COMMUNITY CALENDAR MARCH 20 – 29

Friday, March 20
Miami HEAT/Nova Southeastern University Essay Contest: Where can 250 words become $10,000? In the Miami Heat/Nova Southeastern University Essay Scholarship Contest! This year’s theme will be: “why you or someone you know would cause an effect and change the world with a college degree.” For those who doubt their writing abilities, have hope. There are also runner-up prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, and you can enter up to five separate essays! Entrants must be 18 years of age or older, and be legal residents of South Florida who live within a 75-mile radius of the American Airlines Arena in Miami. All entries must be received online or postmarked no later than March 25. For more information, please visit www.heat.com.

Saturday, March 21
Sixth Annual “It Takes A Village” Conference: Girl Power, the community program designed to empower girls to succeed in today's world, is hosting its sixth annual “It Takes A Village” conference, and invites all girls in Miami-Dade County, as well as their mothers and guardians. The conference will be held at the American Legion Hall-Miami, 6447 N.E. Seventh Avenue in Miami. It will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will enjoy inspiring speakers, Pamper-Me-Pretty spa services, dancing and tons of other fun activities. For more information about the conference or the program, please visit http://girlpowermiami.org or call 305-756-5502.

May the Circle Be Unbroken: The Gospel Musical Play, May the Circle Be Unbroken, is coming to the Lou Rawls Performing Arts Center at Florida Memorial University, 15800 N.W. 42nd Ave. Sit back and observe the evolution of gospel from its traditional roots, to the ever-changing contemporary gospel scene to gospel rap. The play proves that though the beat may change, the message remains the same. Enjoy performances by special guests Asher Williams and Merian Terry of Christian Life Ministries. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $25 for those 12 years of age and older, $10 for those 6 to 11 years old and free for children 5 years old and younger. For more information, please call 305-668-7477 or logo on to www.maythecirclebeunbroken.com.

Sickle Cell 5K Walk/Run: Studies have proven that people who exercise are flooded with endorphins (the feel-god hormones), and so are people who do community service. Imagine how good a person could feel if they could combine the two activities? To find out, the 100 Black Men of South Florida and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America chapter of Miami-Dade County Chapter teamed together to host a 5K Walk/Run at the Dolphin Stadium, 2269 Dan Marino Blvd. in Miami Gardens. The race starts at 8 a.m. Andre Dawson, who played for the Florida Marlins, will serve as grand marshal. After the run, enjoy a free health screening, an old-school cookout and a battle of the drum line competition. To participate, tickets are $25. For more information, please call 305-623-6100 or visit www.sicklecellmiami.org.

Wednesday, March 25
Free Virginia Key Beach Tour: While celebrating Dade Heritage Days, enjoy free admission and a tour of Historic Virginia Key Beach, courtesy of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. The tour starts at 10 a.m. For more information, please call 305-960-4600.

Thursday, March 26
Arnez J: Comedian Arnez J is scheduled to perform at the Improv Paradise Live, 5700 Seminole Way in Davie. Ticket prices are $21.20. For more information and show times, please call 954-981-5653.

Saturday, March 28
Jazz in the Gardens: It’s that time of year again. The annual Jazz in the Gardens festival returns to the Dolphin Stadium, at 2269 N.W. Dan Marino Blvd in Miami Gardens. Hosted by Tom Joyner, this year features artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Erykah Badu, and Common on Saturday, March 28, and Babyface, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and Kenny G. on Sunday, March 29. All artists are guaranteed to perform, rain or shine. Tickets range from $30 to $90. For more information, please call 305-622-8043 or visit www.jazzinthegardens.com.

Sunday, March 29
Reggae Symphony 2009: Enjoy another evening of classic reggae music with the Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, Grammy-nominated Freddie McGregor and veteran reggae artist Bob Andy. Backed by the talented Lloyd Parks’ We the People Band and the Reggae Strings Orchestra, the trio will perform chart-topping hits such as "I was Born A Winner," "Big Ship," "Push Come To Shove," "Young Gifted & Black," and others. The concert will take place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, and will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $45, $55, $75, and $100. For more information, please call 954-462-0222.