Delray’s diversity fest returns with free food and entertainment, the Norton honors women artists, and Miami City Ballet presents Balanchine’s dazzling gems. Plus, the English Beat, “Spamilton” and more in your week ahead.
THURSDAY
What: Opening night of “Side By Side By Sondheim”
Where: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $60
Contact: 305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org
Stephen Sondheim’s death this past November left a titanic-sized vacuum on the American stage. Zoetic Stage had already slated a Sondheim production for this spring, but in light of the master’s passing, expect the company’s take on this classic musical revue to serve an added layer of poignancy alongside the rousing, comedic and complex melodies that were Sondheim’s stock in trade. “Side By Side By Sondheim” features songs from “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Anyone Can Whistle” and “Pacific Overtures.” This production marks the continuation of Zoetic Stage’s long and fruitful relationship with Sondheim that, so far, has included award-winning productions of “Assassins,” “Passion,” “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Sweeney Todd.” “Side By Side” runs through April 10.
FRIDAY
What: The English Beat
Where: Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $26
Contact: 954/564-1074, cultureroom.net
Britain’s the Beat, founded in Birmingham in 1978 and christened the English Beat in the U.S. for legal reasons, were one of foundational bands in the then-nascent genre of second-wave ska. The English Beat emerged from the still-burning embers of punk and fused its rebellious ethos with Jamaican reggae leanings, creating three twitchy, edgy, dancehall-friendly albums from 1980 to 1982 and a handful of iconic bangers, including “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Save It For Later.” Now, 40 years after the release of their last album, founding frontman and guitarist Dave Wakeling is all that remains of the original lineup, touring the hits at intimate clubs along with a sextet of seasoned ska and rock musicians. Throw on the Doc Martens and hoof it up to hits from the Beat and Wakeling’s other prominent group, General Public (“Tenderness”).
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
What: “Spamilton: An American Parody”
Where: Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd., Davie
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $35-$55
Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org
Parody, they say, is the highest form of flattery, and Gerard Alessandrini of “Forbidden Broadway” fame expresses his appreciation of pop-culture sensation “Hamilton” through humor, and songs such as “In the Hype,” “The Fresh Prince of Big Hair” and “The Film When It Happens.” Lin-Manuel Miranda himself said he “laughed [his] brains out” after attending a performance.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY
What: “Jewels”
Where: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $30-$110
Contact: 561/832-7469, kravis.org
Some of us, when we walk into Van Cleef and Arpels, leave with half of our savings gone in a flash. For others, like choreographer extraordinaire George Balanchine, a visit to the famed jewelers resulted not in an extravagant purchase but a eureka moment of inspiration—three such eurekas, to be precise. For 1967’s “Jewels,” his first full-length abstract ballet, Balanchine decided to dress his dancers in attire reminiscent of Van Cleef’s gems, though in markedly different settings. The three works comprising “Jewels” are “Emeralds” (set in a misty forest in 19th century France), “Rubies” (set in a sassy Jazz Age nightclub) and “Diamonds” (a tribute to the pageantry of Imperial Russian ballet).
SATURDAY
What: All People’s Day Diversity Festival
Where: Pompey Park, 1101 N.W. Second St., Delray Beach
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 561/495-9818, allpeoplesday.org
This celebration of Delray Beach’s diverse populations returns after a two-year pandemic pause, once again offering free food, entertainment and other activities in the spirit of inclusive celebration and community building. A tradition dating back to 1973, All People’s Day is set within the air-conditioned indoor confines of the Pompey Park gymnasium, and features up to 15 musical and dance performances, among them the Delray Divas, Chinese Performing Arts and the Milagro Center Drummers. Culturally varied restaurants will serve free food, and children can enjoy puppet making, origami peace crane folding and other activities. Local craft vendors and nonprofit booths round out this annual experience.
What: Women’s Walk Community Day
Where: Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Museum Admission ($15-$18)
Contact: 561/832-5196, norton.org
The Norton Museum is celebrating Women’s History Month in jam-packed and eclectic fashion this year, with an entire day of activities celebrating women artists of all stripes. Events include children’s activities (“Revolutionary Storytime,” 11:30 a.m.), a workshop to learn Japanese-style paper marbling (noon to 4 p.m.), a pop-up store featuring four local women-owned businesses (noon to 4 p.m.), garden games like giant Jenga, Connect Four and cornhole (noon to 4 p.m.), live music from Denver-based indie singer-songwriter Esme Patterson (12:30 p.m.), an artist demonstration (1 to 4 p.m.), a panel discussion on female craft brewers (1 to 2 p.m.), followed by a beer tasting, and more. Don’t forget to check out the Women’s Walk, an ongoing list of engraved names of women artists, on nearby picturesque Cranesnest Way.
What: Opening night of “C[h]oral Stories and Collective Actions”
Where: Art and Culture Center, 1650 Harrison St., Hollywood
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Cost: $7
Contact: 954/921-3274, artandculturecenter.org
Like the double meaning in this exhibition suggests, it’s about coral, but it also represents a chorus of artists pooling their talents to raise awareness about this shrinking natural resource. Coral reefs, which provide food and habitat for up to 25 percent of all ocean species, are suffering devastating degradation from climate change and man-made pollution. In “C[h]oral Stories and Collective Actions,” eight artists, including AMLgMATD, Beatriz Chachamovits, Caecilia Tripp and Kerwin Rolland, Elaine Defibaugh, Lauren Shapiro and Morel Doucet, present their unique perspectives on these “rainforests of the sea.” The exhibition runs through May 15.
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