Thursday
Good timing or mere coincidence? Either way, with the recent conclusion of the Summer Olympics in Rio, it makes sense to continue to shine the spotlight on Brazil's vibrant culture. Consequently, the celebration continues with ArtBrazil 2016, the fourth-annual monthlong event that will, for the first time, be expanded to include venues in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. With a variety of mediums on display — from photography and painting to sculpture and ceramics — this varied assortment of installations reflects Brazilian art and tradition in the most contemporary context. This year, more than 120 artists are expected to take part. To ensure authenticity, the organizers — ArtServe/Fort Lauderdale, visual artist/curator Jade Matarazzo, and marketing specialist Maria Fulfaro — require that all participants be Brazilian citizens, whether based in the U.S. or not. It's not surprisingly, then, that nearly half of the exhibitors will travel to South Florida specifically to take part. With support from the local consulate, the exhibits offer further opportunity for the public to bask in Brazil's brilliance, while allowing more than 250 Miami-Dade and Broward public-school children in grades K through 12 to visit the exhibition and interact with the artists. Note to all would-be Olympiads: No false robbery reports will be tolerated. The event runs the entire month of September at ArtServe Fort Lauderdale (1350 E. Sunrise Blvd.), which will hold a reception September 8, and Art & Design Gallery (8690 Biscayne Blvd., Miami), which will host its own reception September 13. Visit artbrazil2016.com or call Maria Fulfaro at 954-298-1508.
This Thursday, the Miami Dolphins get one last preseason tuneup when they take on the Tennessee Titans at the brand-spanking-new Hard Rock Stadium (347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens). This is your first chance to get inside and take a look at all the improvements the team made to the stadium this offseason. Check out the changes that resulted in the NFL awarding Miami Super Bowl LIV in 2020. Under new coach Adam Gase, the Fins look to close out the preseason on a high note, as they head into a regular season filled with more anticipation than any in recent memory. The fourth preseason game is notorious for teams getting a good look at some of the players on the fringe of the roster, and the same goes for the fans. So let's recap: a new stadium, a new coach, and the chance to watch new players for the first time — some of whom you could be cheering on for years. It's a new era of Miami Dolphins football in South Florida. Be there to ring it in the first night of September. The game starts at 7 p.m. Visit miamidolphins.com or call 888-FINS-TIX.
When you're craving quality dishes from local chefs, only the best will suffice. Fortunately, the Magic City never suffers a shortage of tasty dishes. But sometimes you want to experience the gastronomic genius of not just one renowned chef, but several. And that's where Verde (1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) comes in. Since July, the waterfront restaurant has been making every foodie's dream come true with its Verde Summer Guest Chef Series, where executive chef Kaytlin Brakefield has collaborated with local guest chefs "to offer an exclusive dining experience at one of Miami's premier cultural destinations"— Pérez Art Museum Miami, to be exact. And this week, Verde will top off its gourmet summer program with Niven Patel. Former chef de cuisine at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and executive chef at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Patel will join forces with Brakefield to create a three-course meal with wine pairings. The event kicks off Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with canapes and a welcome cocktail on PAMM's Landon Terrace, followed by a family-style meal from 7 to 9 p.m. at the restaurant. Tickets cost $85 per person (a 10 percent discount is available for PAMM members who RSVP by phone) via eventbrite.com. Call 786-345-5697 or visit pamm.org/dining.
Jean-Luc Godard, the renegade French filmmaker, famously quipped, "All you need for a movie is a gun and a girl." Another way of putting it is that sex and violence sell, and they play best in tandem. Except that usually, in our popular culture, the guns are aimed at victimized girls, not wielded by empowered women. The new exhibition "Girls and Guns," on view at the Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery at Broward College Central Campus (3501 SW Davie Rd., Bldg. 6, Davie), aims to correct that perception, showcasing the work of three female artists whose oeuvre renegotiates the relationship between women and firearms. Nancy Floyd's photographs explore the world of female competitive shooting in bold, intimate closeups; Susan Graham subverts the masculine construction of most guns into lacy, delicate sculptural objects; and Felice House rewrites Hollywood's gender politics by replacing gun-wielding tough guys from famous movies with women. Wherever you stand on the Second Amendment, this inventive collection of gun-and-girl art is unique enough to surprise even the cranky Godard. Admission is free, and the show runs through September 28. But don't miss the opening reception Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., with an artists' lecture scheduled for 7:30. Call 954-201-6984 or visit browardvpa.com/gallery.
