Shout it from the rooftops! Something inordinately inventive and unique is going on right now in North Miami. The Museum of Contemporary Art (Joan Lehman Bldg., 770 NE 125th St., North Miami ) has once again outdone itself by bringing us the strange and beautiful world of creative prodigy Trent Doyle Hancock. The exhibition, titled "It Came from Studio Floor," is an integral part of MoCA's "Tall Tales" series, which features artists who use "narrative as a structural component in their work." The Hancock showing includes intricate paintings, assemblages, and drawings that unfold into a highly developed and fascinating plot replete with a recurring cast of developed characters. Some of the colorful players include a protagonist by the name of Torpedo Boy and a prostitute called Trudi Flooso. The collection also outlines the endless struggle between good and evil, including Torpedo Boy's confrontation with evil vegans. Who knew vegans could be evil? Hancock uses the studio floor as his ground zero for all this interworldly action. At the apex of the saga lie two site-specific, wall-mural installations composed of a visually complex assortment of offbeat materials such as fur, bottle caps, and string. Lest you think Hancock is just another flash in the pan, you should know that he was one of the youngest artists ever to exhibit in New York's Whitney Biennial exhibition in 2000, and he was the youngest recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation grant in 1999. "It Came from Studio Floor" has already commenced and will run until June 8. Catch it while you can. Call 305-893-6211. -- Alexis Berkowitz
SAT 5/31
Two Tickets to Paradise
Since 1992, the Kravis Center (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) has brought major performing arts to Palm Beach County. "Reach for the Stars" benefits the Center's STAR (Students and Teachers Art Resources) Series, which offers arts education to local schoolchildren. At Saturday's event, more than 20 of South Florida's finest restaurants will offer tempting tastes paired with wine or other beverages. Evening highlights will include a silent auction featuring travel packages and exotic plants, plus a live commemorative art auction. Entertainment will be provided by the Bak Middle School of the Arts, Palm Beach Public Elementary String Orchestra, and the Panther Run Elementary Calypso Cats Steel Drum Band. Tickets are $75 in advance. Members of Young Friends, a group of young professionals committed to supporting the arts, pay $45. It's $85 at the door. Call 1-800-572-8471. -- Laura Madonna-Pilch
THU 5/29
Face It
Did you know your face is a walking résumé? Yup. Your nose could mean success, your eyes might just exude power, and your lips could say you're bound to work at Starbucks for the rest of your life. But seriously, folks, feng shui expert Kim Shea applies her art to folks' faces, trying to help them discover their "face value" (pardon the pun). She'll also try to impart the idea that destitution has nothing to do with being unmotivated or talentless. Feng shui is usually used to help you decide where to place your potted plants or hang your mirror. Let Shea feng shui your face at Borders, 700 University Dr., Coral Springs. Starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free. Call 954-340-3307. -- Audra Schroeder
SUN 6/1 Fit for a Queen
Beauty pageants symbolize everything that is wrong with our country. Usually the most hilarious thing about them is watching some White Rain helmet head teeter along the catwalk, crying three coats of mascara down her pancaked face. Pageant the Musical exposes beauty pageants for what they really are. Six contestants -- Miss Bible Belt, Miss Deep South, Miss Texas, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Great Plains, and Miss West Coast -- vie for the title of Miss Glamouresse, camping their way through evening-gown and swimsuit competitions. "Drag" yourself to the Cuillo Centre for the Arts, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Shows run at 2 and 7 p.m. Call 561-835-9226. -- Audra Schroeder
