Fort Lauderdale Magazine

Figure/Ground
2026-06-23 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-24 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-25 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-26 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-27 10:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 West Atlantic Boulevard Pompano Beach, FL 33060 United States, Pompano Beach Cultural Center, FL, 33060, United States
DeGraaf’s studio practice is deeply informed by the Gestalt principles of perception, particularly the relationship between figure and ground. Rather than presenting a stable or singular image, his compositions invite viewers to move between what is seen immediately and what slowly emerges through closer observation. Figures and forms are first constructed through recognizable visual structures, then gradually deconstructed through overlapping shapes, interruptions, and spatial ambiguity. This push and pull across the picture plane challenges the eye to continuously reorganize the image, creating moments where foreground and background compete, merge, or dissolve into one another. In doing so, the work mirrors the way perception itself functions – constantly searching for meaning, connection, and wholeness within fragmented experiences.

I AM MY ANCESTORS
2026-06-23 10:00 - 2026-09-16 18:00 | Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 MLK Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL, 33060, United States
In Appreciation of Black Independence, artist Will Simpson of Timelessartz created an exhibition celebrating Black Culture (Blacknicity). Dance, music, and poetry have always been embedded in the African American culture, and Blacknicity will be the exhibition to showcase it all. The importance of Ali Cultural Center for the exhibition is major. First of all, it’s in the heart of Pompano, which is a major African American community in Broward County. Blacknicity was created in 2021 by artist Will Simpson and co-founder John Cledor, to bring art to the community. Will Simpson has been a pillar in the Broward art scene for years now. He’s taught multiple workshops, murals, live painting, and events all throughout South Florida. Blacknicity is simply put, “Building our community from within.” Showing our youth that they have more than enough inside to be their best version of themselves. We gotta start uplifting each other, supporting one another, and being there for one another. We are not alone, and as a community, we must stand united. This show is about changing the narrative that our ancestors were slaves. When in reality, we came from royalty, warriors, and creatives. Our ancestors’ culture is much more than slavery; we are Kings and Queens. As you enjoy this show, please view each art piece with you in mind, and know that your life matters.

An Exploration of Color
2026-06-24 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-25 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-26 10:00 - 18:00 | Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, 41 NE 1st St, Pompano Beach, FL, 33060, United States
Since childhood, Sarah Rocca has been captivated by the power of imagery, the ability to freeze time and preserve memories through the art of painting with light. Her vivid imagination, once confined to the colorful worlds she envisioned as a child, found its voice through digital tools. This fusion of creativity and technology allowed Rocca to bring her unique perspective to life and share it with a broader audience.
Rocca’s use of color serves not only as a visual element but as a narrative device. Through her deliberate color choices, she conveys mood, emotion and unspoken subtext, inviting viewers to engage with each piece on a personal level. An Exploration of Color is a visual memoir, a journey through Rocca’s experiences of love, divorce, depression and joy. Each image encourages the viewer to reflect on how color influences their emotions and to interpret the story it tells through their own lens.
Click here to learn more of the artist – Sarah Rocca.

Blanche Ely High School Annual Art Exhibition
2026-06-24 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-25 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-26 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-27 10:00 - 18:00 | Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 West Atlantic Boulevard Pompano Beach, FL 33060 United States, Pompano Beach Cultural Center, FL, 33060, United States
The Blanche Ely Annual Art Show is a highly anticipated community event that celebrates the creativity, growth, and artistic achievements of student artists from Blanche Ely High School. Each year, the exhibition highlights a diverse range of mediums and styles, reflecting both technical skill and powerful personal expression developed through the school’s dedicated visual arts program. The show has grown in both attendance and impact, providing young artists with a professional platform to exhibit and sell their work while gaining real-world experience in the arts. Proceeds directly support students as they pursue higher education, reinforcing the event’s mission of empowering the next generation of creatives.

