A free day at the Flagler Museum, modern jazz at the Norton, and a Whitney Houston blockbuster-turned-musical in Broward. Plus, a “Rocky Horror” tour and more in your week ahead.
THURSDAY
What: Founder’s Day
Where: Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 561/655-2833, flaglermuseum.us
If you’re thinking that it’s been far too long since you stepped through the front doors of the hallowed Flagler Museum, then Thursday is the perfect day to carve out some time. Every June 5, the museum offers free admission for everyone to enjoy this cultural treasure in honor of its namesake industrialist, Henry Flagler, and his granddaughter Jean Flagler Matthews; it’s the only day of the year admission fees are waived. Visitors are promptly immersed into the Gilded Age world of Flagler’s time through the museum’s opulent design and its permanent collection of period art and objects, and they may also climb aboard Flagler’s own private railcar, preserved in the Flagler Kenan Pavilion. The second floor, however, is closed at this time for restoration and conservation projects.
What: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th Anniversary Screening
Where: Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $47.20-$218.30
Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the ultimate sleeper hit in movie history. To wit, the transgressive musical comedy holds the record for the longest-running theatrical release in all of cinema; it’s still screening, in mostly midnight showings, 50 years after its premiere. But most screenings don’t feature one of the original cast members in attendance. This anniversary tour features a live appearance from Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors, and who will host this multimedia celebration. With the film running behind them, a shadow cast will perform the movie’s action and lip-sync its dialogue live onstage. The audience is invited to interact with the movie and, yes, even throw stuff at the screen (props and directions will be provided by the venue). And finally, fans are invited to compete in a costume contest and enjoy a memorabilia display in the lobby. The most expensive tickets ($218) include a photo op, autograph and meet-and-greet with Bostwick.
FRIDAY
What: Art After Dark
Where: Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
Cost: $10 adults, $5 students
Contact: 561/832-5196, norton.org
Many of our local arts institutions have begun to shutter for the summer, but luckily, there is no off-season at the Norton Museum of Art, whose weekly Art After Dark festivities continue apace throughout the steamy season. As always, visitors can enjoy an enlightening docent-led tour of either the museum’s permanent-collection highlights or its current signature exhibition, “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection,” at 5:30 and 7 p.m.; and participate in an art-making session with a guest teaching artist from 6 to 9 p.m. But this week’s biggest draw is the performance from Miami quartet Abstract Citizen from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The modern jazz group features the latest compositions from guitarist Aaron Lebos, a South Florida staple whose 25 years of experience include stints with Nicole Henry and Nu Deco Ensemble. Abstract Citizen blends in-the-pocket jazz craftsmanship with world-music vibes and luminous vocals.
What: First Friday Art Walk
Where: Downtown Delray Beach
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 561/243-1077, downtowndelraybeach.com
Friday marks your latest opportunity to dive into Delray’s thriving art scene, with 20 galleries and museums in the city’s walkable downtown staying open after hours. These include Arts Garage, which is exhibiting “Veterans’ Visions: In Honor of the Brave” as well as a solo exhibition from Mckinson Souverain; and Arts Warehouse, whose “Kilti: Revisited” showcases multimedia Haitian art. Additionally, artist Andres Lopez will create a vibrant artwork live during an immersive painting session, and Robert Secrist, a guitar virtuoso who made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 21, will perform an eclectic pop-up set from a song catalog that spans 500 years of history from Bach to Gershwin to the Rolling Stones. Enjoy complimentary soft drinks throughout the evening.
SATURDAY
What: Opening night of “The Bodyguard”
Where: Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $90.86
Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org
If any cinematic hit of the ‘90s seemed destined for a Broadway treatment, it was “The Bodyguard,” whose Whitney Houston-driven music—epic and belt-y and perfect for the footlights—would go on to generate the best-selling soundtrack of all-time. This musical, which premiered on the U.K.’s West End in 2012, retains Houston’s iconic songs from the film and even adds nine more—including “Saving All My Love for You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”—turning the show into a jukebox musical for the beloved R&B songstress. The narrative also places more heft on the singer originally portrayed by Houston, as she is forced to travel with a bodyguard after the discovery of credible death threats from a fan. Ta-Tynisa Wilson, a Broadway veteran who performed on Season 10 of “American Idol,” stars in this production from Slow Burn Theatre, which also features Gabriell Salgado, Lillie Eliza Thomas, Timothy Davis and Jaxon Compas. It runs through June 22.
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