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LGBT Shopping Ideas |
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Underdog
Denim
 Within
the heart of the newest upcoming LGBT neighborhood is
Underdog Denim. This is a men’s fashion
store that is affordable, stylish, and definitely a great addition to the
recently revitalizing community. Within the walls you will find such brands
as: Diesel, Ko's. Clothing
By Pass jeans, Bullzeye which is similar to Ed Hardy as well as the
latest craze on the necks and wrists of South Florida hotties—Tribal Son
jewelry. You cannot miss the opportunities they have to offer, especially if
they are offering 20 to 70% off entire store. If you want to check out their
other locations, U.D./Style Lab is located down further by Soyka which
carries more high end labels and
Pop on Washington in South Beach for
that more rustic and reinvented feeling while saying something sassy.
Etikette
Has Puntada
 Puntada isn’t a
disease, but it is infectious. Wilton Manor’s very own
Etikette home
store has the very latest from the Puntada Cruda line. Puntada’s leather
creations are one of a kind, amazing, and intricate but still fashion forward as
clothing or home décor. Puntada Cruda started out in the Winter of 2005 and the
original concept was to make accessories out of recycled leather garments and
various objects but as time went one pieces started to take life of their own
and speak and continues to do so. For those who do not know, Puntada Curda
means raw stitch in Spanish—raw or crude, all the pieces are one of a
kind and handmade. One of the symbols used for the line, the Broken Heart, is
not negative but a positive one and means that with all the things going on in
our world, one must have a broken heart. It also means that when someone is
concerned, has good emotions, and feels pain when tragedy occurs it can still be
a symbol of strength and most importantly—love. So, have you had your shot of
Puntada today? |
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Tudor Style |
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I
Am the King of England!!!
For
those of you Anglophiles out there who also are period costume and history buffs
with a fascination for historical biographies, you will already know about
Showtime’s The Tudors. This tells the story of the younger days
of King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Myers) and of the dissolution of his
marriage Katherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle Kennedy) who, come to find out
is the royal daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. As the
series continued last season Henry discovers the enchanting Anne Boleyn (Natalie
Dormer) and falls MADLY in love with her—but she wants him to end his
marriage to his brother’s wife (long story) who he has a daughter, Mary, with in
and in return Anne will give him a son.
What
are you supposed to do when the King is the leader of the church and wants to go
against God’s Laws? This starts a Holy Mission between the Catholic Church and led to the
creation of The Church of England. Expect to see Peter O’Toole this season as
he dons the robes as Pope Paul
III this year to deny a
divorce. This story timeline is years before the rest of his wives, but
if I could be friends with anyone from this period, my BFF would be Katherine.
For those who need to catch up, the first season has just arrived so get your
copy today. For more information about the show, go to
www.sho.com. The Second Season will premier on Sunday, March 30th
only on Showtime.
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Walks, Festivals and Art Events |
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WilMa Art
Walk
Wilton
Manors monthly Art Walk, officially known as "The Island City Art Walk,"
takes place Friday February 16th along Wilton Drive. The vast majority of
shops now open for the event. This months (and every month's) walk encompasses
the blocks beginning (or ending depending on which end you start) on the South
near Sidelines Sports Bar,
Naked Grape Wine Bar and
One Tea Lounge and
continues up to just
short of Five Points where Rosie's Bar
and Grill is located. As always, we look forward to seeing you on the
drive.
Valentine’s Day Concert at Fairchild,Thursday, February 14th
Beginning at 7pm the
Miami
Fairchild Tropical Botanic
Garden will
feature a Valentine’s Day Concert so bring your blanket or small lawn chair and
a picnic basket and relax among the stunning landscapes while listening to some
of your favorite love songs. You are also more than welcome to stroll the
gardens and enjoy their latest exhibitions of Roy Lichtemstein’s monumental
sculptures. The concert will feature Nicole Henry and FIU’s 18-piece Big Band
as well as trumpet and piano player Dr. Sam L. Lussier. Tickets are $60 for
non-members and $45 for members and they have a VIP reserved seating with a
candlelit table for $12. If you are interested and don’t have time to pack a
picnic for yourself, Reserve a gourmet picnic basket from Creative Tastes
by February 11th at
305-256-8399 and it will be available for pick-up at Fairchild
the night of the concert. For more information, go to
www.fairchildgarden.org or call
305-667-1651 Ext. 3344.
