Nurturing Nature For A Greener Tomorrow: Aventura Celebrates 27 Years As A Tree City USA Wed Apr 17 2024 16:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Be Water Smart: Tips to Ensure a Safe Swim Season April 25, 2024 Share Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children ages 1–4, and it can happen in the very few minutes it takes to answer a phone call or run inside for a quick task. To reduce the risk of drowning, use multiple layers of protection when around a swimming pool, bathtub, lake or ocean. To learn more, visit: www.watersmartfl.com "Dry drowning" can occur after a person is submerged or inhales water through the nose or mouth, causing a spasm in the airway and difficulty breathing. Dry drowning can occur less than one hour after inhaling water. If a person is rescued from a "near" drowning, and they continue to cough or have difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1- and seek medical attention immediately. Helpful Tips to Ensure Safety Around Water: • Supervision: Always watch kids closely when they’re in or near the water. • Have a dedicated watcher: When gathering in large groups, assign one adult to watch one or two specific children, so someone is always looking out for kids. • Choose the right location to swim: Swim near a lifeguard. If you’re swimming in areas without a lifeguard, don’t do so alone. Make sure someone knows where you are and is keeping an eye out. • Install perimeter protection: Install fences and gates around pools. • Pay attention to safety warnings. If a beach or pool has “No swimming!” signs, take that seriously, even if things look safe. There’s usually a good reason why you shouldn’t take a dip. Additional Resources: • Check out Learn to Swim options available in Hollywood and find coupons for reduced rates for kids’ swim lessons • Watch the City of Hollywood’s swim safety video for helpful hints and tips: YouTube Video • Coupon for swim lessons - https://watersmartbroward.org/swim-coupon/ • Visit: www.watersmartfl.com Operation Paintbrush Give your house a makeover with free recycled paint from the City of Hollywood! Operation Paintbrush provides up to 20 gallons of high-quality exterior latex paint for free to single-family homeowners and non-profit organizations in Hollywood. 100% of the latex paint collected through the Broward County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program is recycled into new, high-quality exterior paint which is then provided to participating cities at no cost. Paint can be picked up at the Department of Public Works, Saturday, April 27th from 8 a.m. until noon at 1600 S. Park Road in Hollywood beginning at 8 a.m. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis while the City's supply lasts. To participate, you must provide your current driver’s license with Hollywood address and a current utility bill as proof of Hollywood residency. The paint colors offered are off-white, beige, terracotta, gray, and turquoise. < Previous News Next News >

Fall In Love Thu Nov 03 2022 16:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The American Kleptocracy: A Government of Liars, Thieves and Lawbreakers Thu Sep 08 2022 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An Opening Night That Will Inspire, Entertain, And Educate: Cinema Enthusiasts Get Ready To OUTSHINE In Fort Lauderdale This Month April 4, 2024 Share OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural festivals in the world, is proud to announce its 26th Annual Miami Film Line-Up. This year’s highly anticipated festival celebrating queer culture runs April 18th - April 28th and will feature more than 50 internationally acclaimed features and shorts including premieres and documentaries that inspire, entertain, and educate. Adding to the excitement and sense of community this year will be a Latin Spotlight featuring men’s and women’s films, a panel for aspiring filmmakers and FREE Uber rides to and from select film screenings. The films will screen at Silverspot Cinema Miami at 300 Southeast 3rd Street, Suite#: 100 Miami, Florida 33131 from April 18th to April 24th and at Regal South Beach at 1120 Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 from April 25th to April 28th. A variety of parties and special events will take place at various locations throughout Miami. “We are excited to unveil this year’s engaging OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami Lineup featuring a reimagined and more accessible experience of incredible premieres, filmmaker instruction and more parties,” said Joe Bilancio, Director of Programming for OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “This year’s groundbreaking films hail from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ukraine, Spain, Austria and beyond…all with the goal of bringing us together in universal love and acceptance by promoting tolerance, equality, understanding and empathy.” This year’s opening night film taking place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18th at Silverspot Cinema Miami is Turtles (Les Tortues) (Belgium/Canada, 2023). Directed by David Lambert, this relationship comedy-drama follows the ups and downs of married couple Thom and Henri, together for 35 years, now facing retired life and what happens when a love turns sour. The W Miami Afterparty will take place immediately following the screening. Brand new to the Miami Line-Up this year is a Latin Spotlight night set for Saturday, April 20th at Silverspot Cinema Miami, with four films from Latin America. At 8:00 p.m. is the North