Is that you Santa — and DJ icon Paul Oakenfold — on Las Olas?
When Fort Lauderdale hospitality entrepreneur David Cardaci unveiled The Easton in May, he christened the rooftop, poolside lounge in Flagler Village with a party featuring Grammy-winning DJ Diplo.
It was a remarkable booking that was consistent with the effort by Cardaci and his Knallhart Management team to shake up the nightlife scene in the city. I am paraphrasing here, but Cardaci seemed to be looking around at what other venues were doing and said, “Bring it.”
On Friday, consider “it” brought. Fort Lauderdale lounge Rooftop has booked DJ legend Paul Oakenfold for a set at the intimate downtown space overlooking the buzzy intersection of Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue.
A three-time Grammy Award winner and a headliner at multiple editions of Miami’s Ultra Music Festival, the British DJ has been called “the godfather of electronic music.”
The booking came through connections of Rooftop entertainment director Ricky Fatts, according to co-owner Tim Petrillo of the Restaurant People.
“The response has been incredible,” Petrillo says. “I’ve got people coming in from New York.”
Rooftop capacity is in the 100-150 range and access to the show is by table-RSVP only.
Petrillo says performances by Oakenfold and Diplo are an indication of a growing halo effect between Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale when it comes to entertainment and dining.
“Fort Lauderdale is changing. Fort Lauderdale is really an extension of Miami,” Petrillo says.
Acts that once turned their nose up at Fort Lauderdale have changed their tune, he says.
“The talent has to agree to come here. They have to agree that, OK, this is a place that I want to play. Especially this guy [Oakenfold]. This is a place I can associate my brand with,” Petrillo says. “They understand this market a little better than they did 10 years ago. Fort Lauderdale is becoming more well known for this type of stuff.”
For information on the Oakenfold concert, visit Rooftop1wlo.com.
Friday
Holiday cheer: The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is all dolled up for the season, with 500,000 lights and special holiday cocktails ($12) available 8 p.m.-close Fridays-Saturdays through Dec. 26. This week, the Wharf will host a toy drive on Thursday, benefiting Kristi House (a new, unwrapped toy gets you a free drink), and the Ugly Sweater Party on Friday, when you can get a free holiday cocktail if you come in an ugly sweater and RSVP. Visit WharfFTL.com.
Thriving business: The Miami-based
wellness-driven café Pura Vida will open a 4,400-square-foot outdoor dining space on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday, its first Broward County shop. Located at the Society Las Olas building, near the IG-ready “Thrive” sculpture by Daniel Popper, Pura Vida will offer all-day breakfast, wraps and sandwiches, salads and bowls, smoothies, coffee and teas 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Along with original locations in Miami, Miami Beach and Aventura, there is a Pura Vida in West Palm Beach, and husbandwife founders Omer and Jennifer Horev (she grew up in Weston) are planning additional Broward openings in the next 12-24 months. Visit PuraVidaMiami.com.
Weekend burger: Fans of the muchmissed Himmarshee District burger eatery Rok:Brgr will be happy to know that Henry’s Sandwich Station in Fort Lauderdale’s FAT Village (same owners) has introduced a new burger-and-fries menu that includes the Original ROK Burger (cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelized onions and bourbon BBQ) and the Morning Glory (American cheese, smoked pepper bacon and a fried egg). Visit HenrysSandwich.com.
Shakespeare in the park: The Florida Renaissance Festival will return for its 30th anniversary season Feb. 5-March 20 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, and tickets are on sale now. What’s more, Friday and Saturday bring the first round of Zoom auditions for people to play the roles of those fancy-talking folks who entertain at the festival. (There may be a few paid positions available, but most cast members are volunteers). For information on tickets and how to audition, visit Facebook.com/flarenfest.
