Weekend things to do: Tortuga, Madonna, ‘Skyline Chili’ pizza, Cruiser Palooza in Delray Beach
Between Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale beach for three days and Madonna at Miami's Kaseya Center for three shows, it feels like two circuses have simultaneously come to town. And that’s not even including Savor SoFlo on Hollywood Beach. Let’s not waste any more time …
Between Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale beach for three days and Madonna at Miami’s Kaseya Center for three shows, it feels like two circuses have simultaneously come to town. And that’s not even including what’s happening under the twin big tops on Hollywood Beach during Savor SoFlo. Let’s not waste any more time …
THURSDAY
‘Prom’ dates: This is closing weekend for Slow Burn Theatre Co.’s production of Broadway musical “The Prom” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. The critically praised “joyful hoot” recounts the story of an Indiana high school student who is barred from bringing her girlfriend to the prom, which attracts a quartet of well-meaning New York theater folks who come to town to “help.” Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $54+ at BrowardCenter.org.
Art four everyone: Globe-trotting, Coral Springs-raised painted-word artist Renda Writer on Thursday (4/4) will release “The 44 Series,” a limited-edition collection of 44 original pieces featuring a favorite phrase from his original South Florida murals: “Your Comfort Zone Will Kill You.” Dropping at 4:44 a.m., the 9-by-12-inch works (on thick-stock studio paper) will be signed and numbered, with a price of $44.44 each (plus $7 shipping). Piece No. 1 will cost $444.44. Visit YourComfortZoneWillKillYou.com.
Bacchanal is back: The annual three-day food and wine festival known as Boca Bacchanal is back this weekend for its 21st edition, with distinctive dinners and premium pours to raise money for the Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. The event begins Thursday and Friday with top local chefs preparing four five-course Vintner Dinners in private homes and other exclusive locations across the city. The main event, The Grand Tasting Afternoon, is on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Addison estate. Each of Boca Bacchanal’s four Vintner Dinners costs $350 per person, while tickets for The Grand Tasting Afternoon are $150. Tickets can be purchased at BocaHistory.org.
FRIDAY
Tortuga is back: The three-day, country-music beach party known as Tortuga Music Festival returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park this weekend with headliners Lainey Wilson (Friday), Hardy (Saturday) and Jason Aldean (Sunday), along with a rich and varied lineup of supporting performers. Three-day passes (starting at $335+) and single-day tickets ($149+) are available at TortugaMusicFestival.com.
Tortuga adjacent: Beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday and Sunday, Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village will help you start your day with a Tortuga-only brunch discount: bottomless mimosas, sangrias and bellinis for $10 (regularly $25). I’m no mathematician, but I can figure that out. Show your wristband to unlock the offer. Visit BatchSouthernKitchen.com/ftl. … Fort Liquordale on the Beach, which opened at Beach Place in February, also has plans for Tortuga Weekend, including a menu of drink specials and post-game performances by Nashville-based country singer Levi Orr beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Visit Instagram.com/fortliquordalebeach.
One for all: Rosie and Josh Hanson will celebrate the first anniversary of their self-pour bar Garden District Taproom in downtown West Palm Beach with a two-day party on Friday and Saturday. Running from 4 to 10 p.m. each day, the celebration will include special guest beers and ciders, food (Jenny With the Pot on Friday, Ahmay’s Cuisine on Saturday), live music (Drum and Co., 4-7 p.m. Friday, Alex Guthrie 4-7 p.m. Saturday), DJs, raffles, merch sales and giveaways to the first 25 customers. Visit Instagram.com/gardendistrictwpb.
Weekend laughs: Comedian Heather McDonald is at the Palm Beach Improv at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach for four shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pretty good for someone whose death in February 2022 was revealed in the film “Died Suddenly.” Tickets start at $32.50+ at Kravis.org. … Popular comic Aries Spears is at The Parker in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets start at $35+ at ParkerPlayhouse.com.
SATURDAY
Get into the groove: Madonna’s greatest-hits retrospective — let’s call it her own Eras Tour — has inspired many words to be written, among them “euphoric,” “bombastic,” “frustrating,” “spectacular.” Very exciting. The singer brings her victory-lap world tour to the Kaseya Center in Miami for three shows on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The first two shows are down to resale tickets, but seats are available for Tuesday, starting at $79.50+. Visit Ticketmaster.com.
Weekend pizza: In West Palm Beach on Saturday, Palm Beach Meats’ Eric “Wagyu Papi” San Pedro, wife Meghan and son Benny will celebrate their birthdays with a family-friendly free-for-all that includes a one-day-only menu, Wagyu sales, live music from Mick Swigert (Spred the Dub) and Mike Calabria, magic from Maison Jay, a bounce house and more. Special guest Step Dad will be making some of his line-out-the-door pizzas, including one inspired by Skyline Chili. Remember, bounce house first, then the Skyline Chili pizza. The party runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit PalmBeachMeats.com.
