time when Australia was absent from World Cups, Brazil naturally became my team. Goodreads In 1987, I had the unforgettable experience of playing against the Brazilian national under-17 team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Canada. We managed a 1–0 win in the group stage and our team went on to reach the quarter-finals. That match remains one of those formative moments where my admiration for Brazilian football met lived experience on the pitch. By the time I arrived at university in 1990, during the Italy World Cup, one of my lecturers encouraged me to give a presentation on Brazilian soccer. He handed me a copy of Janet Lever’s Soccer Madness: Brazil’s Passion for the World’s Most Popular Sport (University of Chicago Press), published in 1983. Lever captured, with remarkable clarity, the deep passion Brazilians had for the game. What struck me most was that the book was not about tactics or famous players, but about how soccer reflected politics, class, race and culture. It remains, to this day, one of the most insightful studies of the game ever written. Sadly, Brazil are now out of the 2026 World Cup. But Soccer Madness remains remarkably relevant. The themes Lever explored, (commercialisation, media influence, nationalism, inequality and the cultural significance of football) continue to shape the global game today. –Steve Georgakis Developing Game Intelligence in soccer by Horst Wein When I started junior football coaching, Horst Wein’s Developing Game Intelligence in Soccer (Reedswain) became my “go to” book. Importantly, Wein’s book aligned football coaching with contemporary concepts of athlete-centred learning. At its core, the book explains the “why” and the “how” to develop the “thinking player” through practice, presenting game-related challenges. This type of coaching develops the player’s ability to make intelligent decisions on field. Goodreads Wein argues that football is a dynamic, problem-solving activity requiring players to read the play, anticipate the next move and respond. Drilling players to develop particular skills doesn’t develop this ability. The intelligent player is developed through games that are intentionally designed to focus on tactical understanding. Coaches should also ask questions to encourage players to reflect and refine their thinking about the play. The secret to good coaching, writes Wein is “stimulation through play”. –Shane Pill Words by Suzy Freeman-Greene, Books + Ideas Editor. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

Imagine an ordinary Tuesday. You wash your hair, put on deodorant, drink coffee, pack lunch in a plastic container and commute through traffic to get to work. At work, the custodial staff wipes down a shared table with disinfectant. At home, you cook dinner, clean the kitchen and run the dishwasher. People are rarely exposed to chemicals one at a time. PeopleImages/iStock via Getty Images Plus Each of these ordinary moments can involve exposure to chemicals. By itself, that is not a reason for concern. After all, chemicals make up the entire physical world. But depending on the dose, timing and circumstances of exposure, some chemicals in our environment – both naturally occurring and human-made ones – may affect health. Most everyday exposures occur at low levels, and many products are designed and regulated with safety in mind. But as a board-certified toxicologist who studies how chemical exposures affect human health, I rarely ask whether a single chemical is safe in isolation. A more realistic question is: What might the health effects be when many low-level exposures overlap? Mixtures are the rule, not the exception Decades of research on the health effects of individual chemicals have helped scientists identify hazards, estimate safe exposure levels and develop regulations. But the challenge is that people are rarely exposed to one chemical at a time. Air is a changing mixture of particles, gases and vapors. Indoor air can differ from outdoor air because of cooking, cleaning, building materials, ventilation and chemical reactions that occur inside enclosed spaces. Air monitoring stations like this one in Reno, Nev., capture a mixture of chemical pollutants. brewbooks/flickr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-NC-SA Food often contains residues from multiple pesticides, as monitoring programs in Europe and the United States have identified. This reflects the fact that crops may be exposed to more than one pesticide during production. Household products add another layer. Cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products can contain fragrances, preservatives and other ingredients that contribute to everyday chemical exposures. Researchers have identified hormone-disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in some consumer products and continue to investigate combinations of chemicals that may warrant closer testing. Even drinking water, which is carefully treated and monitored, can contain trace amounts of contaminants from multiple sources, including pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and compounds formed during water treatment. Studies have reported pharmaceuticals and hormone-disrupting compounds in U.S. drinking water, and researchers continue to investigate emerging contaminants in water as analytical methods improve. Why combinations can be hard to predict In many cases, chemicals in a mixture have the same effects as they do on their own, contributing a predictable share of the overall effect. This idea, known as