American premiere of Blue Lights (Luces Azules)(Argentina, 2023). Directed by Lucas Santa Ana, Blue Lights is a vibrant, engaging and sophisticated dramedy that plays out during a 70th birthday celebration. Friends and family gather, tensions soars and secrets are revealed leaving each guest to explore their idea of friends, lovers and self. The film explores the intricacies of love, loss, friendship and the evolving dynamics of Gay and Lesbian relationships in a changing world. Festival Goers can also choose to see All The Silence (Tod El Silencio) (Mexico, 2023), directed by Diego Del Rio at 8:15 p.m. This film will be in Spanish with Sign Language. This poignant film focuses on Miriam, an actress who is also a sign language teacher, who begins a downward spiral when she learns that she will become fully deaf. Despite having deaf parents, deaf friends and a deaf girlfriend, she refuses to accept a world without sound and starts to tear her life apart. Two nights of Cocktails & Cinema will celebrate our local filmmakers, cast and crews from students to seasoned veterans of the industry at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22nd and Tuesday, April 23rd at Silverspot Cinema Miami. This year’s South Florida Shorts program includes Double Life by Mellie Parks and Trinity Byonie, Frag by Christopher Frentzel, Myrna’s Secret Spies by Andy Perrott, and Open Dialogue: Generation QueerZ by Freddy Rodriguez. On both nights, there will be a Q&A after the screening and a reception will be held in the OUTshine Lounge at the Silverspot immediately following. Max, a 25-year-old aspiring writer living in London, becomes a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian in order to research his debut novel and this secret double-life becomes a source of liberation and transformation in Sebastian (Finland/UK, 2024), this year’s Centerpiece Film. The film will be screened at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24th at Silverspot Cinema Miami. Writer/Director Mikko Makela’s second feature offers an intriguing exploration of sex, identity, restraint and abandon. An afterparty will take place immediately following the film. To encourage more local LGBTQ+ filmmakers to tell their stories, OUTshine will present its Filmmaker Panel on Saturday, April 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Regal South Beach. This special event will feature local directors Hansel Porras Garcia, Director of Febrero and OOLITE Arts; Chris Molina, Director of Fallen Fruit, I Wonder If I’m Growing and programmer with the Miami Film Festival; Freddy Rodriguez, Director of Open Dialogues: Stories from the LGBTQ Community; Filmmaker Bootcat; Joe Tufte, Miami Dade College film professor; Noah Salzman, Director of Clocked and Angelica Bourland, Director of Warrior and Unstuck. Also, on April 27th is the Men’s Spotlight slice-of-life comedy film F.L.Y. (USA, 2023), directed by Rafael Albarran and Trent Kendrick. When two ex-boyfriends (Max and Rafael), who haven't seen each other in five years, reunite -- the COVID-19 Pandemic hits, and they're forced to quarantine together. The Ladies Spotlight Film will be the East Coast premiere of Backspot (Canada, 2023), directed by D.W. Waterson. Riley is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and her desperate need for approval from her new coach. Additional selections of note include the North American premieres of Lessons of Tolerance (Ukraine, 2023), The Fisherman’s Daughter (La Estrategia Del Mero) (Colombia, 2023), and Sunflower (Australia, 2023); the Southeast premiere of Gondola (Georgia, 2023); the Trans-focused films Close To You (Canada and UK, 2023) starring Elliott Page and The Summer with Carmen (Greece, 2024); the Queer Festival premiere of the Award-Winning Riley (USA, 2023), and the documentary Mad About The Boy: The Noel Coward Story (UK, 2023) narrated by Alan Cumming. The North American premiere of Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake (Maschile Plural) (Italy, 2024) will be the Closing Night Film commencing at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28th at Regal South Beach. Director Alesandro Haigh presents an intoxicating drama about sexy duo Antonio and Luca who are trying to pick up the pieces three years after their friend Denis’s passing. While each went their separate ways, when the two meet again Antonio mistakes Luca’s desire to reconnect as more than just a pure gesture of friendship. Immediately following at 8:00 p.m., a celebratory South Beach Group Hotel Closing Night Party that will take place at the Miami Beach Women's Club, 2401 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33140. To make attending OUTshine’s incredible films and special events more accessible, the City of Miami is offering FREE Uber Rides to and from Silverspot Cinema, within a 25 mile radius valid from April 18th through April 24th! OUTrageous, OUTspoken, and OUTstanding, this year’s OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami is sponsored, in part, by Miami Dade County, the City of Miami Beach and Gilead. Ticket subscription packages and individual tickets go on sale on March 23rd for the 41st Edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. For a full schedule of films, parties and special events or for more information, visit: www.outshinefilm.com . The Festival The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, celebrating 26 years in Miami and an upcoming 16 years in Fort Lauderdale, is a bi-annual film festival with a mission to inspire, entertain, and educate; encouraging a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video and other media that offer historical, contemporary and entertaining perspectives on the LGBTQ+ Experience. The NonProfit festival is critically and internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural arts happenings in the world. For more information and tickets, visit: www.outshinefilm.com And follow us on Facebook at: @OUTshineFilmFestival. On Twitter at: @OUTshineFilm. And on Instagram at: @OUTshineFilm. < Previous News Next News >