Brévo Theatre Presents the South Florida Premiere of “The Color Purple”
2026-06-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-26 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-27 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 West Atlantic Boulevard Pompano Beach, FL 33060 United States, Pompano Beach Cultural Center, FL, 33060, United States
Brévo Theatre brings the South Florida premiere of “The Color Purple” to the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Directed by Bryan Keyth Wilson with choreography by TM Pride, the musical follows Celie’s 40-year journey of survival, self-discovery and empowerment. The score blends jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African music in an unforgettable celebration of hope, love and community. Tickets start at $55, with VIP options available.
Tickets are $55 general admission and $70 VIP (includes one complimentary drink, cabaret table seating and a complimentary mason jar). Select dates include special experiences: Brunch & Blues at Harpo’s with Just Spoons Café (June 20 and June 27; June 27 begins at 1 p.m.) and Celie’s Sunday Spread post-show dinner celebration (June 21 and June 28).
Happens on the following Dates:
Jun 20, 2026, 3:00pm to
Jun 21, 2026, 5:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 20, 2026, 7:30pm to 9:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 24, 2026, 7:30pm to
Jun 27, 2026, 9:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 27, 2026, 3:00pm to
Jun 28, 2026, 5:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

2026 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics: Community Impact
2026-06-25 09:30 - 13:00 | Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd., 5th Floor, Davie, FL, 33314, United States
Join 150+ top leaders across southeast Florida featuring keynote Andrew Koenig, CEO of CITY Furniture to celebrate business excellence.
The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics is one of the most prestigious recognitions presented by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), honoring businesses and nonprofits that demonstrate exceptional ethical practices, leadership integrity, and trust in the marketplace.
This annual gathering brings together business owners, executives, and community leaders from across Southeast Florida and the Caribbean for a high-impact experience focused on ethical leadership, business excellence, and meaningful connection.
Attendees can expect a full program designed to inform, connect, and inspire, including:
High-value networking opportunities with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and community decision-makers
A powerful keynote address featuring CITY Furniture CEO Andrew Koenig
A vendor exhibit experience showcasing BBB Accredited Businesses and trusted local organizations
A curated lunch experience designed to encourage conversation and relationship-building
The official Torch Awards Ceremony, recognizing organizations that lead with integrity and set the standard for ethical business practices
Beyond recognition, this event creates a space where trust-driven businesses are highlighted, relationships are built, and ethical leadership is celebrated in action.
Whether you are attending to support nominees, expand your professional network, or connect with accredited businesses, the Torch Awards offers a powerful opportunity to engage with the region’s most respected organizations and leaders in a meaningful and elevated setting.

Mae West in Sunset Boulevard starring Jennifer McClain & Seth Trucks
2026-06-25 20:00 - 21:45, 2026-06-26 20:00 - 21:45 | The Foundry, 2306 Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL, 33305, United States
WORLD PREMIERE ALERT!
Plays of Wilton (POW!) and playwright/director Ronnie Larsen proudly present the world premiere of Mae West in Sunset Boulevard, running May 27 – June 28, 2026, at The Foundry Theater in Wilton Manors, Florida.
Imagine Mae West and Marlon Brando as Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis in Billy Wilder’s legendary Sunset Boulevard — a “what if” scenario that could have changed Hollywood history forever.
In 1949, Wilder famously offered the starring role in Sunset Boulevard to screen and sex icon Mae West. She declined. The film ultimately starred Gloria Swanson and William Holden, earning 11 Academy Award nominations and becoming one of Hollywood’s greatest classics.
But why did Mae West say no?
From acclaimed playwright Ronnie Larsen comes a stylish, funny, and haunting new work exploring the collision between the uncompromising Mae West at the twilight of her reign and a Hollywood eager to reinvent itself without her. Beneath the glamour lies the story behind one of cinema’s most fascinating missed opportunities.
Before West, other legendary actresses were considered: Mary Pickford wanted too much creative control. Greta Garbo had no interest in returning to film. Pola Negri’s accent proved problematic. Clara Bow struggled with the transition to talkies. Norma Shearer disliked the script and preferred retirement
Enter Mae West.
Though intrigued by the “idea,” West reportedly refused to portray a faded, washed-up movie star, offended by the implication. Norma Desmond’s tragic vulnerability clashed with the glamorous, sexually confident persona West cultivated throughout her career. She never publicly accepted the notion that she was “finished.”
Billy Wilder later reportedly remarked: “I can’t believe I offered this to Mae West.”
This compelling two-hander stars cabaret icon Jennifer McClain as Mae West — Larsen’s muse, written specifically with her in mind — alongside Carbonell Award-winning actor Seth Trucks as the unsuspecting studio emissary tasked with delivering the script to West.
McClain, beloved for her cabaret performances at The Foundry and for reopening the theater after COVID, makes her full-production debut with Plays of Wilton. Trucks returns following acclaimed performances in The Timekeepers, The Boys in the Band, and as director for Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.
Playwright/director Ronnie Larsen says: “Mae West was never going to surrender her image, her sexuality, or her power to Hollywood’s idea of what an aging actress should become. That tension fascinated me. This play explores not only a legendary missed opportunity, but also the price artists pay when the world tries to decide when they are no longer relevant.”
Associate Producer Joseph Guidetti adds: “POW! has always been committed to telling bold stories that celebrate larger-than-life personalities and overlooked moments in cultural history. Mae West in Sunset Boulevard captures both the glamour and heartbreak of Hollywood while reminding audiences that reinvention — and resistance — are timeless themes.”
The Foundry Theater 2306 N. Dixie Highway Wilton Manors, FL
Performances Wednesday-Sunday – Reserved Seating: $37.50 – Premium Front Row: $53.50
Tickets: tickettailor.com/events/…
ABOUT POW!Plays of Wilton is a nonprofit LGBTQ+ theater company dedicated to producing bold, original theatrical works celebrating diverse voices and stories. Under Ronnie Larsen’s leadership, POW! has become a major cultural force in South Florida through world premieres, new play development, and innovative community programming.