Friday
For many Miami millennials, their only experience with flamenco is via Dancing With the Stars. But Derek Hough's rendition is a sad shadow of this seductive style of Spanish music and dance. In real life, it's another experience altogether, and Siempre Flamenco's Festival de Cante Flamenco is as good as it gets. For flamenco noobs, this style of performance is all about the dancing, the hand-clapping, the singing, and the sex appeal. This particular production is straight from Spain, and it's bringing an outstanding array of vocalists, dancers, and guitarists to the intimate Carnival Studio Theater at the Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami), so you can get up close and personal with this original art form. It's sizzling, it's sensual, and it'll leave you wanting to take lessons, because skills like those impress everyone. The performance takes place Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $48. Visit arshtcenter.org or call 305-949-6722.
After the band's five-year Miami hiatus, local fans of the Goo Goo Dolls would likely give up forever just to know they're with their favorite group somehow. Luckily, the Dolls have booked a gig at Bayfront Park (301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) this week. To fans, "Iris" may forever be known as the Goo Goo Dolls' theme song, but the Buffalo, New York rockers — who are also responsible for giving us quintessential '90s hits such as "Name" and "Slide" — have made plenty of music post-1995 and 1998. In fact, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac released their 11th studio album, Boxes, this past May and are on the verge of topping off their summer tour (before hitting the road again in the fall), which will bring them to Bayfront this Friday. Joined by fellow rockers Collective Soul and Tribe Society, the Goo Goo Dolls will have us goobers reminiscing to the soundtrack of our youth while introducing us to new music as well. Showtime is 7 p.m., and tickets cost $30.75 to $85 plus fees via livenation.com. Call 305-358-7550 or visit bayfrontparkmiami.com.
Half the movies you watched last year were based on comic books. You've spent countless hours catching lovable digital critters in Pokémon Go, even cried a bit when you caught Pikachu. And you most certainly stood, mouth agape, when the Rio Olympics' closing ceremony featured an homage to the Mario Bros. franchise. In other words, you're more than ready for this year's Animate Florida convention coming in two weeks. But if the weekend-long event is not enough to fulfill your entertainment needs, this month's First Friday: Pre-Animate Florida Party gaming event will be an hors d'oeuvre for the main event but with a slightly more adult streak running through it. The evening will feature cosplay, tournaments, booze, and a karaoke round guaranteed to bring the best shower singers into the fray with DJ Anim8ted. Cash and prizes will be handed out in numerous contests such as a Super Smash Bros. Wii U tourney ($5 entry), a Pokken showcase for bragging rights, and a heated Madden 17 competition ($7 entry). Combined with the usual fun gaming activities of the monthly gathering, this First Friday might not leave you with enough energy for when the actual convention rolls around September 16. First Friday takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at C&I Studios (541 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-357-3934 or visit c-istudios.com.
Saturday
It's no surprise the Miami art scene is thriving. If the Wynwood galleries, the art deco visage of South Beach, and the annual pilgrimage of artists and collectors to Art Basel aren't proof enough, consider the wealth of innovative and imaginative local artists who are helping to fuel our city's rich reputation. This Labor Day weekend, a new exhibition, "Lit Getti," shines the spotlight on ten exceptional young artists. Each participant — Lofty305, Moral, Sebastian Ruiz, Armani Love, Robbie81, Freebase, Ruben Slikk, Marlon Preuess, Nicole Dixon, and Ticoe — brings a unique style and perspective to the mix. As some of their handles suggest, they boast a streetwise credibility born from graffiti, rap, and hip-hop culture that's been grafted to a kind of modern impressionism, one that pushes the boundaries in imaginative and often insurgent ways. Bold colors, unusual imagery, and tropical flourishes add an extra edge that stimulates the senses. "Lit Getti" will be on view beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday at Casa de Fado Art Gallery (7405 NE Fourth Ct., Suite #107, Miami). Admission is free. Email Albeit Promotions at [email protected].
