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Friday June 27
Miami does have a history. And in local playwright and director Sandra Riley’s Mariah Brown, the city’s past is as magical as its present. Starring Laverne Lewis, the solo drama tells the true story of the Bahamian-born Brown, who immigrated to Key West in 1885 and soon joined the staff of Coconut Grove’s Peacock Inn. The flowering of a community follows, with the arrival of Brown’s Bahamian friends and the establishment of schools, churches, libraries, and other civic organizations. The Crystal Parrot Players’ production will be staged at the Ransom Everglades Pagoda, connected to another Grove pioneer — Paul Ransom. It’s also shouting distance from Brown’s Charles Avenue home, which still stands. — By John Anderson
Mariah Brown runs at 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 27, to Monday, June 30, at 3575 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove. Tickets cost $10; pioneer descendants: free. Call 305-661-3332.
Thursday June 26
Sweet Sexy Harmony
J’zabehl is emerging as one of Miami’s sleek and chic club bands. It promises more than just supple and smooth belly buttons swaying to R&B and hip-hop beats. The group, led by sirens Roxiny Rivas and Keiry Valdez, describes itself as the fusion of cool jazz pop along the lines of Sade mixed with the streetscapes of the Roots, with enough Afro-Caribbean accents to really get things moving. In other words, the sound is very Miami. Tinged with urban American sounds and international flavors, the group is working with producer Haqq Islam, who shaped tunes for singer Mya and Dru Hill. J’zabehl takes the stage at 11:00 p.m. at Sax on the Beach, 1756 N. Bayshore Dr. Admission costs $10. Call 786-924-5535. — By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Saturday June 28
Thespians – Play Time Young actors performing daring new plays, live music, and free cocktails before and after the show! Don’t get all discombobulated; it’s not fall yet. It’s just time for Fresh, Juggerknot Theatre Company’s annual summer playreading series, happening this year at P.S. 742 (1165 SW 6th St.). Acclaimed local directors will each helm one work a month through August. Tonight at 8:00, Teo Castellanos is in charge of ex-convict Miguel Piñero’s Short Eyes, a fun look at prison life through the interaction of an eclectic ensemble of 8 male prisoners. Admission is $5. Call 305-496-7533. — By Nina Korman
Friday June 27
Dance-Ability
Physical setbacks turn into assets
Who could have guessed that professional dancer Homer Avila’s solo career would begin two and a half years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer? After a successful stint dancing with Bill T. Jones and Twyla Tharp, Avila was forced to have his right leg amputated, ending one career in dance and beginning another as a performer with a disability. On Friday, June 27, Avila performs in danceAble, a mini-festival co-presented by Florida Dance Festival and Tigertail Productions. Marc Stuhlmann and wheelchair-bound dancer Gerda König of the German dance company DIN A 13 perform the duet “Body Distance Between the Minds.” Now in its fourth year, danceAble strives to redefine dance and to transcend the boundaries of artistic excellence. This reflects a larger phenomenon in the dance world. It presents dance as a vital art form for everybody, regardless of physical limitations. “Dance companies have been working with professional dancers who have disabilities,” explains Tom Thielen, executive director of the Florida Dance Association. “In the dance world, mixed-ability dance is not considered an anomaly. It’s simply a different dance form.” DanceAble performs at 8:00 p.m. at the New World School of the Arts, 25 NE 2nd St. Tickets cost $25; 305-867-7111 or www.tigertail.org. — By Mia Leonin
Friday June 27
Samba Pop
Brazil’s Daniela Mercury dazzles fans
Ever since she first began singing in Salvador Bahia, Daniela Mercury has been setting trends in her native Brazil. Singing in the percussive style of the northern region, she singlehandedly brought the sound of axé (pronounced ah-shay) to the front of Brazi-pop. Mercury became so popular that her musical style was spoofed by other bands. She has since evolved into one of her country’s biggest stars, building a reputation for producing one of the most energetic shows around. The performance starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Au-Rene Theater, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets range from $19 to $49. Call 954-462-0222. — By Juan Carlos Rodriguez