On Display

Eden 

Artist Jean Hilary brings us Eden—a new media project that features large-format documentary photographs and videos that offer mysterious scenes from small towns across America.  This show runs through June 3^rd and is at The Boca Raton Museum of Art at 501 Plaza Real in Boca Raton.  For more information, go to www.bocamuseum.org or call them at 561*392-2500. 

Chained 

Do you like bondage?  What about chains and gems with hair and skin?  Well, artist Sara Stites has some art for you!  At the Buena Vista Building, you can catch her latest show entitled, Chained:  Drawings and Sculptures that will feature an animal-esque show of both small and large drawings as well as sculptures that fuse images of chains and gems with hair and skin.  Running through April 2^nd, this show is not to be missed.  For further information go to www.sarastites.com, or call 305*942-9771.  The Buena Vista building is located at 180 NE 39^th Street in Miami. 

Dennis Dean at Stonewall 

The Stonewall Library and Archives and ArtsUnited hosted a reception for local photographer Dennis Dean.  Dennis, who specializes in state of the art digital and film based photography uses fashion, faces, fitness, and fine are as inspiration.  Having had several calendars done—latest being the local gay swim team The Nadadores, he has been showcased in art publications, fitness magazines, greeting cards, and countless exhibitions.  Come check out his latest collection at The Stonewall Library and Archives at 1717 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.  The show will run thru March 30^th and you can go to www.artsunitedonline.org or call 954*530-2723. 

Arts Explosion’s Visual Art Exhibit 

On Saturday, March 3^rd,  from 6pm to 9pm is the Opening Night Reception for ArtServe’s latest collection, The Visual Art Exhibit.   This exhibit is one of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community’s largest art exhibitions in the country that will feature over 100 unique works of art by local artists, and will be on display through Mar 16^th.  The Opening Reception will include:  music, dance, theatre, book signings, and vocal performances.  Also, in addition, on the Opening Night only, there will be an Erotic Art Exhibit for viewing during the reception.  There is a $5 donation at the door and ArtServe is located at 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. 

Lowe Art Museum Gets Some Artic Spirit 

At the Lowe Art Museum at The University of Miami they are hosting a show entitled Artic Spirit:  Inuit Art that features 150 traditional and contemporary prints, drawings, wall hangings, carvings, masks, and decorative clothing from the circumpolar region comprised of Siberia, Alaska, Greenland, and the Canadian Artic.  The region has been inhabited by the Inuit people (or Eskimo) since 250 B.C. and will be on display until April 1^st.  The museum is located at 1301 Stanford Drive in Coral Gables and can be found at www.lowemuseum.org or by calling them at 305*284-3535.   

Nazi Exhibit, through Apr 4^th 

Currently, at The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies at The University of Miami Libraries, they are hosting the traveling show Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945.  This traveling Holocaust Memorial Museum will be on display until April 4^th and is at The Otto G. Richter Library which is located t 1300 Memorial Drive at the University’s Coral Gables campus.  For further information, call 305*284-3233. 

Bass Goes Vietnamese 

At the Bass Museum of Art in Miami, they are featuring The Private Jade Collection of Her Imperial Highness Princess Thi-Nga of Vietnam.  Well, this contains approximately 80 sculptures from tht 19^th and early 20^th Centuries made from Jade—considered the most precious stone during Imperial Times.  Did you know that it symbolized the link between human beings and the spiritual world?  The Princess collection will be on display until April 29^th.  The Bass Museum of Art is located at 2121 Park Avenue in Miami Beach and can be found at www.bassmuseum.org or reached at 305*673-7530.  

The Power to Protect 

Artist Linda Stein’s latest endeavor, The Power to Protect:  The Sculpture of Linda Stein is currently at the Nathan D. Rosen Museum Gallery which is at the Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in Boca Raton.  Her work may appear impenetrable, but they are definitely unique.  This New York artist features hourglass sculptures with: industrial materials, fiber, wood, stone, and whatever was around her Ground Zero neighborhood.  This is a celebration of the warrior spirit through the female form through rugged depictions.  This show runs through February 18^th, and is located at 9801 Donna Klein Blvd in Boca Raton.  Call 561*852-3214 for directions and/or further information.  

Carlos Eduardo at Storks 

Wilton Manors own Storks Bakery and Café and ArtsUnited is proud to host local photographer Carlos Eduardo.  Being a local and a resident of Florida, he has fulfilled his creative desires through photography, primarily animals and amazing landscapes.  Through nature and wildlife photography Carlos has used many of these subjects in his works not only in the continental United States, but Alaska, and Europe.  He has been featured at the Stonewall Library and Archives as their featured Artist of the Month, various charity auctions, and most recently, the Wilton Manors own ArtWalk.  He likes to capture beauty in nature, architecture, and perspectives of human interaction from different angles.  For more information about Carlos go to www.carloseduardophotos.com and stop by Storks!

