On Display

Mike Smarro is at Java Boys

Right now, at Java Boys, you will notice the fantastic photography of one of Wilton Manor’s newest up and coming photographers, Mike Smarro.  Many locals know him from his work at Main Street Gym and for him to be carrying a camera wherever he goes, but you HAVE to stop in and check out his work.  While you are there, be sure to sign his Guest Book and take a card and check out his site, www.mikesmarro.com. 

Wolfsonian Goes Silver

Right now, at The Wolfsonian in Miami, you can catch their special exhibit entitled, Modernism in American Silver:  20^th Century Design.  This exhibit contains more than 200 works that examine the economies, culture, and design of American silver within the years of 1925 through 2000.  The collection features works by:  Eliel Saarinen, Erick Magnussen, John Prip, Elsa Peretti, and Richard Meier.  This will be on display until March 25^th at The Wolfsonian FIU, which is located at 1001 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.  For further information, go to www.wolfsonian.org or call them at 305*531-1001.  

Chicano Visions:  American Painters on the Verge is a nationally touring collection of more than 80 works, mostly oils and acrylics that date from 1963 to 2003 that depict life from the Mexican-American artists viewpoint.  Cheech Marin, known from the Cheech and Chong movies, donates most of his personal collection that illustrate urban life and the Latino culture.  The collection, which has been traveling for the past five years, can be found at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale at 1 East Las Olas Blvd or for further information and gallery times, go to www.moafl.org or call them at 954*525-5500. 

Blemish 

Imagine nine international artists who embrace the beauty of human imperfections and individuality.  Blemish does just that at the Luis Adelantado Miami which is located at 98 NW 29^th Street in Miami.  You can contact them at www.luisadelantadomiami.com or at 305*438-0069. 

On a recent trip back to her native Russia, Irina Dakhnovskaia-Lawton brings us images of the disenchanted, bringing the Communist Red into black and white photos.  There are people minimalized against Communist flags and statues of Stalin, Communist iconography throughout landscapes and city streets and no one notices.  Within the collection Irina includes objects from her won girlhood and personal collection, with such things as propaganda and movie posters, newsreels, and actual photos of Lenin as a child.  This collection depicts the power of the visual culture, past and present, abroad and at home.  This exhibit runs through December 13^th and can be found at the Fine Arts Gallery on Broward Community College’s Davie Campus at 3501 SW Davie Road in Davie.  Hours are from 9am-2pm Monday through Friday.  Admission is free.  For more information, go to www.geocities.com/bccfineartsgallery or call 954*201-6984. 

Modern Masters at Las Olas Fine Art thru Dec 3^rd  

New River Fine Art is proud to announce their recent collection of Modern Masters of the 20^th Century.  The extraordinary show will include works from:  Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Chagall, and Miro as well as a Renoir valued at just under half a million dollars.  

New River Fine Art is located at 914 East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.  For further information, you can contact Jule at jule@newriverfineart.com or at 954*524-2100. 

ArtFusion Has The Pink Panther 

South Florida artist, Lenore Diamond Robins, in conjunction with The Alzheimer’s Association of South Florida and ArtFusion Gallery of Miami’s Design District is currently hosting a fundraising project to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.  The Pink Panther is a three-dimensional representation in wood, acrylics, and liquid glass.  This piece is on display right now at the gallery, located at 1 NE 40^th Street in Miami.  The piece is not for sale, but ArtFusion is accepting donation bids for the duration for the current show that will run through the end of December.  Ms. Robins will donate it to the individual making the greatest donation to the Alzheimer’s Association and hopes that this event raises awareness to the devastation caused by this disease and will go to help more victims and their families.  Bidding began at $750 and is now up to $1,450 by Ms. Martha Dominguez of the Miami Heat.  You can contact the gallery at info@artfusiongallery.com or at 305*573-3730 for the current bid and specifics.  

Nestor Paz is at Items 2 Envy

Nestor Paz, local South Beach artist, has found a home at Items 2 Envy, the Wilton Manors store located on Wilton Drive.  Nestor, who has had shows before, with the latest being at South Beach’s hip Buck 15 Lounge located above Miss Yip's Cafe. So, stop by, check out Nestor’s work, and see what all the fuss is about. 

Tshun Comes to One Tea Lounge

This month, One Tea Lounge will be featuring Tshun’s {WAKTU}:  Art Perspective of Time.  One Tea Lounge is located at 2037 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.  Hours of operation are 1pm to 10pm Tuesday through Sunday.  You can call 954*563-2266 for further information. 