South
Beach
Wine & Food Festival, Thursday, February 21st through Sunday,
February 24th
Beginning on Thursday, February 21st, this year’s annual
South Beach Wine & Food Festival will kick off beginning at 10am daily until
10pm nightly. There are events every day and for a complete listing of them go
to
www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 305-627-1275. Ticket prices vary from
event to event with packages available for multiple events. |
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Shopaholic |
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Kristine
W Gets Remixed
According to Masterbeat.com gay fave Kristine W’s The Boss has now has been
remixed with six different versions available. After battling a now remissive
leukemia, Kristine W is facing life head on. With this latest remix, expect to
hear is all over the place. To purchase the remix single online, go to
https://www.masterbeat.com/#release/fam101 or you can always find more
information about Kristine at
www.kristinew.com.
B-52s Are Back
The first recorded album by the fabulousness known as The B-52s is
almost out but their debut single Funplex is out now! The album
(of the same name) is due out March 25th, but a tour is about to be
announced. The album is said to be a mixture of primal guitar hooks, driving
drums, and the B-52s unmistakable vocal style. For more information, get some
background bio information, you can go to
www.theb52s.com or you can check out their MySpace at
www.myspace.com/theofficialb52s.
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Miami Museum
News |
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For
the month of February, to help bring in visitors to all
Miami museums, if you join one you get in FREE to the
other 18 participating ones! During this month-long
program, membership at any one of these participating
museums will work as a free pass to any other and
whether you have just joined or been a member for years,
this is an incredible opportunity to Museum Hop and
experience all of Miami’s cultural scene. For a
complete listing of the 18 participating museums and
information go to
www.joinoneseethemall.com or call
305-535-2631. |
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ArtExplosion 2008 |
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ArtsUnited’s annual Gay and Lesbian arts festival ArtExplosion 2008
opened Friday, February 8 with an outdoor sing-along screening of “The Wizard of
Oz”, and ends February 23 with a “Saturday Night Live inspired” night of sketch
comedy by the Gay Mafia. Produced by the nonprofit organization ArtsUnited,
ArtExplosion 2008 is two weeks of art, music, theater, literature, comedy and
cabaret by local and national gay and lesbian talent, held at a wide variety of
venues throughout Broward County,
Florida.
“Oz
Under the Starz” opens the festival on Friday, February 8th at Hagen Park, 2020
Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. This free outdoor screening of the movie classic
Wizard of Oz is co-sponsored by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
and the City of Wilton Manors. Organizers have included a sing-a-long to make
the event more fun for children young and old. Gates open at
6:00 PM, and the film starts at
7:00 PM.
Beginning February 8th through 23rd, The Broward County will be host to two
weeks of art, theater, literature, film, cabaret and comedy by local and
national gay and lesbian artists and talent. The festival features 28 different
art and culture events presented by 15 arts organizations and businesses, held
in 14 venues; there is something for everyone. Organizers expect an attendance
of over 4000 people during the two week festival. The
centerpiece of the festival is one of the largest gay and lesbian group visual
art exhibits in the country at the JM Family Enterprises Gallery at ArtServe
from February 11th through 29th. The gallery located at 1350 East Sunrise Blvd
in
Fort Lauderdale will host the Artists’ Reception from 6 to
9 PM on Saturday, February 16th. Guests at the
reception will be treated to a short film series, vocalists, musicians, cabaret
and authors in addition to the fine art on display. Refreshments will be served
courtesy of Stork’s Bakery in Wilton Manors and Georgie’s Alibi.
