TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
What: Kyle Eastwood Band
Where: Jazziz Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25-$65
Contact: 561/300-0730, jazziz.com/nightlife
Chalk up another one for Jazziz, which has once again booked an important jazz act that wouldn’t have a proper South Florida venue otherwise. For Eastwood, his last name is a sort of blessing and curse; Clint’s son has seen countless doors in the entertainment industry open as a result of his father’s fame, but at the same time, the challenge of being accepted as his own artist—divorced from his dad’s influence—has taken years. Lord knows he looks remarkably like Clint: His steely eyes could captivate an entire CinemaScope canvas, and his music has made it into eight of his dad’s films, including “Mystic River” and “Million Dollar Baby.” But with every album from his 1998 debut onward, the quick-fingered bassist has come closer to realizing his individual identity. In jazz circles, his heritage has little bearing on his current reputation as one of the best stand-up bassists around. His current tour supports his latest release, “The View From Here,” which pays homage to the eclectic jazz sounds he discovered as a youth.
WEDNESDAY
What: Opening night of South Beach Comedy Festival
Where: Multiple venues in South Beach
When: Various show times
Cost: Varies per event
Contact: 800/745-3000, southbeachcomedyfestival.com
This staple of springtime laughter on Miami’s trendiest island returns with one of its strongest comedy lineups in years, but it begins as it always does—with a hilarious aperitif from Mad Cat, the experimental Miami theater company. At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the Fillmore’s intimate “Backstage” venue, Mad Cat will present the world premiere of “Earthquake,” written by company member Jessica Farr. It’s a caustic theater-world satire that explores the compromises and concessions playwrights must make to their new works before they can see the footlights of a Broadway stage. Mad Cat also has its claws in other programs at the festival, including two free showcases of local comedy, at 8 p.m. Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday. Other festival highlights include hipster favorite Hannibal Buress (8 p.m. Saturday), the ever astute Patton Oswalt (7:30 p.m. Thursday), and television icon Dave Chappelle for three shows (10 p.m. Thursday, 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday). Visit the festival’s website for a complete breakdown of events.
FRIDAY
What: Opening night of “White God”
Where: Lake Worth Playhouse’s Stonzek Theatre, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth
When: 4 and 8:15 p.m.
Cost: $6-$9
Contact: 561/586-6410, lakeworthplayhouse.org
This Hungarian feature, which its nation submitted for consideration in the 2015 Academy Awards, has been called “haunting” and “extraordinary,” with an m.o. that is both heartbreakingly moving and genuinely disturbing. When a 13-year-old girl, already suffering the trauma of her parents’ divorce, watches as her father abandons her beloved mixed-breed dog on the street, it sets off of a struggle between love and conflict, as the mutt will do anything to reunite with its owner—even if it means amassing every other canine in the dog kingdom in a War of The Species. More “Birds” than “Lassie Come Home,” “White God” has been praised for its handling of rescue dogs as legitimate protagonists; the movie set the world record for the number of dogs (274) used in a film, all of them being mixed-breed shelter dogs. It runs one week only, through April 16.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
What: Transatlantic Festival
Where: North Beach Park Bandshell, 501 72nd St., Miami Beach
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $15-$20 per day, $27 for two-day pass
Contact: 305/672-5202, rhythmfoundation.com
For more than 25 years, the Rhythm Foundation has been bringing music from across the globe to South Florida venues, notably in Miami and Hollywood. And one of the highlights of its programming is its annual Transatlantic Festival, which returns for its 13th year at underserved North Beach this weekend. The No. 1 attraction here is Wild Belle (pictured), the duo composed of siblings Elliot and Natalie Bergman, which released the lush, sensual, reggae-tinged indie-pop classic “Isles” in 2013. The festival’s other bookings reflect Rhythm Foundation’s intention to bring musical diversity to South Florida audiences, and include the 11-piece Afro-soul group Budos Band, the Parisian-born hip-hop/Latin musician Ana Tijoux, the experimental Colombian dance sextet Puerto Candelaria, and Miami indie sensations My Deer and Bluejay. Stick around both nights for an after-party at nearby Sandbar Lounge.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY
What: The Delray Affair
Where: Downtown Delray Beach
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free
Contact: 561/279-0907, delrayaffair.com
Long before South Floridians had any other reason to stop in the sleepy outpost known as Delray Beach, they still came in droves for the Delray Affair, the prescient art festival that first spread its canvas across Atlantic Avenue in 1962. More than half a century later, it’s still growing strong, it’s still stopping traffic, and it’s still a marathon for organizers, artists and attendees alike: a sprawl of 12 city blocks that proudly bills itself as the largest arts and crafts festival in the southeastern United States. Visitors can expect to view and purchase work by artists and crafters from 30 states and 12 countries, with a special emphasis on the fun and the funky. In addition, the Delray Affair is bringing back last year’s “Art of the Automobile” showcase, featuring a different collection of vintage American, European and “future classic” cars parked each day at Old School Square Park. And launching this month, the Affair’s enhanced mobile app finally brings this middle-aged institution into the 21st century, offering color-coded maps and personal event scheduling for easy smart phone navigation.
SATURDAY
What: Midtown Peace, Love and Wellness Festival
Where: Main Street at Midtown, 4801 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 561/282-4623, midtownpga.com
Now in its third year, this afternoon block party celebrates healthy lifestyles in a fun, eclectic atmosphere, while offering an ideal showcase for Midtown’s restaurants and shops for out-of-town visitors. Local music favorites Ketchy Shuby and Hip Abduction will perform, while attendees can enjoy massages, aerial yoga demonstrations and free gentle yoga classes. Dogs are welcome at the “Yappy Hour” at Cantina Loredo, and children’s activities include a Kids Rock ‘n’ Roll Tent, mural painting, face painting and roving characters. Nosh on items from food trucks and Midtown restaurants and visit the dozens of vendors specializing in health, home, fitness, fashion, wellness and beauty products.
What: Alan Cumming: Uncut
Where: Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $43-$108
Contact: 954/462-0222, parkerplayhouse.com
In his 25-plus years in show business, Alan Cumming has emerged as a naughty LGBT icon, a cult figure on stage and screen with enough panache and talent to excel in mediums are varied as network drama (“The Good Wife”), art-house cinema (“Eyes Wide Shut,” “Urbania”) and Shakespearean theater (he tackled “Hamlet”). But this cabaret tour, which arrives just days after the closing of his award-nominated lead performance in Broadway’s “Cabaret,” features Cumming at his most personal and unfiltered. Given his eclectic track record, it’s no surprise that his cabaret act—which features pop songs as well as more eccentric choices—is also something a variety show, with comedy and storytelling woven through the concert. Popular drag performer Dina Martina will open the show.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
What: Tortuga Music Festival
Where: Fort Lauderdale Beach
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Cost: $99-$799
Contact: tortugamusicfestival.com
Can you tell that we’re smack in the heart of spring festival season in South Florida? One of the area’s newest festivals, sandwiched between Ultra and SunFest, is this country-dominated party on the sun-drenched sand of Fort Lauderdale beach, and dedicated audiences have already established it as a top area attraction. With a lineup as impressive as this year’s twangy roundup, it’s easy to see why: Kenny Chesney (pictured), Zac Brown Band, Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, David Nail, Chase Rice, Colt Ford, and this goes on. Groovy classic-rock legends the Doobie Brothers, reggae festival favorites Sublime with Rome and Americana singer-songwriter Will Hoge offer respites from the country-radio dominance. As far as finding a place to park anywhere near the festival’s two stages? Godspeed. We recommend arriving around dawn.
