Mizner Park celebrates Halloween early, skeletons fill downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Day of the Dead, and dozens of artists from around the world gather in Boca. Plus, “So You Think You Can Dance” on tour, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated play and more.
TUESDAY
What: Halloween at Mizner Park and Howl-o-Ween at Max’s Grille
Where: 327 Mizner Park, Boca Raton
When: 4 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free to $20
Contact: 561/482-8110, miznerpark.com
Both two-legged and four-legged members of the family are welcome to celebrate Mizner Park’s annual back-to-back Halloween events. Beginning at 4 and starting at the central fountain, costumed children can trick-or-treat throughout the park; candy-stocking retailers and restaurants will be identified by the hanging “spider web” outside their establishments. (We do not advise you to bring “tricks” for non-participating businesses, although a “boo” or two might be in order!) The family-friendly event also includes a dance party with DJ Monster Mash, “spooky” story time courtesy of the Boca Raton Public Library, a costume party with cash prizes, a craft station and more. At 5:30, the action begins at Max’s Grille for its 10th-annual Howl-o-Ween fundraiser for Tri County Humane Society, with cash prizes award for the best-costumed pooch. Tickets for this benefit run $20, and include two cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.
WEDNESDAY
What: So You Think You Can Dance Live!
Where: Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $34.50-$99.50
Contact: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org
It has been a sweet 16 indeed for Fox’s hit summer dance series, which this year celebrated both its 16th season and its 16th Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography. Fans can re-experience many of those award-nominated numbers—this season included three a piece from hip-hop genius Luther Brown and contemporary wunderkind and former contestant Travis Wall—at this year’s annual tour, which features the year’s top 10 dancers plus two “All Stars”: audience favorites Lauren Froderman and Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer. The dancers have also learned all-new pieces exclusive to the live tour. Wednesday’s performance will be something of a homecoming for two of its performers, Benjamin Castro and finalist Gino Cosculluela, who both hail from Miami.
THURSDAY
What: Halloween at the Addison
Where: The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432
When: Thursday, October 31st, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $125 – $250
Contact: addisonhalloween.com
Designed by Addison Mizner nearly a century ago, the Addison is known for its elegant and elaborate holiday celebrations. The venue’s annual October soiree, now in its fourth year, is returning this Thursday for another evening of over-the-top Halloween joviality. The event will showcase the venue’s delicious catering, an open-bar, live entertainment and outrageous event production. VIP accommodations include a three-course, table-side dinner, champagne bottle service and complimentary valet parking. This year’s theme is “Neon Nights” and will feature a glow-in-the-dark theme styled by Daniel Events. Look for a more thorough preview of this event tomorrow on bocamag.com.
FRIDAY
What: Opening night of Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF)
Where: IMAX Theater at Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 S.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale
When: 5 p.m.
Cost: $11-$15
Contact: 954/525-3456, fliff.com
There is arguably no Florida film festival longer or more jam-packed with activities than Fort Lauderdale’s enduring November extravaganza, which returns for its 34th year complete with 150 independent, foreign-language, documentary and retro films. It opens with the regional premiere of “Cuba,” projecting this doc about our vibrant southern neighbor on the AutoNation IMAX screen at the Museum of Discovery & Science. Other signature premieres include “From the Vine,” about a downtrodden man who finds meaning in his life by revisiting the Italian wine country where he was raised; and “Safe Spaces,” a timely, bittersweet comedy about the fallout of a college professor’s controversial behavior. Visit FLIFF’s website for the complete schedule.
What: Opening night of “The Wolves”
Where: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $55
Contact: 305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org
Creating and then developing nine three-dimensional characters in just a 90-minute play sounds as difficult as scoring a goal against Manchester United—but it’s been done. Sarah DeLappe’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Wolves,” set during a string of practice sessions of an indoor girls’ soccer team, has been lauded for its playwright’s ability to avoid reductionist stereotypes of contemporary American teenagers. At the same time, by conceiving characters from different backgrounds, races and economic statuses, she paints a collective portrait of teen angst, curiosity and privilege. It isn’t a sports play: There’s no actual soccer competition depicted in “The Wolves,” and the coach remains unseen. It’s more like a journey into the consciousness of Generation Z in a time of unease, and when done right, it should be hilarious, moving and electric. Stuart Meltzer will direct the South Florida premiere for Zoetic Stage, in a production that runs through Nov. 17.
SATURDAY
What: Florida Day of the Dead (DOTD)
Where: Downtown Fort Lauderdale locations
When: Various event times
Cost: Free except for concert at Revolution Live
Contact: dayofthedeadflorida.com
No bones about it: This year’s annual celebration of Day of the Dead is the largest in its 10-year history. Revelers can celebrate this landmark at an unprecedented eight stages throughout downtown Fort Lauderdale, so if you have business down there on Saturday that doesn’t somehow relate to masks, dancing and tequila, we suggest you table it for another time. Central to this event is the spectacular Skeleton Processional on the “Quetzalcoatl Trail” (32 E. Los Olas Blvd.,) a parade of Instagrammable costumed paraders that you need to see to believe. Other festivities include music, dance and crafts by indigenous peoples of Latin America, at Huizenga Plaza; authentic ofrendas, art and face painting at New River Inn; traditional Celtic and European music and dancing horses (!) at Esplanade Plaza; local rock bands and New Orleans-style brass bands at America’s Backyard; a seven-hour jam band concert at Revolution; and seriously much, much more.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
What: Boca Raton Fine Craft Show
Where: Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: hotworks.org
Variety continues to be the spice of this juried craft festival, voted as one of the top 100 art shows in America. Visitors can expect to see such eclectic art as Sandra Erden’s gemstone jewelry, Alex Keto’s trippy floral digital photography, Reza Pishgahi’s sleek abstract sculptures, Allan Teger’s edgy yet playful nude photography, Josephina Espinosa’s whimsical glass art and Isack Kousnsnky’s pop-culture photo collages. Overall, dozens of artists from around the corner and around the world will participate. Ken Mazur, a DJ and champion competition drummer who performs live electronic remixes to popular songs, will provide entertainment for the duration of the show.
SUNDAY
What: Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Where: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $15-$95
Contact: 561/832-7469, kravis.org
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, Complexions combines the best of both dance worlds—the rarefied movements of ballet and the limitless possibilities of contemporary—performed by a multicultural stable of performers that looks like America. The corps’ ability to merge the classic and contemporary will be on vivid display in its Kravis program, titled “Star Dust from Bach to Bowie,” which includes a glitter-and glam-fueled tribute to the late pop icon.
