Night + Day: Eight Things to Do This Week in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

Thursday, July 2

Back in 1957, at a lecture in Sweden, Albert Camus coined a two-word directive that artists from across nationalities, centuries, and media have taken as gospel: "Create Dangerously." The exhortation has a provocative, inspirational ring to it. If the art isn't dangerous, why create it? And more recently, celebrated Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat has taken it one step further. She titled her own esteemed lecture, given at Princeton in 2008, "Create Dangerously," and she chose to focus on Haitians who created art while living in a storm-ravaged, politically volatile region of the world that can arguably best be described as godforsaken — a dangerous climate indeed. Stories from that lecture were later included in her 2011 book, Create Dangerously, a compilation of moving stories from the front lines of poverty and destruction in Port-au-Prince to tales of Haitians surviving abroad, in the growing diaspora. Subjects included everyone from Jean-Michel Basquiat to an AIDS victim residing undocumented in Miami to her own aunt, who kept watch over her family's homestead in the Haitian countryside.

Danticat will discuss this Miami Herald-award-winning book at a free lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale as part of the institution's Read Between the Wines series and coinciding with the newly opened exhibition "From Within and Without: The History of Haitian Photography." The museum is located at 1 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-525-5500, or visit nsuartmuseum.org. 

As Independence Day approaches, freedom is on the brain. Our forebears fought to lessen the burden of taxes on their favorite beverage of the day with the Boston Tea Party. This year, South Florida beer lovers can celebrate a win of the same theme (without all the waste) in the war against the industry and state legislators for the 64-ounce growler. The people have finally won their victory, and they can now buy beer in whatever sized container they like. As part of its ongoing Meet the Brewer series, Craft Beer Cartel is honoring this plebeian accomplishment and the people's alcoholic drink with a special Fourth of July-inspired installment on Thursday. Dustin Jeffers of Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach is the featured brewer of the event. He'll be onsite mixing and mingling with fellow beer comrades and answering questions about the industry. He and the crew of the cartel are also releasing their special collaboration, which honors our national holiday through red, white, and blue. The project is a raspberry/blueberry wit beer that blends seasonally appropriate flavors in a light and refreshing combination.

There is no cost to attend. Beer is available for purchase. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Craft Beer Cartel is located at 557 SW 12th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-541-3206, or visit facebook.com/CraftBeerCartel. 

On the surface, the insatiable cult musical Little Shop of Horrors is about a Venus flytrap-like plant that feeds on human blood and grows until it devours just about everything. Post-Occupy Wall Street, Howard Menken's 1982 rock musical seems to be warning us about something else, just below that wickedly funny exterior. Is Little Shop of Horrors really a cautionary satire about the costs of unregulated capitalism? Think about it: The discoverer of the vampiric plant, a poor, hapless, inevitably bespectacled florist's assistant named Seymour, feeds this metaphoric beast of money, fame, and power until he's no longer needed, and the beast wins. The plant could be a Koch Brother, and Seymour and his friends are the middle class. Sound crazy? Then see it for yourself and decide whether this perennial favorite of summer-theater escapism has more on its mind than flowers, suburban fantasies, and maniacal dentists.

The show just ended at Slow Burn Theatre, and it reopens in a completely different production Thursday at Andrews Living Arts black box, located at 23 NW Fifth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through July 26, and tickets cost $19.95 to $29.95. Call 954-874-5084, or visit andrewslivingarts.org. 

Friday, July 3

At first glance, the title of this event may sound like clever trickery to lure parents into the South Florida Science Center with the promise of returning to your high school days. Parents Night Out is actually a night where you can drop the little ones off, totally guilt-free, knowing that they are probably going to have just as much fun as you while you're gone and have way more exciting stories to swap when you all get home. Chief Operating Officer Kate Arrizza says the event gives parents a perfect opportunity to "take a well-deserved break," saying, "They can go out for a night on the town feeling confident that their little ones are safe and having a great time in our aquarium, planetarium, and exploring our entire Science Center." In parents' absence, children will get hands-on science experiments, science-related crafts, pizza, a full-dome planetarium show, and a chance to explore all the science center has to offer.

The night runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and is recommended for ages 4 to 12 years old with a $30 admission at 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach. Call 561-832-1988, or visit sfsciencecenter.org. 

In this ultra-modern day and age, nostalgia reigns supreme. We often find ourselves in search of the theme party that aligns with the kitsch of the era for which we are most sentimental. For some, it's the pinup party from the '50s. For others, it's the seafoam-green regalia of the nighttime beach bonfire, a scene straight out of a Beach Boys photo shoot. Whatever the case may be, the allure of escapism is unrivaled — to be temporarily transported to another time and place where things were simpler, or so we like to imagine. How else to better personify these urges than by dressing up and going back in time? Luckily, a veritable rift in the space-time continuum has presented itself at Fort Lauderdale's Stache, 1920's Drinking Den. The speakeasy-looking establishment has decided to throw a theme party of another time: a neon athletic 1980s aerobic party, Sweating to the '80s. Identity crisis? Maybe. Fun? Very. Hang up your derby hats and bowlers for one night and adorn yourself in spandex and neon-colored sweats. Tease your hair out and sweat to the oldies like Richard Simmons wants you to. But much like the 1920s, mustaches are always acceptable — just ask Burt Reynolds.

