Miami - May 19, 2009

Cheap Talk

Ten Things to Do Under $10

For all Miami’s cheap talk (“Your lips look so natural!”), the city is pricey. But even in the land of $32 valet parking, there’s plenty to do for less than ten bucks.

1. Trek to Homestead for a $5 strawberry papaya milkshake from the Robert Is Here fruit stand (gas not included).

2. Challenge your conceptions of the female archetype at artist Kate Gilmore’s free exhibit at Locust Projects’s new gallery space.

3. Watch hi-def screenings of Cannes film fest winners, including The Class (like Lean on Me, but in French) at the Miami Beach Cinematheque for $10.

4. Root for a jai alai player. The Basque sport is like lacrosse on speed; general admission is only $1.

5. Bet a couple bucks on the ponies at Calder Race Course. Go Memorial Day and feast on the $1 specials (hot dogs, BBQ chicken, watermelon, and corn on the cob).

6. Take a bottle to Lincoln Road’s Maya Tapas & Grill (corkage fees are waived Monday through Wednesday) and pair it with a chorizo appetizer for $8.95.

7. Read Aleksandar Hemon’s The Lazarus Project, the beautifully written mystery just came out in paperback — used $9.15. (Follow it up with his slightly pricier new release.)

8. Serve dinner or play with children as a volunteer with the Community Partnership for Homeless.

9. Pose in warrior one at Bayfront Park’s free outdoor yoga classes, Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.

10. Pick up a few mangoes ($1.50 each) at the Vagabond Market, open daily (7301 Biscayne Boulevard; 305-754-2866). Then go eat them on the giant, free beach.