During eight days each November, hundreds of authors and thousands of readers converge on downtown Miami for the nation's premier literary festival, the Miami Book Fair.
This year’s event takes place from Nov. 17-24. Many of the events are free and open to the public, such as the Fair’s kick-off event, a panel discussion about Miami’s “Cocaine Cowboys” with veteran Miami journalist Jim DeFede and filmmakers Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman as they share memories of Miami in the wild 1990s through the strange-but-true exploits, excesses, and ultimate downfall of two local drug kingpins.
Other events are ticketed such as “An Evening With Don Lemon” on “I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America” on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. The discussion is moderated by Julio Capó Jr., history professor at FIU, and introduced by David Jobin, CEO and president of Our Fund. The $35 ticket includes a copy of the book, one additional companion ticket is available for $15. For the full schedule go to miamibookfair.com.
CINEMATIQUE
Last month’s debut of the month film series at Stonewall Museum sponsored by OutSFL, was postponed due to the hurricane. But we’re back and each month we will screen a classic LGBTQ film. For our Nov. 14 screening, OutSFL’s resident film critic and Rotten Tomatoes reviewer Gregg Shapiro has selected “Parting Glances,” released in 1986, in the middle of the AIDS crisis. It dealt frankly and realistically with the subject of AIDS and the impact of the relatively new disease on our community. It is a landmark film in queer cinema and one of the early films to look at the AIDS crisis.
The series will alternate between Shapiro’s picks as the best LGBTQ films of all time, with our Arts & Culture Editor Rick Karlin’s choices of camp classics that every LGBTQ person should see. The film begins at 6 p.m., admission is free, but you must reserve a spot by e-mailing Monique at stonewall-museum.org. BYOP (Bring your own popcorn).
CURTAINS UP
Delray Beach Playhouse opens “The Producers – A Mel Brooks Musical” on Nov. 22, running through Dec. 15. Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends “The Butler Did It!” Or did he? A curious assortment of larger-than-life eccentrics set out to uncover the truth in this lighthearted look at murder mysteries. Travel back to the 1930s era at an English country house, where someone gets murdered, and witness hilarious chaos at its finest. Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Burrie Center in Pompano Beach. Tickets are free.
“The Long Weekend” which has been delivering non-stop mischievous fun and scrumptious plot twists in a hilariously tangled web of truths, deception, and surprises leaves the audience guessing – and laughing – to the final curtain at Empire Stage, is closing on Nov. 24. So get your tickets if you haven’t seen this show.
The heart-stirring spirit of an Irish holiday comes to life when “A Celtic Christmas” by A Taste of Ireland comes to town, with a performance on Nov. 19, at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. This thrilling production elevates the holiday season with electrifying performances by stars from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and a star-studded roster of Irish dancers, who fuse incredible red-hot rhythms with jaw-dropping talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling, Irish charm, and spectacular entertainment. For information and tickets, go to atasteofirelandshow.com.
