It’s the end of July, which means we only have four to six weeks of summer left—depending whether you consider the first day of school (Aug. 18) or Labor Day (Sept. 1) as the end of summer. By now, you may be looking for a few alternatives to the beach. So here are my picks for some great late summer events going on in the Delray Beach area that don’t require bathing suits and sun tan lotion.
Shark Feedings
It’s not exactly like coming face to face with the ocean’s toughest predator, but it’s still a shark feeding–– even if it is a docile nurse shark. Every Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Sandoway House workers feed nurse sharks a breakfast of shrimp, sardines, and squid in a large swimming pool turned coral reef. While you don’t get to touch the hungry sharks, their handlers recite interesting and fun facts about the sharks and sometimes, you can hear the sound of a shark gulping down its breakfast –– it’ll sound like a big pop. If you can’t make it during the week, shark feedings are also held on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. There is a $4 admission fee for everyone over the age of 3.
Sandoway House Nature Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. For more information, call 561/274-7263 or visit sandowayhouse.org
Belly Dancing Classes
With daily afternoon thunderstorms and scorching heat, keeping active and doing a little exercise can prove to be a challenge. However, a little light belly dancing might be just the ticket. Throughout July, one-hour belly dancing classes will be offered at Veterans Park on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. courtesy of the Delray Beach Parks and Recreation department. Belly dancing not only helps improve your dance moves, but can also improve flexibility of the torso and joints, burn fat, improve circulation, and reduce stress. These classes are open to all ages and there is a $5 fee per class for Delray Beach residents and a $6 charge for non-residents.
Veterans Park, 802 N.E. 1st St., Delray Beach. For more information, call 561/ 243-7350 or click here.
Art Cinema at the Crest
If you’re not interested in watching this summer’s blockbusters or have gone through all your Netflix recommendations, try catching a movie at the Crest Theatre at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts (DBCA). As part of DBCA’s Art Cinema series, different films will be shown every Wednesday at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by a discussion on the film hosted by Caroline Breder-Watts. The Art Cinema series goes through August 27. Tickets to the screenings are free for DBCA members and $10 for non-members.
July 30 – Nebraska (R, adventure/drama)
August 6 – Led Zeppelin –The Song Remains the Same (PG, documentary)
August 13 – All About Eve (PG, drama)
August 20 – Inside Llewyn Davis (R, drama)
August 27 – Caddyshack (R, comedy)
Delray Beach Center for the Arts, Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, call 561/243-7922 or visit delrayarts.org.
Family Fun Day
Family Fun Day at the Delray Marketplace has plenty to keep your little tykes busy with different interactive games, crafts stations, face painting, a bounce house, fire truck tours, and more. The Delray Marketplace will be hosting this fun event on July 30 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, if you can’t make it then, it will be hosting another Family Fun Day on August 13th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free.
Delray Marketplace, 14851 Lyons Rd., Delray Beach. For more information, please call 561/865-4613 or visit delraymarket.com.
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Paper as Art Exhibit
Have a little time in the shade–– and get your arts fix with DBCA’s current exhibit, “From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Paper as Art.” The exhibit showcases approximately 75 intricate pieces where the paper is “transformed, manipulated, sculpted, or cut into two and three dimensional art…” by 20 participating artists –– four of whom call the Palm Beach County area home. The DBCA also has opened a kid-friendly gallery that allows your child to create his or her own interactive projects. The exhibit will run through August 24, Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5; there is no fee for children under six.
Delray Beach Center for the Arts, Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, please call 561/243-7922 or visit delrayarts.org.
About the author:
Michelle Ferrand is a junior at Florida Atlantic University studying English Literature, Sociology and Women’s Studies, who is interning at Boca Raton magazine this summer. Disappointed with the lack of magic in the real world, she prefers to be curled up reading a good book or binge watching television shows on Netflix. She prefers an actual book to an e-reader and no, she doesn’t want to be a teacher. You can reach Michelle at michelle@bocamag.com.
