Thursday, August 27
Whether it's extra walks around the block, thorough back scratches on that spot just above the tail, tossing in an extra treat when you pass by, or stocking bowls of water filled to the top with a couple of ice cubes in for good measure, there are so many ways to be a solid volunteer to the thousands of animals living out their daily existence in a shelter. There is also one other way that we don't often think of as part of the daily operations but one that is just as vitally important — the volunteers who gather the essential monies to make all of the above possible. This Thursday, PetSet — the elite networking and fundraising arm of the Humane Society of Broward County — will gather for another fundraising effort with Dog Day of Summer at Rhythm & Vine Beer Garden, 401 NE Fifth Terrace, Fort Lauderdale. For a $20 donation ($10 for registered members of PetSet), guests can enjoy two complimentary cocktails, music, socializing, and discounts at the Mobstah Lobstah food truck from 6 to 10 p.m. Accompanied dogs are welcome until sunset.
Call 954-266-6827 or visit petset.humanebroward.com for advance tickets. Funds raised will benefit the Humane Society of Broward County.
Friday, August 28
Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot was once voted the most significant English-language play of the 20th Century, and its title — referring to two guys who anticipate the arrival of a man who never shows up — has become pop-culture shorthand for endless delays and unmet expectations. It has also inspired a new self-reflexive comedy, the cheekily named Waiting for Waiting for Godot, in which the exhausted wanderers of Beckett's absurdia have been replaced by understudies in a production of Waiting for Godot, forever waiting in the purgatorial wings. Filled with meta references to theater, playwrights, and the workaday struggles of aspiring actors, WFWFG was an award-winning success at the 2013 New York International Fringe festival, where it earned five-star kudos from Time Out New York. This weekend, it opens at Thinking Cap Theatre, continuing the company's inaugural full season in its snazzy new digs at the Vanguard building. Waiting for Waiting for Godot stars Scott Douglas Wilson, Mark Duncan, and Vanessa Elise, and it runs Friday through September 13 at the Vanguard, located at 1501 S. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
Showtimes are Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for students and $35 for adults. Call 813-220-1546, or visit thinkingcaptheatre.com.
Everyone loves feeling like someone special. We all want backstage passes, private art exhibitions, VIP tickets, and personal meetings with celebrity chefs at restaurants. Unfortunately, most of us regular people are left to deal with other regular people and ordinary experiences — but hey, you can always pay. On Friday, FLIPANY's (Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) Chefs Up Front Dinner is taking place at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Guests will be treated to a unique dinner prepared tableside by ten well-known local chefs, including Jason Smith of the W Fort Lauderdale, Nicolay Adinaguev of Steak 954, Hardy Park Bistro's Phil Darmon, former Hell's Kitchen contestant Robyn Almodovar, Casa D'Angelo chef/owner Angelo Elia, and Eric Baker of Max's Harvest.
Four courses paired with wine will be served by the chefs and their staffs at individual tables of ten. It begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction before the sit-down meal. Proceeds are going to implement FLIPANY's Cooking Matters program as part of the organization's role as the national Florida partner of Share Our Strength.
The cost to attend is $200 per person. It takes place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The W Hotel is located at 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-636-2388, or visit chefsupfront.org.
Saturday, August 29
A Japanese Brazilian is a thing, and it has nothing to do with hair removal. It refers to any of 1.5 million Japanese who call Brazil home, giving the South American nation the highest population of Japan-born residents outside their native country. As a result, "samba is very popular in Tokyo," according to Arianne Glassman, marketing director of Fort Lauderdale's Asian-inspired Tsukuro restaurant. Each month, during the full-moon weekend, Tsukuro throws a howling good party themed after an element of Asian culture or folklore, and this month, the Brazil connection dances into the spotlight with Full Moon a Go Go. On Saturday, Tsukuro will host its version of the Asakusa Samba Carnival, an Asian street festival that is itself modeled on Brazil's world-famous Carnival. The rum-like Leblon cachaça, considered a national spirit of Brazil, will be served, and attendees can make their own caipirinhas (for a $5 charge) while enjoying live samba dance (from 8:30 to 10:30) and the Brazilian grooves of DJ Eran Hersh. Sign up for the restaurant's free Inner Circle membership before the event for 20 percent off your bill.
The carnival runs Saturday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Tsukuro, located at 225 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Call 954-523-1407, or visit tsukurofl.com.
