Photo by George Martinez
Audio By Carbonatix
Friday, January 23
Avenue of the Arts (AOTA) Fest
Back in Fort Lauderdale for its fourth year, Avenue of the Arts (AOTA) Fest is on a mission to reconnect public school students with arts education. Through mural field trips, artist interactions, and hands-on activities, more than 300 students are expected to benefit from the five-day programming this year. The festival kicks off on Wednesday, but it ramps up for the general public over the weekend with guided mural tours, spray paint battles, and custom AOTA beer. Wednesday, January 21, through Sunday, January 25, in Historic Sistrunk, along NW Seventh Ave., Fort Lauderdale; aotafest.com. Admission is free via eventbrite.com.
Saturday, January 24
Art & Design Fair at Pinecrest Gardens
Art fair season is here, and Pinecrest Gardens is getting in on the action with its Art & Design Fair. Engage with a diverse selection of talented artists, artisans, and designers exhibiting their work. You don’t need an MFA to enjoy the showcase — there will also be live music and performances by talented musicians and local bands, as well as savory, delicious treats from local vendors. 10 a.m. at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57th Ave., Miami; 305-669-6990. Tickets cost $5 via pinecrestgardens.org.
Pinecrest Gardens photo
Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park
Saddle up, South Florida horse-racing fans: The prestigious Pegasus World Cup makes its grand return to Hallandale Beach this Saturday. Expect an exhilarating day of elite racing paired with high-fashion flair, celebrity sightings, and an electric atmosphere. Upscale dining and performances by artists such as Empire of the Sun and Brian Newman are also part of the experience, so whether you are there for the sport, the fashion, or the vibes, the Pegasus World Cup is a social event that you do not want to miss. 9 a.m. at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach; 954-457-6201. Tickets cost $135 to $1,039 via pegasusworldcup.com.
The Drowsy Chappell Roan at Sunshine Cathedral Center
Long before pop satire became a TikTok genre all its own, Varla Jean Merman was skewering celebrity culture through drag cabaret. A founding member of the legendary queer troupe Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Merman has spent decades crafting shows that blur the line between parody and pointed cultural critique. The Drowsy Chappell Roan riffs on the rise of modern pop stardom, filtering it through Merman’s theatrical lens and live vocals, with longtime collaborator Todd Alsup on piano. Staging the production at Sunshine Cathedral adds an extra layer of camp to a show rooted in queer performance art. 7:30 p.m. at Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts, 1480 SW Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-462-2004. Tickets $35 to $65 via sunshinecathedral.org.
Photo by Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe Stock
Sunday, January 25
“Here We Gather…What We Need, We Already Have” at Deering Estate
Curated by Miami’s Dainy Tapia, the Deering Estate’s latest contemporary exhibition, “Here We Gather…What We Need, We Already Have,” features sculptural and installation works that represent the act of gathering and its power among people. The exhibition invites local artists to create works using materials and items found at the estate, including leaves, branches, and rocks, to serve as symbols of how works naturally shift, fade, and weather over time. The show features work by artists Maria Theresa Barbist, Robert Chambers, Yessica Gispert, Mark Herrera, and others. Noon at Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; 305-680-5219; deeringestate.org. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.
Flamingo Flea at Tarpon River Brewing
Shopping local is a great way to support South Florida, and Fort Lauderdale’s Flamingo Flea makes it easy to do just that. With a mix of local vendors, craft beer, and live music inside a laid-back brewery atmosphere, you’ll connect with some of the region’s most innovative creators, small businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs. Plus, in difficult economic times, thrifting is one surefire way to save big. Noon at Tarpon River Brewing, 280 SW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-353-3193; tarponriverbrewing.com. Admission is free.