Mayor’s Challenge For Water Conservation: The City Of Sunny Isles Beach Joins National Campaign To Promote Smart Water Use And Reduce Pollution Thu Apr 06 2023 16:12:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

When The Knee Gives Out: Understanding TPLO Surgery South Florida Sun Times Jun 19, 2025 It Often Starts Subtly — A Slight Limp, A Hesitation Before Jumping, Or A Pet Struggling To Use One Of Their Back Legs. While These Signs Could Indicate Temporary Soreness Or A Minor Sprain, They May Also Point To A Much More Serious Issue, A Torn Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL). This common injury can significantly affect a dog’s or cat’s ability to walk, run or even stand comfortably. Luckily, there’s a surgical solution that can help restore their mobility — Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Dr. Katherine Barnes, a Clinical Associate Professor at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, shares the signs of CCL tears, how TPLO surgery works and why choosing the right surgeon is so important. Knee’ding a Fix Joints are where bones meet, forming a complex network of connections that allow the body to move smoothly and in many different ways. In the knee joint, called the stifle joint in pets, one small structure plays a big role in keeping everything stable — the cranial cruciate ligament. “The CCL is similar to the ACL in people,” Barnes said. “It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), thereby allowing the leg to bear weight and preventing those bones from moving beyond their normal range.” Because the stifle joint is essential for leg movement and weight bearing, it’s under constant pressure, making it especially vulnerable to wear and tear. That’s why CCL injuries often happen gradually, as the ligament weakens over time. When the ligament tears, the bones in the leg are no longer secure and can slide beyond their normal range, especially since the top of the shin bone — which supports most of the body’s weight — has a natural slope in dogs. “Without the CCL holding the bones in place, that slope causes instability that leads to pain, inflammation and the development of arthritis over time,” Barnes said. “If you notice your pet limping, swelling around its knee, or even a clicking sound when they walk, it’s best to visit the veterinarian for an exam to see if a CCL tear is to blame.” Any pet can experience a CCL tear, though it’s most often seen in dogs, especially large, active ones. A Surgical Solution When a CCL tear leaves the knee unstable, TPLO offers an innovative solution. “Instead of replacing or repairing the damaged ligament, TPLO changes the anatomy of the knee to eliminate the need for the ligament entirely,” Barnes said. “This is done by making a curved cut in the top of the tibia to flatten its weight-bearing surface. The bone is then secured with a specialized bone plate and screws.” This adjustment prevents the abnormal forward movement of the tibia that typically happens when the CCL is torn, thereby stabilizing the joint without the need for the CCL to hold the bones in place. From start to finish, the entire process — including preparation, anesthesia, surgery, X-rays and waking the pet — typically takes a few hours. “Clipping the fur and scrubbing the leg beforehand is a critical step, as it helps decrease the risk of postoperative infection,” Barnes said. “Before surgery, X-rays are performed to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other sources of pain, such as from a fracture, and blood work is done to ensure the patient is healthy for anesthesia. X-rays are also taken after surgery to ensure that the implants are well-positioned before waking the patient up.” Setting The Stage For Success TPLO surgery offers excellent outcomes — but success starts with choosing the right surgeon. As a highly technical procedure, TPLO demands precision and expertise at every step. Board-certified surgeons are specially trained to provide this level of care. “Board-certified surgeons go through years of additional specialized training,” Barnes said. “They complete an internship, do a three- to four-year surgery residency and pass board exams — all specifically focused on surgery.” This advanced training ensures that every phase — from preparation to implant placement to guiding owners through the recovery process — is handled with the accuracy needed to support safe healing. Without that expertise, small technical errors that can increase the risk of complications are far more likely. TPLO is a major procedure, but when handled with the right care, it gives pets the best possible chance at regaining comfort and mobility. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk . Suggestions for future topics may be directed to: vmbs-editor@tamu.edu . Previous Next

