Best Things to Do in Broward and Palm Beach This Week

Thursday, June 2

For most of us, the phrase "social networking" is pretty outdated. Almost everything we do online via Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook is social networking. Why would we do that out in public, where we might have the opportunity to have a real conversation and maybe even meet some new friends or business associates? Well, because that's the best way to network, no matter what anyone says. To help you on your journey to physical networking freedom, New Times is bringing the old- and new-world social networks together with Sips+Selfies, a series of happy hours that will help you merge digital and real-time socializing. These happy hours, hosted at various popular bars and restaurants across Broward and Palm Beach counties, will feature free admission, complimentary cocktails, beer, and wine, and free appetizers. Then simply mix and mingle with other New Times readers. The food and drinks may be free, but the real work is up to you. Don't forget to share your happy-hour selfies with the hashtag #NTSipsNSelfies on social media. Pretty easy, right?

This week, the socializing starts at Thirteen Restaurant & Bar in Wilton Manors (2390 Wilton Drive). Space is limited, and you must present a ticket at the door (printed or on your phone) for access to the event and special promotions. The event is first come, first serve. New Times' Sips+Selfies will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Get your complimentary ticket at bit.ly/bpb_thirteen. 

Friday, June 3

Seems like Fort Lauderdale is doing everything right these days. The Hub is hosting a free Friday night concert series called Friday Night Sound Waves (#FNSW) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — which is the perfect time for young families, happy hour crowds, and those about to embark on the long haul of the night to meet and mingle to some free tunes. The atmosphere is relaxed and beach chairs are encouraged. The Free Rads pride themselves on their dynamism and passion, key elements for anybody putting together a three-hour set. They bring a little something for everybody, mixing a wide range of established classics and current hits that will surely pair up the valence electrons and their uncharged molecules the right way with plenty of danceable fare. Many of the Hub's neighbors are getting in on the action of this new Friday night routine, and a quick visit to their website will prove handy in planning an outing as well as learning more about parking and dining options in the area.

The Fort Lauderdale Beach Hub is located at Las Olas and A1A. Visit fridaynightsoundwaves.com. 

Guy Harvey — renowned scientist, diver, angler, conservationist, and explorer — is widely recognized today as the world's finest marine wildlife artist, among his other accomplishments. Along with his signature, Harvey's art can be found on a wide variety of gifts and apparel. He combines his artistic talents with his background as a marine biologist to create marine wildlife art with visual appeal and an eye for biologic accuracy. He does, after all, hold a Ph.D. His largest canvas to date adorns the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship Escape. The 1,000-plus-foot-long ship features Guy Harvey artwork along the hull. The entire ship even carries a Guy Harvey theme. A portion of the proceeds from Harvey's art goes to benefit the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which educates youths about the oceans and funds scientific research to conserve marine wildlife. Harvey recently collaborated with SeaWorld to raise awareness about ocean health and the plight of sharks in the wild.

If you're a fan of his art and mission, you'll have a chance to meet Harvey and get his autograph from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Guy Harvey Retail Store located at 10408 W. State Road 84 #104 in Davie. The event is free. Call 954-581-0073, or visit guyharvey.com. 

Saturday, June 4

Show of hands: How many of you adults out there (especially the ones with young kids) grow green with envy when you attend a kids' party and are forbidden from participating in the fun activities because you're, well, an adult? Oh, what's that? All of you? Well, now you can let your inner kid out in a socially acceptable manner when Slide the City rolls into town. The Slip 'n' Slides of yesteryear are back, and instead of taking up the better part of your neighbor's yard, Slide the City takes over 1,000 feet of city space for a giant slip and slide experience like you've never had. And it's not just a giant wet party; there's music and food for the daylong event, too. For those worried about rocks and bumps along the way, this slide is padded, offering maximum comfort as you relive those idyllic moments of youth.

Slide the City will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142nd Ave., Davie. There are different purchase packages, but an all-day slip-and-slide goes for $55 and includes some fun swag like a mouth guard and an inflatable tube. Visit slidethecity.com. 

When cooking is a pain, fast food is unappealing, and you're not in the mood for a sit-down restaurant, food trucks are the way to go. Lucky for you, Dania Beach's casino is the answer to your stomach's prayers. Put together by dream-team Burger Beast and the peeps at Dania Beach's casino, there is a copious number of food trucks and diverse flavors for even the pickiest of eaters. Those in attendance include Miami Roasted Corn, Woody's Burgers, Sweet Blendz, Marlie's Delights, Don Mofongo, Shotgun Joe's Brazilian Grill, Taco Fresh, Jersey Dawg, Da Burger Shack, Boba Station, Pirate Brothers BBQ, and many more. Beer also sold at this event only sweetens the deal. All ages are welcome and there is plenty of parking. The Wheelin' Dealin' Food Truck Festival takes place the first Saturday of the month and lineup is subject to change. Remember that although admission is free, the prices for food will vary per truck.

