What’s going on in South Florida this long weekend? Everything. Miami Grand Prix, Cleveland Orchestra (the Lamborghini of classical music orchestras), May the Fourth (also known as Star Wars Day), May the Fifth (by executive order the new name of Cinco de Mayo), the Fort Lauderdale air show (awkwardly rebranded as Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale), the Kentucky Derby (still called that), 561 Music Festival (no relation to SunFest) and performances by the extraordinary Rhiannon Giddens, Seun Kuti and Shohei Ohtani. Let’s do it …
FRIDAY
Green means go: This is the weekend of the three-day Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium, the Art Basel of auto racing, which attracts all the beautiful people and their expectations and their wallets. This means a Basel-esque cornucopia of entertainment at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, including globe-trotting DJ Kygo on Friday ($65+) and pop duo Sofi Tukker playing poolside at The Guitar Hotel on Saturday ($125+ with open bar). Nearby, nightclub DAER will have DJ great Steve Aoki ($50+) and rap mogul 50 Cent ($40+) on separate stages on Friday; a day party with DJ Kaskade on Saturday afternoon ($60+) and Travis Scott with DJ Khaled on Saturday night ($100+); followed on Sunday by a Miami Grand Prix watch party with DJ Obscene (free before 3 p.m., $40+ after). Visit MyHRL.com for information on Hard Rock Live concerts, HardRockNightlife.com for DAER shows.
Slower crowd: You don’t need your wallet for the Beachfront Grand Prix Festival beginning Friday at Las Olas Oceanfront Park in Fort Lauderdale. The LOOP will host exotic cars, an F1 team merchandise shop, racing simulators (you can also test your tire-changing skills on an actual race car), a beer garden and performances from Blink-182 tribute band Blank-281, Big Harvest, Private Stock and the Shane Duncan Band, among others. Hours are 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Visit BeachfrontGrandPrixFest.com.
Rhiannon rings: Extraordinary folk-music Renaissance woman Rhiannon Giddens will lead The Old-Time Revue at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Friday at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, two Grammy Awards and a MacArthur Fellowship “genius grant,” in her spare time Giddens helped found the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the female banjo supergroup Our Native Daughters, and currently serves as artistic director of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble. Tickets for the all-ages concert, presented by the Rhythm Foundation, cost $53.56. Visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
More strings: New World Symphony will close its season with a concert at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach at 7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by performances at the New World Center on Miami Beach at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Renowned violinist Gil Shaham will perform under the direction of Edward Gardner, principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, in a program that features works by Dvořák, Bartók and Thea Musgrave’s serendipitous “Song of the Enchanter.” For tickets to Friday’s concert (starting at $35), visit Kravis.org. Get tickets for Saturday and Sunday (starting at $40+) at NWS.edu.
Sea and sky: Catch the internationally revered Cleveland Orchestra at its most celestial at the Arsht Center in Miami at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a program that will feature the elegant Elgar song cycle “Sea Pictures” (featuring contralto Avery Amereau) and Holst’s dynamic orchestral suite “The Planets.” Tickets are available for both performances, starting at $65+ and $75+, at ClevelandOrchestra.com/miami.
‘Beetlejuice’ juice: The Broadway tour of “Beetlejuice,” the gleeful musical based on Tim Burton’s eye-popping film, is at Miami’s Arsht Center for weekend performances at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $35+ at ArshtCenter.org. You can get in the, uh, spirit with a themed Day-O cocktail, being poured at Arsht’s second-floor restaurant Teatro and bars in the venue. The drink ($20) is a visually stimulating blend of Malibu Original coconut rum, Bacardi Añejo Cuatro rum, falernum, banana liqueur, orgeat syrup, cranberry, pineapple and mango. It’s complimented by a slice of dried (formerly alive, get it?) fruit on the rim. Visit Instagram.com/teatrorestaurant.arsht.
Weekend laughs: Plantation-raised comedian Bret Ernst — mostly performing in Las Vegas these days (he also just completed Season 1 of the “Cobra Kai” rewatch podcast “Sweep the Pod”) — will be at the Dania Improv in Dania Beach for shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $27.90 at DaniaImprov.com.
Weekend playlist: Twice Grammy-nominated classical-meets-hip-hop duo Black Violin — Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin), who met in orchestra class at Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale — on Friday will release a new album, “Full Circle,” helmed by veteran producer Phil Beaudreau (Dr. Dre, Justin Bieber, The Game). In the meantime, this week they released the first single, “Beautiful Day,” a warm old-soul ballad that may call to mind your favorite Donny Hathaway vibe — and then you find out it features his daughter, Lalah Hathaway. (Listen here.) For more on the album, visit Linktr.ee/blackviolin.
