Wednesday
Opening night of “Cirque du Soleil: Alegria” at BankAtlantic Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise; 7:30 p.m.; $38.75 to $98.75; 954/835-8000 orwww.bankatlanticcenter.com
With more than 20 unique shows touring regularly around the world, Cirque du Soleil never gets old. Except when the theme of growing older is ingrained in the show’s concept, as is the case with “Alegria” (which means “joy” in Spanish). Contrary to its title, “Alegria” is a dark and heavy production. The evolution of ancient monarchies to modern democracies sets the intellectual backdrop for the program, which finds the dazzling
contortionists, acrobats, trapeze artists and even clowns inhabiting characters such as fools, minstrels, beggars and aristocrats, all trying to resist time’s inevitable progression. The show runs through July 31.
Thursday
Screening of “Woman of the Year” at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $1 (includes popcorn and drink); 561/347-3948 orwww.willowtheatre.org
There doesn’t seem to be a theme for the current season of “Thursday Movie Classics” at Sugar Sand Park, but all the movies are good, so it’s fine by me. This week, it”s “Woman of the Year,” the first picture Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy worked on together and possibly their most sublime collaboration. Funny and observant, it’s a comedy with a proto-feminist message; well ahead of its time, this film won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 1942.
Opening night of Steve-O at Palm Beach Improv, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $25 with a two-drink minimum; 561/833-1812 orwww.palmbeachimprov.com
A University of Miami dropout and former Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop clown, Steve-O is one of the most notorious members of the “Jackass” crew. He is also the series’ most troubled prankster, enduring multiple arrests for everything from public urination to cocaine possession. In 2008, celebrity doctor Drew Pinskey had him placed in a two-week psychiatric hold after an alleged suicide attempt. So naturally, an apparently sober Steve-O is channeling his current creative juices into stand-up comedy. Hide the kids. He performs through Sunday.
Friday
Britney Spears at AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 7 p.m.; $26.50 to $347; 786/777-4328 or www.aaarena.com
Why am I promoting a Britney Spears concert in Miami? The same reason I’m plugging Steve-O’s comedy gig in West Palm: This is a really limited week for quality arts and entertainment, and I need to fill out this blog. Yes, that’s right, I just compared an internationally successful music megastar to a delinquent who stapled his scrotum to his leg. Both represent the lower end of pop culture, and both traffic in schadenfreude-inspiring public breakdowns and on-camera disasters. Spears is still easy on the eyes, though. Nicki Minaj, Jessie & the Toy Boys and Nervo will open the show.
“The Red Eye” at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 6 to 9 p.m.; $5; 954/462-8190 or www.artserve.org
The signature event of the nonprofit east Fort Lauderdale gallery ArtServe, this year’s one-night-only “Red Eye” festival appears to be just as eclectic and exciting as ever. A $5 cover charge provides access to a multimedia smorgasbord, including live music from Speaking Volumes, Half Head and DeRevo; spoken-word and poetry from a half-dozen local performers; short film premieres from local independent filmmakers; an avant-garde, “walking” fashion show; burgers, pizza and Mexican dishes from local restaurants; and more than 175 fine artworks in the lowbrow and pop-surrealist practices.
Mike Mineo CD release party at the Funky Buddha, 2621 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $10; 561/368-4643 or www.thefunkybuddha.com
Boca-based singer-songwriter Mineo is a unquenchable geyser of talent, having tried his hand at just about every genre under the sun in his debut album, tellingly titled “Eccentricity.” For his second release “Beach Season,” Mineo reins in his approach for a more stylistically focused affair, telling
Boca Ratonmagazine in a recent issue that the new album “is a dedication to the inspiration and beauty of the beach.” This evening’s $10 cover charge includes a copy of “Beach Season.”
Saturday
The Fab Faux at Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St, Fort Lauderdale; 8 p.m.; 954/462-0222 or www.parkerplayhouse.com
An annual treat during South Florida summers, the Fab Faux is justifiably admired as one of the best Beatles tribute acts in the country. Eschewing the desire, as many Beatles cover acts have, of emulating the Fab Four’s hairstyles, wardrobe and instruments, this talented quintet looks and acts like themselves, while playing some of the most accurate Beatles representations you’ll ever hear. I saw them in a sold-out show last year, in which they played “Sgt. Pepper’s” in its entirety, and I can attest to their greatness: This show is worth the hype. As usual, the live sound will be augmented by the Fab Faux’s backing groups, the Hogshead Horns and the Creme Tangerine Strings.
Sunday
Stephen Marley at Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 7:30 p.m.; $25; 954/564-1074 or www.ticketmaster.com
Stephen Marley will likely never shed his father’s name or shadow, for better or worse. Still, this 39-year-old offspring of reggae royalty Bob and Rita Marley has emerged as one of the most acclaimed musicians in the talented family, earning five Grammys for his efforts. Not bad considering he has only released two proper albums, his latest being “Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life.” Not content simply covering his father’s legendary songs, he’s
a new Marley to be reckoned with. And he lives in Miami, so chances are, this isn’t the last time South Florida audiences will have the opportunity to see him this year.
Monday
Ann Scott at Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 1 p.m.; free; 561/266-9490 or www.delraylibrary.org
Say what you want about Florida Governor Rick Scott’s policies on a number of issues, education included. No, really, say what you want – I’d love to hear them. The contentious Republican governor has, unsurprisingly, proved to be a polarizing figure, but there’s nothing controversial about promoting literacy. Ann Scott, the governor’s wife and Florida’s First Lady, will do just that Monday afternoon at our favorite library/nonprofit cultural organization. Scott will read several children’s books that are part of the library’s Summer Literacy Program. Come early for a good spot – I’m expecting a media madhouse.
