FRI 6/3
For every cynic who saw the film What the Bleep Do We Know? and called it "a sea of new agey horse crap," there were three fanatics who saw it and gushed, "It changed my life." While some viewers went home and promptly forgot the quantum physics mumbo jumbo they'd just heard, many, many others sent friends to see Bleep, which resulted in a box-office gross of more than $10 million.
The movie explores science, spirituality, and the concept of reality. It features documentary-style interviews with guys like Fred Alan Wolf, a UCLA-educated physicist who believes that "matter can move backward and forward in time" and that "simply looking at an event can alter it instantaneously." Those ideas seem tame compared to the acted-out part of the movie, starring deaf actress Marlee Matlin. She questions the meaning of life and goes to a wedding where women dress like dancing pears. Goofy special effects lend the film all the grace of a corporate training video.
This weekend, fans unite at the "Prophets Conference" at the Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay Hotel (1633 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami), where most of the people from the film -- including Wolf and Matlin -- will lecture. It costs $40 per presentation, $345 for a full conference pass. Call 888-777-5981, or visit www.greatmystery.org.. -- Deirdra Funcheon
Pucks and Bottoms
Gay prom beckons
SAT 6/4
There could be myriad reasons you didn't fit in at high school. Perhaps you had a spiral perm (a decade late) and slouch socks (eight years early). Maybe you had an unfortunate love of cafeteria cuisine (especially the hot lunch medley) or an uncanny talent for brass instruments. However, for those of you who didn't fit in for gender role reasons, you needn't commit the next decade attempting to find women's pumps in size 14, watching But I'm a Cheerleader!, and thumbing through Teen Prom magazine. On Saturday, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (1717 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale) gives post-adolescents a chance to dance the night away at its Alternative Youth Prom for ages 18 to 23. The evening's theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream," so you can find the Oberon to your Titania, stalk the mischievous Puck from across the refreshment table, or just make time with a bunch of fairies. Call 954-463-9005. -- Jamie Laughlin
Sing It, Sister!
These chicks don't lay eggs
TUE 6/7
It's the first Tuesday of the month -- time for the birds to fly south to O'Hara's Jazz Cafe & Swing Street Bistro (1903 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood). That's where talented songbird Mary Huddleston hosts "Chick Singer Night," when local songwriters of the female persuasion share the stage and show their stuff (although an occasional rooster is thrown in every now and then to mix it up). No backing band? No problem. Huddleston's got you covered, providing a full set of professional musicians. Each participant gets to perform two sets of two songs. This month's event features Vanessa Encomenderos, Vickie Raye, Justin Enco, and J.D. Danner. The event starts at 9 p.m. Call 954-925-2555 (O'Hara's) or 954-718-8717 (Huddleston). -- Sue Lynn
How to Scam FEMA 101
SAT 6/4
How do you prepare for hurricane season? Hoard bottled water? Visit the Home Depot? No, silly! Frolic with the New England Patriots, listen to bands, ride a waterslide, and get massaged -- all for free at Project HOPE's Hurricane Awareness Expo. Emergency management experts will hang around Centennial Square (Clematis Street and Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to sell you hurricane shutters and jibber-jabber about dealing with insurance companies. Call 561-837-5042, or visit www.projecthope.homestead.com. -- Deirdra Funcheon