Labor Day. It's the last official three-day weekend and the unofficial last day of summer. So what do you do when this weekend comes? Stay at a nice resort hotel? Go to the beach? Get your grilled-grub fix? The answer is: all of the above. Just steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach, the midcentury modern oasis that is the North Beach Village (abbreviated NBV) invites you to Gallery Grill Out on Breakers, a three-day cooked-meat feast with live music and good company. Their grill-masters will cook a variety of kebabs made with steak, chicken, or shrimp. But more than just meat will be thrown onto the grill. Chefs will also prepare a dessert of grilled lemon poundcake with peaches and cream. The NBV comprises more than 500 rooms in 15 unique boutique hotels, three restaurants, and vacation rental properties. It also offers specialty and LGBT lodging. The Labor Day cookout runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday through Monday in front of North Beach Village Design (600 Breakers Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Admission is free; food prices vary, and reservations are required. Call the Village Cafe at 754-229-3870 or email [email protected].
Tuesday
We don't need Dave Barry to tell us Florida is a wacky place to live or visit or even think about seriously. Look up the meaning of the word "goofy" in the dictionary, and you'll see our state flag. After all, Anita Bryant, hanging chads, and Canadians in Speedo swimsuits have already illustrated that point. Nevertheless, when it comes to noting the absurd, nobody does it better than Mr. Barry. A former weekly columnist for the Miami Herald, a best-selling author, the subject of a short-lived TV series, a member of that rock band of dubious distinction the Rock Bottom Remainders, and — get this — a Pulitizer Prize winner for commentary, he has established himself as an individual fully capable of documenting the absurd and seeing the humor in it all. He also holds a special fondness for his source material, which is why he dubbed his new book Best. State. Ever. That might seem something of a stretch, and perhaps an undue accolade for a body of land that seems to hang from the rest of the continent more like a penis than a peninsula. Oh, well. Count on Mr. Barry to give us reason to love this place — or find ourselves thoroughly embarrassed by it. Books & Books presents Dave Barry's Best. State. Ever. Book Tour 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Coral Gables Congregational Church (3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables). Those who purchase the book Best. State. Ever. for $27 plus tax will receive a voucher good for admission plus a book signing following the talk. Visit booksandbooks.com.
Wednesday
Isn't Adam Levine just dreamy? He's got those chiseled features, the devil-may-care attitude, the tight pants. He's a real pop-rock star, and though it's great to get up close and personal with him on NBC's The Voice, he's best suited for the stage, backed by the well-oiled musical machine that is the rest of Maroon 5. Lead singers always get the attention, but it's whole bands that make them attention-worthy in the first place, and, boy, do these guys jam. Since the release of the group's debut album, Songs About Jane, in 2002, Maroon 5 has become one of the biggest hit-makers in the business. The band helps keep guitars alive in a time when drum machines and laptop DJs rule the world. It's a testament to the group's songwriting that it has scored 11 Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts across five albums, and that's not including the Top 20 or 50 jams. Maroon 5 fans are adoringly rabid, and not just because of Levine's pretty face. See for yourself when the Los Angeles sextet hits the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) this Wednesday. The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets cost $27.50 to $123. Call 786-777-1000 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Fresh vegetables sliced and dressed in a fragrantly spiced vinaigrette. What could be more delectable and refreshing on a humid Miami evening under the stars? Pair it with some curried pumpkin soup with cool fish or clean tofu, and you've really got mouths watering. What's even better is you made it yourself, and the whole experience can be enjoyed again from the comfort of your home. Maybe you can invite some of your new friends to indulge. Such is the idea behind Sprouted Chef's Thai Cooking Class at the Wynwood Yard (56 NW 29th St., Miami). It's the latest in an ongoing series of events that show culinary novices and top chefs alike just how easy it can be to make favorite dishes at home while inviting everyone to mingle and let loose in a cool and friendly space. Stop going out to eat every time you crave some Thai flavors, and surprise yourself in the kitchen. The class begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and tickets cost $55. Attendees are asked to email their protein preference (fish or tofu) to [email protected]. Call 305-771-4810 or visit thewynwoodyard.com.
