We are already in the middle of the spring (early summer here) in South Florida and our social calendars are still quite full of arts and entertainment events. Long gone are the days when cultural events could only be found during the high season. Now, there is hardly even a slowdown, the events roll from one season to another. Despite the fact that some of our snow bird friends will have gone home, those of us who live here are thankful for the chance to experience so many wonderful happenings.
April
Invisible
The Hub at the LGBT Visitor’s Center (1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach)
April 13-May 31 – Hours may vary
Invisible is an art instillation that consists of portraits and written testimonials of the participants as well as a video documentary where each individual tells their story of invisibility. Invisible focuses on individuals who either feel or have felt invisible or believe that society treats them as invisible. Featuring the creativity of Vladimir Rios and the photography of Lester Blum. There will be an opening night cocktail reception at the Hub on Thursday, April 13 from 6-9 p.m. For more information, call Lori at (305) 397-8914.
Ariana Grande: The Dangerous Women Tour with Special Guest Lil Mix
American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami)
Friday, April 14- 7:30 p.m.
2016 saw Grande release her mega-anticipated third full-length album, “Dangerous Woman,” driven by the title track, which captured No. 1 on both iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart and Top Pop Songs Chart minutes after release. “Dangerous Woman” also debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, earning her the distinction of becoming the first artist to debut on the chart with the lead single from her first three albums. For ticket info, visit AAArena.com
Netflix presents: “Sandy Wexler’s Here Comes the Funny Tour”
Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale)
Sunday, April 16- 7 p.m.
Get ready to laugh you’re a$$ off when the 90’s SNL alums and A-List movie stars bring their standup bits to Fort Lauderdale. This show will feature live performances by Adam Sandler, David Spade, Nick Swardson, and Rob Schneider. “Sandy Wexler” is Sandler’s new flick that will be released on Amazon on April 14. For more information or for tickets, visit BrowardCenter.org
“Kinky Boots”
Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach)
April 18-23- Show times vary
Making its Kravis Center debut, “Kinky Boots” is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. For more info, visit Kravis.org
David Sedaris
Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami)
Thursday, April 20- 8 p.m.
NPR Humorist and bestselling author David Sedaris brings his comedic storytelling to the Arsht Center for one night only. Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. He slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness. For tickets visit ArshtCenter.org
Slow Burn Theatre presents: “Aida”
Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale)
April 20- May 7- Performance times vary
Winner of four 2000 Tony Awards, Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” is a musical bursting with contemporary energy chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. For more info including performance times and ticket prices, visit SlowBurnTheatre.org
Todrick Hall- “Straight outta Oz” Tour
Parker Playhouse (707 NE 8th St, Ft. Lauderdale)
April 22- 8:30 p.m
Fresh off of Broadway in his star turn as Lola in “Kinky Boots,” Todrick Hall makes his triumphant return to South Florida for a command performance of “Straight Outta Oz,” a new “twister” on L. Frank Baum’s most classic creation, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” This show is great for the family with powerful musical numbers, innovative sets, sensational choreography, dazzling costumes and a great social message. For ticket info, visit ParkerPlayhouse.com
Neil Diamond
BB&T Center (2555 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise)
April 26- 8 p.m.
Music icon, Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Member Neil Diamond will celebrate his unparalleled career spanning 50 years with a world tour. The 50 Year Anniversary World Tour, produced by Live Nation, will stop at BB&T Center on Wednesday, April 26. For more information about Diamond’s concert, visit TheBBTCenter.com
May
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I”
Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami)
May 9-21- Performance times vary
Lincoln Center Theater’s critically acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I” directed by Tony Award Winner Bartlett Sher and winner of four 2015 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, comes to the Arsht Center in Miami for a two week run. “The King and I” tells the story of an 19th Century teacher who is hired to teach the King of Siam’s wives and children. Shall we dance? For ticket info, visit ArshtCenter.org.
“The Sound of Music”
Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach)
May 9-14- Performance times vary
“The hills are alive” again in this brand new production of “The Sound of Music,” directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien and hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “Sparkling, fresh and lively.” The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. For more info, visit Kravis.org
Hater’s Roast: The Shady Tour
Parker Playhouse (707 NE 8th St, Ft. Lauderdale)
May 11- 8 p.m.
