Local Voices (Miami)

Ricky is the most consistent dance instructor in Miami, and the most highly rated by his students. Born in Bogota, Colombia, he moved here at an early age and first fell in love with dancing salsa with his wife. After realizing he had a special talent, he invested himself in learning to become an instructor, and ended up teaching at several dance studios, before starting Salsa Central. Now located in the heart of South Beach, on the second floor of a bank, the dance company is open every day from noon onwards and offers privates in addition to group classes of different levels from 8-10pm. Wondering how to spice up your relationship, or how to learn something new to keep yourself nimble? Follow @salsacentralmiami on Instagram, and g0 t0 Mejorconsalsa.com to explore class packages and first time specials. Todo suena mejor con salsa.

Tony is.......the enforcer. Born in New York, schooled in Jamaica, and accomplished as a D1 basketball athlete at the University of Delaware, Tony has found his niche as a supreme motivator in the sports world, and one who leads by example. After training athletes like Gronk & D Wade, and launching a popular video series on Youtube sharing his techniques, he has turned his focus to enabling more people in the Miami area to join his #FitFam. With his new project and mobile app Beat The Gym (https://beatthegym.com/), locals in Miami can sign up for unlimited outdoor fitness sessions for only 30$ / month. A great addition to any workout regiment, BTG classes specialize in building great core strength with some boxing and yoga movements incorporated. Follow Tony on Instagram @TonyThomasSports or @BeatTheGym, and don't hesitate to slot a great core workout into your week. Stronger City? Let's get it.

Michael is the fun loving Miami Beach City Commissioner who will very likely be mayor someday. That's how much he loves our city. Since growing up here as a kid, in Little Havana and Coral Gables, and studying at UM, he has become more and more involved and connected every year, and is now one of the reasons Miami Beach is so clean and great. Dare I say it a paradise half the year that will only continue to get better under his watch. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelGongora to keep up to date on how he is helping improve our community, and text DOWNTOSERVE to (833) 901-0927, to join our Local Voices (Miami) - Volunteer Hotline. Don't be shy

Stephanie is the passionate restaurant owner of the world famous Miami Beach cheeseburger joint, Cheeseburger Baby. After moving to Miami as a teenager, she worked in the service industry from day 1, holding all kinds of interesting jobs, before finding her place as manager and owner of her own restaurant, taking over from legendary promoter, Tommy Pooch. Since 2004, she has turned the burger hotspot into a celebrity haven, with fans such as JayZ, Lil Jon, JadaKiss, Beyonce, and Noriega, often frequenting the restaurant, and also has built her own following of local foodies, who can't help but indulge in her authentic locally sourced goodness, when it is burger time. Follow her on Instagram @cheeseburgerbaby, order from her on all of your favorite delivery apps, and head to cheeseburgerbaby.net or drop by the store on South Beach, to get a taste for what local business is all about.

Harvey is the groovy leader of a local Miami arts magazine (https://www.miamiartzine.com/) and also sits on the board of the South Beach Jazz Festival happening every year in mid January. After moving here from Chicago about 25 years ago, he has witnessed the transformation of Miami from an arts wasteland to an arts mecca, and has proceeded to get more and more involved every year in playing his role, sitting on several boards of foundations, and being the idea guy behind some of the best events here in town. Check out https://sobejazzfestival.com/ for a calendar and listing of events happening every mid January, a chance to see artists with disabilities like the famous Matthew Whitaker play live, as well as several others all for free, on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Get inspired by a local character's zest for the arts.

Eddie is the self control master of Miami nightlife, a family man working hard in the age of COVID to adapt and cater to our innate need for release. After moving from Colombia in the year 2000, he started as a valet driver at Senor Frog's and worked his way up to promoting for famous venues Story and Liv, before moving into his current role running bar crawls for tourists in Wynwood, hosting at venues El Patio and Mayami, and renting out jetskis and boats to those of us seeking outdoor thrills. Follow him on Instagram @miamihosts, check out his Eventbrite events (https://www.eventbrite.es/o/miami-hosts-17448309140), and don't forget to send him a DM if you have yet to ride a jet ski in Miami, it's like paragliding in Lima....a must do.

Victoria is the intense leader of the Miami Beach based yoga studio, Synergy Yoga, now located on Alton Road. After moving to Miami, she took over the studio in 2009 from founder Gaia Budhai, and has brought the first yoga studio in Miami Beach into the digital age, with classes being livestreamed ever since the pandemic began. Follow her on Instagram @victoriabyyoga to experience a bit of her passion for spirituality, and follow the studio @synergyyoga to learn more about different happenings like upcoming teacher trainings, and free yoga every Saturday on Espanola Way. Consider experiencing more enlightenment in your life. Namaste

Mike is the most lovable salsa DJ in Miami, due to his big smile, and passion for the craft. After first taking lessons almost 10 years ago, he has been dancing ever since, and has expanded his skills to include event production and organization. He is open to many diverse styles and is always adapting to the times. Follow him on Instagram @djmcalderon, find him on Facebook @MiamiSalsaDreamTeam, and DM him anytime you find yourself wondering where the best salsa and bachata dancing is happening on any given night!

Sandy is the resilient queen of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden (http://mbgarden.org/). After overcoming Zika, Hurricane Irma, and now COVID, she and her team are looking forward to a future that is bright and rosy with opportunity, as the MB garden is poised to become a more consistent event hub for great performances and culinary feasts. Follow the botanical garden on Instagram @miamibeachgarden, become a member for only $50/year, and keep up to speed with one of the Miami's best venues and blossoming scenes.

Sophie is the energetic leader of the Miami-based sustainability movement, Clean Miami Beach. After noticing that there was a trash problem in the local environment, she starting picking up trash and making like minded friends, until her weekly eco-friendly meetup grew exponentially into the official non profit that exists today. Check out her website, (https://cleanmiamibeach.org/), follow her on Instagram @CleanMiamiBeach, and most of all, listen to her advice regarding how each and every one of us can make small changes to better impact our home, Mother Earth.