The Wick opens a musical on the “King” of pop, the South Florida Fair blinds us with science, and Mizner Park gets its drink on. Plus, Al Di Meola and more in your week ahead.
THURSDAY
What: Opening night of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
Cost: $119
Contact: thewick.org
The creators of this jukebox musical—which would win two Tony Awards upon its 2014 Broadway premiere—had no shortage of material to work with: As a songwriter, often paired with creative and romantic partner Gerry Goffin, Carole King is one of popular music’s back-of-the-house giants, penning iconic hits for the Shirelles, the Drifters, the Monkees, Aretha Franklin, the Byrds and countless others. While foregrounding this timeless material, “Beautiful” pulls back the curtain on King’s personal life, particularly her rocky marriage to the philandering Goffin and her reluctant emergence as a formidable singer in her own right, which manifested itself most fully on her 1971 masterpiece Tapestry. In The Wick’s much-anticipated production, Monet Sabel and Sean William Davis lead a cast of 20 under the direction of Jeffrey B. Moss. The show runs through Feb. 16.
FRIDAY
What: Opening day of South Florida Fair
When: Starting at noon
Where: South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach
Cost: $15-$45
Contact: 561/793-0333, southfloridafair.com
Finally: A South Florida Fair theme that seems specifically targeted to us nerds, techies, Trekkies and futurists. Visitors are invited to “Imagine the Future” at this year’s 17-day extravaganza, thanks in part to an exposition called “Science Fiction, Science Fact,” designed by an Australian company. Its 15 interactive exhibitions explore concepts on the cutting edge of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and metaphysics—even such far-out ideas as telekinesis and invisibility—with titles such as “Beam Me Up,” “Hey, That Robot’s Copying Me,” “Wormholes Through Space” and “Our Quantum Future.” The exposition space is, of course, only one facet of the sprawling fairgrounds, which include midway rides and carnival games, live music and other entertainment (including, befitting the year’s theme, a “Sci-Fi on Ice” show), an agricultural showcase, tours of the historic Yesteryear Village and, of course, funnel cake. Festivities run through Feb. 2.
What: Al Di Meola
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Parker, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
Cost: $40-$118.50
Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org
Guitar god Al Di Meola is the first to admit he wasn’t born with a golden pick clasped between his infant figures. His ascendance to just about every authority’s list of the greatest acoustic guitarists in the jazz and rock worlds came after a monastic study regimen of eight to 10 hours a day during his high school summers in Bergenfield, New Jersey. The labor has paid off in the form of some 27 releases since 1976, not to mention his earlier tenure with Chick Corea and jazz fusion pioneers Return to Forever. Known for his complex rhythm syncopation and lyrical, seemingly effortless precision, Di Meola has joined legends from Pavarotti to Paul Simon, and has recently returned to his formative musical love, the Beatles, on 2020’s Across the Universe. His latest release, 2024’s Twentyfour, is a meditative 15-song selection that showcases his flamenco influences in full flower.
SATURDAY
What: Boca Beer, Wine and Spirits Festival
When: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
Cost: $50 (designated driver $15)
Contact: summerfestusa.com/boca-fest
The capacious grounds of Mizner Park Amphitheater will once again provide the ideal backdrop for a merry evening of drinking, eating, socializing and enjoying live entertainment. The parent company of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Fest hosts similar events around the country, from New York to Los Angeles, but the 30+ drink vendors here are locally driven, from MIA Beer and Funky Buddha Brewing to Everglades Distillers, Iron Smoke Distillery and South Beach Brew. Enjoy unlimited samples of their creative libations, and supplement with food prepared on site and available for purchase. Interactive games, entertainment and nonfood vendors complete the experience.
SUNDAY
What: Joshua Espinoza Trio: Jazz Meets the Beatles
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach
Cost: $45-$50
Contact: 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org
Jazz artists have been covering the Beatles long before genres began melding as fluidly as they do today, whether it’s Ella Fitzgerald’s big-band take on “Can’t Buy Me Love,” Wes Montgomery’s visionary “A Day in the Life,” George Benson’s “Because/Come Together” medley, or countless others. Pianist Joshua Espinoza is the latest in the ongoing lineage of artists to infuse the Fab Four with the improvisatory freedom of jazz. A finalist in the 2018 Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Competition, Espinoza has released two albums with his trio of bassist Kris Monson and drummer Jaron Lamar Davis. His latest is anchored by renditions of “Yesterday” and “In My Life” that take refreshing liberties with the originals while retaining their poignancy. Influenced as much by classical composer Maurice Ravel as by Chick Corea, with a jubilant style that surprises and caresses, Espinoza and his ace band will play these tunes, renditions of classics by Billy Joel and Leonard Cohen, and likely some originals as well.
For more of Boca magazine’s arts and entertainment coverage, click here.