Ticket window: Peter Hook & the Light have announced a North American tour stopping at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Saturday, June 14. The tour will feature the New Order album “Get Ready” along with seminal tracks from Hook’s other band, Joy Division. Tickets cost $42.23. Visit PeterHookAndTheLight.live. … Mental-health missionaries Citizen Soldier will bring the tour supporting the imminent album “Family Heirlooms” to Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, Aug. 23. Tickets for the all-ages show cost $29.50+ in advance and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at JoinTheRevolution.net. … South Florida-bred punks Against All Authority will celebrate the 25th anniversary of album “24 Hour Roadside Resistance” at Revolution Live on Saturday, Aug. 30. Tickets will cost $29.50+ when they go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at JoinTheRevolution.net. … Country upstart Shaboozey will bring his tour to the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, Oct. 14. After a series of presales, tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at SeatGeek.com. … Writer-comedian and “Daily Show” correspondent Josh Johnson will bring The Flowers Tour to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on Thursday, Nov. 6. Tickets (starting at $35+) go on sale at noon Friday at Kravis.org.
SATURDAY
Air apparent: The annual air show in Fort Lauderdale is back this weekend to ribbon the skies over the beach with contrails from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demo Team and other daredevils. The action takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (gates open 9 a.m.). It’s free to watch, but the most popular way to see it is with passes to the Drop Zone, an area between Sunrise and Northeast 14th Court where you can set up chairs and umbrellas and have access to portable restrooms. Drop Zone passes cost $26 to $37.50 at Air.Show.
Free your mind: While all the war machines roar overhead, The Yoga Expo South Florida will preach peace and quiet. Rolling out at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the expo will offer more than 100 exhibitors, hands-on workshops, live music, art, dance, food and activities for all ages and levels. Tickets start at $32.50+ each as part of a two-for-one package. Visit Facebook.com/theyogaexpo.
Chef’s dinner: Chefs Matthew Candelaria (Palm Beach Meats) and Jimmy Strine (Austin Republic) will team up at 7 p.m. Saturday for a one-night-only collaborative dinner at Wagyu-forward Palm Beach Meats, the recently named Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree in West Palm Beach. The five-course dinner (a Wagyu dish, of course, and one with black tip shark) will cost $140+ (to which you can add a wine pairing, and truffle and caviar enhancements). Visit PalmBeachMeats.com.
Free music: This is traditionally SunFest weekend in West Palm Beach, but with the festival on hold, into the breach comes the 561 Music Festival, taking place on Saturday at Meyer Amphitheatre on the downtown waterfront. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the event will feature food trucks, vendors, artists and 20 local bands on two stages, curated by music-scene veterans Hector Diaz and Ben Childs of KillBillies and the 561 Music podcast. Best of all, it’s free. There also are VIP accommodations ($100) if you roll like that. Visit 561MusicFestival.com.
Coachella to Hollywood: Nigerian Afrobeat stars Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, a highlight of the recent Coachella 2025 festival, will perform as part of the free Hollywood ArtsPark Experience series on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood on Saturday at 7 p.m. The saxophonist son of the legendary Fela Kuti, Seun this month is set to release an extended edition of his 2024 Lenny Kravitz album “Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head),” with Egypt 80 joined by special guests Damian Marley, Sampa the Great and Kamasi Washington. The concert is produced by the Rhythm Foundation with support from the city of Hollywood and the Broward County Cultural Division. Visit HollywoodArtsParkExperience.com.
Recommended listening: Internationally touring South Florida jazz quartet The Smoogies create exhilarating and inventive jazz that has encouraged wide critical praise and performances alongside Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Richard Bona, Marcus Strickland, Etienne Charles and others. The band — Vaughn “V.Keys” Henry, Dion Kerr, Harvel Nakundi and David Chiverton — will perform on Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Arts Garage in downtown Delray Beach. Tickets start at $30+ at ArtsGarage.org.
A new ‘Carmen’: Miami City Ballet brings its stylish production of Bizet’s “Carmen” to the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale for performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s interpretation takes its cues from the film “Molly’s Game,” Aaron Sorkin’s stylish crime-thriller set in the world of high-stakes poker, with a heroine who is equal parts seductress and strategist. Tickets start at $40+. Visit MiamiCityBallet.org.
