SAT 9/11
At one point, we might have scoffed at the idea of waking up early on a Saturday to hucklebuck down to the library to listen to poetry. But that was before Russell Simmons bumped spoken word up to an urban art form with his Def Poetry Jams. That was before we knew about the massive poetry scene in South Florida, what with Spit'fiya at Audy's Place and erotic poetry readings at the Himmarshee Side Bar. And it was before the tragic death of Lorrie Nicholson-Tennant, a 25-year-old mother and mainstay of the poetry scene who was murdered in her bedroom last month. Now that we're hip to the groove, we plan to spend Friday night under our blankets with a flashlight and a pen. Saturday, we'll fly out of bed to meet up with tattered notebooks and tattered hearts at the Verbal Art Exposé open mic and poetry contest. This event, now in its second year, is a predecessor to the South Florida Poetry Fiesta on September 25. The mic heats up today at the Broward Community College North Campus library auditorium (1100 Coconut Creek Pkwy., Coconut Creek). The free event lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 954-718-9909. --Deirdra Funcheon
Jam on It
And try the wings!
FRI 9/10
In case you haven't had your fill of dancehall, reggae, and soca at the numerous dance clubs that populate Broward County, you can get your fix down at the local sports bar... well, local if you live in Sunrise. But even if you're not down the street, you'll want to pop on over to Porter's Place Sports Bar (4535 N. Pine Island Dr., Lauderhill) for tonight's Jam event. For $15 (before midnight), you get free food all night long (wings, poppers, nachos), two-for-one drink specials, and about every type of dance music you can imagine (OK, maybe not the chicken dance). In addition to live music by Desert Eagle, Ruckus, Prodigy, and Chinese Assassin, there are free CDs available as well. Don't think you're getting a good deal? Try finding a new CD for less than $15 at Sam Goody. You never know -- maybe bar owner and former NFL player Daryl Porter will be hangin' around. Call 954-691-8651. --Jason Budjinski
Say Your Prayers
Or move to Canada
SAT 9/11
Give peace a chance? Dude, what planet are you on? We're indefinitely at war with the nebulous terrorist threat, as defined by the Bushies, and too many Americans still think violence is the ultimate foreign-policy solution. Fortunately, there is growing backlash against such notions, and people are starting to realize that the so-called conservatives in power aren't as compassionate as they promised to be. So on the third anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks -- and in preparation for next week's visit by the Dalai Lama -- an open house and meditation for world peace is held at the Tubten Kunga Buddhist Education Center (665 SE Tenth St., Ste. 202, Deerfield Beach) beginning at 1 p.m. It may not stop the war, but it can't make things any worse. Call 954-421-6224. --Jason Budjinski
In the Fast Lane
SUN 9/12
Shift your stick and rev up your engine for exhibitionism, swapping, and performance as the Arrigo Dodgeland Mopar Show takes place today at Moroso Motorsports Park (17047 Beeline Hwy., Palm Beach Gardens). The show features racing, manufacturers' marketplace, swap meet, model car and truck shows, and more. Gates open at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $15 to $60 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free. Call 561-622-1400. -- Michelle Sheldone
