It takes a true artist to see past the beachside litter and unearth the natural beauty that can be found at the ocean's edge. While most artists express this through representation, the team of Marilza Lopes and William Larzelere are more interested in re-creation. Co-owners of Larlo Design, the Hollywood-based artists create glass and metal pieces that look like they came in with the tide, including necklaces, earrings, and other stylish trinkets. Lopes and Larzelere venture out of their studio tonight for the opening reception of their exhibit at Broward Community College Fine Arts Gallery (3501 SW Davie Rd., Davie). The free reception starts at 7 p.m. The exhibit runs through December 15. Call 954-201-6984. (JB)
FRI 11
"I picked up a copy of the New Times — the July 21 cover story," says Fort Lauderdale resident Julie Wishart, "and read about Aaron [Jackson]. That he would put himself in a homeless shelter in order to fund an orphanage in Haiti — that's a kind of selflessness that I've never witnessed before." Jackson, a 23-year-old from Hollywood, forgoes an apartment, a car, and firsthand clothes. Instead, he travels to Port-au-Prince, delivers deworming medicine to street children, and helps operate an orphanage. To help fund these efforts, Wishart and friends have arranged a benefit concert starring Teri Catlin, Uncommon Ground, Beth Forry, Jude Papaloko (the "King of Vodou Pop") from Haiti, Ronit Gaenosar from Israel, Jerrods Door, Tequesta Street, and Billy Vasquez. The show starts at 7 p.m. at China White (109 SW Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale), and at 11:11 (on 11/11), all of the musicians will jam to John Lennon's "Imagine." Wishart says the number 11 has a "high vibrational spirit, like a universal number that connects all of us." As for Jackson: "He was on his way to Pakistan to bring deworming medicine there — but I asked him to please not go because I wanted him at the fundraiser." Suggested donation is $20 to $25. Visit www.chickgrantfoundation.org, or call 954-522-7101. (DF)
SAT 12
There are those who began to love Lil Bow Wow when he busted on the scene in 2000, and there are those who just hit puberty and proclaimed themselves "bowweezycrazy." But all are united by pressing concerns — like which of them will become the next Mrs. Shad Gregory Moss, and whether they should hate his rumored girlfriend, Ciara, or be happy that Bow Wow found someone. "Even though he's got his wifey Ciara, he might not be wid her forever and there might be a chance for him to see me and know how girls like me roll," muses a 15 -year-old on a fan site. "I'm cute, loving, caring, young, fly, and I love Bow Wow," a 17-year-old felt the need to proclaim. Although he's gotten tattoos, dropped the Lil from his name, and rhymes that he's now "18, nigga, makin' more than yo dad," a full three of the songs on his new album talk about taking Shorty to the mall. That magic formula ensures that Bow Wow keeps getting older but that his fans stay the same age. Tonight, Mr. Wow headlines the 103.5 Beatdown at the University of Miami Convocation Center (1245 Dauer Dr., Miami). He is joined by Omarion, Marques Houston, Three Six Mafia, Mike Jones, Dem Franchise Boyz, Jaheim, the Youngbloodz, Trey Songz, Ray J, and SWV. Tickets cost $25. Call 954-523-3309, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. (DF)
SUN 13
It's a Kiradance thing — you wouldn't understand. Unless you went to see it. Only then might you comprehend what organizers describe as a "variety show featuring comedic dance disguised as a mock beauty contest, elegant exotic hula, and more." The "Kiradance: Worlds of Fantasy Tour" combines "old-time vaudeville, bellydancers, sports show halftime entertainment, and moving props that glow in the dark." Performances take place Saturday at 8 p.m. and today at 2 p.m. in the Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park (300 S. Military Trl., Boca Raton). Tickets cost $12. Call 561-347-3900. (DF)
MON 14
Now that the '80s are over, it's fun to look at old photos of us in jam shorts and Spuds MacKenzie T-shirts — as long as no one else sees them. Nicolas Cage doesn't have it so easy. The new-wave-meets-gay-disco outfit he wore in 1983's Valley Girl is on screen tonight at the Rose & Crown Pub (3680 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale). Set to one of the better soundtracks of its time (including Josie Cotton's "Johnny, Are You Queer?" and the Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away"), Valley Girl casts Cage as Randy, a city boy vying for the affection of Julie, a well-to-do girl from the Valley. Naturally, Julie's friends urge her to go back to her jerky ex-boyfriend. Isn't that the '80s in a nutshell? Stop Motion plays live, while DJ Adam Wrong and crew put the spin on things. The night starts at 10 p.m. Admission costs $4. Call 954-731-6245. (JB)
TUE 15
Nice rims there. What else have you got? Nitrous? Hydraulics? No? Hell, if you drove that jalopy to the Five-Day Bracket Championships at Moroso Motorsports Park (17047 Beeline Hwy., Jupiter), you'd be laughed straight out of town. This is the big-time, baby... professional drag racing. Forget about spinning hubcaps; these cars are like bottle rockets with wheels. Now in its 24th year, the event has upped the ante in its prize pot to more than $258,000 available to top racers. That ought to inspire the 400-plus competitors expected to enter. The championships begin today at 9 a.m. and run through November 19. Spectator tickets cost $15. Call 561-622-1400, or visit www.morosomotorsportspark.com. (JB)
WED 16
If there's one thing Floridians have seen more of than downed power lines, it's pink flamingos — those hideous, weathered yard ornaments that look older than the Great Pyramids. So you might be surprised to see the truly artful sculptures Francisco Sheuat fashions after the tropical bird. Sheuat's color palette runs from the aquatic to the metallic, all the while craftily disguising the fact that his birds are nothing but papier-mâché and Styrofoam. The pieces range from the usual tropical flare (turquoise and orange color schemes mixed with palm trees) to a more art-deco style (red and black with shards of silver) and even a metropolitan, New York look (streamlined coats of silver, black, and blue). Too bad papier-mâché won't hold up in a rainstorm. Sheuat's exhibit "Migration" is open now through November 30 at Art Expressions (1212 NE Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-527-7700, or visit www.artexpressions.tk. (JB)
