With Art Basel, the massive and pricey marketplace, setting up shop on Miami Beach and just about every "it" act swarming to town to perform just miles south of us, there's no shortage of things to do in Pitbull's hometown this week.
But let's say you just want to keep it local this week. What's going on in the 954 and the 561 to keep culture junkies occupied? Although we don't have a full-blown art fair, we still have a couple of very cool things going down around here. Some of these events are linked to Art Basel, creating a tricounty fusion of sorts.
To see what's happening in your neighborhood, check out the following list.
Bonus: Some of them are free.
7. ABMB Artist + Curator Brunch at Girls' Club
9 a.m. Saturday, December 6, at Girls' Club, 117 NE Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Visit Facebook.
Following in the tradition of the art fair brunch, the female-friendly Girls' Club is hosting a curated cultural meal.
Girls' Club Creative Director Michelle Weinberg, Gallery Director Sarah Michelle Rupert, and, of course, artists will showcase this cool art space in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. In addition to all the chatting about Basel, a new mural from local artist Julie Davidow will be revealed along with informal tours. Hollywood's Colada Cuban Coffee House & Eatery will provide snacks and cafe con leche.
6. Christmas on Las Olas
5 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, at E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Visit Facebook.
Partake in early Christmas activities in Broward with more than 60 food, beverage, and holiday booths along with three stages of entertainment along Las Olas.
You're bound to forget the 80-degree weather when you step foot on the ice skating rink and two-story, ice-covered snow slope. Even the biggest Scrooge of BroCo can't help but smile, especially if that Scrooge is silly with beverages from Big City Tavern, Johnny V, American Social, Riverside Hotel, Tuscan Grill, Luigi's Coal Oven, Mangos, and Royal Pig Pub.
Ugly Christmas sweaters and tinsel accessories are more than welcome.
5. Xeno & Oaklander and Iceage DJ sets at Radio-Active Records
1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, December 4, at Radio-Active Records, 845 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Visit Facebook. No cover.
Xeno & Oaklander and Iceage may both be performing at Gramps in Miami this Thursday and Friday (Iceage on Thursday, Xeno & Oaklander on Friday), but they decided to make a sweet little DJ set pitstop at Radio-Active Records first.
Hang out with the band in an intimate setting, and pick up their LPs Par Avion and Plowing Into the Field of Love while you're at it.
See also: Xeno & Oaklander and Iceage to Do DJ Sets at Radio-Active Records
4. Purvis Young Exhibition
December 2 to 4, at New River Fine Art, 914 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Visit http://newriverfineart.com/events/.
Although the opening reception took place on November 20, New River Fine Arts is still showing a Purvis Young exhibition called "Bring Us Together." The Miami expressionist and self-taught artist often blended collage and painting for his mesmerizing and emotional artworks. He created many of them while in prison. If you don't know anything about the late Overtown artist, definitely check out this show.
3. OFWGKTA at Radio-Active Records
2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, at Radio-Active Records, 845 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. No cover. Visit radio-active-records.tumblr.com.
Known as Odd Future or by the long acronym OFWGKTA, this crew disrupted hip-hop as we once knew it in so many ways. Three members -- Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats, and Left Brain -- will participate in a free meet and greet this Wednesday at Radio-Active Records. They'll also be doing a live internet radio broadcast onsite and DJ'ing at Gramps in Miami later that night. Be sure to get there early. There is a limited capacity of 75 people.
2. Modern Baseball, Crying, Knuckle Puck, Somos, and Cayetanaat at O'Malley's
6 p.m. December 5, at O'Malley's, 1388 Florida 7, Margate. Tickets cost $15. Visit thetalentfarm.com.
Electro-pop band Crying along with pop-punk Philly dudes Modern Baseball and others will rock the Margate sports bar O'Malley's. There's a full liquor bar with more than 50 types of beer, so enjoy yourself.
1. NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale's Director's Brunch with Julian Schnabel
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 6, at NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, 1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Visit moafl.org.
You probably know Julian Schnabel as the superfamous director of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Basquiat, and Before Night Falls. But he's also an accomplished visual artist. Chief curator Bonnie Clearwater brought his work to town with "Café Dolly: Picabia, Schnabel, Willumsen" and now has the man himself here for a Basel brunch. It's free for VIP cardholders and exhibitors. The rest of you'll have to pay.
There is shuttle service though between the Museum and the Miami Beach Convention Center and Wynwood on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, which is hella cool. Then you can do it all!
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