The Right to Remain Silent: The Latest Assault Comes From the U.S. Supreme Court By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead July 21, 2022 Share We are witnessing the gradual dismantling of every constitutional principle that serves as a bulwark against government tyranny, overreach and abuse. As usual, the latest assault comes from the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 ruling in Vega v. Tekoh, the Supreme Court took aim at the Miranda warnings, which require that police inform suspects that they have a right against self-incrimination when in police custody: namely, that they have a right to remain silent, to have an attorney present, and that anything they say and do can and will be used against them in a court of law. Although the Supreme Court stopped short of overturning its 1966 ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, the conservative majority declared that individuals cannot hold police accountable for violating their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. By shielding police from lawsuits arising from their failure to Mirandize suspects, the Supreme Court has sent a message to police that they no longer have to respect a suspect’s right to remain silent. In other words, concludes legal analyst Nick Sibilla, “the Supreme Court has effectively created a new legal immunity for cops accused of infringing on the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination.” Why is this important? In totality, the rights enshrined in the Fifth Amendment speak to the Founders’ determination to protect the rights of the individual against a government with a natural inclination towards corruption, tyranny and thuggery. The Founders were especially concerned with balancing the scales of justice in such a way that the innocent and the accused were not railroaded and browbeaten by government agents into coerced confessions, false convictions, or sham trials. As Benjamin Franklin insisted, “It is better a hundred guilty persons should escape than one innocent person should suffer.” Two hundred-plus years later, the Supreme Court (aided and abetted by the police state, Congress and Corporate America) has flipped that longstanding presumption of innocence on its head. In our present suspect society, “we the people” are all presumed guilty until proven innocent. With the Vega ruling, we have even fewer defenses for warding off government chicanery, abuse, threats and entrapment. To be clear, the Supreme Court is not saying that we don’t have the right to remain silent when in police custody. It’s merely saying that we can’t sue the police for violating that right. It’s a subtle difference but a significant one that could well encourage police to engage in the very sort of egregious misconduct at the heart of the Vega case: in which a police officer investigating a sexual assault isolated a suspect in a small, windowless room; refused him access to a lawyer or work colleagues; accused him of molesting a female patient; threatened him with violence; implied that he and his family would be deported; and terrorized him into signing a false confession dictated by the cop. Although Terence Tekoh was eventually tried and acquitted, the Supreme Court refused to hold police accountable for browbeating an innocent man into making a false confession. The Vega ruling threatens to turn the clocks back to a time when police resorted to physical brutality (beating, hanging, whipping) and mental torture in order to obtain confessions from suspects without ever informing them of their Fifth Amendment rights. By largely doing away with Miranda, the Supreme Court has made its present position clear: anything goes if you’re a cop in the American police state. Indeed, pay close to attention to the Court’s rulings lately, and the broader picture that emerges is of a judiciary that is playing fast and loose with the rule of law, picking and choose which rights to uphold and which can be discarded, in order to expand the power of the police state at the expense of the people’s rights. If left unchecked, this constitutionally illiterate ruling will open the door to a new era of police abuses. By shielding police from charges of grave misconduct while throwing the book at Americans for violating any of a rapidly expanding assortment of so-called crimes, the government has created a world in which there are two sets of laws: one set for the government and its gun-toting agents, and another set for you and me. This is how perverse justice in America has become, and it’s happening all across the country. Incredibly, while our own constitutional protections against government abuses continue to be dismantled, a growing number of states are adopting Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBoR)—written by police unions—which provides police officers accused of a crime with special due process rights and privileges not afforded to the average citizen. In other words, the LEOBoR protects police officers from being treated as we are treated during criminal investigations: questioned unmercifully for hours on end, harassed, harangued, browbeaten, denied food, water and bathroom breaks, subjected to hostile interrogations, and left in the dark about our accusers and any charges and evidence against us. Now every so often, police officers engaged in wrongdoing are actually charged for abusing their authority and using excessive force against American citizens. Occasionally, those officers are even sentenced for their crimes against the citizenry. Yet in just about every case, it’s still the American taxpayer who foots the bill. In fact, police officers are more likely to be struck by lightning than be held financially accountable for their actions. No matter which way you spin it, “we the people” are always on the losing end of the deal. With the Supreme Court’s ruling in Vega v. Tekoh, the scales of justice have shifted out of balance even more. Brace yourselves: as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, things are about to get downright ugly. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted At: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available At: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

