75th Annual Orange Blossom Parade - Davie

75th Annual Orange Blossom Parade

Sometimes I like to "Live Like a Tourist" in my own back yard and what better event to do that then the 75th Annual Orange Blossom Parade in Davie. I could easily ride my bicycle to this one. 

The Orange Blossom Festival is a decidedly local Town of Davie event and attendance this year was phenomenal. If you are a Davie resident and were not at the festival this weekend...why not? Everyone else you know was there it seemed. 

In typical Davie parade style, this one was long. About two hours and two miles long. Not so typical, there were no large gaps in the parade. When you mix monster mud trucks and racing motorcycles with itty bitty tiny baton twirlers, you sometimes have a parade flow problem. Not this year. The organizers should get a huge round of applause for keeping this gigantic parade on track. 

After the parade there were plenty of booths to rummage through, two stages with continuous entertainment, bounce houses and rock walls for the kids, and a football field sized food court. I spent the better part of the day there but I could not stay for the rodeo. Reports on my Facebook indicate that was mistake. I have not been to the Davie Rodeo in several years so I think it's time to correct that oversight. Even though Davie has grown up from it's humble farming beginnings, they still take their rodeo seriously. 

The best way for me to describe this event is with photos. I have 80 posted on my Flickr page. If you were in the parade, there is a good chance I caught one of you. Click on the word Flickr above to head over and see. Also be sure to check out the Old Davie School and Museum just across the street to see a little Davie history from the time when this festival was just starting out. 

.

Cajun Zydeco Festival - Seminole Hardrock

Many years ago I went to the Cajun Zydeco Festival in a stadium and it was packed. They cooked crawfish one ton at a time and the dance floor had so little free space and so much consumed hot sauce, it was probably a fire hazard. I had such a great time I wanted to go back but for some reason, I either missed it or it no longer existed.

This year, after too long an absence, the Cajun Fest was held at the Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino. I had to give it a try and see if it was anything like I remembered.

The price to get in was $20.00 and the entire event barely filled my camera lens from the parking garage. Seemed like a pretty steep price for not much to see but I was there for the day so I rolled the dice and gave it a shot.

Even though this was a minuscule effort compared to what I remembered, I gave it some thought and realized what I enjoyed the most was the food and the music. After plunking down a few more bucks for a crab cake and crawfish etouffee I was right in the spirit to enjoy the first band.

Cajun music is clearly not for everyone but for those that love it, no other music exists. There were the casual listeners like me and the hard core fans with their own washboards strumming along with the bands. I was provided with a wristband to get in and out and I was at the Hardrock so I left for a bit to look around and throw away a few bucks in the slots. Yes - my attempt to win back my admission price was going well and would have been a success if I had only cashed out.

Right outside the casino was another band that was mesmerizing. I was shaken from my trance of enjoyment by thunderous applause from the handful of people gathered around to listen. I'm sure the band was much more accustomed to playing on the back porch with the sun setting and the only applause, the sound of crickets. I would have very much enjoyed listening on that back porch but it certainly was amazing to see the unexpected enthusiasm from the casino crowd.


In case you are wondering why I posted a fan shot - look close - That's Dennis Rodman. Retired basketball player and full time celebrity. As far as the crowd was concerned, The Magnolia Sisters were on the stage and they were the show. I was impressed enough to buy their CD even though I don't know a word of French. I'm sure I will listen to it through out the year and get ready for what will no doubt  be a bigger and better event next year.

Jazz Brunch - Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale

One of my favorite events in South Florida is the SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch. It's one of those rare events that you don't have to wait a whole year for. This one runs the first Sunday of each month and has been running  for as long as I can remember. I've been going off and on for many years and I know the ropes. I have gone with plenty friends over the years and don't mind sharing my experience to help them get the most enjoyment out of the day. I thought today I would share with my readers.

I have gone every month of the year but I can tell you in August it is HOT! I went last Sunday and the temperature was Florida style perfect. There were two little rain events but nothing a South Floridian can't handle or just plain ignore. No one packed up and left, that was for sure, but those of us with umbrellas made a few new friends. Hard to believe there was any bad weather at all with the blue skies in these pictures.


OK - so you are interested. What should you bring. As you can see, the event is across the street from the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science.  They just had a major expansion which means I need to find a kid and check it out. Another day. The Jazz Brunch is in the empty park near the New River.

The first thing you need is $12.00 to park your car. Someone should talk to them about that. After that, it's free. You will need chairs, hat, snacks, booze, sun glasses, your pet, a beach umbrella or the increasingly popular four poster pop up canopy, and lots of sunscreen. Don't worry about plopping down right in front of someone and putting up your umbrella or canopy. Everyone does it. No one minds. This is more of a social event. If you are worrying about seeing the band, come about an hour early and set up in the front row.

This past weekend not only had near perfect weather but also featured the Bobby Rodriguez Orchestra. Not the typical  four piece band but a full orchestra playing an upbeat mix of jazz and oldies. By the size of the crowd, the word was out. There were people everywhere, some so far away they could barely hear the band. Better to talk with your big group of friends, have a glass of wine, kick back, and enjoy a picnic lunch -  with a Jazz backdrop.

I had a great time but you don't have to take my word for it. The little dog next to me could hardly take his eyes off the band. Or maybe the pink poodle two umbrellas down. I'll admit I gave that one a second look too. Normally I would head down to Riverwalk after and have a meal but Riverwalk is more or less dying. Still plenty of fine eateries on 2nd near the tracks. Even more choices on Las Olas if you like a long walk along the river or a short drive. Once I plunk down $12.00 bucks for parking, my car is set for the day.