Morikami Museum 

At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens they are hosting a show entitled The Peacock’s Feather:  Male Accessories of Old Japan.  This collection contains miniature carved sculptures called netsuke that adorned the clothing of well-dressed Japanese genelemen in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries.  This is a collection of items that are intricately carved and some miniatures—some just an inch in length, of bone, ivory, and wood that would be attached to their kimonos and sashes.  This show also features tobacco and pipe cases that were ornate and part of the male accoutrements.  For further information go to www.morikami.org or call them at 561*495-0233.  The museum is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach.  While you are there why not check out the other collection they have on display, Traditional Japanese Ceramics.  I have a friend of the family that has literally gone to Japan and studied with Japanese Living National Treasures and have learned from them and has told us countless stories about them and the creations they make. 

Frank Lloyd Wright

Currently, at Eaton Fine Art in West Palm Beach, they are hosting Objects of Design:  Decorative Arts and Elements of Frank Lloyd Wright.  What they want you to do is to take a look around you and consider how much, in what combinations, is the objects surrounding you is, infact—art?  This exhibit displays stained-glass windows, china, furniture, fabrics, sculpture, screens, photographs, stationery, drawings, and copper panels that make you consider the opportunities we have to surround ourselves with things of beauty.  Wrights philosophy was that a space should be experienced as a whole, without division between inside and outside or between the table and what’s on the table.  This exhibit runs through February 10^th, and Eaton Fine Art is located at 435 Gardenia Street in West Palm Beach.  For more information go to www.eatonart.net or call them at 561*833-4766. 

Coral Springs Museum of Art

Currently, at the Coral Springs Museum of Art is happy to present a photo exhibit by Robert Bagley, experimental paintings by Sally Cooper, and dimensional work by Tin Ly.  This is going on now through February 17^th.  The Coral Springs Museum of Art is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive.  You can call them at 954*340-5000 or csmart.org. 

Cradle of Christianity 

The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale’s latest exhibit is Cradle of Christianity:  Jewish and Christian Treasures from the Holy Land.  This exhibit provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to learn about aspects of early Jewish life, the concurrent birth of Christianity, and how the two faiths influence each other by presenting archeological treasures excavated in Israel during the last century.  This exhibition will travel two only two other venues in the US has extraordinary biblical artifacts from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.  You can go to www.moafl.com for more information and to purchase tickets, and the museum is located at One East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.  For any questions, you can call them at 954*525-5500

Chihuly is Back! Until May 31^st 

Right now, at the Fairchild Gardens, you can get a second chance this year to see the amazing blown-glass objects mixed in with the natural flowers and botanicals in Chihuly at Fairchild Part II.  On Sunday, December 10^th, Dale Chihuly will be visiting the garden from 11am to noon for a book signing.  The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables and you can go to www.fairchildgarden.org or call them at305*667-1651. 

Chicano Visions:  American Painters on the Verge

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. 

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. 

The Louvre Goes to Abu Dhabi

This week marked the agreement of a partnership with France’s famed Louvre museum and creating a sister site in The United Arab Emirate’s capital city Abu Dhabi.  This $1.3B agreement was signed on Tuesday, and construction of The Louvre Abu Dhabi will begin shortly.  For using their name, the Louvre will receive $520M and an additional $32.5M donation for modernization programs that have started over 20 years ago. 

Local Theatre Buzz

Madame, Sat Mar 17^th

Even though the passing of creator Wayland Flowers was sad, famous funny-puppet Madame didn’t have to go away too.  The new man behind the campy laugh-a-palooza is Joe Kovacs and brings to The Broward Center for Performing Arts the brassy broad of show-puppets.  When asked to list her interests Madame claims, Men, drinking, entertaining and entertaining men who have been drinking.  Not too off the mark.  As part of the ArtsExplosion finale, Madame will take the stage Saturday, March 17^th at 7:30pm at the Amaturo Theater.  For tickets and further information go to www.artsexplosiononline.org or www.madameandme.com or call the Box Office at 954*462-0222. 

The Lion in Winter, Thru Apr 1^st

Through April 1^st, you can catch James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter, a historical drama about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the story of titans whose underlying love is sacrificed to selfish ambition in an orgy of dysfunctional family clashes.  This is a Caldwell Theatre Company production and is at The Boca Raton Professional Theatre located at 7873 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton.  For more information go to www.caldwelltheatre.com or call 877*245-7432. 