The festival ends
Saturday, February 23rd with a night of sketch comedy in the grand tradition of
Saturday Night Live, featuring The Gay Mafia, hosted by magician Cashetta and
with musical guest Lisp and Havana, at the Broward Center for the Performing
Arts. Tickets for the ArtExplosion Finale featuring The Gay Mafia are $30 or
$45 and available online at
www.browardcenter.org or by calling 954-462-0222. Visit
www.artexplosiononline.org for a complete calendar of events, locations, and
ticket information. |
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On Display |
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ArtsUnited Has Michael Daum & Sip Tshun Ng
Fort Lauderdale
based arts organization ArtsUnited is proud to feature two local artists in two
arenas that are free and open to the public.
Michael Daum is
currently on display at the
Wilton
Manors location of Stork’s Bakery
at 2505 NE 15th Avenue and features paintings depicting the human
form and features six intriguing canvases.
Sip
Tshun Ng is the
featured Artist of the Month at the Stonewall Library and Archives at the
GLCC this month. Chinese artist Sip’s mixed media works feature such things as
pencils, watches, and cars. The Library is located at 1717 North Andrews Avenue
in Fort Lauderdale.
Elizabeth Jerardo At The Firm
There
are new works by Wilton Manors artist Elizabeth Jerardo will be the
featured artist at The Firm at 928 North Federal Highway in Fort
Lauderdale. Printmaking artist Elizabeth is a recipient of an Artist
Enhancement Grant from the state of
Florida
for 2007 and has been working with printmaking since
Broward
Community College
in 2007. In 1999, she helped produce a book of her work of linoleum tiles
entitled “Inside Myself” and was part of the juried competition of Artist
Books at the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale and is now part of the permanent
Floridian collection at the library’s 6th Floor Gallery. Her work
will be on display until February 29th and for more information call
The Firm at 954-767-6277.
Art
Rouge Has The Cutting Edge, Saturday, February 9th
On
Saturday, February 9th, the Art Rouge Gallery of
International Contemporary Art will have an Opening Reception beginning at 7pm
for American artist Rodrigo Aguilera. Aguilera enjoys melting two
concepts into one: abstract collages and figurative drawing—which makes his
work so unique. When he creates the pieces he then re-creates them using some
or all of its original parts. He aims for beauty and harmony and in the process
rearranges the parts to create something new and innovative.
This
show will be on display until March 15th and for more information
about the Art Rouge Gallery which is found in the Wynwood Art District, go to
www.artrouge.com or call them at
305-448-2060. |
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Local Theatre News |
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The 11 O'clock Number
The Rising Action Theatre started out as a mobile theatre group that
performed at unconventional venues such as Boom-transforming the dance bar into
a split level performance venue. With that being said about their creativity,
they have transformed two retail spaces into a home and quite possibly the
cutest and really nicest small theaters in Fort Lauderdale.
Under the direction of David Goldyn (and Lead in
11 o'clock)
the company is currently producing a play about dreams and what REALLY happens
when they come true. It stars David Goldyn as an aging Broadway Queen (and
expert) who is trying to snag a 20 something Texan cowboy Tyler (Brandon St.
John) and convincing him he's only slightly middle-aged. Along comes a
friend Gordon (David Leddick) who gives him a gift-the late Ethel
Merman's Scrabble set. What do you do when the game is haunted with the
previous owner's spirit? What do you do to make them happy? How do you make them
go away? Can musical comedy bring people together?
The play itself is funny, twisty, and full of references to many Silver Screen
legends that if you know and love—you will understand. I have to give much
adoration to Mary Jo Cortada as she portrays the very essence of the
spirit of Ethel Merman. However, if you come away with any one thought from
this play, it is to remember that musical theater is truly dedicated to the 12
year olds who watch their parents drive away to WalMart and run over to the
stereo to play "Chicago" for the 400th time that month.
This
play will give you such lines as:
All I wanna do is have you spit on me and call me names.
Who needs diet pills when you've got talent?