June's event takes place on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. The Casino at Dania Beach is located at 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd. in Dania Beach. Visit burgerbeast.com/dania-beach. 

Recognizing the immense cleansing properties that a visit to the ocean provides, Xiomara Olaya started off this year with a promise to herself to hit the beach once a week to wipe clean both body and mind with a meditative stay in the sand. But while there, surrounded by the tranquil sway of the ocean waves and sea breeze, Olaya noticed some other things that were seriously harshing the serene locale — namely, bottles, plastic bags, and other litter and bits of trash harmful to the sea's creatures and the surrounding environment. So began Olaya's own holistic approach to the standard beach cleanup with the Sunrise Beach Clean-up Meditation and Yoga with Gong & Crystal Bowl Sound Healing that Olaya now leads. This Saturday, guests are invited to show up 15 minutes before sunrise to welcome in the new day with a sunrise meditation followed by a slow vinyasa flow (comfortable for all levels of yogi) before hitting the beaches to pick up trash.

Olaya is hoping the event will grow to a monthly happening. Saturday's event goes from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Hollywood North Beach Park, 3601 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood. David Andrew Rodriguez and Rich Gausman will head up the sound meditation. Call 561-929-6392. 

Sunday, June 5

Beer and yoga — the two seem to be a popular couple in this modern age of American craft breweries. After stretching your body into what seem like the most impossible poses, you're going to need a cold beer. Join Red Cheetah Yoga at Funky Buddha Brewery on June 5 for some beer yoga. Red Cheetah personally trains its instructors in the art of mobility-driven, restorative yoga sequences that best serves fitness athletes and practitioners. Yoga may get you in shape, but Red Cheetah's mission is to create more agile fitness junkies. Funky Buddha's mission is to, well, make sure you never, ever drink crappy beer. It's Red Cheetah's and the brewery's second collaborative event.

Join the class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Sunday at Funky Buddha Brewery, located at 1201 NE 38th St. in Oakland Park. Classes are $20 each, which includes a one-hour yoga class and one "beer-mosa." Registration for the class begins at 10:15 a.m. in the tap room. Class starts at 10:30 a.m. and will be held in the new banquet event space. You must bring your own mat. Call 954-440-0046, or register online at funkybuddhabrewery.com. 

Tuesday, June 7

If you thought that 15-minute presentations by thinkers, artists, and change-makers couldn't get geekier than the TED phenomenon, then you haven't attended a Nerd Nite. Founded in Boston in 2003, Nerd Nite is the hipster's (and the drinker's) TED, featuring experts waxing about subjects ranging from zombification to geopolitics to the "science of The Simpsons" at destinations specializing in craft beer and craft beards. Nerd Nites have spread across nearly 100 cities on six continents, and for the past eight months, Boca's Funky Buddha Lounge (2621 N. Federal Highway) has been home to our local franchise, founded by Troy Bernier. Hosted on the first Tuesday of the month, Nerd Nite Boca Raton will return to the Buddha this Tuesday for what Bernier calls "a celebration of the fantastic." Athena Finger, granddaughter of Bill Finger (the long-unsung cocreator of Batman), will discuss her family's comic book legacy; Tamerlane, a so-called "real-life supervillain," will share the cultural history of arch-villainy from the Bible to Marvel comics (and hopefully the 2016 presidential race); and costume designers/actors Carlo Sabusap and Anthony Farese will discuss the culture of cosplay. Speakers are expected to discuss their topics for 15 to 20 minutes.

Admission is free, and the evening includes trivia. It begins at 7 p.m. Visit boca.nerdnite.com.

Wednesday, June 8

If you begin to see legions of vivid Hawaiian shirts, colorful rum concoctions, and plenty of people getting lei'd around Fort Lauderdale in the coming days, there's good reason for it. This Wednesday through Sunday, our city becomes ground zero for all things South Pacific. Polynesian pilgrims the world over — as well as locals with a passion for Mai-Tais, hula skirts, and surf rock — will descend on Fort Lauderdale, as they have for the past 14 years, to participate in the Hukilau, the country's biggest celebration of the island region's music, art, culture, and cuisine. The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mai-Kai restaurant with a book signing by Martin Cate, author of Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki. Events continue through the following week with special performances by our very own fire-eating mermaid, MeduSirena; a "Tiki Treasures Bazaar"; DIY art classes; a pool party; and numerous lectures and symposia. The live music lineup is customarily top-notch: Check out San Diego's Jason Lee and the R.I.P. Tides, who blend ska and surf with the spirit of vintage biker flicks, and the Disasternauts, a space-age, jet-setting super-group whose members don chimp costumes (why not?).

Some events take place at the Mai-Kai (3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale), which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, but most will be hosted at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, located at 2301 SE 17th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Some events are sold out. Check the schedule at thehukilau.com, or call 754-900-8454.