The Heartbeat of Miami: Exploring Culture and Arts with Celia Almeida
Release Date: 05/26/2025
ATOMIK: 30 Years of Graffiti, Miami Culture & Leaving His Mark Around the World
Que Bola Podcast
For Episode 111 of the Que Bola Podcast, I sit down with Miami spray can artist ATOMIK for a conversation spanning three decades of graffiti, creativity and South Florida culture. ATOMIK takes me back to growing up around Miami graffiti in the 1980s, discovering early influences, receiving formal art training and eventually beginning his own spray-paint journey in the mid-'90s. He explains how his style evolved from technical lettering and traditional graffiti into the orange character that became his signature after the demolition of the Miami Orange Bowl. We also get into the culture behind...
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How La Goony Chonga Turned Authenticity Into a Global Movement
Que Bola Podcast
In Episode 110 of the Que Bola Podcast, I sit down with Miami artist La Goony Chonga for an open conversation about culture, music, motherhood and independent entrepreneurship. She takes us back to writing songs in school, recording early YouTube freestyles and discovering home studios through classmates at art school. She explains how making her first Spanish-language songs helped her recognize a creative identity that combined hip-hop, reggaeton and the Miami chonga culture she grew up around. We discuss her experiences working as a dancer in New York and Los Angeles, what the job taught her...
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CCW Champion Domino: Pain, Purpose, and Miami Pride
Que Bola Podcast
Domino, also known as Mr. Adrian Castro, joins Que Bola Podcast for a real conversation about wrestling, Miami culture, discipline, vulnerability, and what it takes to become CCW World Heavyweight Champion. We talk about his early love for wrestling, the Union Beer Store days, how his Miami and Cuban roots shaped the Domino persona, the grind of wrestling school, and the emotional responsibility that comes with performing for fans. This episode goes beyond the ring. Domino opens up about mental health, the pressure Latin men feel to hide vulnerability, the adrenaline crash after performing,...
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How Miami Secretly Shaped Global Electronic Music | Danny Daze
Que Bola Podcast
Miami electronic music pioneer Danny Daze joins the Que Bola Podcast for one of the deepest conversations yet about underground music culture, creativity, risk-taking, and the future of artistic expression. In this episode, Danny breaks down: the untold story of Miami bass and electronic music culture growing up surrounded by freestyle, breakdancing, and underground scenes his journey from house arrest to global touring artist why “the underground” no longer exists the reality of DJ ego and gatekeeping AI’s impact on music building community through Omnidisc and why immersive real-world...
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DJ Craze on Winning 3 World Titles, Miami Roots & DJ Culture:
Que Bola Podcast
In Episode 107 of the Que Bola Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with a true legend in the game — DJ Craze — a 3-time DMC World Champion and one of the most respected DJs in the world. We started at the top, talking about what it really means to win not just one, but three world titles. Craze breaks down the level of discipline, obsession, and sacrifice it takes to compete at that level — something most people will never fully understand unless they’ve lived it. From there, we rewind the story back to the beginning. Growing up in Miami after being born in Nicaragua, Craze shares...
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Hookers, Hustle & Homegrown Miami Real Stories with Alan T
Que Bola Podcast
In this episode of the Que Bola Podcast, I sit down with Alan T for a conversation that goes from Miami memories to Colombia travel stories and everything in between. We talk about growing up around Biscayne, how neighborhoods change over time, and how life experiences teach lessons you can’t learn anywhere else. Alan shares stories from his nightlife journey, cultural differences, and funny situations you can only understand if you’ve lived them. We also talk about street knowledge, real life struggles, and how the environment you grow up in shapes your personality. This episode is...
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The Mind Behind Depinga Weather: Comedy, Culture & Clout | Ep. 105
Que Bola Podcast
Nick Garcia, aka Mr. Depinga, is a sketch comedian and rapper best known as the face behind @DepingaWeather — the viral parody weather reports that turned everyday forecasts into cultural moments. Blending sharp Miami humor, Latino flavor, and raw musical energy, he’s built a platform where comedy meets rhythm and real life. From viral skits to original music, Mr. Depinga brings the forecast with 100% humidity and zero filter. Follow the movement. The weather’s always wild here.
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Chasing Dreams: Quitting the 9-to-5 for Stand-Up Success
Que Bola Podcast
In this episode of our podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Carlos Hernandez, a talented bilingual comedian and musician, who has been making waves in the South Florida entertainment scene. We kicked off the conversation with some light banter about my music duo, Oro Fresco, which recently earned the title of Miami New Times Best Latin Act for 2024. I shared insights about his unique sound, blending genres like Dembow, Reggaeton, and jungle music, and even teased us with a snippet of his song "Nubes." As we transitioned into deeper topics, we discussed the realities of aging and...
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125 Years of Impact: The Legacy and Future of the Miami Women's Club
Que Bola Podcast
In this episode of the Que Bola Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Metris Batts, the first African-American president of the Miami Women's Club, as we celebrated the club's 125th anniversary. Our conversation delved into the rich history of the Miami Women's Club, which was founded in 1900, just four years after the city of Miami itself. Metris shared fascinating insights about the club's origins, highlighting how it began as a gathering of women who would meet on Julia Tuttle's porch to read and share books, eventually evolving into a significant force for community service and...
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Behind the Laughter: Fleyva's Transformation from Musician to Comedian
Que Bola Podcast
In this episode of the Que Bola podcast, we dive deep into the journey of Fleyva, a rising star in the comedy scene and social media influencer. Join us as we discuss the evolution of Fleyva from a musician to a comedic sensation, the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry, and the importance of consistency and gratitude in achieving success. We explore topics such as: The shift in spending habits among millennials and its impact on the economy. Fleyva's unique origin story and how his character came to life. The transition from social media to live performances and the...
info_outlineIn 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.