As the Florida Panthers struggle to attain mediocrity, the New Jersey Devils are already there. Sorry. Hockey always makes us mean. In reality, both teams are on either side of .500, making this 7:30 p.m. stickfest attractive for its competitiveness. If you didn’t know that, you’re probably not a big…
In 1929, after three years of economic hardship and hurricanes, Florida’s citrus industry took a hit from what pest? Who was the first explorer to reach Florida? Walt Disney World opened in what year? If you have an interest in the history of the Sunshine State — and it really…
It seems promising that Miami Heat players are getting banged up now, halfway through the season. In the loss to the Lakers the other night, Jason Williams and Dwyane Wade both came up lame, especially bothersome to fans because these two have evolved into the NBA’s most formidable backcourt. Maybe…
San Antonio is prototypical of the increasing internationality of the NBA: Supercenter Tim Duncan was born in the Bahamas, Tony Parker came over from France, Manu Ginobili represents Argentina … giving real credence to the title World Champions. The old school North American Miami Heat must shut down these three…
For some time now, Key West has been in decline. Overcrowded by people and overrun by T shirt shops, the Conch Republic even seceded from the United States. The state’s ban on indoor cigarette smoking and deleterious changes in the nature of drug smuggling have depressed the party atmosphere. Commercial…
Long before the mainstream got drawn into animation for adults with The Simpsons, Family Guy, and King of the Hill, Spike and Mike discovered there was an audience for what some might call “cartoons.” Craig “Spike” Decker and Mike Gribble began in the Seventies, screening animated shorts with concert and…
Loudon Wainwright III’s intimately personal repertoire can make audience members feel as if they’re eavesdropping. Songs about his family, the time he struck his daughter, and how difficult it is to correctly spell his name should work fine outdoors, though “Tip That Waitress” might be deleted from the setlist. That’s…
Frankly we don’t mind so much the state’s recent clampdown on poker tournaments that press the boundaries of the gambling statutes with heavy buy-ins, large pots, and major pay-outs to winners. We don’t have money to burn, but we enjoy shuffling up and dealing with a gang of like-minded sharpies…
A big room full of activity, money changing hands, and hordes of snakes, lizards, and other creepy-crawlies. Where are you? No, not city hall. You’re at Repticon, a good place to be whether you’re an aficionado of the scaled set or a neophyte who still thinks snakes are slimy. Get…
It is now the festive time of year, the time of open bars and buffets, visits and vacations, decorations and decadence. In Phoenix and Houston and Chicago and Atlanta, in the deserts and on the plains, deep in the valleys and up on the mountains, all across the nation the…
When considering things Haitian, the first lesson is that spelling doesn’t count for much. Consider Rasin Festival, the annual blowout celebrating the island nation’s culture. It takes its name from a term for roots music. But rasin is also musique racine or simply racine. Sometimes it’s spelled raisinn. And actually…
THU 3 Owing to Hurricane Wilma, stuff is a mess, stress is high, and nothing is stable, so you should probably call to verify the status of all calendar listings. We found a few Night & Day picks for you, but we’re also offering some special in-the-dark and “snow day”…
Since its inception, reggae has often been tied to politics, and many, including the promoters of the Family Reggae Festival, see the music as Jamaica’s most important export. Because of this, many, not including the promoters of the Family Reggae Festival, try to limit reggae by mandating a certain roots…
Note: Owing to Hurricane Wilma, many of this weekend’s events have been postponed or canceled. Please call ahead to confirm. The sight might seem a bit silly, or at least weird: colorful boats zipping along various rivers in China as crowds gather along the shorelines and toss cooked rice at…
From the New Times Department of Philosophy, Division of Metaphysics, an answer to the eternal question of why a benevolent God would inflict suffering upon humanity. Beyond the standard explanations (concerning free will and the Book of Job) is this: If all people could eat steak and lobster and anything…
Seagulls and pelicans come to mind when considering the winged wonders of the Florida Keys, but the area also boasts the largest transient population of peregrine falcons in the world. The spectacular and powerful predators spend autumn in the area, so now is the perfect time for the Florida Keys…
Back when Saturday Night Live was still watchable and before political correctness infected the national discourse, this comment by the fictional Chico Esquela became a buzz phrase (use Ricky Ricardo accent): “Base-a-ball has been berry berry goood to me.” Garrett Morris’s silly gag carried some social weight in that a…
What good clean fun: gathering at a splendid subtropical vista to enjoy music. No, not exceptional for South Florida, where any activity can be integrated with a day at the beach. Except this particular sonic amusement takes place entirely beneath the surface of the ocean. The annual orchestral immersion known…
Right, there’s nothing at all notable about Miamians going fishing in April. By the boatloads, sure. In fact the legislature is languaging legislation that will make it mandatory for all South Floridians to get out on the water at least ten times each spring. But this is fishing on another…
A slight rustle of saw grass and incessant belches of frogs provide a gentle soundtrack, lulling the Everglades explorer, allowing the natural beauty to instill a serenity that — KERPLANG! — explodes into the launch of chaotic white and brown or blue and gray, a flying object springing from the…
After more than a quarter-century at the fore of festivals, Carnaval Miami’s main event, the Calle Ocho Festival, should be familiar to everyone in South Florida. Folks around here know the tangential activities well — Miss Carnaval, the 8K run, the domino tournament — and how the fête has expanded…
The year is 3005. A history professor is lecturing telepathically to his class about ancient history (imagine the words to be pulses from brain-to-brains): “Believe it or not, as late as 2005, in what was the United States, in what was North America, the rulers actually made national policy against…