ArtServe’s The Art of Language: Celebrating the Aesthetic and Intellectual Beauty of Words Exhibit
2026-06-26 09:00 - 2026-08-28 17:00 | ArtServe, 1350 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304, United States
This summer exhibition explores the rich intersection between visual art and language, highlighting the expressive beauty of the written word, storytelling, poetry, and other literary forms. A free opening reception will be held June 26 at 6 p.m.

Live at the Hive: Florida's Funniest Comedians - Dean Napolitano and Joe Latham
2026-06-26 17:00 - 2026-06-27 21:00, 2026-06-27 17:00 - 2026-06-28 21:00 | The HIVE Black Box Theater, 355 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Pompano Beach, FL, 33060, United States
Florida’s Funniest Comedians presents, well, Florida’s Funniest Comedians! Join us for a night filled with non-stop laughter.
Upcoming Schedule
June 26 and 17 – Dean Napolitano and Joe Latham
Laugh out loud with Dean Napolitano and Joe, two rising stars bringing sharp wit, hilarious stories, and nonstop laughs from across the U.S. and the U.K. A night of comedy you won’t want to miss!
About Dean:
Born in Long Island, New York, Dean Napolitano first cut his teeth on the comedy scene, working for clubs throughout Florida and the Southeast. Napolitano has appeared on the small screen in a variety of shows across various networks. His TV credits include Army Wives (Lifetime), Burn Notice (TBS), Good Morning America, Three Rivers(CBS), What About Brian (ABC), Heroes (NBC), Las Vegas(NBC), and The Shield (FX). Dean is also a favorite among Hollywood’s elite, opening for the likes of Don Rickles and Joan Rivers, and he is on the talent roster of the world-famous Messina Baker Entertainment Corporation that represents such Hollywood heavyweights as Drew Carey and Tim Allen.
About Joe:
Bringing his British charm from ‘across the pond’, Joe has featured on the BBC, ITV, and written for MTV over in Europe, as well as entertaining audiences across the globe on Cruise Ships for 3 years, before landing in the US (legally…) after meeting his wife onboard. As one of Florida’s top new comics (mainly because of the accent), he’s opened for the likes of Kevin Farley, Michael Winslow and combines his British wit and one liners with his tales of living at sea, dating an American, and driving on the wrong side of the road…and if you don’t find any of that funny, you’ll be sure to laugh simply at the way he says Alumin”i”um and “TomAto”
Happens on the following Dates:
Jun 26, 2026, 5:00pm to 6:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 26, 2026, 8:00pm to 9:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 27, 2026, 5:00pm to 6:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Jun 27, 2026, 8:00pm to 9:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

