In 2012, Forbes ranked Miami the most miserable city in America, and for some reason the article has resurfaced as if were new news. The Misery Index, developed by economist Arthur Okun, takes employment and inflation into account.

Fernando Landeros.

For this study, Forbes also analyzed violent crime rates, foreclosures, taxes, home prices, political corruption and the weather, but no one measured the incidence of opera or poetry readings in Miami. The results weren’t pretty. Read the full details here.

What the Forbes study didn’t take into account is Miami’s booming art and culture scene and its impact (positive or negative) on this ‘miserable’ little town. I don’t want to minimize the importance of having a job and an affordable place to live, but it’s important to consider what impact, if any, art and culture can have in transforming and fostering the social and economic vitality of this city. Until I find an economist to help me develop The Art & Craft Beer Index (hint, hint), we have “Open Aria” or “Beau Soir” by Fernando Landeros to alleviate our collective suffering.

“Open Aria,” conceived by Landeros, a Juilliard grad from Tijuana who recently earned a doctorate in something called “collaborative piano” at the University Miami, explains: “Beau Soir is a series of house parties featuring classical music and craft beer, two things that — as it turns out— go perfectly together. Beer used to be seen as this low-class drink, and people often think of opera as stuffy and elitist. Craft beer has already proven that a once lowly beverage can be as complex and pleasurable as a great work of art. We want people to experience the pleasure of classical music as casually as they might enjoy a beer — and even better, to enjoy the two together.”

The monthly series will take place at a new venue each month. Each month will be dedicated to a different genre. September’s theme is aria and art song sung with a piano, there will be Italian art song in October, Spanish art song in November, and a holiday caroling party in December. The first event, which takes place September 24th, is an “open mic” night for classical singers. Local singers should show up with sheet music with piano accompaniment.

The Open ‘Mic’ Night for Classical Singers will take place at La Paloma Music Studio, 33 N.W. 118 St., Miami. For reservations and info, visit beausoir.us. The suggested donation is $5. RSVP here.