Boca is the “clubby” setting for a world-premiere musical, a “Game of Thrones” symphony comes to West Palm Beach, and Candace Bushnell is still exploring sex and cities. Plus, Bad Religion, Respectable Street’s annual block party and more in your week ahead.
TUESDAY
What: Bad Religion
Where: Revolution Live, 100 S.W. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $29.50-$35
Contact: 954/449-1025, jointherevolution.net
The closest thing the punk world has to an institution, Bad Religion has been making doggedly consistent rock ‘n’ roll for more than 35 years, dictating a style of melodic vocals and breathlessly fast musicality that all but defined the aesthetic of Epitaph, its owner record label, and fellow imprint Fat Wreck Chords. But unlike many of the band’s acolytes, Bad Religion has always put leftist politics at the forefront of its lyrical modus operandi, finding plenty of protest material even in times of relative calm in the White House. But only this year has the group released its first batch songs since the election of Donald Trump; its latest release is The Age of Unreason, its first album since 2013, and naturally it’s a doozy. Its rip-roaring, angst-filled songs should sound right at home sharing set lists with scream-along classics like “You,” “American Jesus” and the ever-prophetic “21stCentury (Digital Boy).” Emily Davis and the Murder Police open the show.
THURSDAY
What: An Evening with Candace Bushnell
Where: Books and Books, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $40 for cocktails and signed book, or $125 for seated dinner with the author
Contact: booksandbooks.com
For writer Candance Bushnell, fame started with a dating column in the New York Observer, in which she humorously recounted the dating experiences of her and her friends, elite and proudly liberated Manhattanites. That column, titled “Sex and the City,” spawned book, HBO series and two films of the same name, cementing a multi-generational pop-culture franchise. Rather than simply live off the royalties, Bushnell—who based the Carrie Bradshaw character on herself—has continue to explore sex and love in eight more books. In her latest, Is There Still Sex in the City?, she turns her keen eye to dating after 50, introducing the world to a new cohort of six female friends as they explore Tinder, “cubbing”—AKA attracting much younger men—vaginal reconstructive surgery and other topics no longer taboo. At this event, hear Bushnell discuss her book and legacy while enjoying cocktails and, for the right price, a meal with the author.
THURSDAY TO SUNDAY
What: “Boca Bound: A New Musical”
Where: The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway
When: Various show times
Cost: $50-$55
Contact: 561/995-2333, thewick.org
When librettist Bonnie Logan and longtime acquaintance and composer Richard Peshkin decided to write their first musical together, they didn’t look far for inspiration. Residents of Boca Raton’s Polo Club, they have spent the past two years writing and polishing a seriocomic story about renewal, redemption and second chances set in an amenity-filled Boca club not unlike their own. The resulting show, “Boca Bound,” which receives its professional premiere this weekend, centers on lifelong friends Gert, a retiree at the luxe Vintage Club, and Nadine, a workaholic attorney newly forced into retirement. Unfulfilled, widowed and largely estranged from her children, Nadine feels adrift in life, and she’s skeptical that a few days’ visit to the Vintage Club will right her course. Gert has other ideas. Balancing cheeky songs about Boca “club life” with genuine conflict and pathos, this professional production has already sold out half of its performances, so snatch your tickets quickly.
SATURDAY
What: The Victory Dolls: “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen”
Where: Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $35
Contact: 844/672-2849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com
The music that inspired the Greatest Generation thrives in the DNA of the Victory Dolls, a recently assembled collective of some of the most mellifluous and sonorous voices in the South Florida theatre community. Channeling the vintage, impeccable harmonies of the Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby, their show “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen” features sentimental classics from “Land of Hope and Glory” and “We’ll Meet Again” to foot-tappers like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Shoo Shoo Baby.” Clad in period costumes, the Victory Dolls are a who’s-who of triple-threat talent, including Shelley Keelor, Sabrina Lynn Gore, Aaron Bower, Leah Marie Sessa, Jeanine Levy, Katie Angell Thomas, Jinon Deeb, Ann Marie Olson, and Julie Kleiner. Carbonell winner Caryl Fantel serves as the musical director, and proceeds from the ticket sales benefit organizations such as Honor Flight of South Florida, Gary Sinise Foundation and Wounded Warriors.
What: “32 Years of Oblivion”
Where: 500 Block of Clematis Street, downtown West Palm Beach
When: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Cost: Free, or $60 for VIP experience
Contact: 561/832-9999, sub-culture.org
The pioneering rock ‘n’ roll lounge of the Palm Beaches, Respectable Street has been bringing premier acts from the indie, industrial and new wave underground to hungry ears for, now, 32 years. Each September, to celebrate its birthday, the venue goes all out, with a all-night rager with a lineup bands equal to its number of “years of oblivion.” Among this year’s acts are two national headliners: Fishbone, the eclectic ska-punk sextet celebrating its 40th year of genre-bending, danceable sonic goulash; and darkwave band Cold Cave, with its ominous Joy Division echoes. Other anticipated performers include Afrobeta, LAVOLA, KillBillies and the Smiths/Morrissey tribute Ordinary Boys. There will be free pizza for all attendees while it lasts, along with an open bar from 8 to 9. Or, pay the VIP rate for open bar all night long, a buffet and a Respectable Street T-shirt.
What: Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience
Where: Coral Sky Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $25-$99.50
Contact: 561/795-8883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com
In today’s atomized media environment, it’s hard to imagine 12 million Americans would watch the moon landing together, let alone a fictional series. But that’s how many devout eyeballs tuned into the final few episodes of “Game of Thrones,” the HBO fantasy that wrapped up its final season in 2019. Whether this series is the bloody pinnacle of long-form television or a victim of its own exorbitant success will be left to history. For now, fans can enjoy its artistic contrails in the form of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience. Composer Ramin Djiwadi’s martial yet mournful opening theme has been covered by so many musicians on YouTube that it’s become a rite of passage for cellists. It will be one of many epic compositions performed on this tour, which includes an 80-piece orchestra and choir, a 360-degree stage, multi-angled projection screens displaying visuals from the series, and even custom-built instruments that bring the emotion of the show to life. Remember, if an audience member in costume—and there will be many—greets you by saying Valar Morghulis, the proper response is Valar Dohaeris.
