Silhouettes Is Helping Expand Miami's Alternative Spaces

Miami's underground scene has long been a haven for creatives, misfits, and lovers of the alternative. However, over the past decade, spaces for alternative and queer performers have been rapidly vanishing due to rising rents, gentrification, and an increasing focus on high-end tourism. Many of the venues that once provided vital platforms for underground artists have shuttered, leaving performers and musicians struggling to find places to showcase their art.

Enter Silhouettes, the largest alternative party in Miami, a bimonthly spectacle organized by Sofia Luna and Alice Dee that brings together the best of Miami's underground culture at the Sandbox Stage in Miami Beach. It has quickly cemented itself as the go-to event for those seeking a dynamic mix of music, performance art, and community.

Silhouettes is more than just a party — it's an immersive experience. Every event showcases a carefully curated lineup of local bands, drag and burlesque performers, and an eclectic vendor market. Attendees can browse a mix of vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, baked goods, and other oddities while soaking in the raw energy of the performers. The event's inclusive and celebratory atmosphere makes it a rare gem in Miami's nightlife, offering an alternative to the mainstream club scene.

A Melting Pot of Alternative Art and Music

The event isn't just about entertainment; it's about challenging norms and making people uncomfortable in the best possible way. Luna and Dee take pride in curating performances that push the limits of traditional nightlife, often featuring unconventional and provocative themes.

The event frequently experiments with unusual concepts such as "Clown Girls Galore," a circus and clown-themed showcase, and "El Cemetario," a goth celebration of Latinx queer culture.

"Our tagline is 'by alt people for alt people,' and while that means a certain aesthetic and music genre. We're also about people living on the fringe in ways that are unconventional and true to their highest authentic selves," Luna says. "We realized that the so-called alt parties that were happening were not really organized by people in the community and lifestyle anymore, and it was becoming commercial and inauthentic for monetary reasons. We always aim to represent marginalized communities."

Silhouettes favors a raw, unfiltered underground aesthetic that embraces untucked performers and torn fishnets rather than polished, mainstream-friendly versions of alternative culture. Luna recalled a moment during their "Stab" horror show in October when a particularly gory performance caused one audience member to walk out in disgust.

When the Sandbox Stage first approached Luna about producing a show there, she saw it as an opportunity to break free from creative limitations.

"At the time, I was at a place where I felt very uninspired and creatively limited to what I could do in burlesque and my performances," Luna explains. "I wanted to take myself back to what drove me at the beginning of my career and the shows where I felt I could be the most uncensored, unwatered-down version of myself."

She recalled performing at legendary alternative venues like Churchill's Pub and Las Rosas, both of which have now closed, and wanted to recreate that energy. More than anything, she wanted to have fun without someone telling her how she should perform or how she should look.

Dee echoes this sentiment: "Silhouettes was created to give a home to all the performers who have ever felt outcast from society. We pride ourselves in creating a safe space where all performers can feel comfortable expressing their art and not have any boundaries to it. We want people to feel shocked, intrigued, aroused, inspired, and, above all, entertained."

Making Room for Alternative Performers

As Miami's spaces and events for local musicians and performers continue to disappear, it can seem at times like the local alternative scene is smaller than ever. Beloved venues that once provided stages for underground artists have closed, leaving independent musicians, drag artists, and alternative performers scrambling for opportunities. This shift has made events like Silhouettes more vital than ever, serving as a stronghold for Miami's underground art scene and offering a much-needed space for creative expression.

For those who'd rather spend Valentine's Day drenched in nostalgia and dark eyeliner than in clichéd romance, Silhouettes' upcoming event, (He)artbr(ok)en, offers the perfect alternative for all of the retired emo kids out there.

Set for February 14, this emo-themed extravaganza will bring together a lineup that caters to both heartbreak and headbanging. Bands Disputer and Default Friends promise to deliver an unforgettable performance featuring covers of classic emo anthems and their own original music.

The night wouldn't be complete without a stellar roster of some of Miami's best performers, with burlesque and drag acts by Persephone Von Lips, Circus Joshira, Sweet Charity, Sofia Luna, and Alice Dee, with DJ Spell keeping the crowd moving between sets.

Silhouettes isn't just another party but a community hub fostering creativity and inclusivity. In a city that often prioritizes VIP bottle service and high-end exclusivity, Silhouettes offers a much-needed space for artists and audiences who crave authenticity. It actively nurtures Miami's alternative scene by providing a stage for local musicians, performance artists, and small business owners and ensures that underground culture continues to thrive in the 305.

As Silhouettes continues to grow, it remains a testament to the power of untethered creativity and the importance of creating spaces for self-expression. Whether you're a longtime member of Miami's alt community or a newcomer looking for a night out that breaks the mold, Silhouettes welcomes all with open arms — and maybe a little bit of eyeliner.
This Valentine's Day, if you're looking for an event that embraces the beauty of being (He)artbr(ok)en, grab your fishnets, dust off your My Chemical Romance T-shirt, and head to Sandbox. Silhouettes is waiting.

(He)artbr(ok)en. 10 p.m. Friday, February 14, at the Sandbox Stage, 6752 Collins Ave., Ste. B, Miami Beach; instagram.com/thesandbox.miamibeach. Tickets cost $15 to $20 via eventbrite.com.