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Tickets are still available for the 2005 Tony Award Winning The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which is currently at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  This new musical comedy runs through March 25^th and can be purchased online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com, www.browardcenter.org, or at 954*462-0222. 

The Odd Couple

Starting Friday, March 23^rd, at The Tamarac Theatre for Performing Arts will be The Odd Couple.  Come see the play that started the world-renown television series about two mix-matched divorced men living together when they are complete polar opposites.  The Tamarac Theatre is located at 7143 Pine Island Road in Tamarac and can be reached at 954*726-7898 for tickets or further information.

La Cage, Wed Mar 7 thru Apr 8^th 

Tickets are now on sale for the Actor’s Playhouse presentation of La Cage Aux Folles which will be at The Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables.  This long running Paris boulevard comedy, only later to be a highly original classic film, and now a major musical theatre hit revived on Broadway, La Cage Aux Folles has millions of fan around the world.  Tickets are available at www.actorsplayhouse.org or by calling their Box Office at 305*444-9293.  The Miracle Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.   

Judy Comes to Stage Door, Starting Feb 23^rd

ArteAmericas, Mar 16^th -18^th

Starting Friday, March 16^th, ArteAmericas will take over The Miami Beach Convention Center will feature over 300 artists, 70 galleries and basically, the best in Latin American art.  Even though the show runs from Noon to 9pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 7pm on Sunday—Free admission from Noon to 2pm DAILY!  Also, Friday is New & Young Collectors Day where all artwork under $5,000 will be specially marked with an orange button.  For more information about this show go to www.arteamericas.com.  

Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, Mar 17^th & 18^th

On Saturday, March 17^th and Sunday, March 18^th will be the 3^rd Annual Coral Springs Festival of the Arts.  Admission is free and the festivities begin at 10am and is located at “The Walk” on University Drive and will feature music, dance, theatre, poetry, and authors.  For more information, go to www.artfestival.com. 

Island City Art Walk, Fri, Mar 16^th 

Over 32 Art galleries and businesses in Wilton Manors/Fort Lauderdale will host Island City Art Walk on Friday, March 16th.  Galleries and various businesses feature fine artists and photographers all along Wilton Drive between 26^th and 12^th Streets.  Wine and cheese will be served at the various establishments.  There will be a free trolley service provided for the evening.  For more information call 954*568-2567 and be sure to check out the Mark's List sponsored table outside of Galanga with Hollywood’s own Addy Award Winning Artist Alicia Riddle.  Use this link to see photos from last month’s Island City Art Walk.

Hollywood Art Walk, Sat, Mar 17^th  

Join art lovers for a stroll through downtown Hollywood on Saturday, March 17^th for their monthly Art Walk.  While there, check out one of my favorite privately-owned galleries, The Gallery of the Unknown Artist and see what gallery owner Ceci has to offer.  There will be complimentary refreshments at all the galleries and participating businesses.  The starting point is at the Comfort Zone Studio & Spa at 2028 Harrison Street, Suite 1 in Hollywood.  For further information call 954*923-2030. 

Giselle at Kravis

The Miami City Balley in conjunction with The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce their performances of Giselle.  Starting Friday, March 16^th and finishing on Sunday, March 18^th,  Giselle tells the 19^th century romantic story ballet that is flled with sentimentality and supernatural occurrences and has stood the test of time and is the favorite among classical ballet lovers.  Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.kravis.org or 561*832-7469.   

Hall of Fame

For the first time ever, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame aired live on VH1 Classic on Monday, March 12^th.  For years, it was taped and then ran several days later but since it has grown so much and the artists nominated are more recognized, it has become almost as popular as other award ceremonies.  This year’s inductees are:  Van Hallen, R.E.M., Patti Smith, The Ronettes, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. 

The McGraws are Soul2Soul Again

It was just announced this week that famed couple Tim McGraw and gorgeous Mississippi Belle wife Faith Hill will take to the road again this summer for their Soul2Soul tour.  This highly successful tour will kick off June 6^th in Omaha, NE and end August 10^th in Anaheim, CA and will include Canadian cities as well.  Locally, they will be at The BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise on June 24^th and will bring the same stage as last season’s and promises different songs and other changes.  For more information or other tour dates and times, go to www.timmcgraw.com. 