Cruising in Delray: The annual good-vibes gathering known as Cruiser Palooza will take place on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. at Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach to support local artist Cruise Bogle. The event will include live music from Ballyhoo!, The Resolvers and Spred The Dub, plus food trucks, a beer garden, cornhole tournament, silent auction and more. After he was paralyzed from the neck down in a skimboard accident, Bogle turned to making art, creating beautiful paintings of sea life using a brush he holds in his teeth. To meet him is to love the guy, so expect a crowd. Tickets start at $50. Visit CruiseBogle.com/cruiserpalooza.
Comedy king: Actor and comedian Kevin James (“King of Queens,” “Mall Cop”) brings his Owls Don’t Walk Tour to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $65+ at MyHRL.com.
Weekend burger: What’s better than the discovery this week that Charm City Burger Co. in Deerfield Beach has one of my favorite beers, Pernicious IPA from Asheville’s Wicked Weed Brewing? OK, the burger was better. Excellent, in fact. The Cowboy Burger starts with a patty weighing in at a third of a pound, sizzled to touch-of-pink perfection and topped with thick and crispy peppered bacon, cheddar cheese, mushrooms and grilled onion. Cost: $9.95 (fries extra). Very recommended. Visit CharmCityBurgerCo.com.
Take the kids: Free ice skating and free skate rentals are part of the grand-opening community festival at the Florida Panthers’ new Baptist Health IcePlex in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. The day will include live music, food trucks, interactive games and giveaways. The centerpiece of the afternoon will be a three-hour public skating session as part of a 3 p.m. watch party for the Panthers, who face the Bruins in Boston. The watch party is free for spectators, but skaters will be charged the standard rate ($17, skate rental $5). Visit Facebook.com/ftlwarmemorial.
Red, hot and free: Zydeco prince C.J. Chenier (son of the king, Clifton Chenier) and his Red Hot Louisiana Band will be joined by Texas-Louisiana boogie pianist Marcia Ball for a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the ArtsPark on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Part of the Rhythm Foundation’s Hollywood ArtsPark Experience series, admission is free with RSVP at HollywoodArtsParkExperience.com.
Authentically: Scottish actor, singer and raconteur Alan Cumming comes to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday with his new cabaret show “Uncut.” In a recent profile in The New York Times, Cumming said the show is about “being an outsider and how, ironically, when you’re trying to be authentic, that means you’re different and weird.” Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $45+ at BrowardCenter.org.
Magical fundraiser: The nonprofit Community Classroom Project will host a fundraiser on Saturday featuring New York magician-comedian Greg Dubin at The Hub at Space of Mind in downtown Delray Beach. The Great Dubini, whose sleight of hand has prompted astonishment from The New York Times and appreciative profanity from Joe Rogan, goes on at 8 p.m., with doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50+ and include light bites from the Community Classroom Kitchen and a donation bar for drinks. All funds raised will be donated to the Community Classroom Project, which is dedicated to wiping out anxiety with creativity. Visit Facebook.com/thehubdelray.
Get your flowers: The 15th annual International Orchid & Garden Festival will bring more than 30 local and international vendors to the lovely Bonnet House Museum & Gardens on Fort Lauderdale beach on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the festival are $15 and include self-guided strolling of the grounds. The catered Tropical Luau Lunch will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day on the decorated waterfront veranda. Lunch costs $100+. For details, visit BonnetHouse.org.
Savor the beach: The fourth annual weekend festival of food and wine called Savor SoFlo will take place Saturday and Sunday under two massive tents in the sands behind Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. Sprawling out over more than 25,000 square feet of beachfront, the event features an array of chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits producers. Interactive cooking demonstrations will feature local and national chef talent. Tickets cost $105 for unlimited tastings of food and drinks from 1 to 4 p.m. VIP tickets cost $135 and offer early admission at noon and other perks. Visit SavorSoFlo.com.
Dead revival: Recently formed all-star band Live Dead & Brothers features musicians from various branches of the sprawling family trees of The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band. They will revisit classic songs from those bands at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. The ensemble includes pianist Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead), bassist Berry Duane Oakley (Allman Betts Band), guitarists Les Dudek (Allman Brothers Band) and Mark Karan (The Other Ones, RatDog), keyboardist Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh & Friends) and drummer Pete Lavezzoli (Oteil Burbridge & Friends), joined by special guest Bobby Lee Rodgers. Tickets start at $26.50+. Doors open at 7 p.m. Visit JoinTheRevolution.net.
SUNDAY
Rolling on: A band that claims more No. 1 hits than all three Tortuga headliners combined, Alabama will share favorites such as “Mountain Music,” “Roll On” and “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29+ at MyHRL.com.
More beer: Sunday is, of course, National Beer Day, which may not seem different than any other day, but there likely will be special things happening at your local brewery. Tarpon River Brewing in downtown Fort Lauderdale will celebrate with to-go discounts and two special releases: Goombay Smash Honey Love (their popular Honey Love Imperial Cream Ale infused with coconut, apricots, pineapple and orange) and Chocolate 11 Brown Ale (an easy-drinking 4.2 ABV pour). They’ll also have three local guest taps with LauderAle, Savage Lyfe and Tripping Animals. Visit Facebook.com/tarponriverbrewing.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.