The Ten Best Things to Do in South Florida This Week

Friday

There is more to Boca’s Crazy Uncle Mike’s than yummy beer. The hoppin’ (pun intended?) brewery will host the always funky, Marley-esque and “six-string virtuoso” Eric McFadden on Friday and Saturday evening. The gigs are free to attend. In addition to his solo endeavors, the San Francisco-bred singer-guitarist has toured with the likes of George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars and Stockholm Syndrome. 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Crazy Uncle Mike’s, 6450 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton; crazyunclemikes.com. Admission is free.

The holidays have been a lot more rockin’ for the past 20 years, and we have the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to thank. The band, which has been touring since 1998, always packs the metal, dazzling lights and enough holiday cheer to fill the largest of venues. After kicking off in mid-November in Wisconsin, TSO’s Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour hits the BB&T Center in Sunrise on Friday evening. 8 p.m. on Friday at the BB&T Center, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise; thebbtcenter.com. Tickets cost $35 to $75.

Saturday

So long as you are waterside for the Winterfest Boat Parade, there’s really not a bad spot. But, then there’s the best spot to be... and that’s at the Riverside Hotel’s viewing parties. The iconic hotel, located at the heart of Las Olas Blvd., has options spanning an '80s party on its New River Patio, a dock and pool deck party, and Miami Vice-themed affair at its newest restaurant, Boathouse. Something here will catch your fancy for sure. 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Riverside Hotel, 620 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; rshpayments.com. Tickets cost $35 to $110.
It’s been 40 years since Kansas dropped its hit-filled album, The Point of Know Return. It’s the one with “Dust in the Wind,” “Closest Chronicles” and “Paradox,” among other fan faves. The album has sold more than six million copies in the ensuing decades and Kansas has become a household name in the progressive space. Enjoy the whole album (in its entirety) among other Kansas hits on Saturday evening in Fort Lauderdale. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; browardcenter.org. Tickets cost $22.50 to $125.

Throw on your Santa hat and prepare for alcohol. Bar Crawl Nation’s Santapalooza 2018 is happening in Fort Lauderdale’s Himmarshee District on Saturday evening. There are seven participating bars – including America’s Backyard, Briny Irish Pub and Lucky’s Tavern – all of which will offer free entry and drink specials for the crawlers. If you don’t have a Santa hat yet, the organizers are selling ‘em for five bucks. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday on Himmarshee St. in Downtown Fort Lauderdale; barcrawlnation.com. General admission starts at $17.99.

“Cuz I’m real... the way you walk, the way you move, the way you talk...” Sing it, y’all. Ja Rule, with all of his late-'90s/early 2000's goodness, is hitting WPB for an intimate performance at Pawn Shop on Saturday evening. Apparently this party goes until 4 a.m., leaving plenty of time for “Always on Time,” “Livin’ It Up” “Mesmerize” and his billion other hits. 9 p.m. on Saturday at Pawn Shop, 219 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; eventbrite.com. Tickets cost $20.
Sunday

We live in an excellent brunch region. But, what makes brunch that much better? Sipping on some bottomless mimosas with Santa. That’s right, Tap 42 is hosting a Bad Santa Brunch on Sunday, and Saint Nick and a “sassy elf” will be there to mix and mingle. It will be a nice touch on what is usually an awesome brunch, with tasty treats like an oven-baked shrimp mac and cheese and southern fried chicken and waffles. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Tap 42, 1411 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; tap42.com. Prices of brunch options vary.

South Florida gets a lot of radio-sponsored concerts throughout the year. Well, this one’s line-up is quite the gift, just in time for the holidays. The Y100 Jingle Ball ho-ho-hos its way to Sunrise on Sunday evening, headlined by Shawn Mendes, Calvin Harris and Khalid. As if that trio wasn’t enough to make you jolly, Marshmello, Bebe Rexha, Alessia Cara, Bazzi, Sabrina Carpenter, Anne-Marie, as well as Jack and Jack will perform, too. 7 p.m. on Sunday at BB&T Center, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise; thebbtcenter.com. Tickets cost $46 to $151.
Tuesday

The team that usually plays at FAU Stadium finished 5-7 and was a giant ball of disappointment this year. So, it’s time to bring in some better teams for the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl. The UAB Blazers, who finished atop the Conference USA-West is facing off against the Northern Illinois Huskies, who topped the Mid-American West division. If you don’t feel like traveling to Miami Gardens and spending loads of dough on a solid bowl game, this is a stellar option. 7 p.m. on Tuesday at FAU Stadium, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; cheribundibocaratonbowl.com. Tickets cost $33 to $58.75.

Wednesday

The character Pippin sounds like so many of us: Trying to find the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. Will he find it among temptation and drama? You’ll just have to find out in Pippin. This version of the iconic tale, performed by Barclay Performing Arts students, is circus-inspired and took home four Tony Awards in 2013, including one for Best Musical Revival. 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Rd. #10, Boca Raton; bocablackbox.com. Tickets cost $20.