New Moon Tasting 

Tonight, Wednesday, August 23^rd, Carol at New Moon will be holding a Wine and Art Festival. The featured artist is Harmony Jones and Laura will be your Wine Hostess.  Harmony is a contemporary painter and sculptor and is featured in many local galleries and has won several awards from the Broward Art Guild.  The Wine Tasting is $15 and you get to keep your New Moon Glass so come in and get some culture and enjoy some delicious munchies. 

De Young Museum 

The De Young Museum is one of the best things about San Francisco for it alone, structurally, somehow conveys both massive solidity and graceful airiness.  The building is made from perforated and embossed copper façade and will eventually age to a Statue of Liberty green—further blending it to the natural surroundings.  It was built by the Swiss firm of Herzog & de Meuron, and is placed within Golden Gate Park and contains an observation deck in the torqued tower that allows fantastic views of the entire city. 

Local Theatre Buzz

Please note: we have organized this by the date of the final performance. New additions this week are highlighted in Bold Red.

Pillowman through September 17th

This is a queasy mystery-horror story about a geek who writes murder stories.  He is being interrogated by hard-bitten detectives who think he is not making up his stories.  This play is at GableStage in Coral Gables’s Biltmore Hotel.  For more information, call 305*445-1119.

Shakespeare Festival, through August 27^th 

Right now, from Thursdays through Sundays, The New Theatre in Coral Gables is hosting a Shakespeare Festival with such plays as The Winter’s Tale and Much Ado About Nothing in a rotating repertory through August 27^th at their theatre at 4120 Laguna Street.  Call 305*443-5909 for more information and performance times.

Help Save Julie Johnson! 

What happens when an uneducated housewife and mother of two reaches the end of he rope with both a bad marriage and personal shortcomings?  Find out now at the Sol Theatre Project which is located at 1140 North Flagler Drive, which is down the street from Bill’s Filling Station and just north of Sunrise Blvd.  For questions, times, and prices call them at 954-525-6555 or email them at sol_theatre@bellsouth.net. 

Julie Johnson is proudly sponsored by New Moon Café where, with every ticket purchased, you get a free drink!  Th play opens Friday, August 11^th, and runs through Sunday September 3^rd. 

Beehive Found at Stage Door Theatre Held Over through September 17th!!!

It was brought to my attention that all of the costumes for Beehive were done by the one and only Maria from Zoo 14 on Wilton Drive.  A local fashion legend in our community, she has helped dress many figures—both male and female into one-of-a-kind creations.  This play is a definite Fashion Must-See to reminisce about and era that brought about social change, creativity, and freedom. 

Beehive, the 60’s musical sensation, will be at The Stage Door Theatre May 26^th thru June 25^th with big hair and bigger hits. 

The Stage Door Theatre is located on 26^th right across from Wilton Station in the Old Florida Seafood House Plaza.  For times and tickets, call 954*344-7765.

Click Here to read Stephen's review. 

Ella, through September 3rd

This is a musical about Jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald who invites her favorite musicians to play with her in 1966. This takes place at the Florida Stage which is located at 262 South Ocean Blvd, Manalapan.  Call 561*585-3433 or go to www.floridastage.org  for more information. 

Irma Vep in Coral Gables, through September 3^rd

The Mystery of Irma Vep a wonderfully crafted play with only two actors playing over 20 parts will be appearing at The Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables July 12^th thru September 3^rd.  The Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables and tickets can be purchased online at www.actorsplayhouse.org  or for further information call them at 305*444-9293. 

For Three Days You Can Light My Candle

Tickets are now on sale for Rent which will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts September 14^th thru 17^th.  Tickets are available at the theater Box Office and at www.ticketmaster.com .  You can also check out other shows at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com  or at www.browardcenter.org . 

Things on Display

Through the Lens of the Camera:  Environments 

Straight from the Cuban Collection at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, which has free admission the entire month of August, they are featuring Through the Lens of the Camera:  Environments which focus on such topics as:  Eduarde del Valle’s and Mirta Gomez’s shots of salt fields in Mexico, Abelardo Morell’s Boston backyard, and Silvia Lizama’s prints of Hurricane Andrew’s ravaging impact.  This show runs through November 1^st and is located at 1 East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale and you can call them at 954*525-5500 or at www.moafl.org. 