Graphic Noise at Atlantic University through Jan 27^th  

Next Thursday, November 9^th, Atlantic University is proud to host, Graphic Noise:  Art at 1,000 Decibels.  Graphic Noise is a big and bountiful exhibition of contemporary concert posters that is currently touring the country.  With nearly 500 posters by over 100 artists representing eight countries, this exhibition provides an exhilarating visual culmination of work from skilled screen printers, illustrators, and graphic designers. Graphic Noise is organized by the Museum of Design in Atlanta and will be at the Schmidt Center Gallery at Atlantic University located at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton, FL.  .  There will be an Opening Reception Thursday, November 9^th at 7pm and the show will run through January 27^th, 2007.    

Robert Versteeg at Storks Wilton Manors!

Storks Bakery Wilton Manors and ArtsUnited are pleased to feature the paintings of artist Robert Versteeg as The Artist of the Month.  Robert Versteeg was born in the Netherlands, and his career stared when he was 17 as a choreographer and then used his human body as a paintbrush to create moving displays.  After living in New York and Maine, he finally moved to Florida in 2003 and is one of the group fitness trainers at Main Street Gym.  His work will be on display at Storks Wilton Manors until December 2^nd, so drop by and check out his work.

Alfred Phillips is Never Gone, thru Nov 27^th

ArtExpressions, local gallery on Wilton Drive, will be featuring artist Alfred Phillips collection Never Gone from Saturday, November 4^th thru Monday, November 27^th.  After having his studio destroyed from Hurricane Wilma, he unsuccessfully attempted to leave Southern Florida, but turned his misfortune to success.  All of the paintings have been done within the past twelve months with items depicted in the paintings contain items such as:  shattered glass, rusted metal, sharp angles, chaos, and degeneration.   There will be an Artist Gala Reception on Saturday, November 4^th at 7pm at the gallery located at 1212 NE 4^th Avenue/Wilton Drive in Fort Lauderdale.  For further information, you can go to www.artexpressions.tk or 954*527-7700.  Admission is free.   

Stonewall Artist of the Month, Steven Sylvester 

ArtsUnited is happy to announce the Artist of the Month for the Stonewall Library and Archives is Steven Sylvester.  Steven, who often played in mud puddles as a child hasn’t changed much as an adult—mud is still his medium of choice.  Playing with mud as an adult clay artist requires a balance between delicate finessing and outright mud wrestling with a creative result as the goal.  There will be an Opening Reception for him at 6:30 pm on Monday, November 6^th at the Stonewall Library and Archives, which is located at 1717 N Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale or by calling them at 954*763-8565. 

You can also go to www.artsunitedonline.org or www.stevensylvester.net for further information. 

Bodies Found in South Miami

The controversial and gruesome exhibit displaying the human body from the perspective of the bones and muscle tissue titled Bodies…The Exhibition, which I reported was in Tampa and then New York City, is now in the area at the Shops at Sunset Place.  Bodies will be on display until March 25^th and tickets cost between $16-$22.50.  The Shops at Sunset Place is located at 5701 Sunset Drive Suite 105 in South Miami.

For further information call 866*866-8265, 305*663-0873 or see them on the web at www.bodiestheexhibition.com. 

Funney / Strange

Through January 28^th, the Norton Museum of Art is featuring William Wegman’s collection of photographs that are, for a lack of a better word, Funney/Strange (yes, I spelled funney, the way they spelled funney).  Within the collection are more than 200 works, among them the signature 24 X 20 Polaroids, early black and white altered photographs, paintings, drawings, collages, art books, videos, and film. 

They also have Before The Camera: Remaking Reality and the Make-Believe until January 7^th.   This is a collection comprising works from local and national collections that looks at the distinction between “taking” and “making” photographs.  Historically, photographers “took” them while artists “make” an artwork.  Within the past couple of decades, creativity has merged.  See what they have found.    

The Norton Museum of Art is located at 1451 South Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach.  You can find them at www.norton.org or at 561*832-5198. 

Masters of Latin Art 

At the Boca Raton Museum of Art, now through November 26^th, they are featuring a collection called Masters of Latin America:  From the Joan and Milton Bagley Collection that contains more than 60 paintings and sculptures never before exhibited by many of the most important Latin American artists of the last century.  The Boca Raton Museum of Art is located at 501 Plaza Real in Mizner Park.  You can go to www.bocamuseum.org or call them at 561*392-2500 for further information. 

