An adventurous jazz guitarist plays Fort Lauderdale, a wedding-set comedy opens in Wilton Manors, and a Billy Joel tribute performs for free in Delray. Plus, medium Tyler Henry and more in your week ahead.
THURSDAY
What: Opening night of “At the Wedding”
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors
Cost: $43
Contact: 954/928-9800, islandcitystage.org
Weddings, if you’re not the couple tying the knot, can be an unusual place to spend a few hours—an experience that often finds one mingling with strangers, consuming inordinate amounts of free alcohol, and perhaps oversharing, among other overs. These are the sort of nuptials attended by Carlo, the feisty protagonist of Bryna Turner’s briskly paced play “At the Wedding.” She’s the ex-girlfriend of the bride, Eva, who, much to Carlo’s chagrin, is marrying a man. Turner never introduces us to the groom, focusing our attention on Carlo and the guests she encounters throughout the show—including a straight couple on the verge of a proposal that might not be the best path forward, a bridesmaid envious of the maid of honor, and a waiter who provides his own forms of entertainment. Andy Rogow directs this production for Island City Stage, which runs through Sept. 14.
FRIDAY
What: Turnstiles
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
Cost: Free, or $50 for VIP seats
Contact: downtowndelraybeach.com
Billy Joel is having a moment again, appearing on podcasts and promoting a critically acclaimed two-part documentary about his life, “And So It Goes,” that appeared last month on HBO. Turnstiles, Florida’s preeminent Billy Joel tribute band, is likewise having its moment in the sun, having come off a string of dates with indie rock royalty Vampire Weekend—including the extraordinary opportunity to play Madison Square Garden, the longtime haunt of Joel himself. Which is all to say that it’s a great time to be Turnstiles, whose sound captures Joel’s peak period of performance, complete with six musicians including frontman Tony Monaco, whose resemblance to his idol—both in sound and looks—borders on the uncanny. Expect an exuberant hometown performance this weekend; Turnstiles will take the stage at 7:30, preceded by opening act the Flyers at 5:45 p.m. Arrive early for happy hour drink prices at 5 p.m.
What: Randy Bernsen and Curious Minds
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Savor Cinema, 503 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale
Cost: $20
Contact: 954/525-3456, fliff.com
The poster for jazz guitarist’s Randy Bernsen’s third-annual live engagement at Savor Cinema depicts the leader and his band as fully suited astronauts playing their instruments on the lunar surface, their space shuttle behind them. This imagery suggests the exploratory nature, adventurous journeys and “out of this world” possibilities of jazz fusion, Bernsen’s métier since his high school and college days here in South Florida. Beginning with his debut album in 1984, Bernsen has played with many greats of straight-ahead and crossover jazz, among them Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller and Joe Zawinul. Expect a wide-ranging set that encompasses pop hits from the Beatles, jazz standards and originals, performed with his current five-piece band.
SUNDAY
What: Staged reading of “2 Across”
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton
Cost: $20
Contact: 561/558-2520, levisjcc.org
To quote one of the two characters in this romantic comedy—and as any crossword fanatic knows—“Crosswords are a metaphor for life. Those who finish, succeed; those who don’t, fail.” “2 Across” is set on a 4:30 a.m. San Francisco BART train whose only riders are a middle-aged man and woman, both married to other people, both trying to complete the same New York Times crossword puzzle. He’s a free-spirited former ad executive; she’s a sensible psychologist. He usually gives up when the clues get too cryptic; she won’t quit until every square is filled. Their divergent personalities and puzzling skills come to a head during this 80-minute play set in real in time, which takes them to places far beyond pencils and newsprint. Experience all of the heart and humor “2 Across” at this budget-friendly staged reading.
What: Tyler Henry
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood
Cost: $60.75 and up
Contact: 800/937-0010, seminolehardrockhollywood.com
What do Snooki, RuPaul, Megan Fox and Nancy Grace have in common? Beyond their seven-figure incomes, they’ve all been “read” by Tyler Henry, whose four seasons of “Hollywood Medium” on the E! network featured dozens of A- and B-listers from all walks of celebrity life being dazzled by the young Californian’s ability to solicit and receive information from the Other Side. In Henry’s most sobering psychic “hit,” he warned Alan Thicke of potential heart problems; a few months later, the actor died of an aortic dissection. Hopefully, the messages coming from Tyler at this live reading, titled “An Evening of Hope and Healing” will be on the more positive side. Tyler will explain how he works, read select audience members and answer questions.
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