Oye Vey! 

I have just heard about a new gallery that is in Fort Lauderdale in which is hosting Judaica a show in which all the artisans are Jewish themselves or whose works explore Jewish life and culture through paintings, sculpture, or mixed-media pieces.  There are sculptures by Myriam Franck and paintings by Holocaust survivor Alain Kleinmann which will intrigue and delight those who are interested.  The show is at the Saba Gallery which is located at 1015 East Las Olas Blvd and you can visit them on the web at www.sabagallery.com or call them at 954*467-5745.

Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale 

All this month (August), at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, there is free admission for all visitors.  This does not happen every day so take advantage of it! For more information call them at 954*525-5500. 

Metro Pictures: Part 2 through September 17th

You may be wondering if this show has to deal with the Metro Golden Mayer Production Company…no.  Metro Pictures “refers to snapshots of the city” and that the works “define, interpret and/or reject the city.”  This show is wide open to interpretation and includes stuff like a set of musical vests that “only when two participants wear them…do the sculptures emit sound.”  The exhibit is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art until September 17^th.  The Museum is located at 770 NE 125^th Street in North Miami.  You can either call 305*893-6211 or visit them on the web at www.mocanomi.org for further information.

West Palm Summer Sculpture Show 

Eaton Fine Art will be featuring works by Alexander Calder, Dale Hihuly/Dennis Oppenheim, Patrick Ireland, Mark di Suvero, and many others in their North and South Galleries.  This exhibit runs all summer long from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday.  The Eaton Fine Art Gallery is located at 435 Gardenia Street, West Palm Beach.  Call 561*833-4766 for further information or contact them at www.eatonart.net. 

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. 

Coming to Town

Please note: we have organized this by date of appearance. New additions this week are highlighted in Bold Red.

Wu Tang Clan, Friday, August 25^th 

This Friday Revolution nightclub in Fort Lauderdale welcomes The Wu Tang Clan.  Tickets are on sale right now and they will be performing at 7pm.  Revolution is located at 200 West Broward Blvd in Las Olas.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Mary J. Blige, Friday, August 25^th 

Mary J Blige will be in concert Friday, August 25^th at the Bank Atlantic Center at 2555 Panther Parkway in Sunrise.  Her special guest will be Jaheim and will be singing all her greats—hopefully my favorite song Ain’t Gonna Cry from Waiting to Exhale, and anyone that knows me, knows how MUCH I love that song!  For futher Information go to www.ticketmaster.com. 

Her Hips Don’t Lie, Saturday, September 16^th 

Shakira and Wyclef have added a second show 7:30pm on September 16^th at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.  Tickets are $19.50-$87 and you can get them through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 786*777-1250. For more info about Shakira: www.shakiraheaven.com

The Chicks Will be in Town, Saturday, October 7^th 

John Mayer & Sheryl Crow, Wednesday, October 11^th 

Tickets are now on sale for John Mayer and Sheryl Crow who will be live in concert October 11^th at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  Go to www.livenation.com, www.ticketmaster.com , or you can call 561*966-3309 for more information.  If you are truly a fan, you can also go to www.johnmayer.com and/or www.sherylcrow.com as well.

Danke Schoen October 15th and 16th

The legendary Wayne Newton will be performing at the Hard Rock Live Seminole Hotel & Casino October 15^th & 16^th and tickets are now on sale.  You can get tickets through the Hard Rock Live Box Office from noon to 7pm daily or at www.ticketmaster.com. 

I’m Verklemnpt, Saturday, October 28^th

Yes, the legendary Barbara Streisand will be performing Saturday, October 28^th at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sawgrass and will be having special guest Il Divo perform with her. Tickets are priced starting at $100 to $750 and VIP packages up to $1,800.  Much of the proceeds go to charities, one of which being The Streisand Foundation, which expects to raise millions from this tour.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com.    