St. Patrick's Day Recipes You'll Want to Make Year-Round www.Culinary.net February 23, 2023 Share Baked Bread to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. From hearty stews to minty pies, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are all about enjoying the flavors of the holiday. Whether you’re cooking up a full meal or simply serving appetizers, this Irish Potato Bread makes for a simple, tasty snack to feed your crowd. Find more celebratory recipes at: www.Culinary.net Irish Potato Bread • 2 medium or large russet potatoes • 1 egg • 1 egg white • 1/3 cup canola oil • 3/4 cup milk • 2 tablespoons green onion, minced • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, • plus additional for dusting and kneading • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt Heat oven to 375 F. Peel potatoes. Slice one potato and boil in saucepan 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove potato from saucepan into large bowl. Mash potato then set aside. Grate second potato onto cloth. Wring potato in cloth to remove excess water. Add grated potato to mashed potato in large bowl. Add egg, egg white, oil, milk, onion, caraway seeds, 3 1/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Stir with wooden spoon until mixture is soft and sticky. Turn dough onto floured surface. Adding flour as needed, knead dough to form 8-inch round shape with slight dome. Place dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut large “X” on top of dough about 1/2 inch deep. Bake 55 mins until golden brown. Cool on wire rack 1 hour before serving. A St. Patrick’s Day Sandwich In honor of the day when everyone is Irish, welcome family and friends to a traditional St. Patrick’s Day lunch with this Reuben Sandwich recipe. Reuben Sandwich Servings: 2 • 2 tablespoons butter, softened • 4 slices rye and pumpernickel swirl bread • 4 slices swiss cheese • 6 ounces corned beef • 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons, • Thousand Island Dressing, divided • 4 tablespoons sauerkraut Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spread 1 tablespoon butter on one side of two bread slices. Place buttered side down in heated skillet. Add two slices cheese to each bread slice. Spread 2 tablespoons dressing over cheese slices. Add 3 ounces corned beef to each bread slice. Spread 2 teaspoons dressing over corned beef. Spread 2 tablespoons sauer-kraut over corned beef. Spread remaining butter on one side of remaining bread slices. Place buttered side up on top of sauerkraut. Cook 4-7 minutes each side, flipping once, until golden brown and cheese is melted. A Sweet St. Patrick’s Day Even if you’re not Irish, a green treat like this Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie can get you and your guests into the festive spirit. With enough seasonal flavor to go around, this recipe makes two pies, so be sure to cut every leprechaun a generous portion. Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie Makes: 2 pies (9 inches each) • 3 3/4 cups heavy whipped cream, divided • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened • 1 1/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons, • powdered sugar, divided • 5 drops green food coloring • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided • 1/4 teaspoon mint extract • 1 bag mint chocolate candies, chopped, divided • 2 chocolate cookie crusts (9 inches each) • 1 bag mint chocolate candies To make filling: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk 2 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to bowl. In separate stand mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on high 2 minutes. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and green food coloring; mix until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and mint extract; mix well. Fold prepared whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Fold 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies into filling. To make frosting: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk remaining heavy cream and remaining powdered sugar. Add remaining vanilla extract and mix until stiff peaks form. Pour filling into crusts and smooth tops. Fill decorating bag with frosting and pipe thick band around edges of pies. Then pipe circle dollops evenly around edges of pies. Scatter 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies in middle of pies. Place whole mint chocolate candies into each dollop of frosting around edges of pies. Refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours. < Previous News Next News >

A Fun-Filled Adventure: Uproarious Menagerie of Kids and Creatures Fight to Save Beloved Zoo Thu May 30 2024 16:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