Rome and Juliet, December 1 - 3, 2006
Carol Morsani Hall

The world's greatest love story, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, transfers brilliantly to grand opera in Gounod's deeply romantic masterwork. The dreamy, tender and voluptuous music perfectly depicts each familiar scene and character in this famous tragedy of two young lovers torn apart by their rivaling families. Anton Coppola conducts the Opera Tampa Chorus and Orchestra. This opera will be sung in French with English translations projected above the stage.

Download Spotlight: Your Performance Guide (a free study guide). The study guide is 9.7 MB in pdf format. This is a large file and may take some time to download.

We're offering a limited number of $20 tickets. To order your $20 tickets online, click

Local Theatre Buzz

Jesus Christ…Superstar 

The national traveling tour of Jesus Christ Superstar will be at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts this week and then November 28^th at the Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts.  For tickets or further information, go to www.kravis.org or call 561*832-7469 or www.coralspringscenterforthears.com or 954*344-5990.     

SoBe Wonderland, Thru Nov 25^th 

This is the last week to watch the South Beach Theatre Company’s presentation of SoBe Wonderland, which is a new and original comedy musical.  The musical is brought to life by the Forth Dimension South Beach and can be reached at www.4dsb.org for tickets or directions.  Right now the production is at The Byron Carlyle Theatre that is located at 500 71^st Street in Miami, and will feature a special appearance by Adora!

Alter Boyz, Starts Dec 10^th 

Could you imagine an off-Broadway musical that mixes N’Sync and Nunsense?  The longest-running new NYC musical with sidesplitting songs also won big in the 2006 Audience Awards.  Alter Boyz tells the holy inspiring story of five small town boys, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan, and Abraham—trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time.  Their songs include such hits as, “Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait” and “Jesus Called Me on My Cell Phone” worked well in their small community, but what will happen when they get to The Big Apple?  Alter Boyz will be appearing at The Parker Playhouse and is located on US1 in Fort Lauderdale.  For further information or tickets, go to www.parkerplayhouse.com or call 954*462-0222.

Burning Blue thru Dec 23^rd 

The Rising Action Theatre Company, the ones that have brought us Southern Baptist Sissies and The Last Hairdresser will be performing Burning Blue at Cinema Paradiso from November 18^th through December 23^rd.  Burning Blue is the Award Winning play about a witch-hunt for gays in the military that has sold out houses in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London.  As the story goes, two servicemen go into a gay disco in Hong Kong and it gets reported back and triggers an investigation into their personal lives.   

Cinema Paradiso is located at 503 SE 6^th Street in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Tickets are $30 and are available at 954*567-8550.  Tickets are also available, cash only, at GayMart in Alibi Plaza in Wilton Manors.  Warning (or Incentive):  The show contains nudity. 

BINGO Comes to Stage Door Theatre

The Stage Door Theatre is presenting their latest musical, BINGO.  This is a splashy, zippy, outrageously funny new musical about three pals that have driven through a terrible storm in the name of their weekly obsession.  In between the number calling, strange rituals, and fierce competitions—love blossoms and long lost friends reunite!  If you would like more information or to purchase tickets online, go to www.stagedoortheatre.com or call them at 954*344-7765.  The Stage Door Theatre is located in 26^th Street Theatre in Wilton Manors.  Check out my last review of Hairspray.  

Unidentified Human Remains

Read Stephen's review of Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love

Coats a Must

As I write this, the temperature has dropped to somewhere around 51 degrees, to which my family back home in upstate New York is laughing at me. Wuss!  Just last week I was emailing my sister from my back patio in shorts and polo shirt and she was jealous.  Well, if you are like me, and making a pilgrimage to the Land Up North this winter, let me tell you that Overcoats are back in! Peacoats and Overcoats are en vogue this season, with hemlines ending mid-thigh.  Coats this season are not necessarily gone black; many designers have gone with gray hounds tooth or herringbone material, featuring both casual and dressy styles.  If casual is the way you want to go, Calvin Klein is featuring a Cashmere Peacoat for $1,895 and Salvatore Ferragamo has a wool Peacoat for $1,800.  Sophisticated for work or play?  Then, Burberry London has their Polo Coat, which is a double-breasted wool and cashmere coat for $1,295.  Style conscious or trendy? Then, the Short City Coat is for you.  David Chu is featuring a three-button cashmere coat for $2,495 while Ralph; Lauren that is, has a three-button wool coat for $3,595.   Who wants to have the merriest Holiday this season?