Have you noticed the megaplex that has been being built along 395 on the way to South Beach?  Well, just to let you know, they are putting the finishing touches on the Carnival Center, which will be the largest performing arts center in Florida.  The Knight Concert Hall is one of two performance venues that is part of the $450 million center that boast’s an adjustable canopy that can be raised or lowered to change the tuning of the hall.  The Cleveland Orchestra will begin a 10-year residency at the Center starting in January.  The other hall, Ziff Ballet Opera House will be the home of the Florida Grand Opera and Miami City Ballet while the Knight Center will host the Concert Association of Florida as well as a variety of pop, jazz, and world music.   

An example of the type of shows that you can expect at the Carnival Center is White Men With Weapons and Blue Period of Milton Van der Spuy starring Greig Coetzee.  Greig is an acclaimed South African actor and playwright who bring utterly different on-person multicharacter plays.  White Men With Weapons was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is a hysterical, historical, and sometimes harrowing farce about the South African army just before the end of apartheid.  Coetzee plays 13 different characters and is ultimately a stinging critique of the absurdity of military life.  With The Blue Period of Milton Van der Spuy Coetzee tells the tale of a would-be Renaissance man who hopes his head will not explode before he’s able to complete his life’s work—the problem being Milton is far more ambitious than he is talented.   

The plays start on December 13^th and 14^th and for more information you can go to www.carnivalcenter.org.   

Inspired by The Media—Straight Up French 

If you did not already know, Kirsten Dunst has just finished filming the epic film Marie Antoinette with Jason Schwartzman and directed by Sofia Coppola.  Well, if this has any indication, it seems like many designers have gone on the bandwagon of French fashion either directly inspired from the time period of this movie or basic French accoutrements.  While looking through a variety of men’s magazines, you will notice such ads as in September’s GQ you will see a four-page ad for Dolce & Gabbana where the interior two-page spread looks like something from The French Resistance with all these men with scarves and a naked Christina Ricci-esque model wearing nothing but a powdered wig and black knee-high boots.  Please also take notice at the boy laying on her with a bullet wound on his forehead.  Second, you will also find in Men’s Vogue some others with just hints of Frenchness—ruffled tuxedo shirts, worn slightly unbuttoned and either with jackets or alone.  Can you handle French Cuffs and cufflinks?

Can We Say Dumpster Diving? 

This past week, our favorite bunch of designers was given their latest challenge—Dumpster Diving at the Waste Management Recycle America in Port Newark, NJ.  Hope they didn’t dive too far down and find a body or anything…like that doesn’t happen!  Forgetaboutit!  Well, they were each given: 30 minutes, three bins, gloves, hard hats, and goggles and told to find their materials amongst the: paper, plastic, and metal mounds and create something new, innovative, and lastly—wearable! 

At first glance, I became overwhelmed.  Just the sheer mountains of materials within their workroom were suffocating but all except for two were creations, not crap.  God help me if I see one more garbage bag dress. —Nina Garcia, Project Runway Season One, Grocery Store Challenge. 

Once again, my two favorites, Robert Best and Kayne were spared.  Kayne I had crossed my fingers not to be gone so soon, and my prayers were answered.  Too bad for XXX having a fat and shapeless model, but oh well—shouldn’t have done a monochromatic Origami dress!  Not like Kayne’s Recycled Back dress was much better, but helped having some pizzazz.  I actually felt like Robert’s dress was an actual dress, but I am a Child of the 80’s and might have seen a similar creating in a prom picture—still loved it!   

 Michael [Mr. ATL] who won last week’s challenge for Pam Greer’s outfit, won once again with an outfit made of:  vinyl-coated burlap peanut sack for a skirt, reversed some mylar tubing to make a bustier/top and to use as a shawl, clear plastic.  Yes, it looked very French Vogue but I wanted Jeffrey [Mr. Tattoo] to win since he clearly put the most thought, effort, and creativity into his outfit made of various newspapers and painted them, and it flowed!  No one else’s moved—especially not Vincent’s!  His model had the hardest time walking in his “Fine Art.”  Forgetaboutit.  Carry on. 

