Events Calendar September October 17– 26

Homestead CI Inmates Reentry Fair:  The Miami-Dade Reentry Task Force in partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections will host the Inmates Reentry Fair from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at Homestead Correctional Institution, 19000 SW 377 St., Florida City. Contact Aundrea Thomas at thomas.aundrea@mail.dc.state.fl.us or visit waynerawlins.com

Frankly Speaking about Breast Reconstruction: Gilda’s Club South Florida is hosting a free workshop for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, featuring Dr. Christopher Low, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive, and Microvascular Surgeon at Broward Health from 6-8 p.m., at the club, 119 Rose Dr., Fort Lauderdale. Light dinner will be served. Call 954-763-6776.

Public Hearing on Stand Your Ground Laws: The American Bar Association National Task Force is dedicating its Southeast Regional Public Hearing to discussing the impact of Stand Your Ground laws on the community, public safety and the criminal justice system from 6-8 p.m., at HistoryMiami, 101C W. Flagler St., Miami.  Contact Rachel Patrick at 312-988-5408 or email corej@americanbar.org

Friday, Oct. 18

Goombay Festival: Held in Key West’s Historic Bahama Village neighborhood, the lively festival will feature island-style food, arts and crafts, non-stop live entertainment and dancing in the streets. Contact Bob Oberle at 305-304-2643 or email boboberle@hotmail.com

Youth Empowerment Luncheon: Join the Urban League of Palm Beach County NULITES, NextEra Energy and MSNBC for a luncheon that focuses on “Building the Dream,” featuring Joy Reid, managing editor of TheGrio.com, Toure’, co-host of “The Cycle” and Tamron Hall, host of “NewsNation” at 11:30 a.m., at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Call Kate Alvarado at 561-833-1461 or visit ulpbc.orgSaturday, Oct. 19

Historic Black Heritage Music Series: Join Edward Waters College Concert Choir for a night of harmonious songs from 5-7 p.m., at Greater Paul AME Church, 3680 Thomas Ave., Coconut Grove. Call 305-448-2742 or visit cgcap.eventbrite.com

District Stage Company’s Viva Broadway: Enjoy the kick-off event for Bring It Home Miami – a new initiative to reconnect established artists with the community that inspired their careers, during an evening show featuring famed Miami native Jon Secada – at 8 p.m., at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 S.W. 211 St., Cutler Bay. Tickets are $35-$55. Call 786-573-5300 or visit smdcac.org

Third Annual Stone Crab Eating Contest: Test your crab-consuming capacity to see how fast you can crack and eat 25 stone crab claws at Keys Fisheries, 3502 Gulfview Ave., Marathon. Registration starts at noon and the contest is at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $25 per contestant and you must be 18 or older to enter. Call 305-743-4353 or email keys.fisheries@comcast.net

Tuesday, Oct. 22

12th Annual Diversity Day at FIU: Florida International University invites the community to its annual celebration with a variety of guest speakers highlighting diversity and global issues at 9:30 a.m., in the Wolfe University Center (WUC) Ballrooms at FlU, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 N.E. 151st St., North Miami. Free and open to the public. Call the Campus Life Office at 305-919-5804.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Campus Sustainability Day: Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Kendall Campus is putting its green foot forward and showcasing its sustainability initiatives, programs, and student-generated projects as part of the national Campus Sustainability Day 2013 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., along Building 2’s Breezeway, 11011 SW 104 St. Contact Netiva Kolitz at 305-237-2247 or visit earthethicsinstitute.org/KendallHome.asp

Greater Fort Lauderdale National College Fair: College-bound students and their families will be able to meet representatives from over 200 colleges and universities from around the country from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m., at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. ID required. Parking is $5. Contact College Fair Chair, Ralph Aiello at 754-321-2119.

Thursday, Oct. 24

Screening of the Freedom Riders: The Old Dillard Museum will begin a series of discussion forums centered on civil rights documentaries with a full screening of the Freedom Riders at 2 p.m., at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. There also will be an open forum public discussion at the museum on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. Call 754-322-8828.

Friday, Oct. 25

Archdiocese of Miami Birthday Gala: The Archdiocese of Miami is celebrating its 55th anniversary with a gala to benefit the different archdiocesan outreach programs that serve the community at 7 p.m., at the Miami Downtown Hilton, 1601 Biscayne Blvd. The gala’s title “A Church for the Poor” is a response to Pope Francis’ message of helping those who need the most and have the least. Entertainment will be provided by Gypsy Kings and Soul Survivor. Visit miamiarch.org

Youth Development Works: Join CBS4’s Jim Defede as master of ceremonies and Miami Dade County Deputy Mayor Russell Benford as keynote speaker at Urgent Inc.’s annual fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Camillus House, 1603 NW Third Ave., Miami. Tickets are $75.Visit urgentinc.org
Saturday, Oct. 26

ACA Empowerment Series: Learn to understand President Obama’s Affordable Care Act at 10 a.m., at COH Empowerment Center, 1550 N. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach. Visit cathedralofhopeministries.org

Sixth Annual DAC Awards Gala: Celebrate 15 years of outstanding service to and for the arts community and the community at large at 6:30 p.m., at Miami Shores Country Club, 10000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Shores. Tickets are $50. Parking is free. The event will feature food, live music by national recording artists D.A. Smith & Soul Therapy, a silent auction and more.