Robby’s Rudebox 

The infamous singer Robbie Williams moves into a new musical direction with his latest album Rudebox.  Rudebox is a collaboration of Robbie’s with such artists as:  Pet Shop Boys, Mark Ronson, Joey Negro, and William Orbit.  The title song is a throw back to the 1980’s with enough homage to make you wan to say “Where’s the beef?”—well, I guess we’ve finally found it!  The song She’s Madonna, speculates that he dated Tania Strecker, who was allegedly dumped by Guy Ritchie for The Material Girl.  Scandalous!  But, as we all have known, he has a live-in male roommate, who doesn’t pay rent—wink/wink.  For more information or to get the album, go to www.robbiewilliams.com.   

Jingle Ball

You have got to love the holidays, when groups of people get together and perform.  2006 is no different.  This year, the Jingle Ball will feature such performers as:  Nelly Furtado, Chris Brown, Danity Kane, Rihanna, Ciara, and many more.  The Ball will be at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sawgrass at 2555 Panther Parkway in Sunrise.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or 954*523-3309.

Christmas on Las Olas

On Tuesday, November 28^th, it will be the annual Christmas on Las Olas street festival.  Started in 1965 as a small community event the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it has now grown into an event featuring:  music, customer appreciation events, family fun, and the arrival of Santa Claus.  They have estimated this year’s event to over 100,000 attendees and this event is free to the public.  For further information or to see a list of Sponsors and Partners, go to www.lasolasboulevard.com. 

Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail 

Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail, or The Abduction from the Seraglio is a show about a light-hearted journey from Istanbul to Paris on the Orient Express.  A piece by Mozart and with helping him celebrate his 250^th birthday, the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts will be the center stage for this tale of two young women who find themselves held hostage by the Pasha of Turkey.  Presented by the Florida Grand Opera will be at the Ziff Opera House this month, until November 29^th.  For tickets or further information, go to www.carnivalcenter.org or to www.fgo.org. 

Carnival Center Presents AÏDA, Oct 28^th thru Nov 30^th

Why Not a Pop-Up?

The Pop-Up Book of Celebrity Meltdowns is a wonderfully funny poke-fun-of-the-famous book that also works its way into a cool coffee table must-have for those with a twisted sense of humor.  You not only can make the prostitute’s head bob up and down with Hugh Grant but make Kate Moss’ eyes roll in the back of her head when she does a line of coke. 

The Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Artists is hosting Hangin’ On To Earth—Ornament Auction 2006 at the Big Fish Restaurant in Miami.  AIGA Miami will present the Third Annual Ornament Auction and ask that you put your talent to work by designing a unique, handcrafted ornament that is based off the idea of sustainability, and recycled materials are encouraged.  They ask that you limit the use of electricity, spray paints, and so forth.  Make it elegant, make it excessive, make it unusual, and above all…MAKE IT GREEN!  Ornaments are due on December 4^th, and you can send them to AIGA Miami Chapter, 2223 SW 13^th Avenue, PMB #305, Miami, FL  33145.  The show will be at Big Fish Restaurant, which is located at 55 SW Miami Avenue Road in Miami and will be from 7pm to 11pm.  Suggested donation is $5 and goes to support the AIGA.  If you would like further information, go to www.miami.aiga.org.  Readers of mine that remember my article on The Fashion of Paper, this is the same group that put on that show and will be having their next one in March 2007.

All Shook Up

Right now, at the Broward Center you can catch All Shook Up, the musical semi-based on the life of Elvis with enough material to get you rocking.  If you love things that are Elvis-esque and Footloose-y, than this is the show for you.  The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and tickets can be purchased at www.browardcenter.org or by calling 954*462-0222. 

The Chocolate Nutcracker 

On Friday, December 1^st, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts will present The Chocolate Nutcracker.  Tickets start at 10 and the Broward Center is located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.  You can to www.browardcenter.org or call 954*462-0222.  

Pilbus, Dec 13^th 

On Wednesday, December 13^th, Plibus will be performing at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.  While blending dance and acrobatics this astonishing troupe invites you into another dimension, redefining gravity and sprouting intricate geometric patterns as their bodies merge and split like moving sculptures.  Ticket range from $15 to $55.  The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach and tickets can be purchased at www.kravis.org or at 800*572-8471.

Asoka Bali, the well-known secret of Wilton Manors furniture and accoutrements, will give you 15% off when you mention you read about them on Mark's List.  They feature many wonderful and useful things for your home and things that can bring you inner Feng Shui into balance.  Here is an example of a bedroom scene, and just to let you know, the Gong is already 50% off!     