Bon Festival at the Morikami

It's been a few years since I've attended the Bon Festival at the Morikami in Delray Beach. The last time I visited, rain dampened the event and the turnout was not very impressive. This year, even with threatening weather yesterday, the turnout was enormous. One of my goals was to see the Taiko Drum performance by Fushu Daiko. I have seen them at various venues such as the South Florida Renaissance Festival and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and always managed to get front row seats. For the Bon Festival, they were playing under a huge tent and I was lucky to be standing 5 rows back on the outside. They performed like rock stars to an adoring crowd. Funny how much difference the venue makes.

The highlight of the evening is always the Toro Nagashi (lantern floating) and fireworks display. Show time was approaching but a severe storm was approaching even faster. With lighting flashing and rain beginning to fall,  I decided to head to the car. The sounds of an early fireworks display trailed behind me. Ah well. I still had a great time, great food, terrible pictures, and will know to bring an umbrella and grounding strap next year.

City of Hollywood ArtsPark

ArtsPark Grand Opening 6/3/11

Many years ago, Hollywood's downtown park was known as Young Circle. If you have lived here a while, you remember events like the Jazz Fest and the Wing Ding festival playing at the Bandshell. At the time, I lived near downtown and these events were very popular. Also at that time, Hollywood had a sleepy to nearly dying downtown with empty store fronts, terrible eateries, and pawn shops. Once the event was done, so were the crowds. Now the downtown is a revitalized, happening place to be. Young Circle has been transformed into the ArtsPark with one glaring omission. The Bandshell was torn down years ago and not replaced. That  is until the grand opening of the new amphitheater on June 3rd.  Hollywood is back on the map with not only a tremendous new concert venue but also a downtown to support the visitors.

I was there last night for the grand opening and I noticed two things. The audience started out very small with a lot of people asking why this was not advertised better. Second, everyone was calling friends to get down to the ArtsPark for the free concert. I was doing the same. By the time Expose hit the stage at 8:30 pm the place was packed. I would guess there were about 2,000 people and 200 dogs enjoying last night's show. I would expect the same for tonight's free concert featuring En Vogue. I was parked in the downtown garage and as I was leaving there were still open spots. Seems like a lot of the people enjoying the show just walked over from their homes. That has not happened in years. I hope Hollywood makes free concerts a regular thing. I know I would be a regular visitor if they did.

Downtown Hollywood - The new place to be

So here it was - Friday night and I was looking for something to do after a long week. I had some tentative plans in Downtown Hollywood but not until much later in the evening. I have lived and/or worked in Hollywood since 1978 and only recently have I considered the downtown area an actual destination. For the last decades you would have found me in Las Olas, South Beach, Delray, Pompano, Boca, even the Sawgrass Mall but not Hollywood.

Since I work in Hollywood, I was at the parking garage at 5:05. I dropped my cash in the meter and great - 2 hours free. Didn't see that. Now I have a ticket good till 11:05. Oh well. I had Facebooked my friends the day before and no one was interested. Made a few calls. My usual buds had plans. The only thing left to do was get a beer at Mickey Bryne's and wait for my friends to show around 7:30 pm. As luck would have it, I found some people I knew and met a few more. I had to tear myself away and walk down to Whiskey Tango where again I met a few people I knew and made even more new friends.

We talked, and laughed, had a fantastic dinner, and hung out till the band went on stage. I didn't head home till 11:00 or so and just beat the ticket lady to my car.  Those two free hours paid off. Unusual night? Not even close. This happens every time I go. Hollywood is like living in a small town with enough bars and resturants to satisfy the crowds. As I was leaving, a few folks were just getting there! Hollywood used to roll up the sidewalks at 9:00 pm. I'll save a trip to Lincoln Road for when I really want to impress someone but for a great night out with old and new friends, I'll go to Hollywood. Thanks Cindy, Trish, Bill, Johanna, Jon, Paula, Nancy, and everyone else for a memorable night. There are a lot of links on this page so check them out. Then give Downtown Hollywood a try and see if you agree.

Odd Duck Bazaar - Part Two

If you did not make it to the show, you missed a great event. Thanks to the Hollywood Craft Mafia, the show was well advertised, well organized, and very well attended. At least when I was there. There were plenty of booths and so many people, it was a challenge to see them all. Of course I'm always up for a challenge. I had already studied the website and knew exactly which booths I was interested in but actually bought a few items from ones I just found in passing. My favorite find will be a gift for my daughter's 21st birthday which is coming up way to soon. She loves pirates...... so it seemed to make sense when I was there. Not only did I purchase something from LuRu of the Tortuga Tile Works but in talking to her, realized we have friends in common. It felt great to support artists who actually live in the community and who I might even know in a round about way. I tend to prefer art shows more than craft shows honestly and if one of my very good friends was not participating, I may have passed this one by. As typical in these situations, I'm glad I went. There was great live music, good food, and some very fine art in this craft show and now a few pieces of it found their way to my home. I will certainly keep an eye out for future events.





Birthday gift - shhhhh



South Florida Jazz and Blues

Stop the presses!!! I just received my first fan email. Thanks Charles. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is fun but if you like your Jazz and Blues with a little more talent and a whole lot less blazing Florida sun, check out Jazz & Blues Florida. Charles has put together a pretty comprehensive list of events state wide. I found this listing so close to my house I could walk to it.

CAROL SABOYA and the ANTONIO ADOLFO QUARTET
Featuring Guest Artist Gary Campbell
Saturday, March 7, 2009 - 8:00 PM
Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center
3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Thanks for the heads up Charles - I'll check it out.