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TUESDAY (TODAY)

What: Opening night of “Matilda the Musical”

Where: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

When: 8 p.m.

Cost: $28-$80

Contact: 561/832-7469, kravis.org

Contrary to common perception, there are still musicals being produced that aren’t based on movies. “Matilda the Musical” owes its origins to the Roald Dahl novel about a titular, imaginative 5-year-old who changes the lives of those around her while overcoming obstacles. The controversial humorist Tim Minchin reined himself in to provide the music and lyrics for this zippy and heartwarming story, and in 2012, “Matilda” went on to break the records for the most Olivier Awards won in its native England—and later score Time magazine’s coveted No. 1 Show of the Year on Broadway. This national tour and South Florida premiere runs through Sunday only.

What: The Zen Gala

Where: Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale

When: 7 p.m.

Cost: $30

Contact: http://www1.ticketmaster.com/the-zen-galaofficial-launch-partythe-zen-ft-lauderdale-florida-03-01-2016/event/0D00502B0DD0BCE4?artistid=2199715&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1#

It’s probably too late to book a cabin on the Zen Cruise, the Cozumel-bound Royal Caribbean boat leaving South Florida on Thursday for a four-night confab of wellness and New Age activities. But tonight, for $30, you can experience a few audiovisual tapas from the cruisers’ vacation while remaining fully landlocked. The evening includes performances by Zen Cruise talent Trevor Hall (pictured), who integrates spiritual practices into his reggae-rock fusion sound; Dixon’s Violin, which utilizes an electronic looper to create a symphonic sound from just one stringed instrument; and Paloma Devi, a golden-voiced soul singer, dancer and yogini. A DJ, vendor booths and performance artists complete the activities.

WEDNESDAY

What: Vanilla Fudge

Where: The Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton

When: 8 p.m.

Cost: $35-$55

Contact: 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com

Radio stations these days wouldn’t know what to do with the molten, heavy psych-rock of Vanilla Fudge, the legendary Long Island quartet that has existed, on and off, since 1966. But even in the group’s peak years, selling a lot of records—or, to be gauche about it, “moving a lot of units”—was never its top priority. Chiefly, its goal has been reinterpretation: taking well-worn pop nuggets and morphing them into psychedelic gold through a thunderous sound that anticipated heavy metal. In the mainstream rock world, there may be fewer songs less radio-friendly, and more sonically adventurous, than Vanilla Fudge’s nine-minute cover of Eleanor Rigby; ditto to its inspired takes on classics by Neil Diamond (“I’m a Believer,”) Donovan (“Season of the Witch,”) and The Doors (“Break On Through”), which have all turned up on recent set lists, along with its most famous cut, The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” which could peel the paint off a wall.

What: Opening night of “Men Are From Mars/Women Are From Venus LIVE”

Where: Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale

When: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $55

Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org

Men and women may never really understand each other—not completely—but you can’t blame John Gray for this communicative disparity. The relationship counselor has spent more than 20 years educating the world about the polarities between these two interplanetary species, to the tune of more than 50 million books sold and translated into 50 languages. He’s written some 20 books, mostly about gender differences, but it’s his pioneering, enduring original, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, that has inspired this new one-man comedy show in the vein of “Defending the Caveman.” Comedian Josh Hyman will star in a production that men and woman have agreed is equal parts hilarious and emotional—a good date activity, no matter what planet you’re from. It runs through Sunday.

FRIDAY

What: Opening night of Miami International Film Festival

Where: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler Drive, Miami

When: 7 p.m.