additivity, gives researchers and regulators a practical starting point for predicting chemical mixture risk. But chemicals do not always behave so neatly. Sometimes a combination has a larger effect than expected. Sometimes one chemical reduces another’s effect. So it’s not always possible to predict a chemical’s risk when other chemicals affecting the same biological system are present too. Hormone-active chemicals illustrate why this matters. Hormones such as estrogen and thyroid hormone are chemical messengers that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction and many other essential functions through the endocrine system. Some chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with how these hormones are produced, transported or recognized by the body. Individually, exposures may be too low to raise concern, but multiple chemicals acting on the same hormonal system may have a combined effect. Choosing fragrance-free personal care products can decease the levels of an overall mixture of chemicals people encounter in everyday products. Pressmaster/iStock via Getty Images Plus Two well-studied examples are phthalates and parabens. Phthalates are used in some plastics and are also associated with fragrance mixtures, while parabens are preservatives found in some cosmetics and personal care products. People may encounter these chemicals repeatedly through products they use daily. This does not mean that every scented lotion or shampoo is harmful. But everyday product choices can measurably influence personal chemical exposures. In one study, for example, switching to personal care products labeled free of certain phthalates, parabens and related compounds reduced some of these chemicals’ presence in urine. New methods for testing chemical mixtures Thousands of chemicals are used in commerce and released into the environment. People encounter different combinations depending on where they live, what they eat, the products they use, the work they do and how much time they spend indoors or outdoors. Testing every possible combination of chemicals is impossible. But researchers like me are tackling the problem by studying mixtures that reflect real-world exposures and grouping chemicals with similar biological effects. They are using rapid automated laboratory testing and computer models, including artificial intelligence, to predict which chemicals are most likely to interact and to identify mixtures that deserve closer investigation. A newer approach, called exposomics, aims to measure the many chemical and environmental exposures people accumulate throughout their lives and relate them to health outcomes. These tools are becoming increasingly powerful, and mixture science is advancing rapidly. But it is unlikely that every question will ever have a simple answer. What you can do None of this means you should throw out every product in your home or try to live a “chemical-free” life. That would be impossible. A more practical goal is to reduce unnecessary and repeated exposures when doing so is easy and inexpensive, and does not create new problems. Start with indoor air, where pollutants can accumulate during cooking, cleaning and the use of fragranced products. Opening windows when outdoor air quality is good, using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and increasing ventilation during cleaning can all help reduce indoor pollutant levels. A review of indoor air studies concluded that improving ventilation and reducing pollution at its source are among the most effective strategies for improving indoor air quality. Next, look at product routines rather than individual products. If you regularly use several scented personal care or cleaning products, consider whether you need all of them. Fragranced consumer products like cleaning agents, air fresheners and skin lotions are a common source of indoor air pollution. Choosing fragrance-free alternatives, using fewer overlapping products or reserving strongly scented products for occasional use can reduce repeated exposure to some fragrance-related chemicals. For food, focus on habits that already make sense for overall health. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water and eat a varied diet instead of relying heavily on the same foods every day. Because pesticide residues differ among foods, eating a variety of foods may help reduce repeated exposure to residues from the same foods, although it does not eliminate pesticide exposure. If you drink water from a public system, review your local water quality report to understand what has been detected in your community. If you decide to use a water filter, choose one certified to reduce the contaminants you want to remove. Check the certification label to verify which contaminants it has been tested to reduce, and replace cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Informed and straightforward steps like these can help limit exposures while scientists continue studying how the many small exposures of everyday life combine to influence health. Words by Brad Reisfeld, Professor Emeritus of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Public Health, Colorado State University. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today. Top image by Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash

