Tortuga tickets, free mojitos at the Wharf and Hannah Gadsby
It’s a busy weekend, with Tortuga, FLIFF, Canes-Noles, but my must-do list has only one thing on it: Hannah Gadsby tickets.
I don’t remember being challenged and entertained and crushed by a performer in the way that Gadsby did in her Netflix comedy specials “Nanette” and “Douglas.” She is ruthlessly observant, uncomfortably self-deprecating and tremendously funny. Dave Chappelle is wrong.
Gadsby is bringing her new show, “Body of Work,” to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on May 3. I can’t imagine looking forward to a performance, big or small, with greater anticipation in 2022.
Tickets for Hannah Gadsby cost $37.75$57.75 and go on sale 10 a.m. on Friday at ParkerPlayhouse.com.
Tortuga tickets
It’s Tortuga Music Festival Weekend, with thousands of country-music fans headed to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park to see a long list of performers led by headliners Miranda Lambert (Friday), Luke Bryan (Saturday) and Tim McGraw (Sunday).
Yes, you can still get single-day passes for $138 (per day, general admission) and threeday passes for $239. And while the threeday VIP passes ($1,299) are sold out, there appears to be availability for three-day Super VIP passes ($1,999), if you’re into that kind of thing. For a complete rundown on tickets, what you’ll need and how to get there, visit SunSentinel.com/tortuga.
Lucinda returns
While we’re on the country vibe, Grammy-winning outlaw poet Lucinda Williams is on her way back to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, March 4. Tickets ($27.50-$72.50) go on sale 10 a.m. on Friday at ParkerPlayhouse.com.
Rita Wilson trilogies
Here’s something you may never see again: A Tortuga performer with a film screening at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, which hits the halfway point this weekend. Singer-songwriter and actor Rita Wilson will hit Tortuga’s Sunset Stage at 2 p.m. Saturday, sharing music from her
recently released EP “Trilogy III.” Meanwhile, the FLIFF schedule includes “Love is Love is Love,” a bittersweet triptych on friendship and loyalty between couples.
It was directed by Eleanor Coppola (wife of Francis Ford Coppola) with a strong cast of leading women that includes Kathy Baker, Joanna Whalley, Rosanna Arquette and Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks). Screenings are 7 p.m. on Monday at Gateway Cinema ;1 p.m. on Tuesday at Cinema Paradiso; and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Savor Cinema. Visit FLIFF.com.
Monet, Monet
The group that created the multisensory mind freakout “Beyond Van Gogh” will bring a new immersive sensation to South Florida with “Beyond Monet,” opening Jan. 7 at Miami’s Ice Palace Studios (1400 N. Miami Ave.). Again, you’ll find a dreamy environment created by music, sound effects and massive, cutting-edge projections of Claude Monet’s pastoral beauty, beloved water lilies and more.
Ticket prices start at $23.99 for children, $42.99 for adults, with a presale through midnight Friday at MiamiMonet.com. Use the code GARDEN for a 10% discount.
Paint it black
Big weekend at Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale, beginning with Wu-Tang Clan trio Raekwon, GZA and Ghostface Killah unleashing their 3 Chambers Tour at the venue 10 p.m. on Friday. Tickets cost $50, $100 for VIP meet-andgreet.
On Saturday, the Black Market will set up with work of cutting-edge local creatives, local bands, DJs and drag shows at Revolution and Stache from 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Hosted by the vivacious Shelley Novak and the clever Yoko Oso, the bands range from the luminous and dance-y Afrobeta (highly recommended) to the ruthlessly heavy Holly Hunt. For information on both nights, visit JoinTheRevolution.net.
Free mojitos
Popular riverfront hangout the Wharf Fort Lauderdale is celebrating an anniversary this weekend — it opened in November 2019, and reopened in November 2020 (not without controversy) — with free mojitos until 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday (with RSVP).
They know the way to Fort Lauderdale’s heart. The venue is taking on a fresh, renovated look, with new furniture, artwork (by locals Chris Valdes and Kandi Stirman) and more. Visit WharfFTL.com.
$2 margaritas
South Beach-spawned hot spot Bodega Taqueria y Tequila — with a location across the street from the Wharf in downtown Fort Lauderdale and, most importantly, next to Aventura Mall — will be offering $2 frozen margaritas on Black Friday (Nov. 26). On Cyber Monday (Nov. 29), users of the Bodega App will get 30% off all orders. Visit BodegaTaqueria.com.
Want your ‘80s?
Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton will play host to the “Stranger Things Laser Experience,” an illuminated show set to scenes from the cult TV hit, with closing sets of ’80s hits by DJ Laz and DJ Johnny Quest. Lawn seats for the family-friendly
show start at $15 at MiznerAmp. com.
Want your coffee?
Speaking of Mizner Park, the new Subculture Coffee going in next to the Dubliner is so close you can taste it. Sub-Culture Group’s Vaughan Dugan says they are planning on serving their first cup of coffee “around Thanksgiving.” As seen at the flagship West Palm Beach location on Clematis Street, Sub-Culture has unique ambitions when it comes to “coffee, community and creation.” Visit SubcultureCoffee.com.
More accordion
The guys who run Sub-Culture Group — Dugan, Rodney Mayo and Scott Frielich — are all music aficionados, and Dugan says music is a key component in the new restaurant they are opening in Mizner Park, a New Orleans-style spot called Penelope.
In a recent conversation, Dugan was careful to note they want to avoid the cliché of
Zydeco and the like. I hope he doesn’t mean totally. C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band (led by the son of the king, Clifton Chenier) perform Friday-Saturday at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach, and you will not find a more entertaining spot in South Florida this weekend. Visit ArtsGarage.org.
Weekend patio
I’ve always enjoyed the view looking across the street from Tarpon River Brewing at the people gathered on the inviting patio outside Grind Coffee Project, especially on a cool, sunny day. They always looked smarter and more disciplined than what I have going on.
A few weeks ago, Grind became the new outpost of Wells Coffee Co., joining the Flagler Village shop operated by the engaging Brandon and Nicole Wells, definitely smarter and more disciplined than I am. Visit Facebook.com/wellscoffees.