This Week's Day by Day Picks

 Thursday 5/27
Since February literary types have been reading, discussing, and analyzing Edwidge Danticat's novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, as part of the One Book, One Community reading initiative. The three-month process, run by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College, comes to an end tonight as Danticat reads and talks about her work. There will be dramatic interpretations from the book, which tells of the resilient power of Haitian women. Themes of displacement and vulnerability have brought Danticat accolades. To further encourage new generations of writers, the winners of the One Book writing contest will be celebrated. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery, 3938 N. Miami Ave. Admission is free. Call 305-237-3940. (JCR)

Friday 5/28
Check your stones, cell phones, or any other thing that could be used as a projectile when you visit the exhibition "Othoniel -- Crystal Palace" at the Museum of Contemporary Art (770 NE 125th St., North Miami) today. If you can't tell by the title of the show, Jean-Michel Othoniel is a French artist who works rather elaborately in glass. Some of his pieces include Lagrimas (2002), consisting of colored glass teardrop pendants suspended from more than 100 water-filled vases, and My Bed (2002-2003), a giant bed boasting a blown glass and metal canopy. Othoniel prefers viewers to walk among his sculptures, likening the experience to strolling through "an enclosed Garden of Eden." Yikes! Sounds like an installer's nightmare! The show runs through Tuesday, August 31. Admission is five dollars. Call 305-893-6211. (NK)

Saturday 5/29
If it weren't for Bruce Weber there would be no Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue to drool over, there would be no Calvin Klein underwear guy to sneak peeks at in the bathroom, and the male torso would not be worshipped in quite the same way. Weber's stark and sexually provocative photos of nubile college boys romping naked on a beach, bouncing naked on trampolines, and posing half naked in bitching Camaros really hit a cultural nerve that all of a sudden allowed men to embrace their inner vanity, er, beauty. So hallelujah, Bruce, thank you very much. Weber's photographic sensibilities bleed into his films too. Tonight the perpetually do-ragged director introduces two of his films: Backyard Movie, a nostalgic short with homoerotic overtones and lots of firm derrieres; and Broken Noses, a feature-length documentary of sexy boxers battling in and out of the ring. This is potent, erotic stuff that worships the male physique. If you want to send the message that you are very confident with your masculinity, you'll bring your girlfriend. She'll be all over you like a naked model on a trampoline afterward. The event starts at 8:00 at the Miami Beach Cinematheque, 512 Española Way. Tickets range from $12 to $15. Call 305-673-4567. (JCR)

Sunday 5/30
Before you get all maudlin on Memorial Day tomorrow, you might want a chance to laugh. Comedian Carlos Mencia should get you giggling at the Improv (3390 Mary St., Coconut Grove) tonight, the last of his four-night special engagement there. Raised in East Los Angeles, the comedian prides himself on being an Archie Bunker-like equal-opportunity offender, so get ready to hear jokes skewering stereotypes, racists, and folks who take themselves too seriously. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $22 to $27. Call 305-441-8200. (NK)

Monday 5/31
Despite what the nightly news might lead you to think, not every U.S. soldier is a prisoner abuser. In fact many of our troops are highly patriotic, true believers, fighting wars all over the world to "safeguard our freedom." Whatever they believe and no matter why they do what they do, they're the ones sleeping on the sand, eating crummy food, putting themselves in danger on a daily basis, and missing out on the really important things in life such as American Idol and Extreme Makeover. Today is the day we pay tribute to such heroics and heroes, past and present. Several ceremonies will go on around town on this Memorial Day. If you know of a deceased veteran or a soldier who is currently serving that you'd like to recognize, you are invited to enter their names in a Book of Honor from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the BPOE Lodge 948, 10301 Sunset Dr. Admission is free. Call 786-346-6661. (NK)

Tuesday 6/1
Here poochie, poochie. Look at the little bunny. You want the little bunny, now don't you, poochie doggie. If you're fast enough you can catch the little bunny, poochie. Just get into the stall and when the gates open, go for it. Good boy. Now make me a lot of money, you son of a bitch! This is the plight of the greyhound, perhaps the fastest canine on the planet, forever chasing mechanically rigged bunnies around a quarter-mile track. The season opens tonight at Flagler Dog Track (NW 37th Avenue and 7th Street). If watching the noble beasts race is too much for you, you can sit around a poker table, get drunk, or watch horses race on television. Doors open at 8:05 p.m. Admission is free. Call 305-649-3000. (JCR)