This Week’s Day by Day Picks

THURSDAY 10/2

Whiskey and chewing gum: We certainly can’t dream up a better combination, except maybe beer and Fruit Loops. But someone thought the former was a good idea because among the many sponsors of the Latino Comedy Series is the Jack Daniel’s brand and Chiclets gum. Sounds comical to us, all right! Anyhow, over the next several weeks Miami will be overrun with fresh Latino comedians who’ll split your sides on Thursdays at a variety of venues including the Miami Improv and Mango’s Tropical Café. Can’t wait to hear an abundance of gringo jokes! Joey Vega, Sheila Rivera, Ernie G., and Angel Salazar kick things off tonight at 8:00 at Bongo’s Cuban Café in the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd.). Tickets cost $15 and will not be sold in advance for this event, but the public can RSVP at 786-777-2100 and purchase tickets at the door. (NK)

FRIDAY 10/3

According to the latest Men’s Fashion of the Times, the New York Times‘s periodic supplement tracking the latest trends in men’s style, the skinny-legged, rooster-coifed ’80s look is in vogue once again. Designers such as Marc Jacobs and even Tommy Hilfiger are looking to the days of New Wave and punk rock to bring back an edge to fashion. We trailer park-mulletheads the world over have always known our rebellious look is eternal. You can get back into the groove tonight when the Totally ’80s Flashback Tour comes to town with its ragtag ensemble of New Wave one-hit wonders. The concert features Berlin, Animotion, Missing Persons, General Public, and the kings of the ’80s has-beens, A Flock of Seagulls. The flashback begins at 8:00 at the Miami Arena, 721 NW First Ave. Tickets range from $19.80 to $88. Call 305-530-4400. (JCR)

SATURDAY 10/4

Say the name David Lindley and those in the know about the music business will rattle off the roster of famed musicians he’s played with: Jackson Browne (from 1971 to 1981), the late Warren Zevon, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name a few. Still the multi-instrumentalist has found time to do his own thing as well. Over the years he’s formed two of his own bands, Kaleidoscope (1967-1970) and El Rayo-X (1981-1990), the latter blending American roots and reggae-influenced world beat. He’s also explored the music of Madagascar, recording six critically noted albums of Malagasy music. At 8:00 p.m. Lindley brings his eclectic stylings — folk, bluegrass, blues, and world tunes — to the Main Street Cafe, 128 N. Krome Ave., Homestead. Tickets cost $25. Call 305-245-7575. (NK)

SUNDAY 10/5

When your executive producer is one Jesus Christ, you better make sure his name is prominently displayed in the title of your play. Hence Marvelous Entertainment’s Lord, All Men Can’t be Dogs at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (174 E. Flagler St.). The last of six performances takes place tonight. The story revolves around a warring married couple who deal with emotional strife, spiritual crises, the work of fallen angels, and even a kidnapping! The star-studded cast includes acclaimed singer Regina Belle (“A Whole New World”), comedian A.J. Johnson from the movies Friday and Lethal Weapon III, and Carvin Winans of the legendary gospel-singing family the Winans. Tickets range from $25 to $35. Call 305-374-2444. (NK)

MONDAY 10/6

When Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz attended Miami-Dade Community College, he began staging his original plays based on his experiences living in the city. Now 42 years old, Cruz is an accomplished dramatist who this year won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his latest play, Anna in the Tropics. The play, set to run on Broadway this season, had its premiere locally at the New Theatre in Coral Gables last fall. Not one to abandon his formative home, Cruz returns to Miami-Dade Community College to conduct a two-day playwriting workshop tonight and tomorrow. He approaches the craft from a personal perspective, incorporating many real-life experiences in creating dramatic characters and situations. The workshop begins at 7:00 at Miami-Dade Community College’s Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., room 3410. Admission for the two-day seminar is $50. Call 305-237-7261. (JCR)

TUESDAY 10/7

Since joining forces in 1978 the members of No Em Pingo D’Agua (Like a Knot in a Drop of Water) have been forging new trails in Brazilian music. Drawing from the traditional rhythms of their homeland and incorporating African beats and jazz touches, they have defined the style of music called choro novo. Tonight they bring their distinctive style to South Florida in what promises to be an upbeat, improvisational fete. The concert starts at 8:00 at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables. Tickets cost $25. Call 305-672-5202. (JCR)

WEDNESDAY 10/8

Miami has developed into a great restaurant town, a veritable garden of gustatory delights. If you had a meal in a fine eatery once a week, it might take you a good year before you’d get to them all. But we know of one shortcut that will allow you a nibble from the kitchens of several celebrated cooks — the sixth annual Star Chefs and Wine Extravaganza, taking place at 7:00 tonight at the Hotel Inter-Continental (100 Chopin Plaza). Among the many celebs offering samples of their culinary creations: Michelle Bernstein of Azul, Larry LaValley of Mark’s South Beach, Robbin Haas of Chispa, Kiki of Pao, Shin Inoue of Shoji Sushi, and Sergio Sigala of Casa Tua. Southern Wines and Spirits and Sunset Corners Fine Wines and Spirits will offer plenty of vino and champagne, and more than 140 items such as exotic vacations, dinner packages, and fine art will be available to bid on during live and silent auctions. Musicians from the New World Symphony and Latin popsters Carlos Oliva and the Judge’s Nephews will provide the tunes. Tickets cost $150; $200 gets you into a pre-event VIP champagne reception. Call 305-477-1192. (NK)