Want to get your kids unwound from all the Halloween festivities? Then bring them to the Cornell Museum of Art and History at Old School Square (51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach) for a Meet the Masters series. Every month, the museum presents an educational event on a different country. This month, kids ages 5 to 8 learn about the culture of Japan through hands-on art activities, a history lesson, photographs, and a demonstration of the ancient art of paper making. Meet the Masters starts at 3:30 p.m. and costs $1 for children, $6 for adults. Call 561-243-7922.
FRI 11/7
The high-pitched comical complaining. The constant refrain of "That's not right!" The bow tie. Yes, Kevin Meaney must be in town. Like many of today's best standup comics, Meaney draws on the tragedies of his personal life for his comedic routine. Well, maybe tragedies isn't the best word. Familial neuroses would describe it better. And since most people seem to come from families that are somewhat "bent" in the metaphorical sense, you'll probably find something vaguely familiar in some of Meaney's comedy. The man and his bow tie come to the New York Comedy Club (8221 Glades Rd., Boca Raton) today and Saturday. Ticket prices vary, and there is also a two-drink minimum. Call 561-470-6887.
SAT 11/8
The Miami Book Fair, which opened for business last Sunday, continues through tomorrow, making this your last weekend to indulge in all the literary opportunity. In fact, given that the book fair's streetfair is only November 7 to 9, this weekend is actually your best bet to head south for the event. Now nearing its 20th year of existence, the Miami Book Fair has grown from a two-day happening to the largest book fair in the country. The list of authors making appearances at the fair is far, far too long to spout off here. Suffice it to say it covers everyone from A (Madeleine Albright) to Z (Howard Zinn). The book fair's hard to miss, pretty much occupying the space between NE Third and Fifth streets and between NE First Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard. For more information, visit www.miamibookfair.com.
SUN 11/9
Stryper, for those not familiar, stands for Salvation Through Redemption Yielding Peace, Encouragement, and Righteousness. Yes, kids, it's America's favorite Bible-throwing metalheads, Stryper, blazing a trail of yellow and black across the country. Stryper's story starts as many did in the hairspray-coated '80s. Drummer Robert Sweet watched in awe as Van Halen played to a sold-out crowd in Los Angeles. Diamond Dave and company jammed out "Running with the Devil," but Sweet wasn't down with any sort of activity involving the devil. So he did what any God-fearing disciple would do and titled Stryper's 1987 album To Hell with the Devil. And, of course, the band took to wearing black and yellow jump suits, the obvious choice of colors for fighting the war against Satan. Now, Stryper has been reborn. Can the guys get a hallelujah? Can they get an amen? Can they still fit into their jump suits? Rejoice and watch them battle with their axes for Christ at South Florida's own special kind of hell, otherwise known as the Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Show starts at 8 p.m. Call 954-564-1074.
MON 11/10
Remember when bands were labeled "college rock"? Ah, those were the good old days. The days when seeing your favorite band's video at 3 a.m. on MTV made you giddy. The mid-to-late-'80s period of music birthed several bands that were dubbed "college rock," before grunge came along and the horribly overused term "alternative rock" was coined. Boston band the Beatings inject a wonderful indie nostalgia for those days into their new album, The Heart, the Product, the Machine and the Asshole, embracing the discordant guitar work and sing-a-long choruses of bands like Superchunk and, of course, that other famous Boston band that starts with P and ends with -ixies. Check them out at the Red Lion Pub (10114 S. Military Trl., Boynton Beach) at 9 p.m. Billy Boloby and Die Stinkin' open. Call 561-737-0434.
TUE 11/11
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high. As if you didn't know from the Sousa marches, ubiquitous American flags, and jingoistic fervor, it's Veteran's Day. Given the state of affairs in this country, every day is like Veteran's Day, to paraphrase an old Smith's song. But Veteran's Day, well, that's really like Veteran's Day. But hey, it's not as if they don't deserve it. Your grandfather who dashed up the Normandy beaches has more cojones than you'll ever dream of having. And the fact that the modern army is used to less honorable ends doesn't cheapen the liberties and freedoms that generations of Americans fought and died for, nor does it take away from the bravery of modern soldiers in Iraq. Not their fault that they're being used by the government in an unnecessary and imperialistic act of aggression (note to dittoheads: Send death threats to Dan Sweeney, c/o New Times). Recognizing this fact, g'head and join in the patriotic fervor at Veterans Park (7825 Southgate Blvd., Tamarac) at 10 a.m. A parade, headed from Tamarac City Hall (7525 NW 88th Ave., Tamarac), wraps up there at that hour, and a ceremony for veterans of the armed forces begins. Call 954-724-2445.
WED 11/12
OK, class, welcome to Rock Influences 101. Let's start off with a little exercise. Raise your hands if you like the Beach Boys. OK, nice show of hands. How about the Beatles? Good, good. Now, who here likes ELO? Aha! Not so fast, you guys with shaggy haircuts and leather jackets in the back. That was a trick question. What's your name, junior? Rooney? What kind of name is that? Oh, you're a band from Southern California, and you named yourself after Principal Ed Rooney from the 1986 classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off! Hey, you. Yeah, you with the Mick Jagger haircut. Is that a Weezer shirt you're wearing? That's it! Get out! And hem those jeans while you're at it! Check out Rooney with the Sounds and Palo Alto at the Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Show starts at 8 p.m. Call 954-564-1074.