Cost: $30-$225

Contact: 305/237-3456, miamifilmfestival.com

Spanish singer Raphael is a legend in his nation’s music industry and abroad, thanks to his inimitably theatrical performances—he acts out the content of his tunes, improvises lyrics depending on where he plays, and adopts affectations of bullfighters and flamenco dancers—as well as his bombastic songs. An active recording artist since the 1960s, the septuagenarian heartthrob is also an accomplished actor, as evidenced by the bustling comedy “Mi Gran Noche,” in which he plays a parody of himself on the evening of a tumultuous New Year’s Eve TV special. The Fellini-esque showbiz satire will open the 33rd annual Miami International Film Festival, with Raphael himself slated to make a rare appearance at the March 4 screening at Miami’s Olympia Theater. The higher ticket price will grant attendees admission to the opening night party at Miami’s historic Alfred I Dupont Building, which will simulate a lavish New Year’s Eve bash. The party runs until 12:30 a.m., and the festival continues through March 13.

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY

What: Okeechobee Music Festival

Where: 20 minutes north of the city of Okeechobee, on State Road 7

When: Music begins at noon

Cost: $225–$599

Contact: okeechobeefest.com

This inaugural festival is a bit of a hike from Boca—about an hour-and-a-half-long drive—but it promises to be worth the expense. Electronic, indie, classic rock and hip-hop acts will perform on five stages at this diverse festival in the middle of nowhere, with organizers touting the event as “a place for us to gather together amongst wondrous nature to celebrate the best in music, art and intersecting paths.” The eclectic lineup includes timeless hit-makers Hall & Oates; Led Zeppelin’s dynamic front-man Robert Plant; Mumford & Sons, the UK powerhouse rebounding nicely after a hiatus; the Internet-bred hip-hop sensation Kendrick Lamar; Big Grams, the sexy collaboration between electro-rockers Phantogram and OutKast’s Big Boi; the poetic alt-country sophisticates The Avett Brothers; and X Ambassadors, the alt-rockers behind the breakthrough hit “Renegades.” The full lineup runs just under 100 artists at the time of this writing, plus circus performers, an art fair, a “Yogachobee” wellness area and food vendors.

SATURDAY

What: Opening night of Kultur Festival 2016

Where: FAU’s Wimberly Library, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton

When: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $10 (prices vary for other Kultur events)

Contact: 800/564-9539, fauevents.com

FAU’s popular, eighth-annual celebration of Jewish culture will span eight days of concerts, films, author presentations, comedy programs and more. The fest opens Saturday with a screening of “Arranged” (pictured), a drama about the relationship about fellow-teachers—an Orthodox Jew and a Muslim—at a Brooklyn public school. It continues Sunday afternoon with the Klezmer Company Orchestra’s performance of Leonard Bernstein’s ultra-rare Jeremiah Symphony, complete with soprano Jovanca Jean-Baptiste singing the Hebrew text. On Monday, check out an equally rare live performance from Shtreiml and Ismail Fencioglu, who mix hard rock and improvisational noodling in a Balkan sound that integrates oud and harmonica; their program is titled “Jewish Roots & Turkish Blues.” Check out next week’s “Weeks Ahead” for the rest of the Kultur festivities.

What: The Fab Faux

Where: Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale

When: 8 p.m.

Cost: $57-$117

Contact: 954/462-0222, parkerplayhouse.com

Beatles tribute bands are a dime a dozen, ranging from glorified karaoke acts to talented mimics in period regalia and mop-tops. The Fab Faux distinguish themselves from the herd of Beatle-maniacs by putting the focus squarely on the music: This is a peerless rock band, playing Fab Four tunes with enviable accuracy, and without the accoutrements of vocal imitation and cheesy wigs. Known for playing entire Beatles LPs in sequential order—and for performing the difficult, more obscure numbers the Beatles themselves never played live—the Fab Faux is led by TV personalities Jimmy Vivino, of Conan O’Brien’s house band, and Will Lee, of David Letterman’s CBS Orchestra. For this performance, the group will play “A Hard Day’s Night” straight through, followed by a set of mixed Beatles hits and deep cuts.

John Thomason

Author John Thomason

As the A&E editor of bocamag.com, I offer reviews, previews, interviews, news reports and musings on all things arty and entertainment-y in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

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