Hued Songs, a South Florida Black arts and culture organization renowned for creating experiences that amplify Black joy, creativity, and belonging, is set to make a vibrant debut in Broward County with its holiday function, “A Soulful Christmas.” The organization is well-known in Miami for its celebrated “Juneteenth Experience,” which encompasses spoken word to dance.
"A Soulful Christmas" combines music, storytelling, and community engagement. The story follows a boy’s journey through Christmas past, present, and future, infused with a local and cultural twist, offering a unique experience that pays homage to Black Christmas traditions.
Audiences have two opportunities to experience this free performance at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. Saturday’s show will be followed by family-centered activities, including meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, a toy drive, and hot chocolate.
FOSTER CHILD
Tony Award winner Sutton Foster returns to The Parker with “Christmas Time Is Here” on Dec. 19. The show features a mixture of holiday classics and her personal holiday favorites. She is one of her generation's most celebrated Broadway actors, having won two Tony Awards for her performances in “Anything Goes” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She has starred in numerous other Broadway productions, including “Violet,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Shrek the Musical,” and most recently concluded a lauded run in “The Music Man.” In addition to her work on stage, Foster is known for her performances on television, including the hit series “Younger”, “Bunheads”, “The Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
No, not Hugh Jackman, but David Maiocco (although the two are often mistaken for each other), who will be performing his critically acclaimed one-man Liberace tribute at the Sunshine Cathedral on April 27. He travels extensively throughout the United States and Mexico performing his one-man tribute to the great showman. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com. Speaking of great performers, the bawdy and bodacious Amy Armstrong will be appearing at Sunshine Cathedral on March 23, save the date.
RIMES WITH CHRISTMAS
LeAnn Rimes, performs a Christmas concert filled with holiday standards and original music at the Arsht Center on Dec. 21. She has won two Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, two World Music Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, two Country Music Association Awards and one Dove Award. At 14, Rimes became the youngest solo artist to win the Grammy Award for best new artist. At 15, she became the first country artist to win Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards.
ALL BETS ARE ON
Leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and major celebrities celebrated the launch of craps, roulette, and sports betting at Seminole Casinos in Hollywood and Coconut Creek. Jon Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diplo, Dwyane Wade, Sarah Hyland, and others walked the red carpet at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, with many of the celebrities on hand for the first roll of craps dice, the first spin of the roulette wheel and the first retail sports bet. The new games were made possible by the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021. They join blackjack, baccarat, and other casino card games, plus thousands of the latest slot machines, to round out a full complement of casino games at all six Seminole Casinos in Florida.
DISINVITED
Julia Lemigova and her wife, Martina Navratilova have made many remarks denigrating trans women. As such, she was “disinvited” from performing at the Wilton Manors Holiday Spectacular on Dec. 8.
In a statement Kal Garaj wrote, “The Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive LGBTQ+ community and unwaveringly supports our trans members. We firmly believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, inclusion and equality, regardless of their gender identity. As such we will only work with performers that share in our values and beliefs. WMBA’s board has directed our entertainment partner to remove Julia Lemigova from participating in the upcoming Holiday Spectacular. … WMBA remains committed to embracing and uplifting every member of our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — whether gay, straight, bi, trans, queer, or non-binary. In Wilton Manors, there is no room for hate and oppression; we strive for an environment of acceptance and inclusivity.”
