Exploring The Incomprehensible

Columbine. Sandy Hook. Virginia Tech. Once places of relative anonymity, known only as learning locales, they’re now synonymous with tragedies that have become increasingly common in the nation’s schools, unspeakable acts committed by young people plagued by spectres either real or imagined. It’s not an easy subject to absorb, much…

Evita Captivates the Crowd at the Adrienne Arsht Center

Anyone who’s unaware might find it easy to dismiss Evita as yet another musical that’s run its course — or worse, a one-hit stage show with a terrific title tune but an otherwise well-worn narrative. But the terrific touring version that opened at the Arscht Tuesday night proved nothing could…

Blue Man Group Turned the Arsht Into a Raucous Party

By now, the Blue Man Group has become a reliable brand, much like Cirque du Soleil and its various offshoots. Like Cirque and its ilk, the Blue Man Group has yet to grow tiresome or overindulgent, even in spite of the constant exposure. Somehow, the sight of these oddly endearing…

The Flick Coffeehouse’s 50th Anniversary – Coral Gables

The Flick’s 50th Anniversary and Benefit for the Dolphin’s Project Titanic Restaurant & Brewery, Coral Gables Friday, March 28, 2014 It was a night of music, memories and nostalgia. Fifty years since the Flick opened its doors across the street from the University of Miami, many of the patrons and…

Jim Lauderdale: “Slugging Along and Slugging It Out”

It’s little wonder that any attempt to get Jim Lauderdale on the phone can become something of a challenge. After all, given the man’s propensity for extreme multi-tasking, any chance of catching him when he’s not in the studio would seem to require both expert timing and enormous luck. Indeed,…

Widespread Panic at the Fillmore Miami Beach November 5

By his own admission, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz has a great gig. While most working Americans are quick to grouse about their jobs, Ortiz, the percussionist for Atlanta-based band Widespread Panic, exudes a level of enthusiasm that would likely make most people bitter with envy. “I can’t think of anything better,”…

Widepread Panic on the Music Festival Scene: “It’s Come a Long Way From Woodstock”

“It’s still exciting,” insists Widespread Panic’s Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, “even after 27 years.” That’s right … For the last quarter century, Ortiz and the rest of the outfit — vocalist/guitarist John Bell, vocalist/keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, guitarist Jimmy Herring, drummer Todd Nance, and bassist/vocalist Dave Schools — have been rocking…

Widespread Panic: “You Either Like Us or Hate Us”

By his own admission, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz has a great gig. While most working Americans are quick to grouse about their jobs, Ortiz, the percussionist for Atlanta-based band Widespread Panic, exudes a level of enthusiasm that would likely make most people bitter with envy. “I can’t think of anything better,”…