Community Calendar Jan. 30 to Feb. 7, 2009

Friday, Jan. 30
A Reflection of Culture Art Exhibit: One of Black History Month's greatest strengths is its focus on the accomplishments of our ancestors. One of its weaknesses is that it seems to forget that our ancestors had diverse origins and various interests. To address this issue, Broward College recently unveiled the “Reflection of Culture Art” exhibit. The exhibit features six contemporary South Florida artists, honoring the diversity within the black community. The featured artists are Donald McKnight, Robert McKnight, Nzingah, Elizabeth Perry, Vaughn Tucker and Arnold Victor Grace Jr. The exhibit is showcased within the college’s Willis Holcombe Downtown Center, 12th floor Administrative Art Space, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit will run until March 21. For more information, please call 954-201-7690.

Ebony Fashion Fair at the Miami Mahi Shrine: Another year, another fashion show. But the Ebony Fashion Show is never just any fashion show. Watch the true definition of a model who knows how to strut while wearing some of the most diverse and cutting-edge fashions by designers from around the world. The tickets are $35. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s scholarship fund. Each ticket includes a subscription to Fashion Fair magazine. This year's Fashion Fair will be held at Miami Mahi Shrine, 1480 N.W. North River Dr., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. and this is not the time to be fashionably late! Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.

OK, OK, if you aren't able to look your most fabulously fashionable by Friday, don't fret, because the Ebony Fashion Fair is also traveling to the War Memorial Auditorium, 800 N.E. 8th St. in Fort Lauderdale, on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m.! For more information and to order tickets, please call 954-923-7400.

Monday, Feb. 2
Mello Mondays: HBO Def Poet Asia hosts Mello Mondays at Bluster, 115 N. 21st Avenue in Hollywood. Come out every week to enjoy urban poetry from local talent to the nationally renowned. The doors open at 8 p.m. and ticket prices are $10 before 10 p.m. For more information, please call 786-333-9159.

Tuesday, Feb. 3
Building Your Business Seminar: A new year, another chance to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true. While news of the nation's economic woes continue to mount, you may think that a business of your own is out of the question. Truthfully, now may not be the best time, but the economic cycle will change just as it always does. And when it does, you want to be ready to make a move. One of your definite plans should include learning as much about starting up a business as possible. So attend the Building Your Business Workshop lead by ASSETS Miami at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 2001 N.W. 35th Street, in Miami. Arrive at 7 p.m. sharp with your notebook and pen to class every Tuesday. Tuition is based on a sliding scale, although your first class is free. For more information, please call 305-442-8306.

Wednesday, Feb. 4
Gwen Ifill: The senior correspondent for NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and the managing editor of Washington Week is coming to speak at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd in Coral Gables, at 7:30 p.m. Ifill is also the author of The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. Tickets are required, and they can be obtained at any Books & Books location. For more information, please call 305-442-4408 or visit www.booksandbooks.com.

Miami L.I.V.E.: Hip Hop and South Beach may not sound like a marriage made in heaven, but Michael Madd is determined to prove that the two are a perfect match for each other. So Madd now hosts the mid-week dinner party at the Santo Restaurant and Lounge, 430 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach. So far, word is spreading as rap stars such as Trina, Slim Thug, Fabolous and Rick Ross have already performed there. The dinner party starts at 9 p.m. Admission is free, but space is limited and an RSVP is very necessary. For reservations and information, please call 786-317-7088 or email shiningstarspr@gmail.com

R&B singer Donna Allen Live: To hear some people tell it, the best music from the 80s began and ended with the likes of The Sugar Hill Gang and Michael Jackson. But for those in the know, the 80s produced some of the best R&B singers ever, including Donna Allen. The Tampa native snagged several American and European dance hits during that era, including “Serious” and a remake of Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly’s “Joy and Pain.’’ Now, Ms. Allen can be found performing Wednesday through Saturday at the Prezzo Restaurant and Martini Bar, 18831 Biscayne Blvd. in Aventura. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and there is no cover charge. For more information, please call 305-931-5775.

Thursday, Feb. 5
The Quest for Black Citizenship In the Americas Series: As part of its Black Citizenship in the Americas" series, the Old Dillard Museum, 1009 N.W. 4th St. in Fort Lauderdale, is hosting a special reception for the opening of the Portrayals Exhibition by Charles Humes. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 754-322-8828.

Friday, Feb. 6
Live Jazz at the Mahogany Grille: Live jazz music and great soul food. 'Nuff Said. In case their culinary menu of cheese grits, fried chicken and waffles, and bread pudding wasn't enough to lure you inside before, the Mahogany Grille has added live jazz music every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m. until midnight to tempt you even more. The Mahogany Grille is at 2190 N.W. 183rd St. in Miami Gardens. For more information, please call 305-626-8100.