Saturday
Raising candy cane: When SantaCon began in downtown Fort Lauderdale more than a decade ago (the term “flash mob” was
a thing), its organizers were intent on creating a big-hearted event that surprised Las Olas with random acts of holiday sincerity. Of course, after a few years it got hijacked by a bunch of drunks. The SantaCon theme returns Saturday with costumed stops encouraged at Township, YOLO, O Lounge, Salt 7, Royal Pig Pub and Rooftop. You will note that these are not places that will take kindly to your overindulging on the liquid schmaltz. The event gets going
at 7 p.m. at Township, which also is hosting a raffle to benefit Jack & Jill Children’s Center. Stay classy, Fort Lauderdale. Visit Facebook.com/santaconftl.
Happy hour: For you day drinkers out there, Kapow Noodle Bar in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park will host a holiday toy drive and happy hour noon-3 p.m. Saturday.
Bring a new unwrapped toy to get a complimentary happy hour cocktail. All toys and
proceeds will benefit Boca Helping Hands. Guest bartenders will be owner Vaughan Dugan and bartender turned real estate guy Justin Himmelbaum. Visit KapowNoodleBar.com.
Green Christmas: R&B star Cee Lo Green will perform on Saturday at Snowfest, which rolls out 2-10 p.m. at North Miami Beach City Hall (17011 NE 19th Ave). You’ll find piles of snow, a giant snowman, rides and food at this free-admission festival. Green is best known for his Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy,” but he also does a smooth version of the classic “What Christmas Means to Me.” Visit CityNMB.com.
That’s Italian: The Rhythm Foundation’s adventurous Italian Hit Week series returns to the North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave.) 8 p.m. Saturday with a free concert by the genre-bending Extraliscio. The band, from Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, combine traditional liscio ballroom dance with rock and punk music. Alt-folk singer Rachele Andrioli, from Puglia, will play an opening set. Admission is free, but an RSVP will ensure there’s space. Visit RhythmFoundation.com.
Sunday
Running and eating: Returning on Sunday morning, the 15th annual 13.1 Fort Lauderdale half-marathon bills itself as an opportunity to “experience Fort Lauderdale in a whole new way,” which is clearly one of the best things about running. You can still sign up at 131FortLauderdale.com, with advance registration fees ($95 for the half, $60 for the 10K) good until midnight Saturday. I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: If the Fort Lauderdale beach running crowd that used to patronize St. Bart’s Coffee Co. is looking for a new early-morning hangout, check out Archibald’s Village Bakery (608 Breakers Ave.). Visit ArchibaldsVillageBakery.com.
Thunk punk: Undeterred (of course) by a pandemic pause, L.A. punk icons the Circle Jerks — with originals Keith Morris and Greg Hetson out front — are still celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1980 debut album “Group Sex” on a tour that stops on Sunday at Fort Lauderdale’s Culture Room. If the season is too sweet for you, this is your tonic. Municipal Waste and Negative Approach open, doors at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $34.40. Visit CultureRoom.net.
Looking ahead
Single minded: The long-running Christmas Eve party aimed at Jewish singles, MatzoBall, returns to in-person canoodling in eight cities across the country on Dec. 24, including Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Miami Beach. The Delray Beach party will be at downtown hotspot Honey; in Boca Raton, it’s at One11 Boca; and LIV Nightclub at the Fontainebleau hosts in Miami Beach. All three 21-and-older parties begin at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $40 in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, $55 at LIV, with VIP accommodations available at each venue. Not to assume, but the Fontainebleau is offering a special room rate starting at $349, while they last. For information on tickets and COVID rules, visit Matzoball.org.
Sweet hello: A group of the quirky, creative shops on South J Street in Lake Worth Beach (they call it J Street Junction) will open 2022 with their fifth annual Cookie Crawl on Saturday, Jan. 8, running from 3 p.m. until the cookies run out (there are beverages, so any maybe not even then). Among the stops are Saltlite Salon, L-Dub Subs, Kroman Gallery, the Haus Lounge, Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery/Flamingo Clay Studio, Da Vine Fusion Tapas Wine Bar, the Bamboo Room and Rudy’s Pub. Visit Facebook.com/LWCRA.