Tuesday
Twyla Tharp at Society of the Four Arts, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; 3 p.m.; $15 to $35 or free for sustaining members; 561/655-7227 or www.fourarts.org
Boasting one of the most impressive resumes in dance history, choreographer Twyla Tharp is one of the few behind-the-scenes powerhouses in modern dance. She’s the Spielberg of the form: Dance enthusiasts will line around blocks to see her latest works, regardless of the onstage talent. More than anyone else, she’s bridged the gap between pop music and ballet with crossover hits like “Deuce Coupe,” “Movin’ Out” and “The Times They Are a Changin’,” and her newest tour, the Frank Sinatra-scored “Come Fly Away” hits the Kravis next month. In the meantime, enjoy this lecture at the Society of the Four Arts, where the living legend will speak about her life and career before signing copies of her 2005 best-seller “The Creative Habit.”
Master Playwright Series: William Mastrosimone at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First St., Delray Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $15 to $20; 561/450-6357 or www.artsgarage.org
When you’re watching the Oscars on Sunday, pay attention to the Best Documentary Feature award, where “If a Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front” vies for best picture. The movie charts the rise and capture of a group of E.L.F. activists, whose use of property damage on environmentally unfriendly edifices throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s led to the label “eco-terrorism.” But playwright William Mastrosimone had already plumbed this provocative territory in his 1991 play “Cat’s-Paw,” about a domestic eco-terrorist (a term that was basically unheard of until Timothy McVeigh’s bombing in Oklahoma City) who tries to justify the death of 27 people by arguing about the hundreds of thousands of people who died from water pollution, his motivation for the attack. The Arts Garage’s Lou Tyrrell, who scheduled this reading, calls Mastrosimone a prophet of the theatre. “The best of our playwrights are not just entertaining us; illuminate important elements of human behavior.”
Tuesday and Wednesday
Evidence Dance Company at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 561/832-7469 or www.kravis.org
As the most important African-American dance troupe to emerge since Alvin Ailey’s (see the next entry on this Week Ahead for more on Ailey), Evidence was formed by renowned choreographer Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and has been promoting the African diaspora through dance and storytelling ever since. These ambassadors of dance have taken their art global, from the Broadway footlights to stages in Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, performing a captivating cauldron of Cuban, Caribbean, West African and modern American dance forms. Like Tharp, Brown – who, as legend has it, began his choreographic career at age 2 – is more than comfortable crossing over into pop territory. In this week’s 25thAnniversary performance at the Kravis, the group will feature Brown’s latest work, “On Earth Together,” set to the music of Stevie Wonder.
Thursday to Saturday
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre at Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; show times vary; $20 to $120; 305/949-6722 or www.arshtcenter.org
This week’s dance bonanza continues with the most groundbreaking, important and influential of all African-American dance companies. It is estimated that Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre has performed for 23 million people in 71 countries on six continents, establishing a reputation as perhaps the most iconic modern dance company of the 20thcentury. Ailey himself died tragically of AIDS in 1989, but his legacy lives on, most recently through the appointment of Miami native Robert Battle as artistic director in 2011. For the Arsht Center performances, the group promises thrilling premieres as well as returning favorites.
Friday
Opening night of Delray Beach International Tennis Championships at Delray Beach Tennis Center, 201 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; event times vary; $25 to $250; 561/330-6000 or www.yellowtennisball.com
The annual tennis spectacular drew its highest attendance numbers last year, and it’s easy to see why: The ITC has transcended its origins as a simple ATP Tour stop to become one of the major events during Delray’s cultural season. In addition to separate tournaments for Champions Tour (Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Arias are headliners) and ATP players (Andy Roddick will take the court), festivities include numerous charity and society events, live music between matches and dining options exclusive to the ITC.
“A Clockwork Orange” at Cinema Paradiso, 503 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; 11 p.m.; $3 minimum donation at door; 954/525-3456 or www.fliff.com
You’ll never be able to listen to Ludwig Van Beethoven – or watch “Singin’ in the Rain” – the same way again after seeing “A Clockwork Orange,” Stanley Kubrick’s flashy, cynical and confrontational parable about aversion therapy. The film has lost none of its power 40 years after its initial release, and it promises to look great on the big screen. The event is sponsored by Further Factory, a local collective of artists, musicians and creators. The evening’s drink specials include the “Clocktail Orange” and the theater’s version of “Milk Plus.”
Saturday
Dana Carvey at Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $500; 954/537-1010 or www.bocacde.com
Obviously, judging by the ticket price, this is no ordinary Dana Carvey performance. The Emmy-winning funnyman is the guest of honor at the sixth annual Concours D’Elegance, one of the country’s most influential automotive events. The festivities run Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with Carvey’s performance part of Saturday’s Black Tie Optional Gala. Tickets include dinner, a live auction and the Carvey performance from 7 to 10, preceded by a reception and silent auction at 5:30. Carvey is most known for his coterie of memorable celebrity impersonations on “Saturday Night Live” and is a formidable standup talent. Proceeds from this luxurious event will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
Monday
Radiohead at AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 7:30 p.m.; $45 to $69; 786/777-1250 or www.ticketmaster.com
So Thom Yorke has grown his hair out, looking like a ‘90s grunge rocker and kind of un-Radiohead-like. But that’s OK. The choice reflects the groovier, less-pretentious and more loosy-goosey Radiohead that emerged on last year’s critically divisive “King of Limbs.” Expect to hear a boatload of tracks from that record at tonight’s performance, the band’s first in South Florida since 2008 and the first show of its 2012 North American tour. With no previous set lists to glean from this tour, the older songs should be a complete surprise. Here’s hoping, probably against hope, for “No Surprises.”