And will
make you wonder, Who is YOUR Ethel Merman? What would YOU do or success?What
would YOU do or success?lines as:
rom this
play, it is to rerdale. y and Archives at the GLCC this month. nd feaand open t
What’s
next for the Rising Action Theatre? Confessions of a Mormon Boy, a
critically acclaimed off-Broadway one man play opening February 28th
and running through March 22nd. This Steven Fale work is a
compelling yet humorous and inspiring true story abut a gay man who went from
being a model Mormon boy in
Utah
to a high priced Call Boy in New York City. His captivating tale takes
audiences through his excommunication from the Mormon Church, Reparative
Therapy, divorce, male prostitution, and drug abuse as he struggled to reclaim
himself, his children, and his “Donny Osmond” smile.
Tickets
for all shows are available online at
www.risingactiontheatre.com, calling 800-595-4849, or by dropping by Wilton
Manors very own “Out!” store at 2256 Wilton Drive.
Sol
Theater Has Art
Imagine
three men, three committed friendships, three totally different personalities,
and one white painting. Now imagine the conflict that will arise over ownership
and see the nature of their relationship and how far that will be stretched.
The
recently renovated
Sol
Theatre in Fort
Lauderdale is proud to announce their first production of the 2008 season
titled, Art. This deals with friendships that hang in the balance
over an expensive painting that could be a lemon. This is a Tony Award Winning
play written by Yasmina Renza will have Previews on Thursday, February 21st
through Saturday the 23rd and the 28th and 29th and the show Opens on Saturday,
March 1st. For tickets and more information contact them at
www.soltheatre.com or call them at 954-801-9207.
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I don’t know if you remember from your childhood watching
television and seeing a hot, scantily dressed woman gyrating her big hips and
butt and wondered where she went. Well, on Tuesday, February 12th,
Puerto Rico’s very own
icon Iris Chacon will take the stage for
Score’s Planeta Macho and
apparently, she’s still FIERCE!
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,On Stage |
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Your Blood, My Blood, February 22nd & 23rd
The
Colony Theatre of
South
Beach
is proud to announce their next project, Your Blood, My Blood. With the
Miami Contemporary Dance Company, My Blood explodes in athletic
achievement and thought-provoking movement in an evening of dance. For tickets
or more information go to
www.ticketmaster.com,
www.MiamiContemporaryDance.net or call the Box Office at 305-674-1040.
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Fill Our Mouths, through February 10th
Fill Out Mouths
is a play by Lauren Feldman that tell the story of two young women who
meet on the streets of Paris. The twist—one is hard of hearing. Their
relationship grows and starts to change everything they thought they knew about
themselves, their language, loved ones, and the world around them. Using spoken
English and American Sign Language Fill Our Mouths is a story of love and
choice, deafness and hearing, the trials of communication, and the search for
self when caught between two worlds.
This stars
local legend Kim Ehly as well as Caroline Edelen, Lela Elam, Brandon Morris, and
Katherine Michelle Tanner. The New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street in
Coral Gables and can be contacted at
www.new-theatre.org or by phone at 305-443-5909. |
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Rebelling Against the Ordinary: Argentina’s Diana Szeinblum
Company Premiere of Alaska February 15th & 16th
Starting
Saturday, February 15th at the Byron Carlyle Theater in
Miami Beach will be Argentina’s Diana Szeinblum’s Company premiere of
Alaska. Szeinblum’s piece uses the idea of the state of Alaska represents
the way in which individuals in modern society are often isolated from one
another. In the piece, two women and two men come together and fall apart in
angular pairings and ménages simultaneously pan-erotic, veering towards violent
and coolly held-back. Clothes are pulled off and put back on again (the evening
contains brief nudity) as bodies rebel against the ordinariness and underlying
loneliness of everyday life. At one point one of the dark, handsome male
dancers, dressed in a business suit, sits alone on stage, a sign hung around his
neck: estoy desesperado….I am desperate.