Music from the world: Iranian pop singer and songwriter Aron Afshar will bring his stunning voice to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55.14+ at ParkerPlayhouse.com. … Veteran Uruguayan rock band No Te Va Gustar fills stadiums in South America, but will squeeze that sound into Fort Lauderdale’s Revolution Live on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $59+ at JoinTheRevolution.net. … Joaquina, the 20-year-old Venezuelan singer who won the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2023, will share music from debut album “Al Romper la Burbuja” at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $53.49+ at LiveNation.com.
Hold onto your hats: There are many ways to watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but the folks at FLIFF have always thrown an energetic party at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale with all the elements you need: barbecue buffet and open bar (mint juleps, natch), live entertainment (The Jersey Girls), prizes for most creative Derby hats and outfits, 50/50 raffle (where guests pick the winners), and the race (post time 6:57 p.m.) projected on a 30-foot, high-definition screen. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $100, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Visit FLIFF.com.
’80s night: Scottish singer Sheena Easton was one of the acts who defined modern pop music in the early 1980s as it transitioned into the visuals-first MTV generation. She quickly became a staple of the network with attractive videos for hit songs including “Morning Train (Nine to Five),” “Strut,” “Almost Over You,” the James Bond theme “For Your Eyes Only” and the inescapable Kenny Rogers duet “We’ve Got Tonight.” Easton will bring those songs and more to The Studio at Mizner Park in Boca Raton for Saturday performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. A handful of tickets remain, starting at $55+. Visit TheStudioAtMiznerPark.com.
SUNDAY
Stormtrooper trouping: Some days you just need to dork out — Sunday is that day. May the Fourth, also known as Stars Wars Day, will bring cosplaying revelers to breweries and bars all over South Florida. Among the places that will greet the Sithed and Wookied warmly on Sunday will be Kapow Noodle Bar locations in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, where you’ll find galactic decor, specialty cocktails, costume prizes, giveaways and the original trilogy playing on a loop (visit KapowNoodleBar.com) … The new Voodoo Brewing Co. in Oakland Park will host an all-day Star Wars Day Bash from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with film screenings, specialty cocktails and a free stout for anyone in costume (see the Eventbrite.com page). … The party at Pompano Beach Brewing Co. starts at 1 p.m. and will have marathon screenings of the “Star Wars” saga and their May the Fourth Eat With You food pairing of signature Lightsaber Chicken Lollipops (from The Munchies Report food truck) with “intergalactic” beers. The pairing costs $35 (Facebook.com/pompanobeachbrewing).
A father’s story: Actor and award-winning writer Joshua Ritter is a face you’ve probably seen before (Matthew McConaughey’s “The Beach Bum,” National Geographic’s Disney+ series “The Right Stuff” and episodes of “Burn Notice,” “Graceland” and “Tycoon”). But his most compelling role is as a father of twin autistic sons, which informs his new one-man show, “Adventures in BabyHitting,” a chronicle of “the humorous and heartbreaking world of caring for children whose future, development, and support are undefined, misunderstood, and under siege,” he writes. Ritter will perform the show at the Doghouse Theater in Delray Beach at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For tickets, visit ActorJoshuaRitter.com.
MONDAY
Kiss me, I’m Mexican: Like St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration that salutes the history and cultural influence of an essential wave of immigration (and a reminder that without it, we’d be living in a pretty bland place), Cinco de Mayo will find its way into every nook and cranny of South Florida on Monday. If you like to bar hop, Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale offers a workout, beginning with the annual Margarita & Music Festival at YOLO, with unlimited margaritas from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $50+, or $100+ for VIP, at Facebook.com/yolorestaurant. To the west, The Wharf concludes its Friday-Monday celebration, while across the street Bodega Taqueria y Tequila puts an exclamation point on its own four-day party ($5 frozen margaritas, anyone?). The eastern section of Las Olas will have quality parties at hot spots El Camino and Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar. … Elsewhere, high on my list is the delta of destinations in downtown West Palm Beach, where Rocco’s Tacos, Banko Cantina, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila and Rivales Taqueria & Craft Bar are just steps away from each other. On Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Rocco’s Tacos and El Camino will be appropriately noisy neighbors, and I’ve always liked the velvety allure of Calaveras Cantina in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park.
On with the Shohei: Your only local opportunity this season to witness the generational majesty of Shohei Ohtani (to call him the Babe Ruth of our time may do him a disservice) comes with a three-game series between the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers that kicks off on Monday at 6:40 p.m. at loanDepot Park. If this week’s games in Los Angeles are any indication, well, Dios mio! Tickets start at $42.83 (fees included). Visit Marlins.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and X @BenCrandell.
