SHOW ROOM
People typically associate showrooms with furniture or automobiles. But Show Room, Michelle Weinberg’s forthcoming solo exhibition at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, will contain art. “I wanted to make a space that was accessible,” the Miami Beach artist says. “Sometimes, gallery sounds like something where only the art-initiated are welcome or feel comfortable. But a showroom is a place where you go in and there’s stuff for sale and you can look at it and try it out somehow.” … Read more about Show Room, which opens 6-9 p.m. Friday at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, in my recent Fresh Art feature about Weinberg.
THE GENTLEMAN OF PARIS
El Caballero de Paris (The Gentleman of Paris) is a multimedia theatrical spoken word performance written by Alonso “The Poet” Menendez. It tells the story of Juan Manuel Lopez Lledin, better known to Cubans as El Caballero de Paris.
As Menendez tells it, “El Caballero was a Spanish born émigré to Cuba who has become a folk legend to the Cuban people while at the same time remaining a mystery to them. Cultured, educated, well mannered, homeless and schizophrenic, he wandered the streets of Havana during the 1950’s reciting poetry, discussing politics and philosophy, giving flowers and helping those he would meet along his daily travels. Never one to accept outright charity he would support himself by selling pencils decorated with feathers and ribbons or postcards on which he would draw a simple sketch.
“He was well loved by the people and lived in this manner until 1977 when he was robbed of his freedom by being institutionalized until the time of his death in 1985. This work is more than the story of a simple vagabond; it is a metaphor for the plight of the Cuban people.”
The performance, along with original music by Carl Ferrari and art work by Xavier Cortez, starts at 8 p.m. Friday at Wallflower Gallery, 10 N.E.Third St., Miami. Singer and guitarist Menendez will open with music and maybe some poetry. This is the last Friday Wallflower will be open. Read on (a few items past this one) for info on their closing show on Saturday.
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CRAFTY PICNIC AT T.Y. PARK
Hollywood Craft Mafia is having a Crafty Potluck Picnic at noon on Saturday at Topeekeegee Yugnee (TY) Park from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Bring your favorite dish and $5 (plus $1.50 park entrance) and the mafia will supply the tools for creativity. They’ll be making moss terrariums and pet rocks. To find the crafters, turn right after entering the park and look for the white tent on the right. Check out their meet-up group, and while you’re there you can preview the food others promised to bring, from strawberry soup and hickory house sour slaw to ramen chicken salad and homemade whoopee pies. T.Y. Park is at 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood. Call 954-357-8811.
WALLFLOWER CLOSING BASH
Bad news: Wallflower Gallery in Miami is closing. Good news: Plans and savings are underway for a bigger and better gallery in a new location.
Meanwhile, a big closing party on Saturday, will feature some of the musicians, poets, painters, philosophers and dancers who’ve frequented the gallery in the last 13 years. The marathon party which kicks off at 1 p.m. and runs until 6 a.m. with musical performances by a host of local creative types including acoustic rock musician Christine Alexander and reggae-funk and spoken words artists Sweetbone and Alonso The Poet, Miami acoustic duo The Humdrums and psychedelic rock act Franklin’s Wheel. After the interactive improve finale jam featuring free form music and spoken word at 12:20, the plan is for everyone to just kick back, laugh and cry a little in the building that’s scheduled for demolition, and then at 4:30, breakfast at Denny’s. The cost is $5 and the money will help cover moving expenses and storage until all the money is raised to open in a new location.
THE BUBBLE’S BIRTHDAY BASH
The Bubble, home of the Independent Working Artist Network, turns 1 on Saturday, and a slew of local artists and musicians will be there doing what they do best, making music and showing art and eating cupcakes. Here’s the ever-growing lineup of artists: Lisa Parrott, Rachel De John, Paul Oliver, Luzalma Gonzales, Marciel Vargas, Matthew Valera, Tyler Brandon, Alexis Colbert, Blair Hess, Johnny Zang, Japanda, Lauck Ward, Linda Nilly, Travis Newbill, Andrea Tello, Misha, Erin O’Dea Cook, Olga Volkus, Erick Arena. and the musicians: Alexander, Radar vs Wolf, Dooms De Pop , Zombies! Organize! (pictured here), The Shakers, Green Mantles, Astari Nite, Gray n Orange, Travis , Manifest Test subjects, Rando Mattack. The party is 2 p.m. to 9 .m. Saturday at The Bubble, 810 N.E. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Cost: $10. After the Bubble closes, the bash moves on to the Poorhouse from 11:30 to 4 a.m.
THE NEW GALLERY 101
Jacqueline Sacs will premiere her collection of black satin boudoir photos at Gallery 101’s new location in the heart of the FATS Village Art District of Fort Lauderdale, 7-11 p.m. Saturday at 501 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. For more details, visit Gallery 101’s Facebook page for the event, which will also feature martinis made by Guy Le Houtte of Gelati Martini in Wilton Manors.
KEVRO ART OPENING
South Florida artists Lea Vendetta and Lori Pratico are teaming up for Get You Ink On! a joint show at that opens Saturday at Kevro’s Art Bar. Vendetta, who was born in France, is a tattoo artist who has been painting for 15 years and frequently pays heed to Paris in works that depict dancing couples, parties and women, many with tattoos. Pratico paints portraits she hopes will prompt viewers to look beyond their differences to discover the things that unite them … like tattoos. The show will open 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Kevro Art Bar, 166 S.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach.
A few Sunday events to come later ….