Tickets are $25
for general admission, $20 for seniors over 65 and students with a valid I.D.,
or $50 for VIP tickets with priority entrance and seating. Tickets may be
purchased through Tigertail online at
www.tigertail.org or by phone at 305-545-8546, through TicketMaster at their
outlets or by phone at 305-358-5885 or 954-523-3309, and in-person at the Byron
Carlyle Box Office at 500 71st Street. Group sale discounted tickets and Patron
level support memberships are available by calling Tigertail at 305-324-4337.
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Restaurant Reviews |
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Storks
Bakery & Café
You know
a restaurant has got to be good if they can make it to their 10th
Anniversary. Well, Stork’s Bakery & Café had their anniversary back in
the Fall of 2007 and are still going strong. Known for their desserts and
pastries, they also have one of the single-most impressive varieties of coffee
on a daily basis in
Fort Lauderdale.
All of their salads and sandwiches are made fresh and to order and pre-made
salads such as tuna fish and pasta salads arrive daily, but the thing that
really put them on the map are their desserts.
As a
convenient destination for both foot and drive-by traffic, they have two
locations in Fort Lauderdale, one on Las Olas Blvd and the other on NE 15th
Avenue in Wilton Manors. Both locations feature similar products and each has
their own special clientele but the service is always prompt and ready to do
whatever it takes to make you feel at home. Storks was started by Jim Stork who
eventually ran and won to become a now former Mayor of Wilton Manors. He has
helped bring pride into the business and a sense of political awareness not seen
in many around town.
Once a
year, right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Stork’s has their now famous
tasting event that lasts all weekend long. You are able to try a majority of
deserts that they carry on a full-time basis, such as the French Chocolate
Cake, Mom’s Chocolate Fudge Cake, the decadent Chambord Mousse Cake
as well as the Holiday specialties like the Bouche de Noel that will make
you want to order one (minus the holiday foliage) and eat it yourself. Kitchen
Manager and Head Baker turned Owner Peter Dekaj (WilMa location) has been doing
the now legendary Barbie cakes for countless festivals, parties, and
functions. Don’t forget to stop by for éclairs, cupcakes, and
their wide variety of extra-large cookies!
Storks
has two locations, for more information, use this link,
Storks
Bakery & Café |
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Green Street Outdoor Lounge & Restaurant
In
Coconut Grove there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and
eateries to choose from. While on a day trip, I was
introduced to The Green Street Outdoor Lounge &
Restaurant. The cafe is located on Main Highway,
but somehow the oak trees and umbrellas mask the noise form
Coconut Grove's main thoroughfare. They also provide a
welcome and cool respite on a mid summer day in Florida.
Green
Street's prices are affordable and while they
specialize in Italian, there are plenty of other items to
choose from. The
appetizers consist of such things as, Hummus,
Tabule Salad and Brie Plate. The menu includes a nice
selection of salads including a Grilled Chicken Salad
that has mixed salad greens, sliced chicken, tomatoes, corn,
and Dijon Vinaigrette. Even though the menu was loaded with
pastas and seafood, since it was lunch, I went with the
Sirloin Cheeseburger with choice of Swiss, Cheddar, or
blue cheese. The burger came with fresh grilled vegetables. I also
tasted the Meat Lasagna that my friend ordered. The
lasagna
was served with a light white
sauce. I enjoyed my burger more, but my friend who ordered
the lasagna loved it.
Dining,
especially for Lunch, is quite casual. The best views are
from the sidewalk tables. I was told that it is a happening
place at dusk with couches and love seats around for you to
dine at and look fabulous. Next time you're in the
Grove Check out Green Street Cafe.
For more information,
including map and address,
use this link
Green Street Outdoor Lounge. |
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Acapulco
Lindo
Anyone that lives in or near
Wilton Manors and loves Mexican food knows about Acapulco Lindo.
This stand-alone restaurant is the epitome of simplicity when it comes to
Mexican and Cuban cuisine. You cannot get a bad meal at Acapulco Lindo, the service is
quick, efficient, and no matter what time of the day you go in, your food will
be ready for you and on your table as soon as it is ready. You really cannot
get any better than that.
