What I love (and hate) about Miami’s performing arts scene is that there are so many fantastic events going on at the same time. Since tele-porting doesn’t exist yet, one must plan accordingly to maximize impact. This weekend, like most, offers a plethora of on-going events worthy of consideration.

Deaf Poets.

Those up for a taste of Miami’s coolest local bands should head to The Vagabond on Friday, June 7th for the Summer Concert Series Kick-Off Party presented by Gummdrops, Jolt-Radio and Tropicult. The concert features my favorite local bands, Deaf Poets (previously interviewed for Knight Arts) and the Lil Daggers, with a live art installation by Alley Times. Doors open at 10 p.m. and, most importantly, there will be BBQ on site!

Before you head off to The Vagabond to see Deaf Poets, head about three blocks east to the Arsht Center for the kick-off of the 18th season of Summer Shorts, co-presented by City Theatre and the Adrienne Arsht Center. Summer Shorts is America’s Short Play Festival with “scripts penned by the country’s best writers, including City Theatre National Award For Short Playwriting Competition winners.” The festival will feature 12 new shorts, many of them world premieres, including the 2012 City Theatre National Award for Short Playwriting finalist, “Departure” by Holly Hepp-Galvan. Summer Shorts runs from June 7-30 in the Carnival Studio Theatre at the Arsht Center, with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 for all performances except Saturday evenings ($40). Visit www.arshtcenter.org for tickets and information. Groups of ten or more can call 786-468-2326 for special discounts.

After a weekend of summer theater and local music, head over to Temple Israel on Sunday, June 9th at 4 p.m. featuring Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell, the classically-trained African-American singer who converted to Judaism. The San Francisco Bay Area singer has performed with various opera companies in the San Francisco and New York, and made his opera debut 10 years ago in Philip Glass’s opera, “Appomattox.” For more information, visit www.jewishconcert.org/anthony-mordechai-tzvi-russell.