Data Dots

Data Dots are a state of the art identification and anti-theft security system applicable to most of your assets.  This product consists of polyester substrace micro-dots, each the size of a grain of sand—each having unique information that was laser etched on them.  These dots come pre-mixed in a UV based adhesive ready for applying onto such things as: vehicles, laptops and other electrical equipment, cell phones, tools, sports equipment, and other high-end value items.  Simply brush some dots on and if something should happen…the robbers have no way of getting away with it.  Each kit contains its own unique code for the given asset and may include vehicle identification numbers (VINs), hull identification numbers, and all dot information may be fully customized and best part, each one is unique and cannot be manufactured again!

Madama Butterfly, Mar 23^rd-26^th

Premiering March 23^rd and running through March 26^th The Palm Beach Opera is proud to produce Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.  This will take place at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.  For tickets go to www.pbopera.org or call 561*833-7888.

Don Giovanni, Mar 20^th

The Coral Springs Center for the Arts is proud to host in conjunction with Gold Coast Opera Mozart’s Don Giovanni.  Tickets range from $40-$55 and can be purchased at 954*344-5990.   

One of America’s most famous bedrooms just received a makeover.  The infamous Lincoln Bedroom of The White House just received a refurbishing that includes historical drawings, photos, and documents that brings to life the Victorian era mystique.  The furniture has remained the same, so don’t fret that the historical rosewood bed personally purchased by Mary Todd Lincoln, has remained intact.  Cleaned, but intact.  Heading up the historical renovation was First Lady Laura Bush, who wanted to make the room more representative o the time that the Lincolns occupied it.  Taking her love of history and houses, and needing to do something for legacy, she decided to tackle the bedroom and sitting room at her project.  Since the nationally televised personal tour by then First Lady Jackie Kennedy in 1962, every administration has done something to improve this 207 year-old national museum.  This project cost $530,000 and was paid for by the nonprofit White House Historical Association.   

Ceevox at Score Sat Mar 17^th

On Saturday, March 17^th, Lynn Bove of Icandee Productions will celebrate her birthday and she’s doing it BIG!  There will be an incredible line-up of performers, artists and visuals, including Ceevox. Ceevox is a Billboard recording artist and has worked with some of the biggest names in the Dance Industry with such names as:  Junior Vasquez, Tracey Young, Peter Rauhofer,  and many more.  The party starts at 10pm at Score located at 725 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.  Click here to see last month’s China Girl event!

Lily Tomlin, Apr 12^th 

The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce Lily Tomlin will take center stage at the Knight Concert Hall for one night only, Thursday, April 12^th.   There are packages available and for only $75 you can receive a ticket as well as a post-performance party and for an additional $5 donation, you will help out The Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center that provides services for people with HIV or AIDS.  For tickets go to www.carnivalcenter.org or call the Box Office at 305*949-6722.  

Tony Danza, Mon, Mar 19^th 

On Monday, March 19^th, famed showman Tony Danza will take the stage at Coral Springs Center at 2855 Coral Springs Drive.  Tickets start at $51 and call 954*344-5990 for further information. 

Call Her Miss Ross, Apr 30th 

On Monday, April 30^th, legendary songbird Diana Ross will take center stage at The Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood.  For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com, call them at 954*523-3309, or drop by their Box Office at One Seminole Way in Hollywood. 

Tony Kenny’s Ireland, Sat Mar 24^th 

On Saturday, March 24^th, Ireland’s Entertainer of the Year Tony Kenny will take the stage at The Park Playhouse.  Having thrilled audiences around the globe for years, he, along with The Dublin City Dancers will deliver a show marked by laughter, tears, and thunderous applause.  For tickets or further information go to www.parkerplayhouse.com or call 954*462-0222. 

Gwen, May 9^th 

On May 9^th famed pop singer and L.A.M.B. designer Gwen Stefani will take the stage at 7:30pm at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  The Amphitheatre is located at 601-7 Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach.  Tickets range from $10 to $69.50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 561*966-3309. 

Delirium, Apr 5-7^th 

There will only be three performances only for the Cirque du Soleil’s live music concert entitled Delirium.  This will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday April 5^th through 7^th at The American Airlines Arena.  Tickets are available through www.livenation.com or by phone at 954*523-3309.  For clips visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. 

John Amaechi and Steve Berry At Barnes & Noble 

On Tuesday, March 6, NBA’s recent retiree and out star John Amaechi came to Barnes & Noble in Fort Lauderdale on his stop promoting his autobiography Man in the Middle which discusses his life, coming out, and what his life was like in the Big Leagues.  There were about 50 people to start out with, a record number for them, but by the end of his Question & Answer, another 20 people showed up.  Some major things discussed where that:  Words are powerful and don’t give them that power.  Tiny choices can lead to major consequences. And finally, Ice Tea is the bastardization of a perfectly good drink!  Oh, did I forget to mention this is #19 on The New York Times Bestseller List?  For more information about John and his organizations, go to his official website, www.meech.org. 