So stop in, talk to Christopher and Marie, and let them show you around and don’t forget to tell them I sent you!

Rocky Statue is Back

As I reported earlier, the now famous Rocky statue is now home, home in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The statue, originally used in 1982 for Rocky III by Sylvester Stallone himself, by Colorado sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg, features Rocky raising his arms in his boxing shorts, presumably after winning a championship fight and used in the movie.  Now in it’s final spot, outside the museum, even at 2am you can find people getting their picture taken with 8’6” Rocky.  This might be the first time that a movie prop has actually become a prime attraction.   

Coming to Town

Andrea Bocelli, December 1^st 

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is proud to host living Opera legend Andrea Bocelli Friday, December 1^st.  Andrea will be performing at the Hard Rock Live venue and tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or through the Hard Rock Live Box Office at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, FL.  For more information you can also go to www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com.  Also, Friday, November 17^th, Carlos Mencia, famous comedian for making fun of everyone in politics through his own nationality (“Beaners”), will be performing at 7pm and 11pm.  Tickets start at $100 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Shakira Dec 6, 7, and 9^th 

Shakira, who performed two sold-out September dates in Miami while on her Oral Fixation Tour, has added more dates to her South Florida appearances at the American Airline Arena.  She will be performing December 6^th, 7^th, and 9^th and tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Kevin Nealon, Saturday, December 16^th 

On Saturday, December 16^th, former Saturday Night Live cast member and current cast member of Showtime’s hit series Weeds, will be live on stage at The Parker Playhouse of Fort Lauderdale.  As a former Anchor of “Weekend Update” and half of the “Hans and Franz” team that helped make him famous, funnyman Kevin Nealon is sure to entertain.  For tickets go to www.parkerplayhouse.com or call them at 954*462-0222.

Chris Botti, January 11^th 

Tickets are now on sale for Chris Botti, the amazing trumpeter will be live in concert at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets are available at the Box Office, at 305*949-6722 or at www.ticketmaster.com.  For additional information about Chris Botti, you can also go to his Official Website, www.chrisbotti.com. 

Do You Think I’m Sexy? 

Yes, the incomparable Rod Stewart will be in town on January 12^th at the Bank United Center and tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.  Tickets start at $55. 

John Mayer, January 26^th 

On January 26, 2007, John Mayer will be live in concert at the UM BankUnited Center at 8pm.  John will be playing selections off his latest album, Continuum.  Tickets are now on sale through www.ticketmaster.com or you can charge by phone at 954*523-3309, 561*966-3309, or 305*358-5885.  This is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event and for further information, go to www.fantasma.com or www.johnmayer.com.

Justin & Pink, Feb 24^th & 25^th 

As of Saturday, the Justin Timberlake and Pink In The Round Tour will be at the American Airlines Arena on Saturday, February 24^th and the Bank Atlantic Center on Sunday, February 25^th.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or at www.aeglive.com.  For further information you can also call 954*523-3309 or 305*358-5885.  Don’t forget to also check out www.justintimberlakefanclub.com! 

Great Expectations Thru Dec 3^rd

The Charles Dicken’s semi-autobiographical classic Great Expectations is being performed until December 3^rd at the Lucille Lortel Theater at 121 Christopher Street, between Hudson and Bleecker streets.  This is a story about a young orphan boy and follows him through adulthood, naviagating London’s society circles and his relationships with a wealthy woman and her haughty adopted daughter.  For further information and tickets, go to www.lortel.org or call them at 212*279-4200. 

From What We are Made

At the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, they are featuring Ernesto Neto and his work From What We are Made that features a luminous white tent in the shape of a rainbow with a thick foam floor and a pile of small, colorful soft sculptures min in pantyhose fabric and stuffed with buckwheat shells.  After taking off your shoes, the foam floor shifts and subsides, tossing the sculptures about the tent and making it hard to stay upright.  It is hard to feel like you are not just bouncing around in a huge womb.  The show is at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, which is located at 521 West 21^st Street in Chelsea.  You can go to www.tanyabonakdargallery.com or call them at 212*414-4144 for further information. 

Tony Danza to be a Producer

Right now, things are underway for Tony Danza to play Max Bialystock in the Broadway production of The Producers.  It might only be for three months, from December through February.   

Americans in Paris:  1860-1900

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is proud to announce their latest exhibition, titled Americans in Paris:  1860-1900 that will educate us.  Long ago, the United States was a buyer rather than a seller of cultural information and France’s Modern movement was a major source within those years.  http://www.metmuseum.org/