There are people who eat to live. And there are those who live to eat. You count yourself among the latter. But today for a change you can eat and help others live too. New Times newspapers in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are presenting an event called Dining Out for Life International. The idea is getting diners to help funnel money to HIV/AIDS service organizations. Now, that doesn't mean you're supposed to leave a little extra on your tip. All you have to do is go out and have a meal at one of the 70 participating restaurants. That's it! Each of those South Florida eateries has agreed to donate a portion of its gross receipts to either AIDS Project Florida in Broward, United Foundation for AIDS in Miami, or COMPASS in Palm Beach. Maybe you should go out for both lunch and dinner today? See www.apfl.org for the list of restaurants. (NK)
Friday 2/6
The timeless story of Giselle will be performed by the Miami City Ballet. It tells the tale of a beautiful young peasant girl who falls in love with a prince. It's got everything a dramatic love story needs: heartbreak, romance, and supernatural occurrences. The fact that there's muscular guys jumping around in tights is not so bad either. The ballet, after all, is meant to inspire passion, to tell the deep truths of beauty and art in a manner that goes beyond mere words. First produced in 1841 at the Paris Opera, Giselle has maintained its impact through the years. The MCB, known for retaining the artistic heart of classics while taking dance to new levels, will be presenting the work in its full length. Curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. at Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets range from $20 to $85. Call 305-673-7300. (JCR)
Saturday 2/7
The folks at local nonprofit organization Majestic Entertainment held many car washes, bake sales, and raffles over more than two years to raise the $50,000 required to make the film A Poet in the Ghetto. Detailing the story of a young black man (played by teenager Derek Times) whose heart is in writing but whose life is seemingly stuck in a neighborhood riddled with crime, drugs, and poverty, the film, adapted from a play by William Simpkins (who also directed), strives to give hope to those in similar situations. After a glamorous 6:00 p.m. stroll down the red carpet for the stars, who range from elementary school kids to adults, the movie will premiere at 7:00 p.m. at the Joseph Caleb Auditorium, 5400 NW 22nd Ave. Admission is by a five-dollar donation. Call 305-653-0242. (NK)
Sunday 2/8
The winter weather of South Florida makes you want to be outdoors for any reason. Warm sunshine and cool breezes are as good a combination as it gets. Even better than vodka and vermouth. The 30th annual Miami Beach Festival of the Arts is as good a reason as any to throw on your shorts and windbreaker and promenade along the seashore examining the creative works of more than 150 artists from across the nation. There will be music as well as an international food terrace so you can dine alfresco in the little-navigated Art Deco gems of North Beach. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend. There will be a children's gallery where works by the area's youngest artists will be displayed, and children will be encouraged to be creative. Whether you're buying art or just hanging out, it's worth the visit. The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. at Ocean Terrace, one block east of Collins Avenue, between 73rd and 75th streets. Admission is free. Call 305-865-4147. (JCR)
Monday 2/9
There are so many stressors in life. And if you're a woman an additional stressor is the belief that women have more stressors, and they probably do. Part of the problem: what they do to their bodies in their quests to climb the corporate ladder, to find Mr. Right, and to survive in an increasingly hostile world. Sometimes you have to slow down. Girl, what it's all leading to is your first heart attack, and that is not a pretty thing. Find out what you can do to avoid abusing your most important organ at Tips for a Healthy Heart, an hour-long seminar for all women of any age. Cardiologist Michael D. Ozner, director of wellness and prevention at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, will give you some pointers that could free you from your turmoil and potentially save your life. The discussion begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Women's Health Resource Center at Baptist Medical Arts Building, 8950 N. Kendall Dr. Admission is five dollars. Call 786-596-3812. (JCR)
Tuesday 2/10
Kerry James Marshall captures the lows and highs of being an African American through history. His colorful, figurative paintings depict black life in America like few painters have. The artist displays a series of new works at the retrospective exhibition "One True Thing, Meditations on Black Aesthetics. " Alongside his paintings there will be sculptures, photographs, and videos made by the MacArthur Fellow. His recent paintings are actually inspired by the traditions of Italian masters of the 1700s. However, Marshall depicts modern streetscapes and scenes drawn from a modern America. If you missed his appearance at the museum this past Saturday, you can still catch the work itself through Sunday, April 25. The show opens at 10:00 a.m. at the Miami Art Museum, 101 W. Flagler St. Admission is five dollars. Call 305-375-3000. (JCR)
Wednesday 2/11
Lately our great photographers have been dropping like flies. Last month Francesco Scavullo died suddenly from heart failure. One week later Helmut Newton perished after plowing his Cadillac into a Hollywood, California wall. Should Harry Benson be looking over his shoulder? The down-to-earth Scottish lensman, acclaimed for his lively shots of everyone from Richard Nixon to the Reagans to the IRA, early in his career was asked to follow an up-and-coming rock group named the Beatles on their world tour, capturing indelible shots such as the Fab Four engaged in a joyous pillow fight. That was in 1964 -- 40 years ago! Now John and George are gone; Ringo and Paul live on. Benson, though, is pretty spry, continuing to actively photograph the greats and put together books of his work for the poor souls who can't afford to buy his prints. Tonight at 8:00 he comes to Books & Books (265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables) to promote Once There Was a Way... , his latest compilation of Beatles images. Admission is free. Call 305-442-4408. (NK)