South Florida Pride Youth Band Celebrates 15th Season, Matinee Concert Scheduled Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 At The Parker South Florida Sun Times Jan 21, 2026 The South Florida Pride Youth Band Will Celebrate Its 15th Season With A Special Matinee Concert Presented By FLoatarama On Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. At The Parker. Tickets Are $45 And Available At: www.tinyurl.com/SFPYB15 Comprised of more than 80 students representing dozens of public and private high schools across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, the South Florida Pride Youth Band offers young musicians the opportunity to work with an outstanding artistic team and professional mentors, connect with peers, unite against bullying, and celebrate diversity through music. The first act will feature performances conducted by Dr. Erika Svanoe, conductor of the University of Wisconsin–Stout Symphonic Band, alongside members of the South Florida Pride Concert Band, the bridge-building musical powerhouse which has been entertaining the South Florida community for 40 years. New this year will be the inaugural Youth Pride Jazz Band. Conducted by Edgar Rubio, jazz band director for the South Florida Pride Concert Bands, students will perform jazz selections during the second act. Dan Bassett, who has served as Artistic Director of the South Florida Pride Concert Band for the past 20 years and is a founding member of the South Florida Pride Youth Band, reflected on the program’s origins. “We founded the Youth Band 15 years ago after receiving an overwhelming response from marginalized teenagers searching for a safe and inclusive space where they could simply play music,” he said. The South Florida Pride Youth Band was founded in 2010 during the turbulent “It Gets Better” movement, when there was a clear need to respond to rising incidents of bullying and suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth. “We’ve put tremendous effort into making this four-week honor band experience a memorable one for these talented young musicians,” said Dr. Adam DeRosa, board chair of the South Florida Pride Concert Band. “In addition to receiving invaluable musical mentorship and performing alongside members of our band — including many former professional musicians — students build friendships and experience performing on a professional stage.” During the Season 15 concert, the South Florida Pride Concert Band will award more than a dozen individual $1,500 scholarships to local high school band students. FLoatarama, a South Florida all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated raising awareness and funds to support the youth who identify as LGBTQ+, will award a $2,500 Jazz Director's scholarship to a member of the inaugural Youth Jazz Band and a $7,500 scholarship to the recipient of the Fifth Annual FLoatarama Youth Pride Band Soloist competition. This musician will also be featured as a soloist during the South Florida Pride Concert Band’s May 2026 concert. “We are incredibly proud to continue our commitment to the South Florida Pride Youth Band through the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund,” said Floatarama president, Scott Schramm. “It is incredibly gratifying to champion these talented young people by providing them with the financial resources they need as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.” The South Florida Pride Concert Band is celebrating its 40th season and remains the oldest LGBTQ+ arts and cultural organization in the state of Florida. Photo credit: South Florida Pride Concert Band Previous Next

Get Creative In 2024: Performing Art Programs For Adult & Children Start January 20th, 2024 January 11, 2024 Share A new and exciting semester of Performing Arts classes for all ages and skill levels kicks off soon at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Enrollment is now open for Winter/Spring classes that begin on Saturday, January 20th, 2024. The Broward Center’s Performing Arts Programs, voted Favorite Arts Program by South Florida Family Magazine from 2018 through 2023, allow participants to learn something new, try something different, explore their creative side from a talented team of theater professionals. Skills-Building and Performance Classes in Singing, Dancing, Acting and Improv are designed to encourage artistic expression, develop skills in all areas of the Performing Arts and help students build Self-Confidence in a fun and Supportive Environment. Many classes end with showcases and performances at the Broward Center. Financial need-based Full and Partial Scholarships are available for the 2024 Winter Theater Classes for Kids, Tweens and Teens. Scholarship Applications will be accepted until Thursday, January 4th, 2024 and families in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties are encouraged to apply. All dates, times, teaching artists and instructors are subject to change and current openings are limited. Classes for K through High School Kindergarteners learn about story structure while increasing their Vocabulary, Confidence, Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills in Dramatic Play: Epic Explorations & Travels. They will explore a different book and theme each week in this Introductory Drama Class and embark on an epic adventure using props and dramatic play. Young performers learn to use their body, voice and imagination as they take epic journeys, explore new lands and meet exotic characters and animals from around the world. Intro to Musical Theater is offered in age-appropriate classes for grades K-2 and 3-5 as each explores the dynamic world of musical theater to develop the basics of singing, dancing and acting using songs and choreography from a wide range of popular Broadway musicals in a supportive environment. Additionally, students learn stage directions, basic dance steps, terminology, and