So, I already mentioned that the famous D-Knuckle will play tonight at The Monterey Club. Will be crazy as evidenced by the photo below: Mary Magdalen [ ... ]
The play The Monterey Club at 9 p.m. The crowd at Lauderdale's Poor House was going absolutely bonkers for the scintillating 7-some comprised of membe [ ... ]
To provide our readers with the official word on happenings in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Intown 411 proudly presents this must-read monthly newsletter from the Downtown Development Authority.
Start Tipping the Mug Early at Fort Lauderdale's St. Patrick's Day Festival and Parade
The City of Fort Lauderdale is taking St. Patrick's Day very, very seriously this year. Sure, you'll have plenty of opportunities to celebrate next Wednesday, March 17th at area locations such as Briny Irish Pub and Maguire's Hill 16 when they line up the entertainment and pour out the heady pints, but you don't have to wait until then to don a silly green hat and attempt your best Irish brogue. This Saturday, March 13, Fort Lauderdale is throwing a huge St. Patty's Day festival and parade with Governor Charlie Christ as the grand marshall. The party starts at 11:30 at Huizenga Plaza with an Irish blessing. Live music will fill the city all day long. Expect to hear the likes of Celtic Mayhem, Fire in the Kitchen, Walt Rooney and strolling bagpipers throughout the event. The hour and a half-long parade along Las Olas Boulevard begins at 2 p.m. Intown 411 will be there all day long. Come by our booth at Huizenga Plaza to say hello and look out for Ocean View Rickshaw pedicabs in the parade. Huizenga Plaza is located at the intersection of Andrews Ave. and Las Olas Blvd. in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Ideal parking locations are at the Riverfront parking garage above the Briny Irish Pub or at the parking garage on Las Olas Blvd. above The Cheesecake Factory.
Gordon Lightfoot at Parker Playhouse, Thursday, March 11 at 8 p.m.
Grammy-award winning folk musician Gordon Lightfoot brings his popular light hits to Fort Lauderdale this weekend. "If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown" and "Rainy Day People" are a few of the beloved tunes that the Canadian singer/songwriter will be sure to play. The show starts at 8 p.m. Click here for ticket and venue information.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Parker Playhouse, Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
Celebrated Maestro JoAnn Falletta conducts the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on this its 75th Anniversary tour. For one night only, you can catch the BPO here at South Florida's Parker Playhouse. The evening's program will include Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto" and "Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2". The performance begins at 8 p.m.. Tickets and venue information are available through The Broward Center's website.
The Vagina Monologues at Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
Some people like to talk about female anatomy more than others, but the real reason for the smashing success of Eve Ensler'sThe Vagina Monologues is that just about everybody likes to hear other people talk about the practical and sacred "v" that makes the world go round. If you really want to know about the complex physical, mental and emotional realms of femaledom, the medical students at Nova Southeastern University are sure to have the inside scoop. They're presenting this performance of the acclaimed, award-winning play at the Miniaci Center Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. $15 Click here for ticket and venue information.
The Barber of Seville at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Thursday, March 4, and Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m.
The Florida Grand Opera presents the operatic comedy The Barber of Seville this week at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Two showings, Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m., are your only chances to catch the barber Figaro in action as he helps the beautiful Rosina to escape the clutches of Dr. Bartolo, to whom she has been promised in marriage. Soprano Sarah Coburn is Rosina, Roderick Williams plays Figaro, and Frederic Antoun, a tenor from Canada, performs the role of Rosina's hopeful lover, Count Almaviva. The humorous twisted mass of lovers' schemes that is the plot of The Barber of Seville will delight you, but it's the music that will give greater authority to your voice the next time you pick up a shampoo bottle as a microphone and sing "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro" in the shower. For ticket and venue information, visit Browardcenter.org's The Barber of Seville web page.
Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, The Conde Nast Years 1923 -1937
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale's newest exhibit features the work of Edward Steichen, the photographer who modernized mainstream fashion and portrait photography during his tenure at Vogue and Vanity Fair magazines during the 1920s and 30s. The innovative artist went on to become the Director of the Department of Photography and curator of the celebrated "The Family of Man" exhibit at Museum of Modern Art in New York, but it is his earlier work behind the camera that is considered in the exhibit Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Conde Nast Years 1923 - 1937, which will be on display at MOAFL through April 11, 2010. Click here for Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale's hours and admission rates.
Last week, Intown 411's Event Team made an appearance at the GCCA (Gold Coast Concierge Association) concierge party at Las Olas' recently-opened Italian restaurant, Solita -- the name is short for "South of Little Italy".
Upon entering the dimly-lit restaurant, we were greeted by a smiling hostess, and immediately took to exploring the various rooms, all fancy and inviting with chandeliers and mod decor done in a purple color scheme. We headed over to the GCCA party in the lounge area, where we mingled with some of the town's top concierges. Over drinks, they shared fascinating tales about local culture with us, and let it suffice to say that they've seen it all. After a few laughs, we moved along and shot some pictures of the crowd and design at this striking new restaurant. In the lounge, which is situated in the middle of the restaurant, the hard wood floors, purple crushed velvet sofas and white leather tufted sofas, chandeliers, grey and silver damask wallpaper and purple, velvet drapes set a fashionable tone that spread out through the rest of the restaurant.
The restaurant's sophisticated lounge was certainly swanky enough to merit
a visit in its own right, but the much-touted, home-style Italian cuisine was what we came for, and we were eager to give it a try. As we settled down at our table, Alan Myers, one of Solita's owners, came by to say hello and help us navigate the menu. A light switch inside the menu's cover illuminated SoLita's selection of appetizers, entrees and sides.