Nestor Paz 

Local South Beach artist Nestor Paz shows work that is amazing and detailed with a hint of Dali and Picasso.  Some of the works have already been sold, but many more are still available and affordable. Use the link below to check out Nestor's work and acquire a piece for your collection while he's still affordable. 

You can check out his work at www.nestorpaz.com . 

If I said the name Joe Rosenthal, many do not know his name.  However, he single-handedly took one of the most poignant pictures of wartime WWII.  He is the photographer that captured soldiers raising the American flag in Iwo Jima February 23, 1945 that later went on to be the subject of posters, war-bond drives, postage stamps and the Marine Corps War Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.  Before his passing he said What I see behind the photo is what it took to get up to those heights—the kind of devotion to their country that those young men had, and the sacrifices they made.  Joe Rosenthal passed on Sunday at the age of 94 of natural causes.   

She IS The Talk of the Town 

Beverly (Bev) McClellan and Billy, the amazing vocalists who perform Saturdays at New Moon Café will be on hand to talk, sing, drink, and take you on a journey.  At first glance you see what Avirl Lavine sings about in “Skater Boy”—but don’t let looks fool ya—she can sing like Melissa Etheridge.  After listening to her CD Talk of the Town, I’m a fan!  Carol from New Moon says, “…catch these guys for free while you can, chances are they will be up on a national stage soon!”

Absinthe 

Do you love Cirque du Soleil?  How about Rocky Horror Picture Show? Well, Absinthe will not fail you, it’s part cabaret, part circus and aims to be kind of a seedy decadence that is mingled with the simple wonders of knife-jugglers, sword-swallowers, and man creating constructions out of soap bubbles.  It is the main event at Spiegletent, a vintage European tradition that has come to visit the South Street Seaport this summer.  Spiegeltent is at the former site of the Fulton Fish Market, Pier 17, South Street, under the Brooklyn Bridge.  For more information call 212*279-4200. 

Rubin Museum 

At the Rubin Museum of Art they are currently hosting a show called What Is It?  Himalayan Art which will give you lectures, films, and exhibitions devoted to the aspects of living in the Himalayas and what their culture is really like.  They have Tibetan and Nepalan art that you can experience, with such other things that are spiritually stimulating.  The Rubin Museum is located at 150 West 17^th Street in Chelsea.  You can call them at 212*620-5000 or visit them on the web at www.rmanyc.org. 

The Unknown Weegee 

Running now at The International Center for Photography is Arthur “Weegee” Fellig’s work through August 27^th.  From the 1930’s through the 50’s, Weegee was one of the best known news photographers in the country specializing in capturing the sensational side of urban life: disaster, crime, and nightlife. There are 95 pictures and gives a good sense of his range and calls particular attention to his awareness to social problems related to class and race.  The International Center of Photography is located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43^rd Street.  You can call them at 212*857-0000 or visit them on the web at www.icp.org. 

Condé Nast Art which can be found at www.condenastART.com.  This is a truly unique collection with vintage covers from various magazines, photographs, and illustrations reproduced from the Condé Nast Archive.  These are gallery quality prints that are available in two sizes, framed or unframed, for anything from you home to your office.  Best part—there is free shipping within the continental United States.

Why Not Check Out a Salvage Yard? 

Nowadays everyone wants things that are either new-new-new or old-old-old.  Why not combine the two and get something that is old that has, in some way or another, was discarded and is now for sale? There are plenty of companies out there that go in and scavenger around, disassemble things, take doors off doorways, rip off mantles, and whatever-have-you all before being bulldozed only to place them in warehouses open to the public and, sometimes without doing any improvements—sell them for hundreds of dollars!  I remember doing a project in college about Furniture Recycling and easily discovered twenty different websites of companies willing to do the dirty work for you.   

Well, in the city of Sarasota, they have a place called Sarasota Architectural Salvage.  They boast having 8,700 square feet for things from the 1930’s and 40’s of all original and historic building materials—anything you could want, they probably have it.  Sadly, everything is piled on top of eachother, hung from rafters, and stacked neatly, so be prepared to sort.  The Sarasota Architectural Salvage is located at 1093 Central Avenue in Sarasota.  You can contact them at 941*362-0803 or on the web at www.sarasotasalvage.com.