The free LoveIsLove Miami hip-hop block party returns to Normandy Fountain in North Beach on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. More than 1,200 people have already RSVP’d. This is the event’s sixth year and fourth as an official hip-hop block party, and it is running on a budget that founder Dinna Alexanyan says has been cut by 70 percent.
The program includes a $500 all-styles dance battle judged by Logistx, Staccato and KingLxffy and hosted by DNA, also known as Dana. DJ LS One headlines, Rich Medina and Dante’s HiFi curate the music, and DJ Rogue spins for the battles. The Museum of Graffiti is supporting live painting by UncuttArt and MDOTBLAKE. A separate ticketed afterparty at Bob’s Your Uncle features Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest and DJ Kumi.
The cuts came after Miami Beach declined to award its grant and the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency withdrew support at the last minute, according to Alexanyan. Miami-Dade County did come through. The annual art installation at the fountain is not happening this year, and live painters are donating their time. Organizers are asking attendees to tip the painters or buy their work.
Alexanyan said the festival is built on hip-hop’s five elements: DJing, MCing, dance, graffiti and knowledge. Free tickets are available through Eventbrite. The event is at Normandy Fountain, 7802 Rue Vendome, Miami Beach.