My absolute favorite would
have to be their Carne Asada which is a Charbroiled steak served with
yellow rice and refried beans. However, the Chicken
Palomilla, a top sirloin chicken steak topped with chopped onions, cilantro,
and garlic sauce tastes amazing as well and is served with black beans white
rice and plantains. They also carry a wide variety of soups and
salads, Mexican and Cuban entrees and feature 99 Cent Margaritas on Tuesdays and
Thursdays as well as 2 For 1 Beers. All drink specials require purchase of an
entree. Most days there are Lunch and
Early Bird Specials. for map and address please use this link,
Acapulco Lindo
Wilton Manors Florida
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Ver Daddy’s Taco Shop
You know those places that
you are exposed to and quickly realize that if back in that area again, you
would definitely make a point to go back to or even schedule a trip around?
Well, that place for me is Ver Daddy’s Taco Shop in
North Miami
at 7501 Biscayne Blvd. Ver Daddy’s is one of the most eclectic Taco Shops in
this area. The shop looks like the building itself has been a multitude of
restaurants before, but now has finally found a home.
The
owner and staff of Ver Daddy's are amazing, friendly, and knowledgeable and able
to work with any taste to give you exactly what you would like. I hate to sound
like Gordon Ramsey but their philosophy is simple: Fresh made food. No
cans, no bags—everything is made to order and with your health in mind. Their
deep frying oils are cholesterol free and non-hydrogenated. Their salsas and
guacamole are fresh and prepared daily while their chicken is boneless,
skinless, and all the fat trimmed off. They marinate their meats in their own
sauces and seasonings and have no additives or preservatives. How much more
simpler than that can you get?
While I
was there, I had “The Mick” which is a Tortilla Salad also known as the
“Bail Bond Special” which had shredded cabbage, tortilla strips,
tomatoes, cilantro, corn, and a whole bunch of other things including a House
Dressing that is a little spicy with Green Chilies and Jalapeno Sour Cream. I
added Grilled Steak to it and, to my surprise—it was actually steak! After
looking over the take out menu, I discovered something else I want to get next
time I’m in, Tortilla Soup which has a rich broth filled with shredded
chicken, crisp tortillas strips and melted cheese. I could barely finish
everything and I loved sitting outside and watching all the people drive by,
knowing I had the best secret in town.
For more
information, use this link,
Ver Daddy’s Taco Shop |
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Give Me
Two Hands at The Naked Grape
Wine Bar
This
week’s featured Wine of the Week is Australia’s Barossa Valley’s very own Two
Hands. This portfolio of wines offer excellent quality, deep fruit flavors,
intense colors, and a rich complexity. The area they come from is known for
producing gorgeous
Shiraz
varietals. Called by Wine Spectator as perhaps the finest in the Southern
Hemisphere these wines will be the ones you savor with good friends and fine
food.
The
Naked Grape Wine Co. is located at 2039 Wilton Drive and can be reached at
954-563-5631.
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Valentine’s Day Concert at Fairchild |
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Beginning at
7pm the
Miami
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
will feature a Valentine’s Day Concert so bring your
blanket or small lawn chair and a picnic basket and
relax among the stunning landscapes while listening to
some of your favorite love songs. You are also more
than welcome to stroll the gardens and enjoy their
latest exhibitions of Roy Lichtemstein’s monumental
sculptures. The concert will feature Nicole Henry and
FIU’s 18-piece Big Band as well as trumpet and piano
player Dr. Sam L. Lussier. Tickets are $60 for
non-members and $45 for members and they have a VIP
reserved seating with a candlelit table for $12. If you
are interested and don’t have time to pack a picnic for
yourself, Reserve a gourmet picnic basket from
Creative Tastes by February 11th at
305-256-8399 and it will be available for pick-up at Fairchild
the night of the concert. For more information, go to
www.fairchildgarden.org or call
305-667-1651 Ext. 3344. |
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