Recognizing that memorable neighborhoods are made by the people living inside them rather than their manmade buildings, Cadence, a progressive Landscape Architecture and Urban Design practice, is honoring the unique dwellers of Flagler Village with a night of their stories. During this Saturday night's FAT Village August Artwalk, Cadence and Mockingbird Trail will host the Pop-Up Gallery: Tell Us Your Story, where they will transform their office space into a gallery for the night and display a collection of narratives submitted by the companies, organizations, and individuals who make Flagler Village the buzzing hive of creative activity that it is.
In addition to the tales, there will be a sneak preview of a new addition to the neighborhood, with menu selections from the Be Nice restaurant group's latest effort, Top Hat Delicatessen, before the restaurant's grand opening in September. Pourovers and cold brews will be available from Argyle Coffee Roasters.
The art walk runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at 435 N. Andrews Ave., Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-766-4572, or email [email protected].
Sunday, August 30
School is back in session, and you know what that means: pens, notebooks, calculators, and beer. Enrollment for the Homebrew Beer Making Class at Funky Buddha Brewery is underway, and they're looking for students.
There are many places to learn how to make delicious beer, including the Siebel Institute of Technology, but they're expensive and take too long, although you can't deny that you'd receive a first-rate brewing education. But since Funky Buddha consistently has some of the highest-rated beers, according to user-reviewed websites beeradvocate.com and ratebeer.com, learning how to make your favorite brew at Funky Buddha is like getting a topnotch education too. During the three-hour course, Kevin from Funky Buddha will go over the entire brewing process, with an emphasis on what you need to start doing it from your own garage, closet, or dorm room — depending on how much space you have. Students will be learning how to brew a citra-hopped pale ale. When the beer is done, students will get to try it for free when it goes on tap at the Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery in Boca Raton.
The price is $35 for the class and includes a Funky Buddha logo pint glass along with two beers. Space is limited to only 20 people. The class will be held Sunday starting at noon at the brewery located at 1201 NE 38th St. in Oakland Park. To purchase a ticket, visit funkybuddhabrewery.com. Call the brewery at 954-440-0046.
Monday, August 31
Boca Raton's wine and burger bar Zinburger and the American Red Cross have teamed up for a rather unique event.
The restaurant and nonprofit will host the Zinburger Bash for the Red Cross, complete with samples of gourmet burgers, salads, milkshakes, and plenty of side dishes. Feeling lucky? Zinburger will be selling a limited number of VIP cards for $50. This includes a $50 Zinburger gift certificate, bottles of wine at half price, and a fast pass offering access to the front of the line.
The selection of gourmet burgers served at this event has something for everyone. This includes the Zinburger (Manchego cheese, Zinfandel braised onions, lettuce, and mayo), the Samburger (applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, and Thousand Island dressing), "Z" Best Chili Burger (Cheddar cheese, "Z" best chili, lettuce, and chipotle mayo), and Clint's "Almost Famous" veggie burger (smoked mozzarella, avocado, sprouts, tomato, lettuce, and mayo).
The Zinburger Bash for the Red Cross starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8, equaling two hours of delicious charity work. Zinburger is located at 6000 Glades Road in Boca Raton.
Admission costs $15 and is also a donation. All proceeds will benefit the Red Cross to aid in preparation for and response to local disasters such as hurricanes, home flooding, and fires. If you buy tickets in advance, be sure to bring your printed receipt with you to the event. Call 561-650-9135 or visit redcross.org to donate and purchase tickets.
Tuesday, September 1
Filled with yachts, mansions, and Donald Trump's hair in the colder months, Palm Beach County is not known for being cheap. The winter playground of the rich is full of world-class restaurants and chefs (we're talking to you, Clay Conley and Daniel Boulud), but a meal at one of these high-end restaurants can easily set you back $100 a head between food and drinks. Starting on Tuesday, though, Flavor Palm Beach is serving deals at more than 50 area restaurants.
For all of September, participating eateries are offering three-course prix fixe lunches for $20 and dinners starting at $30. In addition to old favorites like Cafe Boulud, Imoto, PB Catch, Pistache French Bistro, Barolo, the Italian Restaurant at the Breakers, and Café Chardonnay, this year brings a slew of new options. Try out some new places without breaking the bank, such as the Cooper, Meat Market, Kitchen, Hudson at Waterway East, Jereve at Emko, and Avocado Grill.
Each reservation made through the program's website benefits the Palm Beach County Food Bank. New Uber riders can use the code Flavor2015 to get a free ride (don't drink and drive) and earn $5 for the food bank. Call 561-315-8803, or visit flavorpb.com.
For more events, visit our online calendar or pick up the print edition of the New Times Broward-Palm Beach every Thursday. To submit an event, use our online form.