also engage in healthy vocal production techniques. Family and friends are invited to an open class at the end of the semester and two sessions of this class are recommended. Elementary School Students in grades 3-5 will also enjoy the Intermediate Class Sing! Dance! Act! as they continue to develop musical theater skills such as movement and choreography, healthy vocal production technique, character development and overall focus and stage presence. The prerequisite for this class includes prior musical theater classes or experience. Broadway Dance, Grades 4-9, is the exploration of Traditional and Contemporary Broadway Dance Styles that include elements of: Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance. Perfect for students who wish to learn the basic steps found in musical theater dance and improve their dance skills for auditions and performances, this Beginner-Level Class focuses on core fundamental exercises and technical steps while introducing a variety of movement styles. Musical Theater Singing is a group singing class that is perfect for students in grades 6-12 who love show tunes. Students will learn songs from some of Broadway’s greatest composers while focusing on healthy vocal and breathing techniques, creating a character through song, and developing overall stage presence. Basic music theory and sight-reading instruction are included. All levels are welcome as students will sing in group numbers and explore their specific skill level through solos and duets. Principles of acting for students in grades 9-12 are explored in Teen Acting. Created specifically for teens, this class will help students develop a foundational understanding of character, diction, vocal projection and breath control while building physical awareness and theater vocabulary. Warm-ups, theater games and in-class performances help students grow in self-confidence, public speaking and creativity. Acting & Improv is available for students in Grades 4-6 and explores the “fun”damentals of Acting and Improv Skills. Youngsters will build confidence and stretch their imagination as they explore how to use their bodies, voices and minds to create characters and imaginary circumstances through interactive warm-ups and skills-building activities. This class is perfect for strengthening Social Interactions and developing Effective Listening and Communication Skills. Classes for Adults Designed for ages 18 and up, these classes are available to any performing arts lover wishing to simply get in on the fun or improve skills in a variety of dynamic and engaging classes. Breathwork is a new class offering that takes place over the course of three separate weeks (one evening class per week) and teaches students the art of becoming aware of their breath and breathing in conscious, controlled patterns to promote Relaxation, Self-Awareness and Overall Well-Being. Students will gradually increase their breath stamina in these powerful breathwork classes that build weekly to help revitalize their entire being, boost their Immune System and shift energy within. Explore the connection between breath and voice with Breathwork for Singers. Adequate for seasoned vocalists or beginners with a passion for music, this innovative class is designed to unleash the full potential of students’ voices and elevate their singing skills through specialized breathwork techniques focusing on breath awareness and control, vocal endurance and expressive performance. At the end of the session, students will learn how to extend their vocal range and stamina, how to exercise precise control over inhalation and exhalation and get a better sense for their breath's connection to sound production. Broadway Dance is designed for adults who love dancing and high-energy. The class is taught by an experienced choreographer who offers the perfect way to help adults stay fit while learning basic steps and explosive choreography from some of Broadway’s greatest shows. Designed for adults who enjoy singing Broadway show tunes and wish to improve their vocal technique, the Musical Theater Singing class uses musical theater songs to teach proper vocal production, breath control and how to act out a song. No previous singing experience is necessary as students learn group numbers in a supportive environment. Students explore all aspects of musical theater including solo and ensemble singing, scene work and Musical Theater Improv during Adult Musical Theater Experience. There is something for every musical theater performer in this class as students work individually and in groups to develop their skills. Adult Improv Foundations is a fun introduction to the world of Improv for beginners, as well as an opportunity for the more experienced improviser to refresh and hone skills. Learn the fundamentals of acting in a nurturing atmosphere with Adult Acting: Try It! This class allows students to participate in physical and vocal warm-ups, improvisation, theater games and more. Acting Foundations will increase skills and Self-Awareness as students build on the foundations of the acting process in a collaborative and creative environment. Stretch your acting abilities, strengthen your instincts and explore acting abilities through improvisation, movement and voice in this acting class. Develop techniques to build a full-bodied, compelling character from the inside out using monologues and scene work. Adult Acting: Scene Study is for serious students interested in building their craft as they further their understanding of script analysis and character