An Insider's Guide to Thursday's Fourth Annual Artopia Party

It's no coincidence that Artopia, our annual art rager, has never been hosted by the same venue twice. This year, we need your help to alienate the neighbors and keep that honorable tradition alive for the fourth year running. So pull on your hot pink Lederhosen, swipe on your metallic face paint, and lace up your drinking shoes for Miami's hottest art soiree.

This year your Artopia ticket buys you a night of art, music, film, fashion, food, and of course booze.

Here's a quick insider guide on how to navigate the event.

You can thank us Friday afternoon (because Friday morning would be asking for too much).

You'll be serenaded by the diverse sounds of several Miami musicians:



Miami art scene taste-maker and celebrated DJ Otto Von Schirach will be spinning his loopy electronic beats. Miami rockers Pocket of Lollipops will be on the scene, and Boise and the Backyard Band will bring some funky, folksy tunes with a cheeky country twang.



Artists you'll spot on the scene include:

Pop artists the TM Sisters bring new meaning to the word "multi-media art," with installations like their "Whirl, Crash, Go!" piece, which combined synchronized swimming, flashing neon lights, rollerskating, and electronic music. They'll be bringing a new installation piece to the Artopia party, so brace yourself for some wild interactive imagery.

Krave Art

​The art at this year's Artopia is connected by a gritty, urban feel. Krave Art combines fantasy and graffiti, while Jeff Dekal pairs street imagery with mystic and apocalyptic elements. NFRomero, FIFTYTHREE, Jose Mertz, Alex Yanes (Surface Merchants), Ruben Ubiera, Claudio Picasso, and Gems will all also have work on display.

Artopia fashion:

You'll witness wearable geometric creations from Miami/New York fashion designer Luis Valenzuela.

Luis Valenzuela

​Eat and drink like a VIP:

For $20, you get a general admission ticket that grants you one free drink and some light bites to munch on. Step up to the $60 VIP ticket, and drink all you want. VIPs also get premium bites provided by the charming, fresh, and rustic Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Bar.

MasterMind Awards:

As the central event of the entire night, we'll be announcing the three MasterMind Award-winning artists, each of whom will receive $1,000 grants to go on producing their valuable work. We've profiled the contenders over the last few weeks. Come out Thursday night and see who prevails -- if you can see straight by then, that is.

The party goes from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Villa 221, (221 NE 17th St., Miami). Our advice is to get their at 8 to get your fair share of all the goodies. Buy your tickets here.

Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.