The Heartbeat of Miami: Exploring Culture and Arts with Celia Almeida

In this episode of Que Bola, I had the
pleasure of sitting down with Celia Almeida, the newly
appointed editor of the cultural and arts division at the Miami
New Times. Celia has been a significant force in shaping
Miami's arts coverage, and her journey in journalism is nothing
short of inspiring.


We kicked off the conversation by exploring Celia's early
passion for writing and music, which was ignited during her
teenage years while working at a bookstore. She shared how her
love for music magazines like Rolling Stone and Mojo fueled her
desire to write about music, even though she initially thought
it was just a pipe dream. Celia's journey began with
freelancing for the New Times in 2016, where she took on
various roles, eventually returning as the arts editor at the
start of this year.


Celia explained her motivation for returning to the New Times,
emphasizing the importance of covering the cultural heartbeat
of Miami. We discussed how her role has evolved to encompass a
broader cultural perspective, moving beyond just arts and music
to include topics like sex, dating, and the unique quirks of
Miami life. She expressed her excitement about documenting the
city's changing landscape, especially in light of
gentrification and the challenges faced by local communities.


As we delved deeper into the conversation, Celia shared her
experiences interviewing both mainstream and underground
artists. She highlighted the challenges of connecting with
established artists, who often have walls up due to their fame,
compared to the more open and trusting nature of emerging
artists. We also touched on the vibrant yet often overlooked
drag scene in Miami, which Celia believes deserves more
recognition.


Throughout our discussion, we reflected on the cultural
richness of Miami and the misconceptions that often arise from
outsiders who claim the city lacks culture. Celia passionately
defended Miami's diverse cultural landscape, sharing her
mission to document and uplift the stories that often go
unheard.


We wrapped up the episode by discussing the current state of
live music venues in Miami, the impact of COVID-19 on the local
scene, and the importance of creating spaces for various
artistic expressions. Celia's insights into the evolving
cultural landscape of Miami were both enlightening and
thought-provoking, making this episode a must-listen for anyone
interested in the arts and culture of our vibrant city.


Join us for this engaging conversation as we explore the
heartbeat of Miami through the eyes of a dedicated journalist
and cultural advocate.