For its annual Ginzatropicalia graffiti event, an art exhibition paying tribute to street culture and art from December 5 to 7 during Art Basel, SushiSamba moved off Miami Beach and into central midtown.
"It's such an urban area, and there is so much culture with the design district and Little Haiti nearby, so it only made sense for us to have an event dedicated to street art here," said Dejha Carrington, senior account executive at event producers Treskoi PR.
Graffiti artists used the industrial aspects of the exhibition's locale at the Station-the future site of the restaurant's new Sugarcane Lounge, opening in December 2009-as the canvas for their works, which covered the walls, supports, and ceiling.
In keeping with the urban vibe, a skate ramp-also covered in graffiti-was set up inside for the professional skateboarders, who performed throughout the weekend. Additionally, break-dancers were added to the mix for a special performance on Saturday night during the Ginzatropicalia Gets Up party, which was free to the public.
Each night during the exhibit's run, the crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk and the pop-up Sugarcane Lounge, where guests could relax on couches from Home Furniture and Patio or dine at the café on sushi and cocktails from SushiSamba and liquor sponsor Cabana Cachaca.
![The Ginzatropicalia sign was part of the silent auction, with each letter starting at $150.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2008/12/e13760ginza_stand.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The Ginzatropicalia sign was part of the silent auction, with each letter starting at $150.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Graffiti artists played off of the industrial aspect of the space by using the walls, supports, and ceiling as the canvas for their works.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The skate ramp was auctioned off after the show's end with the proceeds benefiting the Brazilian rain forest.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Professional skateboarders performed throughout the weekend on the skate ramp inside the exhibit.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Break dancers from Katie Stirman Dance Entertainment performed on Saturday night.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_5.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Saturday night's party also featured a fashion show from Stone Rose.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e13760ginza_6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)