Though researchers have been studying the animal deworming drug ivermectin for decades, there is no evidence that it’s a safe or effective way to treat cancer in people. Ivermectin is a deworming drug intended for use in animals, including horses and cows. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren However, a June 2026 study put the topic back in the spotlight. After being downloaded more than 85,000 times before its official publication, the study gained traction on social media – particularly X – and within alternative health communities, where it was shared widely to bolster broader claims about repurposing antiparasitic drugs as cancer treatments. While traditional news outlets were covering renewed public interest in ivermectin for cancer following the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the conversation surrounding this particular new study unfolded outside of mainstream media coverage. Shortly after the study was published, scientists raised serious concerns about how the study arrived at its findings, conflicts of interest and the peer-review process. For one, the study did not have a comparison group to determine whether patients taking a combination of ivermectin and another antiparasitic truly saw improvements due to these drugs or the conventional cancer therapies they were also taking. Moreover, the study relied on patients’ own self-reports rather than medical record information. Unlike medical records, self-reports cannot be independently verified and are more susceptible to bias, making them less reliable as scientific evidence. Although the journal issued an Expression of Concern shortly after publication, the study has not yet been retracted. One use of ivermectin is to prevent heartworm and treat intestinal worms in dogs. Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images This case illustrates a recurring challenge in how science reaches the public. Early findings can spread quickly through news coverage, social media and online communities, while the evidence needed to fully evaluate them can take months or years to develop. By the time additional evidence emerges, many people have already shared the original report or made financial and medical decisions based on it. As a health communication researcher, I study how people interpret new cancer information, how health misinformation spreads and how communication can support good health behaviors. The renewed attention surrounding ivermectin and other antiparasitic drugs offers an opportunity to understand why some scientific findings become influential before researchers fully understand what they mean. Why ivermectin keeps returning Repurposing existing medications for new therapeutic uses, including treating cancer, has a long history. Among the drugs attracting growing attention for their repurposing potential are antiparasitic medications such as ivermectin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of these drugs for cancer. Although laboratory studies on cell cultures have shown some anticancer activity, and early clinical trials are underway, there is not enough evidence to support their use in cancer care. Despite the limited clinical evidence supporting antiparasitic drugs as cancer treatments, the science and the public conversation unfolded very differently. Popular interest in these drugs was driven less by emerging research than by the spread of compelling personal stories. And possibly none were more influential than that of Oklahoma businessman Joe Tippens. In 2018, Tippens started a blog describing his recovery from advanced lung cancer. He wrote that while receiving immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial, he had also begun taking fenbendazole, a deworming medication intended for animals. His account spread rapidly online, transforming fenbendazole from a little-known veterinary drug into one of the most-discussed examples of drug repurposing in cancer communities. By 2019, interest in fenbendazole had circulated internationally. In South Korea, singer Kim Chul-min announced that he was taking fenbendazole for lung cancer after learning about Tippens’ story. His disclosure fueled intense public interest, contributing to shortages of fenbendazole and prompting health officials to warn against its use as a cancer treatment. The pandemic dramatically expanded the conversation about repurposing antiparasitic medications. Ivermectin was widely promoted as a treatment for COVID-19, but by 2022, large, randomized clinical trials had found that the drug failed to provide meaningful benefits for patients. By then, however, it had become one of the most recognizable medications associated with the pandemic. When the paper claiming ivermectin could treat cancer was published in June 2026, the deworming medication was already a familiar drug after years of public attention during the pandemic. Interest in its potential use against cancer had also been amplified by celebrity endorsements, patient stories, podcasts and online communities. Financial incentives also reinforced continued attention. As interest in ivermectin grew, a market emerged around promoting and selling the drug for unproven uses. Physicians, pharmacies, politicians, influencers and media personalities had economic incentives – including paid partnerships or selling the drug through their own businesses – to keep the conversation around ivermectin alive even after scientific evidence remained limited. Online conversations and real-world decisions Once published, scientific papers are often viewed and shared online, where their findings become intertwined with headlines, personal stories and commentary. Those conversations don’t simply reflect public interest. They can also shape