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Rockin' with Chopin

A A A Comments Thursday, Sep 8 2005

SAT 9/10Frédéric François Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland, in 1810. In 1977, Blanka Rosenstiel, a concerned Polish American, established the Chopin Foundation in Miami to support and encourage young pianists to follow in his illustrious footsteps. At 8:00 tonight the winner of the foundation's 2005 National Chopin Piano Competition, Mei-Ting Sun, will present his debut solo show in the Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami (1314 Miller Dr., Coral Gables). Admission is $20 to hear Sun play selections by Béla Bartók, Alexander Scriabin, as well as Chopin. Call 305-868-0624, or visit www.chopin.org.

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-- Emily Witt

Mr. Mist-er

Drinking soda makes you funny

THUR 9/8Sierra Mist is the funniest soda on the market. Thanks to a high-concept series of new commercials called "Mist-Takes," the citrus-flavored drink is establishing a reputation as the laugh-lover's beverage of choice. The "Mist-Takes" feature five of today's coolest comedians in a series of improvisational skits that revolve around their desire for the refreshing soda. One of the soft-drink shillers is Aries Spears, who's been a cast member of Mad TV for eight seasons. The Denzel Washington-parodying comedian will headline tonight at the Miami Improv (3390 Mary St., Coconut Grove). His opening act will be Ryan Hamilton (right), the clean-cut former Mormon missionary who won Sierra Mist's "The Next Great Comic" competition. The jokes begin tonight at 8:30. Tickets range from $18.05 to $20.19. Call 305-441-8200, or visit www.miamiimprov.com. --Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik

Hungary

For classical piano?

SUN 9/11What comes to mind when you think of Hungary? The Gabors and goulash? Tsk, tsk. How about getting in tune with the country's rich musical tradition? The land that gave us Bartók, Liszt, and Brahms briefly comes to town in the shape of rdi Tamás. The pianist is featured in "From Miami to Budapest and Back" at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach). Despite his blindness, Tamás demonstrated technical brilliance early on by winning competitions against older and more experienced musicians. His return to South Florida is part of the Center for Emerging Arts' "Together-Együtt" cultural exchange program. (Együtt means "together" in Hungarian.) The cost is $20, but people with disabilities are welcome free. The interludes begin at 4:00. Leave the paprika at home for dinner. Call 305-538-2803, or visit centerforemergingart.org. --Margaret Griffis

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