Coming to Town

Kathy Griffin

You know who she is…allegedly, and love her for it…actually!  She will at the Lyric Theatre May 15^th.  The Lyric Theatre is at 59 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart.  Tickets are:  $42.50 and call 772*286-7827 for tickets and further information.

Jersey Boys are Back!

Yes, we all survived the BIG HAIR of the 80’s.  If you know that “You Give Love a Bad Name” and feel like you are “Living on a Prayer”—yes Virginia, there is a Bon Jovi!  All four members (John Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, and David Bryan) will be onstage at Hard Rock Live July 10^th  at 8pm.  Tickets are now on sale.   

For further information, call 954*523-3309, www.ticketmaster.com, or stop by the Hard Rock Live Box Office—they are open from noon to 7pm daily.

Who’s Your First Idol?

Kelly Clarkson will be live, onstage Friday, June 30^th at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  As part of her Addicted Tour, her Special Guest will be Rooney.  The Amphitheatre is located at 601-7 Sansbury’s Way, West Palm Beach.  Tickets are $25-$75 and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com www.livenation.com, or by phone at:  561*966-3309, 954*523-3309, or 305*358-5885.  To get more Kelly info, go to www.kellyclarkson.com. 

Melissa Etheridge Live

Saturday, August 19^th  8pm 

New Greatest Hits CD “The Road Less Traveled” in stores now!

Tickets available at Ticketmaster locations or you can charge by phone:  305-358-5885 / 954-523-3309 / 561-966-3309 or www.ticketmaster.com. 

Mizner Park Amphitheater is in Boca Raton and this is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event.  For further information go to www.fantasma.com or www.melissaetheridge.com

Things on Display

China Change

Until June 18, 2006 

On exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is now showing Documenting China:  Contemporary Photography and Social Change.  The exhibition is a collection of 57 dramatic works by seven contemporary Chinese photographers that reveal the essence of that nation from an insider’s point of view.  This show is organized by the Bates College Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.   While you are there, check out Edward Burtynsky:  The China Series that contain 20 new large-scale color photographs from recent trips to China and Pop Prints that are works from the permanent collection of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichetenstein, Jim Dine, and others.   

The Boca Raton Museum of Art is located at 501 Plaza Real, Mizner Park and you can contact them at 561-392-2500 or www.bocamuseum.org.  

Dali, Dali Everywhere

Until May 20, 2006 

The Coral Springs Museum of Art is proud to host an art exhibit featuring original works by Salvador Dali.  The Museum is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs and you can contact them at 954-340-5000.

Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibit

Until October 

This exhibit chronicles the journey of RMS Titanic from its design and construction through its fateful maiden voyage and sinking, to the scientific recovery efforts.   

The Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium is located on 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami.  You can contact them at 305*646-4200 or www.miamisci.org. 

I Wanna Be Loved By You

Until April 30, 2006 

More than 200 photographs of Marilyn Monroe by 30 photographers, covering her life from the 1940’s through her death in 1962. 

Cost: $6-$8, Free under 6. Hours: 10am-5pm Tuesday thru Saturday. 11am-5pm Sunday. Bass Museum of Art. 2121 Park Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 305*673-7530. www.bassmuseum.org

Paris in Photographs

Until May 21, 2006

This is a collection of photographs from the unique perspectives of French, American, and German photographers between 1898 and 1988.  It features works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walde Huth-Schmolz, and more.   

Cost:  $8 Adults / $3 ages 13-21 / Members and children under 3 Free.  

Norton Museum of Art. 1451 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach. 561-832-5196. www.norton.org

Chihuly at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden Until May 31, 2006

Experience a garden straight out of a dream with glass masterpieces by world renown artist Dale Chihuly.  These pieces are woven throughout a stunning backdrop of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden—art and nature as one.  Experience this one of a kind event now until May 31, 2006.  For further information go to:  www.fairchildgarden.org. 

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, 305-667-1651. Hours of Operation:  9:30am – 4:30pm  Cost:  $15

The Altar of Peace

Rome, Italy

A sacrificial altar that was built more than 2,000 years ago reopened to the public this past week at The Ara Pacis Museum, which is on the embankment of the Tiber River.  The Altar of Peace was built in 9 B.C. to celebrate the peace that Rome’s first Emperor—Augustus, brought to his people.  It was broken up and lost for hundreds of years until pieces began resurfacing in the 16^th century.  The Altar is now open to the public, so, if you go, send me a photograph!  Stephen@jumponmarkslist.com. 

Bank of America Loves Museums 

Your Bank of America ATM card can now be used for more than getting out cash at 2am. Throughout May, your card can get you and a friend free museum admission in NINE Northeastern states.  Cardholders of Bank of America Debit, Credit, ATM, or MBNA cards are eligible.  Among 56 participating museums are:  The Guggenheim in NY, Winterthur in DE, and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  Contact www.bankofamerica.com/museums for further information.

Bog People in LA!

Now through September 10^th 

“Mysterious Bog People” is an exhibit of ancient Europeans that is at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.  This includes more than 400 prehistoric objects and six well-preserved human bodies and is the first international tour of these objects.  The mummies were found in peat bogs in Northwestern Europe.  This display uses archeology and forensic science to shed light upon the lives, rituals, and deaths of people from the Mesolithic period—almost 12,000 years ago to the end of the 16^th century.  For further information contact them at 213*763-3466 or www.nhm.org. 