it. After Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson discussed ivermectin and fenbendazole as potential cancer treatments on Rogan’s popular podcast, oncologists reported that patient interest in these drugs spread “like wildfire,” prompting more people to ask about them during clinic visits. Researchers later documented that prescriptions combining ivermectin and drugs similar to fenbendazole among cancer patients more than doubled following these celebrity endorsements. I observed a similar pattern in my own work. I use social listening methods to monitor how cancer misinformation spreads online in real time. This involves tracking public conversations across social media platforms and identifying changes in the volume and content of posts. Within weeks of Rogan’s podcast, online conversations about ivermectin and fenbendazole had increased by 198% over the course of a month, illustrating how quickly high-profile discussions can attract public attention. Learning how research travels through those conversations may be just as important for public health as understanding the study itself. Science moves more slowly than social media The challenge of evaluating early scientific findings isn’t unique to antiparasitic drugs or one particular paper on ivermectin and cancer. Science and social media operate on very different timelines. A study can be published and shared around the world within hours. Determining how much confidence to place in its findings often takes months or years as researchers conduct additional studies, attempt to replicate the results and tie together multiple lines of evidence. Researchers have found that early information can shape what people believe even after it has been corrected or updated. Known as the continued influence effect, this phenomenon helps explain why initial reports often leave a lasting impression even as new evidence comes to light. Cancer patients desperately looking for a miracle may be particularly vulnerable to health misinformation. iebre/iStock via Getty Images Plus In the case of ivermectin, early claims about its benefits may continue to influence people’s decisions even after larger, more rigorous studies fail to support initial claims. Some may continue using the drug, delay or forgo treatments proven to be effective, or remain convinced that the drug is helpful despite accumulating evidence to the contrary. The fact that scientific understanding develops over time does not mean people should ignore promising new research. Every medical advance begins with early findings that require confirmation through additional research. But a single study rarely changes clinical practice on its own. When the next study goes viral The next promising study about cancer or another disease is almost certain to appear on your social media feed before long. Whether that study involves ivermectin or something else, a few principles for interpreting new research can help you navigate scientific uncertainty. Don’t confuse publication with proof. A published study often marks the beginning of scientific discussion, not the end of it. Confidence in findings develops over time as evidence accumulates and results are weighed alongside all available research. If you see something described as a breakthrough, ask yourself whether it reflects a growing body of research or the results of a single study. Pay attention to what happens next. Scientific findings continue to evolve after publication through critiques and new studies that confirm, refine or challenge the original results. At times, a journal’s editorial board may issue corrections or retractions that also contribute to this process. This ongoing scrutiny is a strength of science, not a flaw. If you see a study that could influence your health decisions, don’t stop there. Check whether additional studies have been published or whether trusted medical organizations have updated their recommendations. Put new findings into context. Before making personal health decisions, discuss promising research with a trusted healthcare professional who is familiar with the relevant medical evidence. They can help you make sense of the study based on your own health needs. A study can go viral in a day. Good science takes time. Words by Dannell D. Boatman, Assistant Professor of Cancer Prevention and Control, Researcher in Health Communication, West Virginia University. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

When I first visited Cuba, the island was recovering from a severe economic crisis. It was 1996, and the collapse of the Soviet Union had ushered in a prolonged period of deprivation and hardship. A woman peeks out from the doorway of her home in Havana, Cuba, on May 6, 2026. Yamil LAge/AFP via Getty Images On my latest visit, in early June, I encountered yet another crisis, a slow-motion humanitarian disaster. The island is coping with severe shortages of fuel and electricity, among other essentials, due in large part to an oil blockade that President Donald Trump imposed in February. To a degree, the current emergency mirrors the “Special Period” of 35 years ago. After the end of Soviet subsidies, Cuba plunged into darkness and hunger. “We had almost no electricity and little food,” one Cuban friend later told me. “If the government could not provide it, we did not have it, and the government had no money.” Yet the current crisis is different in many respects. For one, there are more goods available. In Havana, at least, restaurants are open and stores are well stocked with foodstuffs. There is also