These photos were taken in Ft Lauderdale somewhere between the Broward Center for Performing Arts and East Las Olas before the beach. Recognize any of them? Leave your guesses in the comments and win a $10 gift card to Brew if you’re correct! (Hey, we do this stuff for free).
A couple months ago the FTLC visited the National Lampoon Underground on Ft. Lauderdale beach just south of Sunrise Boulevard. While we enjoyed the comedy and recommended checking it out, we also questioned whether a sparsely attended comedy club could survive at an obviously expensive location without making certain improvements (our suggestions included losing the dreadful “Naitonal Lampoon” as well as hosting local music). Well, being from Ft. Lauderdale, we obviously should have considered another option: they could support an expensive and under-attended comedy club via Ponzi scheme.
Yes, the President and CEO of National Lampoon Inc was recently arrested for defrauding investors in a $200 million Ponzi scheme. Read about it here and here.
Now, the suggestion that the Ponzi scheme is an any way connected to the comedy club on FTL beach is pure speculation, of course. And we wish the Underground nothing but the best, although we would more enthusiastically support a locally owned comedy club in the same (or another) location rather than a club run by an out-of-state company controlled by a thief. But other businesses in this fine city have been supported (for a time) via Ponzi before. And using those businesses as a guide, you should probably check out National Lampoon Underground sooner rather than later.
Being a longtime Rod enthusiast, I naturally held some skepticism and high expectations when I first heard of “Hot Rod”, South Florida’s “legendary” Rod Stewart impersonator. Nevertheless, I remained quite excited over the months I’d waited until we could finally make a Wednesday night performance to see Hot Rod in the flesh at The Field Irish Pub in Dania.
What was supposed to be a 7:30pm show turned into an almost two-hour guessing game as to when the “rock star” himself would grace the stage. Meanwhile, he worked the crowd: schmoozing the ladies, posing for pictures, and accepting drinks. Clearly, the man had a following, and soon we’d find out if it was rightfully so.
Once taking the mic, he stated his first one would be a warm-up, and after receiving a warm reception shortly thereafter, he declared there was no point in finishing the song if you’ve already gotten the applause. Touché. The rest of the set included favorites and top hits (Maggie May, Young Turks) as well as a few slow ones (Tonight’s the Night). Overall, I give Hot Rod an A+ for performance and look and a B+ for voice, no complaints.
In addition to a pretty solid performance, The Field serves quite the yummy dishes. This trip we enjoyed the corned beef and cabbage, obviously, coconut shrimp (I know, but it sounded so good, and was), Irish Potato Soup, and Country Bread. The corned beef was nice- juicy, tender, and filling (enough for two meals). The soup, one of my favorites, was rich and creamy- all that you’d dream of in a potato soup. I could easily order a bowl and call it a meal in itself. Not to mention, an order of bread is literally a loaf served on a wooden board with a serrated knife. The coconut shrimp, one of the night’s specials, was served with an orange marmalade, and, like all our other dishes, was exactly what you’d expect- in a very good way. Everything was fresh and tasty as it should be and only set us back about $26 before tip, not to mention set to a pretty amusing show.
In addition to great food and entertainment, The Field is quaintly decorated like and old (large) wooden farmhouse and service is on par.
Catch Hot Rod Wednesdays “at” 7:30 and (not yet reviewed) 2ofUs (Beatles Tribute Band) Tuesdays at 7:30.
For hours, directions, and more info, head to The Field’s website.
Hot Rod at The Field from FTL Collective on Vimeo.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Coconut Shrimp , Irish Potato Soup, and Country Bread
Last night’s Invisible Children film screening was, at the least, another eye-opening reminder of the many hardships most of the world experiences day in and day out. With so much to do and see, it is easy to get lost in time in this great city of Ft Lauderdale, but it’s important to keep in mind that cheesy saying that goes, “to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Invisible Children’s Tony documents the beginning of the foundation, how it has grown, and the story of one of the many youth effected by child soldiering; closing with a lengthy narrative on how you can help. While donating money is convenient and helpful if you don’t have time or resources to do more (click here if you were absent last night) there are plenty of other things you can do to heal the world, make it a better place, for you and me, and the entire human race (sorry, had to).
Read
Whether it’s world news or literature, reading is one of the best ways to stay informed with what’s going on in the world, help keep things prioritized and in perspective, and educate others. Keeping in line with the child soldier theme, A Long Way Gone is one of my favorite books in general, not to mention in the topic of social issues. Though it may be a quick read, it is nonetheless a powerful account of the complexity and tragedy of war and the psychological impact it leaves on child soldiers. Another personal recommendation I can make is Banker to the Poor. Admittedly a bit dry, but the numbers and facts behind micro-enterprising and micro-lending in the poor communities so vividly outlined in this book are fascinating and somewhat unbelievable that self-sufficiency is still made so hard to maintain in poor countries.
Travel
Not everyone may have the ability or funds to do so, but if it’s possible, by all means see the rest of the world. If you’re interested in traveling but feel like you don’t have the money, try cutting back on a drink or cooking at home, etc., and you might be surprised to see how far you get. If you do make it abroad, keep in mind as last night’s film pointed out, as nice as bearing gifts sounds, it is not ideal or safe in many instances. Instead, try to seek out another way to help. There are numerous NGOs that are happy to take on volunteers for any number of days, in which you might leave a much more meaningful and direct impact on people.
Think Locally
While much of the world is indeed in worse shape than us, we have our fair share of hungry and/or homeless as well. Try to contribute locally. Ignoring or hiding a problem does not make it go away.
