Saturday, June 27
Music concert: Nurse by day and devastatingly talented and glamorous singer by night? While this may sound like the back story for a super hero, Fort Lauderdale-based blues and jazz singer Mary Washington Brooks simply calls it her life. The talented vocalist has released several popular radio tunes, including “Need More Baby,’’ “Man Drawing Power’’ and “Meet Me with Your Red Drawers On.” Brooks will be featured in the Jazz under the Stars concert at the Irene Lieberman Botanical Gardens, 3801 Inverrary Blvd. in Lauderhill. The concert is free, open to the public, and will last from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. For more information, please call 354-730-3000.
‘Rain’ Coconut Grove Film Premiere: The Women’s International Film and Arts Festival and the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism will present Rain, the story of a young Bahamian teen who seeks out the mother she’s never met after her grandmother dies. The movie features two-time Emmy nominated actress CCH Pounder. The movie will be screened at 8 p.m. at the Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore Drive in Coconut Grove. The film’s director, Maria Govan, will be at the screening for a Q&A. The film is to be preceded at 7 p.m. by a reception and presentation of the Caribbean origins and historical presence in South Florida by Dr. Abaka, chair of the University of Miami’s Africana Studies Program. Tickets are $20, and include hors d’oeuvres. For more information, please call 954-471-8589.
FANM Father’s Day Fundraising Celebration: Technically, Father’s Day was a week ago, but was one day really enough to celebrate the importance of fatherhood? The organizers of Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc. (FANM) don’t think so. That’s why they are hosting their first Father’s Day Fundraising Celebration to promote responsible fatherhood and to acknowledge, support, and encourage great fathers in our community. In addition to supporting fatherhood, the celebration allows you to dance to the sounds of Zouk, Konpa, Reggae, Salsa and Meringue, while enjoying great foods and good company. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The event will take place at the Jean-Jacques Dessalines Center at 8325 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, and doors open at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call 305-756-8050.
Health and Wellness Festival: For a while now, people have come to associate “exercise” with mind-numbing activities that only cause you pain, and “healthy eating” with mouth-numbing foods that never really satisfy your appetite. Well, the Women of Obama Miami, Organizing For America and Miami on the Move have set out to counter those stereotypes with a Health and Wellness Festival featuring a fresh green market with organic produce, free health screenings, yoga classes, Kids Fitness revolution and activities, the Books & Books “healthy library” and much more! This free festival lasts from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Legion Park, on 64th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, For more information, please call 305-576-3790 or e-mail Miami.HCreform@gmail.com.
Monday, June 29
City of Miami City Kids Choir Camp 2009: The best summer camp experiences tend to come when the camp has activities that campers enjoyed. So, if you know an aspiring singer in grades 6 – 12, they’re going to love the city of Miami’s Kids Choir Camp, a camp dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of singing and developing the children’s vocal talents. This free, 6-week program is held Mondays – Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 260 N.E. 59th Terrace, Miami. To register, please call 786-369-9968.
Saturday, July 11
Historical Museum of Southern Florida Free Day: Same great exhibits: Black Crossroads, Tropical Dreams, and Black Freedom in Florida. Same convenient locale: 101 West Flagler Street in Downtown Miami. Different ticket price: Free! On July 11, enjoy free admission into the museum all day, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 305-375-1492 or visit http://www.hmsf.org.
Afro-Cuban Dance Class: The University Center for the Performing Arts, 2240 S.W. 70th Avenue, Unit A in Davie, has recently created a new dance class for adults. The new Afro-Cuban Dance class will be taught by Elena Garcia every Saturday, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Classes are $15 each and no registration is required. For more information, please call 954-475-3000.
Kaila.Heard@Gmail.com
Photo: Mary Washington Brooks
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