Sweating to the '80s will take place on Friday at 8 p.m. at Stache, which is located at 109 SW Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale. This event is like totally free, which is killer. Call 954-449-1044, or visit stacheftl.com.

Saturday, July 4

Every year on July 4, right around sundown, begins a hurried, slightly annoying tradition where residents armed with beach chairs begin the annual pilgrimage down to the water to find a decent perch to take in some powerful pyrotechnics on display over the Atlantic Ocean. The desperation for a good spot is real, leading some to accept that offer from their uptight boss with the penthouse and excellent rooftop lounge or even a night with the judgy in-laws at their beachside timeshare. But what if you could bypass all that hassle and do something entirely different? Maybe by boarding a classic paddle-wheel riverboat and setting off for a three-hour cruise around Fort Lauderdale, skipping the crowds and view-obscuring condos for a celebration at sea; sound good?

Anticipation Yacht Charters is presenting the second-annual Liberty Belle Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise complete with dinner, drinks, and a DJ, all leading up to the City of Fort Lauderdale's 30-minute fireworks display at 9 p.m. The cost is $65 for adults and $30 for children. Guests will board at 5:30 p.m. and return at 9:30 to Pier 66, 2301 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale. Purchase tickets in advance at riverfrontcruise.com or by calling 954-463-3372.

The Fourth of July is the celebration of America's independence from Great Britain in 1776. As soon as Thomas Jefferson and the rest of his posse signed the Declaration, all of America celebrated with fireworks, American flag bikinis, and beer. OK, that's not how it really went down, but at present day, that's pretty much how it is celebrated. To assist you in patriotic festivities for America's 239th birthday, here's a patriotic guide to celebrating freedom in South Florida. 'Murica!

• Hollywood's annual Star-Spangled Spectacular Fourth of July Celebration starts at 2 p.m. and ends with fireworks at 9 p.m. Check out live music from DJ Tony Mixx, Beach Party, and Private Stock on the Connecticut Street stage as well as Latin music from Cachi Velez and Friends on Fillmore Street. Carl Stanley & Silk Steel Drum will perform at Missouri Street. The event is located at North Broadwalk in Hollywood. Call 954-921-3404, or visit hollywoodfl.org.

• Fort Lauderdale's free Fourth of July Celebration is located at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. The fun starts at 12:30 p.m. with music from reggae band Grace and the Victory Riders and Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles. There is also a kids' zone with bounce houses, face-painting, and games. At 9 p.m., Fort Lauderdale's fireworks erupt over the Atlantic Ocean. Visit fortlauderdale.gov.

• Boynton Beach's Fourth of July Festival will include live music provided by the New Horizon Band and Big Night Out. The Kids' Corner includes arts and crafts, a watermelon-eating contest, and a petting zoo. The event is from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Intracoastal Park, located at 2240 N. Federal Highway. Free shuttle rides will be given from Boynton Beach City Hall (100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.) and Boynton Beach High School (4975 Park Ridge Blvd., at Gateway Boulevard). Call 954-742-6246.

• Delray Beach's party will be located on A1A and Atlantic Avenue and starts at 3:30 p.m. There will be live music from reggae band Progression and Jimmy Buffett tribute band Jimmy Stowe & the Stowaways. Also included is a Splash Zone featuring water slides and games and a Kids' Corner with face-painting and arts and crafts. For adults, check out the beer garden hosted by BurgerFi, Caffe Luna Rosa, and Boston's on the Beach. There is also a sand-sculpting contest, mini golf course, burger-eating contest, and lip-sync battle. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the north end of the beach. Visit julyfourthdelraybeach.com. 

Sunday, July 5

Summer has always been the season of cinema. Maybe it has something to do with movie theaters being air-conditioned, but the summer blockbuster has become an American tradition. If you love movies and a good craft beer, you can pair your allegiance to both at Riverside Market's "Native" Summer Movie Series, which will be showing films shot or based in South Florida. The viewing experience is complete with special craft beer from the Native Brewing Co., and Brown Bag Popcorn will be available to pair with the film for $5. The first movie of this summer's series is being presented on July 5, when Riverside Market is opening its doors for some Sunday-night couch cozying and a film at 8 p.m.

The schedule for the Sunday viewing will feature Where the Boys Are along with some Native Glades Pale Ale. Riverside Market is located at 608 SW 12th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-358-8333, or visit theriversidemarket.com.