less hope and more despair. The Cubans I spoke to – on the street, in shops and cafés, and in their homes – told me they no longer believe their government cares about their suffering. Instead, they are placing their hopes in the United States generally and the Trump administration specifically. “We are waiting for the Americans to save us,” said one of the Cubans I interviewed. “The ones in charge [of the Cuban government] worry about themselves, not about us.” Such views were unheard of 30 years ago. Now, they are commonplace on the streets of Havana. Fidel’s ‘Special Period’ Soviet subsidies to Cuba at their height amounted to about US$4 billion per year. During the last six months of 1991, the Soviets gradually stopped supporting Fidel Castro’s revolution. Food disappeared from Cuban stores and blackouts became the rule. Cuba had no money with which to buy oil to generate electricity. Cars disappeared from the streets, replaced by a few overcrowded buses, bicycles and horse-drawn wagons. Workers paste over a portrait of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Havana in 1991. Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images Between 1991 and 1993, Cuba’s GDP declined by at least one-third. The average Cuban lost between 5% and 25% of his or her body weight. Castro, Cuba’s longtime communist leader, proclaimed this crisis a “Special Period in Time of Peace.” A Cuban I know refers to it as the “time when we ate cats and dogs.” Common enemy, common purpose I first went to Cuba as a graduate student studying history, searching for potential dissertation topics. Arriving in 1996, I was struck by the continued scarcity of electricity, gasoline and food. But I was also impressed by the Cubans’ solidarity: Almost to a person, Cubans I spoke to blamed the U.S. embargo for their plight. The Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations imposed the embargo, effectively prohibiting trade and tourism between the U.S. and Cuba, in retaliation for Cuban nationalization of U.S. property. Cubans directed most of their anger toward Washington. Graffiti criticizing Republican Sen. Jesse Helms – co-author of the Helms-Burton Act, which enshrined the embargo as an act of Congress – and President Bill Clinton was common. Just as important, Cubans I met then believed that they all shared the same miseries — even their leaders, to a degree. So far as most of them knew, all Cubans were hungry, relying on kerosene lanterns and riding bicycles thanks to the “Yankee blockade.” After all, that was what their government told them. In 1996 Cubans generally still supported the country’s revolutionary leaders, Fidel and Raul Castro. Antonio Ribeiro/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images More food, more cynicism Today, Cubans appear far less likely to believe such propaganda. Indeed, from what I could see, the old revolutionary slogans are disappearing from public spaces, erased or defaced. Nor could I find a recent copy of Granma, the Communist Party’s newspaper, anywhere. Instead, Cubans turn to the internet, reading abroad what their government obfuscates or denies at home. As one friend told me, “We have the internet now. We can read for ourselves, and we are much harder to lie to.” Unlike during the 1990s, food is prevalent in Havana for those who can afford it. Private individuals import goods, legally and illegally, keeping private stores stocked even with American luxuries, such as whiskey, as well as Cuban staples, including rice and beans. Purchasing food in private stores, however, remains an expensive proposition. A pound of rice and beans can cost a dollar – cheap to Americans but exorbitant relative to the average Cuban monthly wage of US$15-$20. Inflation is rampant, among the worst in the world. While I was in Havana, the Cuban peso traded at roughly 550-580 to the dollar. When I last visited, in 2024, it was about 250. During my latest trip, gasoline cost $40 per gallon, when you could find it. Private entrepreneurs sell gasoline in the streets, along highways and even in once-functioning state-owned petrol stations. The libreta, the rationing system that used to insure Cubans against hunger, operates only sporadically now. Less social cohesion A decade ago, crime was infrequent and petty. Now it is common and violent, fueled by deprivation and drugs. During this visit, friends told me not to walk the streets at night. Drug abuse is also increasingly a problem. The young use opioids, especially fentanyl, which is cheap and easy to find. As one Cuban observed, “We now enjoy the problems of poor Americans.” During my trip, I interviewed at least 35 Cubans – from colleagues and friends to people on the street, usually in stores and cafes. No one refused to speak to me, though most would only do so anonymously. Almost all of them save one, a Communist Party member, said that their leaders do not share their suffering. They hear of their leaders’ lifestyles and the first lady’s fashions; they see the consumption habits of members of the Castro family on social media. Thanks to the internet, Cubans also know of the holdings of GAESA, a conglomerate controlled by the military that touches much of what is profitable in Cuba. Many Cubans say, with reason, that the revenues of GAESA, as well as other quasi-public entities, insulate the elite from the hardships of life in Cuba. Every Cuban I spoke to, again save one, told me that their leaders are resisting the Trump administration in order protect their privileges and positions – not Cuban sovereignty. “It’s