Thursday nights have been so action packed these days, it begs the question: can we dub Thursday as the new start to the weekend? This coming Thursday is so overwhelmingly (in a good way) slammed with good music that I’m going to make the argument that it’s better than anything else going on in Broward this weekend (someone prove me wrong).
Here are 3 attendance-worthy events, in the order of when we think you should attend them:
1. The Invisible Children Free Movie Screening at Revolution
We recommend hitting up this event first, especially if you enjoy tasty Mexican fare for the intriguing price of $0. The first 100 attendees will receive a free dinner from The Whole Enchilada (we’re big fans of the burritos at TWE). But let’s not let the edible freebies get in the way of the real purpose of this charitable event: Invisible Children is an organization that aims to rid of the use of kid soldiers in Northern Uganda through the use of the arts and social action. This particular night they will be premiering the film Tony, a movie about a young boy who faced incredible hardships growing up in Uganda and his mission to restore peace to his homeland. In addition to a free viewing of this powerful film, there will be a live performances by Alexander and New City Lions, as well as art by a handful of artists. Oh yeah and there will also be a giveaway of some kind of new electronic device — something called an iPad2 (heard of it?).
Here’s the trailer for Tony:
Tony Bracelet: Trailer from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
2. Twilight Notes and Freedom Art present Dialect
Next on the night’s slate is just a block away, Dialect at downtown Brew. This event has been sufficiently previewed in the past on the FTLC. Just read here or here for general details about the party. This Thursday’s installment has DJ sets by Adam Foster, Utopia Syndrome, and Sensitive Side, plus artwork by Michelle Stevens, Juan Travieso, Juan Carlos Pagan, Richard Vergez, Curtis Jinkins, and Matylda McIlvenny. As usual, the party runs from 8:30pm to 12:30am.
3. Digital Love presents Radio-Active Records Night w/ Bonnie Riot
In addition to being Radio-Active Records Night with lots of gift certificate giveaways, a guest DJ spot by Mikey Ramirez, and the regular stylings of resident DJs Andie Sweetswirl and myself, this Thursday’s weekly indie soiree at downtown’s The Green Room is also being called the official Dialect after party and will include another guest DJ spot by local duo The Click and a live raucous performance by grrrl fronted Bonnie Riot. As usual, the party lasts all night long, making it a no-brainer as the final pit stop of the night.
Here’s a quality video of Bonnie Riot performing their song HALO.
Bonnie Riot – HALO from Joel Zelaya on Vimeo.
This weekend is your last chance to step back in time, enjoy a giant, greasy turkey leg, and get a waxy hand pose of your choice. Hours are from 10am to sunset and Sunday is the last day. Click here for coupons. http://www.ren-fest.com/how-to.asp
As one of the 200 of 500 stores set to close by April, Borders Ft Lauderdale will begin offering 30-50% off everything in its store today. Previously 10-30% off (?), nothing really seemed like a steal but this might warrant another once-over.
Borders Ft Lauderdale
2240 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954)566-6335
Grace Potter’s publicist was nice enough to provide your nice local FTLC bloggers a couple of free tickets to her show this past Saturday night at the Culture Room and we are appreciative. Pay attention other local establishments/organizations (I’m looking at you Miami Heat).
Having never seen Grace Potter and the Nocturnals live before, I did not know what to expect. But her intensity and driving vocals were immediately apparent and kept the crowd enthused from start to finish. The packed house was rockin’, so much so that our photographer was unexpectedly forced to put real effort into his picture taking. Nobody seemed to care that for once, we were actually kind of working. And the Culture Room staff especially did not care that the word “PHOTO” was written on our plastic bracelets. Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics nearly as much as we enjoyed the show and consider checking out Grace Potter and the Nocturnals next time they grace the FTL.
by Fat Hand
Now that the Oscars are over, there’s apparently only two things going on in the world these days that are worth reporting: revolution in Libya and revelations about Charlie Sheen. So in the interest of total media saturation, we add to one of the aforementioned topics: Charlie Sheen of course.
Hysterically, there is an impossible-to-miss billboard (located on 95 between Broward and Sunrise) of Charlie Sheen gazing lustily over Ft. Lauderdale. It’s as if he knows Spring Break 2k11 is upon us.
Hopefully billboard-Charlie is here to help the FTL. We all know that Charlie spends his entire day winning. And that he blinked and cured his mind of all his addictions. I appeal to the great Adonis Assassin Warlock to help our city. We want want to win in our underwear before our first cup of coffee too! Please billboard-Charlie, blink and erase the corruption in our city and county governments with your mind. Let us borrow your brain for like, 5 seconds, to make our city’s budget woes melt away like the face of a person that just snorted some natural Charlie Sheen. We’re tired of pretending we’re not special too, and we want what’s coming to us: tons.
We are lucky to have a bitchin’ tiger-blooded rockstar from Mars watching over us. And whoever paid for that billboard, please don’t take it down.
It’s not too manly to admit to liking butterflies. Well, I’m about to get in touch with my feminine side and confess something — I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek. The price of entrance is a little steep ($25 for adults), but I highly suggest strolling through the country’s first and largest butterfly house on a sunny afternoon. Maybe make a day of it: Butterfly World, a picnic in Tradewinds, and a game of frisbee golf. Just a thought.
Here are some choice photos I snapped of the insect sanctuary:
Butterfly World is located inside Tradewinds Park at 3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
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