development. Students dig into more complex material through analysis, exercises and movement in this advanced class. Breath, body and the intellect are explored as character details and specificity are created. This class increases skills and Self-Awareness and prepares students for entry into the professional acting community. A teacher assessment is required for enrollment in this class. In the tradition of SNL, Key & Peele and Monty Python, the Sketch Comedy adult class explores the world of sketch comedy, identifying various comedic styles, and then creating material using them. In this introduction to sketch comedy, participants will work out concepts in class as well as at home. Pieces will be selected by the instructor from material developed in class and presented in a final class showcase. Classes Culminating in Performances Let’s Explore a Show! is a class for young performers in Grades 1-3 that culminates in a performance where family and friends are invited to witness the magic. This immersive experience guides students through the captivating journey of bringing a show to life, from auditions to final bows. Taught by theater professionals, the class covers the fundamentals of acting, singing and dancing in the vibrant setting of the JM Family Studio Theater. As they hone their skills, students not only create lasting memories on stage but also have a blast along the way. Class fee includes a script and costume pieces. Youth Spring Musical: Mean Girls Jr., for students in Grades 5-10, is offered in partnership with The Performance Project, Inc. In this all-encompassing theatrical experience students learn acting, singing and dancing as well as production disciplines such as costumes, props, make-up and staging and use these skills to put on a final show. Adapted from Tina Fey’s 2004 Blockbuster Film and the Broadway smash hit, the script for Mean Girls JR. was specifically written for tween groups to perform. Students in Grades 4-12 may audition for the MTI Pilot Production/Advanced Musical Theater Workshop of Dreamworks Theatricals Trolls the Musical Jr. The Broward Center has been selected by Music Theater International (MTI) and Dreamworks Theatricals to produce a pilot production of this brand-new musical adventure, set after the events of the first film. As one of the first theaters in the country to produce the junior version of this brand-new original musical, students have a unique opportunity to continue developing their musical theater skills while working on an exciting pilot production. Classes and rehearsals will culminate in three performances at the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater. This project is made possible by support from Florida Theatrical Association and Funding Arts Broward. Middle and High School Students from Grades 6-12 may audition to join Broward Center Spotlights, a performing vocal ensemble perfect for students who love to sing in front of an audience that includes performances at community events and in the Spring Spectacular. Students in Grades 9-12 may audition for Mean Girls – High School Version is which advanced techniques in acting, singing and dance are integrated into the rehearsal process and culminate in a full-length musical production, offered in partnership with The Performance Project, Inc. All Abilities Classes No experience is necessary to enjoy monthly All Abilities classes announced throughout the season. These interactive and engaging arts experiences are led by teaching artists and followed by refreshments. All Abilities classes are made possible with support from the Taft Foundation. Once again, the Broward Center will feature the Special Stars Class for the neurodiverse community offering a unique performing arts experience for those ages 16 and older. This class, offered in partnership with the Exceptional Theater Company, teaches theater skills to people with physical and intellectual disabilities in a supportive and nurturing environment. By utilizing theater techniques, students enhance verbal skills, improve movement, build self-confidence, and advance socialization while stimulating free and independent thinking. Students choose the characters and write the script for the performance that takes place in the JM Family Studio Theater at the end of the session. For more details, please visit: www.browardcenter.org/education/programs/classes/sensory-inclusive-programs Additional Benefits and Scholarships Students enrolled in all classes enjoy complimentary parking in the Riverwalk A&E Garage, located directly across the street from the Broward Center on SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. They also receive Special Offers for Discounted Tickets to a variety of performances and preferred access to workshops offered by the Broward Center and its affiliated venues. Need-Based Full and Partial Scholarships are available for Students Pre-K through Grade 12 in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties. Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of the Ronald Plotkin Scholarship Fund and the Mary Jane Harlow Charitable Trust. To learn more about the Broward Center’s Scholarship Opportunities or for more information about Education Programs, call: (954) 414-6904. Or visit: www.browardcenter.org/education/scholarships For Complete Class Information and Registration, visit: www.Browardcenter.org/classes - Email: registrar@browardcenter.org . Or call: (954) 468-2689. For those classes requiring auditions, visit: www.browardcenter.org/auditions < Previous News Next News >