If you liked The DaVinci Code, then you will love The Alexandria Link.  On Monday, March 12^th, Barnes & Noble hosted author Steve Berry and feature his latest book, The Alexandria Link.  There will be a reading, Question & Answer, and signing.  As the story goes, a mild-mannered Bookstore owner receives a message stating that his child was kidnapped unless he helps them find secret documents from the lost library of Alexandria.  Within the scrolls lost over 1,500 years ago, contain secrets of our past and future, and enough information to shake the foundations of the world’s three major religions!  The festivities kick off promptly at 7pm and Barnes & Noble is located at 2051 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.   For more information about Steve Berry, go to his official website, www.steveberry.org. 

My Fair Lady

Currently, at The New York Philharmonic, My Fair Lady has been a hit and will finish Saturday, March, 10^th.  This Lerner and Loewe production features Kelli O’Hara as Elizabeth Doolittle and Kelsey Grammer as Henry Higgins.  Not to be missed!  For tickets and further information, go to www.nyphil.org. 

Edward Scissorhands

Running through March 31^st, Edward Scissorhands will be performing at The Brooklyn Academy of Music.  For anyone who does not know the Tim Burton movie, it is the tale of an eccentric inventor who creates a boy but sadly dies before finishing him—leaving him with scissors for hands.  After being found by a local Amway saleslady, he is then transported and adopted by her family and the insanity of suburbia then ensues.  For tickets and further information, go to www.bam.org. 

Edward Scissorhands

Running through March 31^st, Edward Scissorhands will be performing at The Brooklyn Academy of Music.  For anyone who does not know the Tim Burton movie, it is the tale of an eccentric inventor who creates a boy but sadly dies before finishing him—leaving him with scissors for hands.  After being found by a local Amway saleslady, he is then transported and adopted by her family and the insanity of suburbia then ensues.  For tickets and further information, go to www.bam.org. 

Tony Award Winner Liev Schreiber takes the role of Barry Champlain, a vituperative and mesmerizing radio host in Talk Radio.  This Pulitzer Prize Nominated play is about a controversial late night talk radio host and his life.  This is at The Longacre Theatre located at 220 West 48^th Street and for further information and tickets go to www.talkradioonbroadway.com or call them at 800*432-7780

Two-time Tony Award Winner Brian Dennehy takes the stage in the Jerome Lawrence Robert E. Lee production of Inherit the Wind which tells the fictional story of the famous 1925 “Monkey Trial” where Science teacher John Scopes was tried and convicted for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.  Violating Tennessee law, it was forbidden from teaching any theory that conflicted with Biblical conception of the Divine Creation.   This will take place starting March 19^th at The Lyceum Theatre located at 149 Est 45^th Street and can be found at www.inheritthewindonbroadway.com

Did You Pee Your Pants?

Paper Dress Fashion Show

On Saturday, March 2^nd, AIGA Miami proudly held their 4^th Annual Fashion of Paper at The Miami Beach Convention Center.  This featured dresses representing Bangladesh and Croatia through the Dominican Republic and Macedonia while the show stopper was the Kenyan who came out with a 5 foot facemask and shooting paper darts out of a tube!   

Waterproof Suit

Are you constantly traveling to Asia during Typhoon Season?  Do you travel to the Pacific Northwest a lot?  Well, do I have the suit for you!  Italian based suit designer Isaia has come out with their latest suit, The Aqua Spider Suit.  This suit, which retails for $2,495, is made from 100% Merino Wool and naturally stretches (perfect for traveling) and contains superior superfine Teflon coating that makes it able to shrug off rain showers.  Isaia has been in business for the past 50 years and is known for featuring Neapolitan suits with twists.   

The Simmons Give us Green Diamonds

After all the controversy and publicity of Blood Diamonds (diamonds mined in war zones in Africa), Hip-hop demigod Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simons have found a green way to fight back.  The Simons Jewelry Co. has developed The Green Initiative jewelry collection—a line of enviro-friendly and human rights-friendly pieces that raise money for nonprofit educational programs in Africa.  The Green Bracelet is made from native African materials and has been worn by such fashionistas as:  Beyonce Knowles, Naomi Campbell, and Eddie Murphy and only costs $125—half of which goes back to nonprofit groups.

Fashion History

This week marked the 213^th anniversary of Eli Whitney receiving his patent for the cotton gin which later revolutionized America’s cotton industry.