Myers knew his Italian food, but he certainly should considering that he has ten years of experience working for the celebrity-frequented hot spot Cafe Martorano on Oakland Park Boulevard.
Upon his suggestion, we tried the pork chops, the pan-seared snapper and a side of roasted potatoes. The main courses were pure indulgence, Myer's strongest recommendation, the amazing Brussel sprouts, was my favorite thing at SoLita -- aside from the little light in the menu. I guess the sprouts made a particularly deep impression because I've never been a fan of the vegetables before. But, SoLita has certainly converted me.
Situated across from the beautifully-designed open kitchen, our table offered a nice vantage point to Solita's wood-burning oven. This is where the pizza-making magic takes place.
Myers informed us that SoLita caters to both those who prefer to dine in prime evening hours and the late night crowd, which will find DJ Angelo spinning top 40 tracks every Wednesday through Saturday starting at 9 p.m. The crowd can dance and dine throughout the night as Las Olas' newest eatery stays open until 2 a.m. and bottle service is available in the lounge areas.
Those with small appetites can have a drink and a light bite at the lovely Violette bar, where the glowing fushcia back wall finished in Venetian plaster gives a regal and warm feel. Across from the bar is another lounge area, decked out with purple crushed velvet sofas, where gorgeous, busty clad corseted women serve you.
Inside, the restaurant has two bars, two lounge areas for intimate, romantic occassions. Outside, there's a patio where guests can relax, dine and gaze at the fabulous pedestrians strolling along Las Olas Boulevard.
Boca Leche is a locally-owned women's bohemian chic and trendy boutique located in Gateway's eclectic shopping center. Gateway is also home to other unconventional stores that you will never see at the mall, like Jezebel and Jimmy Star as well as popular local restaurants such as Sukhothai, Tipico Cafe, and Heart Rock Sushi.
Boca Leche, which means
"milk mouth" in Spanish, landed on the Fort Lauderdale shopping map three years ago, and has been a delight for local fashionistas in search of a sexy new top for a cocktail party, a flirty, romantic dress for date night or a trendy bathing suit for a day at the pool ever since. The boutique receives new items weekly, which gives shoppers the opportunity to find funky, unique accessories to go along with stylish leather jackets and a pair of skinny jeans, such as: belts, costume jewelry and gladiator sandals. The prices range from $12 to $300; however, most of the pieces are affordable as well as fashion forward. The breezy, relaxed vibe of Boca Leche makes browsing comfortable; the staff makes occasional suggestions, but doesn't pressure you to buy anything. On a recent visit, we found the owner to be quite the no-nonsense diva.
Store Hours: 11-30-7 p.m. Daily
Contact: 1952 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 33304. 954-523-2299
Joe Picasso's Ceramic Pottery Studio in Fort Lauderdale brings to life the opportunity to pretend like you're in art class any time that the mood may strike.
Well, so long as the mood strikes between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Whatever time you decide to get artsy, make sure you leave yourself at least a 2-hour window. When you walk into the whimsical Joe's during the day time, you'll see clusters of children working away on ceramics and mosaics. But, art-curious adults can find projects here too. Late weekend hours accomodate date nights and social outings. Follow this story to get the scoop on Joe Picasso's from Intown 411's recent visit...
The historic Stranahan House on The New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the former home of Frank and Ivy Stranahan, is the site where the city's modern era began in 1893. Frank Stranahan operated the first trading post and camp on the New River and Ivy was the town’s first school teacher; they are generally acknowledged as Fort Lauderdale’s first couple. Take a 45 to 60 minute tour of the Stranahan House to learn about the pioneer years in the Venice of America, the relationship between settlers and the local Native Americans and what happened to Fort Lauderdale’s first family during the land boom and the tough years that followed. What famous people dined at the Stranahan House? What was daily life like in Fort Lauderdale during the early years? The Stranahan House is located at the western end of the Las Olas Boulevard walking strip, close to The Cheesecake Factory, Big City Tavern, The Riverside Hotel's Golden Lyon Lounge, and Johnny V. Tour Schedule: Monday through Friday 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Prices: Adults $12, Seniors $11, Children $7 335 S.E. 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, 954-524-4736
The City of Fort Lauderdale is taking St. Patrick's Day very, very seriously this year. Sure, you'll have plenty of opportunities to celebrate next Wednesday, March 17th at area locations such as 
Some people like to talk about female anatomy more than others, but the real reason for the smashing success of Eve Ensler'sThe Vagina Monologues is that just about everybody likes to hear other people talk about the practical and sacred "v" that makes the world go round. If you really want to know about the complex physical, mental and emotional realms of femaledom, the medical students at Nova Southeastern University are sure to have the inside scoop. They're presenting this performance of the acclaimed, award-winning play at the Miniaci Center Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. $15 
Upon entering the dimly-lit restaurant, we were greeted by a smiling hostess, and immediately took to exploring the various rooms, all fancy and inviting with chandeliers and mod decor done in a purple color scheme. We headed over to the GCCA party in the lounge area, where we mingled with some of the town's top concierges. Over drinks, they shared fascinating tales about local culture with us, and let it suffice to say that they've seen it all. After a few laughs, we moved along and shot some pictures of the crowd and design at this striking new restaurant. In the lounge, which is situated in the middle of the restaurant, the hard wood floors, purple crushed velvet sofas and white leather tufted sofas, chandeliers, grey and silver damask wallpaper and purple, velvet drapes set a fashionable tone that spread out through the rest of the restaurant.
Those with small appetites can have a drink and a light bite at the lovely Violette bar, where the glowing fushcia back wall finished in Venetian plaster gives a regal and warm feel. Across from the bar is another lounge area, decked out with purple crushed velvet sofas, where gorgeous, busty clad corseted women serve you.
The historic 