Haters Roast: The Shady Tour. When sharp-tongued queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race take to the stage with stingers and zingers – from politics to love, to social media and even their “sisters” on stage, anything is fair game. It’s an evening of hilarious comedy – the shady way. Let it rip! Staring “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winners Bob the Drag Queen, Alaska, Jinx Monsoon, as well as Florida’s own Ginger Minge and Latrice Royale, and many more of your favorite queens. For ticket info, visit ParkerPlayhouse.com
The Weeknd- Starboy: Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour
BB&T Center (2555 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise)
May 11- 7:30 p.m.
Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum selling music artist The Weeknd will bring his first-ever world tour, Starboy: Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour, to BB&T Center Thursday, May 11. Following his meteoric rise to the top of the hip hop charts, The Weeknd will take over South Florida for one night only as his tour makes a stop in Sunrise. For ticket info, visit TheBBTCenter.com
Monty Python’s “Spamalot”
Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach)
May 18-June 4- Performance times vary
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful showgirls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Did we mention the bevy of beautiful show girls? The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and received 14 Tony Award nominations. For ticket info, visit Kravis.org
“Mama Mia”
Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale)
May 19-21- Performance times vary
Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org
Idina Menzel
Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale)
May 24- 8 p.m.
Tony Award-winner and Broadway icon Idina Menzel takes the Au-Rene stage for one night only! Menzel first reached stardom on Broadway in her Tony-nominated role as Maureen in the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rent,” followed by superstardom in her Tony Award-winning performance as Elphaba, in the blockbuster “Wicked.” However, it was her voice as Elsa in Disney’s global box office smash “Frozen” in which she sings the film’s Oscar-winning song “Let It Go,” that took her to new heights. From Broadway, film, television, cast albums to her own solo albums, Menzel is lauded for her strong yet emotional performances. For more info, visit BrowardCenter.org
June
“Summer Shorts” America’s Short Play Festival
Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami)
June 1- July 2- Show times vary
America’s Short Play Festival is back in 2017 with an all-new line up of the best short plays in the country! Come celebrate the diversity of Miami through laughter in 90 action-packed minutes starring a company of South Florida theatre all-stars. You won’t want to miss this season’s all new collection of heavy-on-the-comedy scripts penned by the country’s best writers including City Theatre National Short Play Competition winners. Visit ArshtCenter.org for more info.
Trevor Noah
Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach)
June 3- 8 p.m.
Host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning “The Daily Show,” comedian Trevor Noah brings his unique brand of humor to the Kravis stage. Known for his incisive social and political commentary and for his gift for storytelling, Noah was nominated for Personality of the Year at the 2014 and 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards and won in 2015. He continues to perform for sold-out audiences in five continents. For tickets, visit Kravis.org
Anne Wilson of Heart
Parker Playhouse (707 NE 8th St, Ft. Lauderdale)
June 8- 8 p.m.
Heart frontwoman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ann Wilson brings her legendary voice to Parker Playhouse for one night only! Expect to hear Heart classics — “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “What About Love,” “Alone” — and songs from her solo work and iconic soul-stirring covers.” For tickets visit ParkerPlayhouse.com
South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble
Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale)
June 10- 8 p.m.
The Pride Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Steel Drum Band will take the stage in the Amaturo Theater as they celebrate the contribution of gay and lesbian composers and the gay and lesbian band movement. Guest vocalists and dancers will be invited to join forces with the band. For more information, visit PrideWindEnsemble.org
Gypsy Kings
Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach)
June 11- 8 p.m.
A vibrant fusion of Spanish flamenco, gypsy rhapsody and salsa funk, the Gipsy Kings introduced the world to their one-of-a-kind sound nearly 40 years ago. After selling close to 20 million albums, the wildly popular group that owes its roots to France, continues to beckon music-lovers, delivering pulsating performances of their unique blend of Western pop and Latin Rhythms. For tickets, visit Kravis.org
U2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017
Hard Rock Stadium (347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens)
June 11- 7 p.m.
Ireland’s most famous musicians, and some might argue the most famous band in the world, will bring the Joshua Tree Tour to Hard Rock Stadium along with special guests One Republic. This one night only show is sure to sell out, but as of press time, some tickets are available. Visit Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.
“Finding Neverland”
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 13-25- Performance times vary
Directed by visionary Tony winner Diane Paulus, “Finding Neverland” tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org