ArtServe’s The Art of Language: Celebrating the Aesthetic and Intellectual Beauty of Words Opening Reception
2026-06-26 18:00 - 20:00 | ArtServe, 1350 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304, United States

South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Chamber Music Series – Farrenc & Pejačević
2026-06-26 19:30 - 21:00 | FL
South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO’s) popular Summer with the Symphony chamber music series returns to bring cool sounds to sultry summer nights! Enjoy inviting, intimate candlelit concerts in Fort Lauderdale including special meet-and-greet receptions with the musicians after each concert.
June’s program is luminous with its “Sparkle & Charm” theme. Delight in Farrenc’s elegant Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 34 and Pejačević’s brilliant Piano Trio, Op. 29 as they glisten with undeniable charm. Catherine Lan’s piano, Huifang Chen’s violin, and Christopher Glansdorp’s cello mingle in a playful exchange of musical ingenuity. The concert will take place on Friday, June 26, at the Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale (4849 N Dixie Hwy in
Oakland Park).
From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA to performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres.
The series is presented under the artistic direction of Sebrina María Alfonso, music director of South Florida Symphony Orchestra and curated by SFSO pianist Catherine Lan. Summer with the Symphony 2026 is presented with the support of the City of Coral Gables, Lenore Nolan Ryan World Class Catering & Cooking School, OutClique (Media Sponsor), Robert Smith, and The Windfall Fund.
General admission tickets for the program are $40. Limited student tickets are $20 (50% Off). Tickets are available to purchase by calling (954) 522-8445 or by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/summer-with-the-symphony.
For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org/summer-with-the-symphony, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org

Beginner Hip-Hop
2026-06-27 11:00 | Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 MLK Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL, 33060, United States
Every Saturday through June 2026.
Started in the late 70s with the B-Boys dancing off of Beats and Bass- now it has grown into various styles of Hip Hop. Come join our Hip Hop Class for ages 7 and up. Learn various styles of Hip Hop as well as dance to a variety of hip hop beats.
Class Attire: Ashanti T Shirt, no open-back shoes, or open-toe shoes. Comfortable shorts or pants.
This event runs from Nov 22, 2025 to Jun 27, 2026 and happens every:
Saturdays: 11:00am – 12:00pm

Flamingo Flea at Marina Village
2026-06-27 15:00 - 19:00 | Marina Village, 951 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316, United States
Celebrate Small Business with The Flamingo Flea. Browse handmade and local goods and decor for for local and visitors a like..
Beachside food hall, market, and 2 story boat bar with live DJ
Vendors:
Apply at Flamingoflea.com
Most up to date details – follow @theflamingoflea

Emo Night Brooklyn
2026-06-27 22:30 - 23:59 | Revolution Live, 100 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, United States
Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a late-night, DJ-driven dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams that raised us, ruined us, and somehow still define us. We’re taking over Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on 27 June 2026 for a night of screaming every word, moshing with strangers, and feeling absolutely everything.
This is not a quiet night out. Expect wall-to-wall emo and pop punk anthems, deep cuts, and songs you still know by heart even if you pretend you’ve “moved on.” From the tracks that got you through your worst years to the ones that still hit a little too hard, Emo Night Brooklyn is all about losing your voice, finding your people, and reliving the music that made us who we are. And yeah sometimes special guests and your favorite artists even jump in to join the chaos.
Come ready to scream, mosh, dance, cry in the corner (no judgment), and throw yourself into the pit with all your favorite people. Tell the DJs what you want to hear and we promise we listen better than your ex. It’s loud, it’s emotional, and it’s the kind of night that reminds you it was never just a phase.
So get ready, Fort Lauderdale. Lace up your boots, warm up your vocal cords, and meet us in the pit at Revolution Live on 27 June 2026. Emo Night Brooklyn is calling — and yes, we need every soul.
