Teachers-turned-comedians stand up in Boca, Pompano toasts the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, and Savor Cinema hosts a scary slate of horror premieres. Plus, Michael Rapaport, a Rolling Stones tribute and more in your week ahead.
THURSDAY
What: Florida’s Funniest Teachers
Where: The Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $18-$20
Contact: 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com
What does it say about the teaching profession that so many of its ranks have dropped out to become comedians? Perhaps there’s not one answer to the question of why an educator would jettison a low-paying job for an even lower-paying one, but these superlative joke-tellers from the Sunshine State may be able to shed some light. Organized by Boca Raton’s own Comic Cure, this themed show features John Wynn, a college professor-turned comedian; Lisa Corrao, a onetime public school teacher and comedy road warrior; Christopher Preacher, a more-recent convert to comedy who is known by his moniker “The Teacher;” Mariza, a former home-school teacher to her two multicultural daughters; and Richy Leis, a homegrown Florida talent turned L.A. comic who has appeared on MTV, VH1 and more.
What: Opening night of Popcorn Frights Film Festival
Where: Savor Cinema, 503 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale
When: 9:15 p.m.
Cost: $10-$12
Contact: 954/525-3456, popcornfrights.com
For nine days beginning on Thursday, Fort Lauderdale’s Savor Cinema is putting a pause on the foreign-language films, documentaries and art-house dramas in which it usually specializes. Instead, it’s celebrating Halloween early by playing host to the annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival, a curated lineup of new horror flicks enjoying their Florida—and in some cases their world—premieres. It starts at 9:15 Thursday with a “splatterific”—that’s from the festival’s own verbiage—chiller called “Haunt,” the latest project from the acclaimed writers of “A Quiet Place.” It’s about one of those haunted walk-through attractions that pop up every fall, often with cheesy scare-actors and half-baked storylines, except this one takes a turn for the seriously deadly. Visit the festival’s website for the entire lineup of films, most of which are unlikely to receive another big-screen presentation in South Florida.
FRIDAY
What: Michael Rapaport
Where: Palm Beach Improv, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 250, West Palm Beach
When: 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Cost: $25
Contact: 561/833-1812, palmbeachimprov.com
Character actor Michael Rapaport is what inside-movie linguists used to call a “heavy”—a physically imposing, tough-talking talent who is a shoe-in for bruisers and criminals, law enforcement and paramilitary: In any police interrogation scene, he could play the thuggish suspect just as easily as the hotheaded cop. To that effect, some of his most memorable roles include “True Romance,” “Higher Learning” and Cop Land.” He also has a podcast, because everyone has a podcast, and—drumroll please—he’s a standup comedian! Who knew?
SATURDAY
What: “Summer of ‘69”
Where: Pompano Beach Cultural Center and ArtsPlaza, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
When: 4 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 954/545-7800, ccpompano.org
The 50th anniversary of Woodstock, whose cultural, social and musical impact cannot be understated, has been toasted all summer long by local institutions eager to celebrate its influence on fashion, politics and rock ‘n’ roll. This Saturday, the Pompano Beach Cultural Center is getting into the action with a multimedia tribute spanning the entire complex. The fun begins at 4 p.m. with a screening of the seminal rock doc “Woodstock” in the venue’s 336-seat theater, and continues with a 5 p.m. yoga class on the front lawn, kids’ arts and crafts on a painted school bus from 5 to 7 p.m., and a classic car show from 6 to 9 p.m. Viva, a ‘60s cover band, will play hits from Woodstock and beyond during its two sets (at 6 and 8 p.m.), which will sandwich a 7 p.m. open-mic night, allowing fans to belt out their classic-rock/folk jam of choice. Vendors and food trucks will be on site all night beginning at 5 p.m. Be sure to dress in your best Flower Power garb; there’s even a ‘60s fashion show at 7.
What: The U.S. Stones
Where: Revolution Live, 100 S.W. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $15-$18
Contact: 954/449-1025, jointherevolution.net
Doug Baird truly does move like Jagger. The swaggering, peacock-strutting frontman of The U.S. Stones—which bills itself, with Stones-like immodesty, as THE American Rolling Stones Tribute Band—is a dead ringer for the British Invader at the peak of his youth, and the same goes for his bandmates: Eric Anderson as Keith Richards, Mark Alan and Brent Sabo alternating as Ron Wood, Dennis Curatolo as Charlie Watts and so on. Collectively, they embody the Stones at the height of their creative output, bolstered by a six-piece band with a horn section, and a set list that stretches some 30 years, from “Time is On My Side” to “Doom & Gloom.” Revolution marks an intimate venue for the group, which is long accustomed to playing large outdoor amphitheaters—all the more reason to stake a spot on the dance floor and share eye contact with the Stones clones while singing along to every word of “Brown Sugar.”
SUNDAY
What: End of Summer Indie Craft Bazaar
Where: Revolution Live, 100 S.W. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $5
Contact: 954/785-7475, indiecraftbazaar.com
It may not feel like the end of summer yet, but the fine folks at Indie Craft Bazaar are at least honoring the symbolicconclusion of the warm-weather season. It’s your last chance before school starts and the snowbirds return to shop the eclectic inventories of more than 60 artists, artisans, crafters, bakers and vintage collectible vendors. As always, visitors can enjoy alcoholic libations or offerings from the craft coffee bar and on-site food trucks, and the first 100 customers will receive a swag bag with goodies and coupons—including a hand-stamped botanical art print. Crafty attendees can make their own tie-dyed T-shirt (bring your own white shirt, or purchase one for $5), an Indie Craft Bazaar end-of-summer tradition since 2010.