Paris in Austria Showing Pink

Sunday, April 29, 2006 

Ischgl, Austria will host the Top of the Mountain concert series this weekend and Paris will be there serving as Host.  Among her duties is to introduce all the act of the show…including the Concert Finale—Pink!  Yes, the woman who brought us “Stupid Girls”—who mocks such American superstars as:  Paris, Lindsay, Jessica, and the Olsen Twins, is being introduced by one!  Maybe Hilton will take it all in with a grain of salt.  On the flip side, even though Pink was making fun of these idols, she was still wearing all the clothes and acting like them…maybe a little bit hypocritical…who knows.  I would want a picture of the two of them.

Naked Grape Goes to California!

Friday, April 28, 2006

Our own local wine cellar, The Naked Grape, a Wilton Manor’s staple for amazing and intricate wines is once again hosting a wine tasting event called Tour of California that will feature many varieties of Rosenblum Cellars and Vineyards.  The tasting begins at 7pm and will last until 9pm and tickets are available in advance or at the door.   

The Naked Grape Wine Co. is located at 2039 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.  You can contact Brian at 954-540-6478.  CLICK HERE to read my review of the last event!  To view Stephen's photo gallery of this event CLICK HERE.

Ballet Florida

May 5-7

Ballet Florida will be performing their 20^th Anniversary Season Closer Lively & Bold at the Eissey Campus Theatre, Palm Beach Gardens May 5-7.  This is Palm Beach County’s foremost internationally acclaimed Classic and Contemporary Resident Dance Company, with Marie Hale—Founder and Artistic Director. 

For further information contact Ballet Florida Box Office at 561*659-2000 or 800*540-0172 or www.balletflorida.com and remember, groups save up to 30%!

Palm Beach Opera Orchestra

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Bruno Aprea has taken over as the Artistic Director of the Palm Beach Opera and wants to feature the company’s excellent orchestra in a series of symphonic concerts.  The concert will spotlight two symphonic showpieces of the Russian repertoire of Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.   

Concert time is 7:30pm and it at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Road, West Palm Beach.  Tickets are $25-$75 and available at 561*833-7888.

http://www.pbopera.org/html/symphonic_concerts.html

Opera At Stonewall

Sunday, April 30 at 1 pm

Think about it, Carmen had its first performance in 1875 and is now arguably the most performed opera in the world.  It is one of the few operas to win universal approval. The man in the street whistles and loves its
melodies; the operagoer is thrilled by its swiftly moving scenes and tensely emotionally music; the opera star is enthusiastic over its possibilities for singing and acting; and the musician admires its well-conceived musicality. It is, in fact, "the perfect storm." 

This event is free and open to the public.  Stonewall Library & Archives is located at 1717 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors.  For more information call

954-763-8565.

Il Divo

I remember the first time that I was blown away by the music of these four Opera singers.  George’s Alibi had a promotion and giveaway of their CD and my roommate won one.  We LOVED it and you will too!  Their latest CD Ancora and latest DVD Encore is now available in stores and online at www.ildivo.com.   

They will be in concert June 13^th & 14^th at 8pm at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre and is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event— www.fantasma.com.  You can also charge by phone at:  561*966-3309, 954-523-3309, or 305-358-5885.

Chicago

You’re about to see a story with: murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.  You KNOW you have seen the movie—come out and check out what sparked the phenomenon!   

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets:  By Phone 954-462-0222 or 954-523-3309

Also available at The Broward Center Box Office and Ticketmaster Locations 

www.browardcenter.org   www.broadwayacrossamerica.com

Mama Mia

Opening May 2, 2006 

The Jackie Gleason Theatre is proud to announce that Mama Mia will start May 2^nd and run until May 7^th.  This is a heart-warming story about a mother, a daughter, three possible fathers, and a trip down the aisle…all with ABBA songs!  A mother confronts her past as three men return to the Greek island they have not visited for 21 years—just as her 20 year old daughter is about to get married.   

For further information go to www.gleasontheater.com.  

Bizet’s Carmen

Broward Center for Performing Arts

May 11, 2006 thru May 14, 2006 

The seductive gypsy Carmen captures the heart of the young soldier Don Jose who sacrifices everything to be with her. On the run with her and with his life in ruins, he sees that she is about to cast him aside for the handsome toreador Escamillo, and it is more than he can bear.

In his passionate confrontation with her outside the bullring, his pleas for her to take him back are met with cold rejection. The tragic murder that concludes the opera is as shocking today as it was to audiences in 1875. Carmen premiered in Paris, France to scathing reviews - Bizet died three months later thinking that his masterpiece had been a complete failure.

The opera will be performed in French and there will be a screen above the stage projecting English and Spanish translations.

For ticket information, go to www.fgo.org or www.browardcenter.org or 800-741-1010. 

JVC Jazz Festival with Eartha Kitt & John Pizzarelli. May 20, 2006

The 6th Annual JVC Jazz Festival - Miami Beach comes to the Jackie Gleason Theater on May 20 with the legendary cabaret vocalist Eartha Kitt and jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli.

Tickets are $65, $55, and $35 and show time is 8pm. 

www.gleasontheater.com

Anacaona - Queen of Hispaniola. May 27, 2006 - May 28, 2006 6:00 PM

La Compagnie de Danse Régine Mont-Rosier Trouillot with the collaboration of Miami City Ballet and Theatro National de Puerto-Rico presents an original full length ballet ANACAONA: Queen of Hispaniola.

This is an exotic tale recounting Anacaona's life. It is enriched through visually stunning costumes and intricate sets, recreating Anacaona's empire to captivating music.

Although a forgotten queen, the once powerful Anacaona remains one of Hispaniola's greatest historical personalities. Dominated by Spanish colonial rule, Anacaona attempted to save her people and culture from extinction. Her struggle is one of courage, pride, determination and passion. 

www.gleasontheater.com