not hard,” a Cuban woman working in a souvenir shop told me. “All they need to do is make a deal with the U.S. But they won’t because it would mean giving up their own private Cuba. They are greedy f–kers.” The Americans are coming Nonetheless, the Cuban government is yielding to American pressure, however slowly. President Miguel Díaz-Canel recently announced a dramatic expansion of private enterprise in Cuba, following measures to promote foreign investment, most notably from Cuban Americans in Florida. This is welcome news to most Cubans. Having given up on their own leaders, almost all the Cubans I spoke to are waiting for Americans to save them. A man wearing shorts depicting the U.S. flag walks along a street in Havana on May 6, 2026. Yamil LAge/AFP via Getty Images Make no mistake: The Cubans I spoke with want the oil embargo to end, and no one wants a U.S. invasion. “There has already been enough misery,” observed a Santeria priest. “There is no need for death and injury.” But Cubans I spoke with want U.S. pressure to continue. They believe that their government will never adopt policies designed to improve the quality of all Cubans’ lives absent pressure from the U.S. Target the elite That said, people said they would like such pressure to be more narrowly targeted at the elites themselves, with less hardship for the average Cuban. The recent termination by Mastercard and Visa of transactions is one such measure; the vast majority of Cubans do not have credit cards. “It’s time for them to suffer like we suffer,” concluded one Cuban, speaking of her unelected leaders. Given such contempt, when coupled with pressure from the Trump administration, it’s hard to see how what remains of the Cuban Revolution can long endure. Words by Joseph J. Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Global Studies, Appalachian State University. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

Miami Living's picks for sports events from July 15–July 22, featuring World Cup action, the return of the MLS and Wrestling across Miami. Here are the top games and sporting events to catch this week. Photo by Yoel J Gonzalez/Unsplash Miami FC Miami FC vs. Indy Eleven — July 15 Purchase Tickets Miami FC hosts Indy Eleven at Pitbull Stadium for a USL Championship matchup. The midweek fixture gives local soccer fans another opportunity to support Miami at home as the club looks to secure an important result against an Eastern Conference opponent. FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Bronze Final — July 18 Purchase Tickets The FIFA World Cup bronze final brings the two defeated semifinalists to Miami Stadium. With third place and one final tournament victory at stake, the match gives Miami fans a chance to see two of the competition’s strongest teams before the World Cup concludes. Combat Sports IBA Bare Knuckle — July 18 Purchase Tickets IBA Bare Knuckle makes its United States debut at the James L. Knight Center, with former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones serving as an ambassador for the promotion. Elvin Brito faces Viacheslav Borshchev in the main event of a card designed to introduce the international bare-knuckle series to Miami fight fans. Professional Wrestling CCW Rumble in the Jungle 29 — July 18 Purchase Tickets Coastal Championship Wrestling returns to Tripping Animals Brewing Co. in Doral for Rumble in the Jungle 29. The event transforms the brewery taproom into an intimate wrestling arena, bringing fans close to the entrances, characters and in-ring action. Inter Miami CF Inter Miami CF vs. Chicago Fire FC — July 22 Purchase Tickets Inter Miami resumes its MLS campaign against Chicago Fire FC at Nu Stadium. The club’s first league match following the World Cup break puts the focus back on the domestic season as Miami begins the second half of its schedule in front of the home crowd. By ML Staff. Photos courtesy of each featured team on this story

Miami Living’s picks for performing arts from July 14–July 21, featuring live performances including dance, comedy, cultural conversations and more across the Miami metro area. Jillina’s BDExperience performs on July 18 Max Amini — July 16–17 Fort Lauderdale Tickets | Miami Tickets Comedian Max Amini brings his energetic stage presence and observational humor to South Florida for two consecutive performances. His material explores everyday absurdities and cultural experiences through animated storytelling, improvisation and audience interaction. Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour — July 17 Purchase Tickets Third-generation magician Dennis Watkins presents an intimate evening of sleight of hand, mind reading and personal storytelling. Staged at close range, the production places much of the magic directly in the audience’s hands rather than limiting the action to the stage. Sillies on South Beach Comedy — July 17 Purchase Tickets Sillies on South Beach brings a rotating lineup of local and visiting comedians to an intimate Miami Beach setting. Hosted by comedian Raul Hernandez, the weekly showcase pairs stand-up performances with a relaxed brewery atmosphere in the heart of South Beach. Jillina’s BDExperience: Alice in Wonderland — July 18 Purchase Tickets Jillina’s BDExperience reimagines Alice in Wonderland as a theatrical dance production featuring company members alongside participating local performers. The show combines ensemble choreography, imaginative storytelling and an original cinematic score by Paul Dinletir. By ML Staff. Photos courtesy of each performer