At the risk of offending those weary of her ubiquity (I completely understand), I feel compelled to recommend (again, sorry) to those who have not seen it, the concert film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” I saw it last Sunday, on opening weekend, in Delray Beach (with my 17-year-old daughter) and can still feel a warm glow from the experience.
It was a room filled with a surprising range of ages, mostly female but not exclusively, from very young to a flock of middle-age gal pals, and even a few Boomers, perhaps on an anthropological expedition. Younger fans wore beaded Swiftie friendship bracelets created (free) at a table set up in the lobby.
The movie is a boldly visual account of an Eras Tour concert near Los Angeles that, even if you don’t have the lyrics and back stories memorized (the Delray audience seemed to), manages to convey the deeply emotional exchange that takes place between Swift and her fans. It radiates off the screen and across the movie theater. It is pure joy, which feels like a rare thing to witness.
At our screening, moms and kids jumped around in the back, teens shook off their inhibitions in the aisle and almost everyone seemed to sing along. One young girl (maybe 5?) perched on a low wall behind us screamed (literally) lyrics for Swift’s “Illicit Affairs” back at the screen with such vigor (“Don’t call me ‘kid’! Don’t call me ‘baby’!”) that she toppled off the wall and landed on top of us.
She appeared to be more shocked and embarrassed than hurt, but in a stream of apologies, her mother bundled her up and left. Which was too bad — it was awesome!
FRIDAY
Delray date night: Soulful and captivating South Florida jazz vocalist Nicole Henry will perform 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach, back home after extensive touring in support of her critically lauded album “Time to Love Again.” Tickets cost $50-$55+ at ArtsGarage.org. If you want to make it a date night (it’s time to love again, right?), we’re going to recommend two Pineapple Grove spots nearby: Rose’s Daughter (homey pasta and pizza), a half-block north on Northeast Second Avenue, and sister spot Brulé Bistro (inventive American bistro fare), a block north of Rose’s Daughter. You will not be alone among admirers of what Chef Suzanne Perrotto does at both restaurants.
Land of the III: III Points returns to Mana Wynwood on Friday and Saturday, with performances by a wildly diverse range of artists. Two-day passes are sold out, as are single-day tickets for Friday (when performers include Fred again.., Skrillex, Black Coffee, Explosions in the Sky, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Richie Hawtin). A (very) few single-day tickets are available for Saturday (starting at $169+), which includes performances by Iggy Pop, Grimes, Caroline Polachek and The Martinez Brothers. For updates, visit IIIPoints.com, where you’ll also find a link to their resale platform.
Zach Bryan tickets: With nearly all of his original dates sold out across the country, rising alt-country star Zach Bryan has added stops on The Quittin Time Tour, including a show on July 22 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise (home of the Florida Panthers). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at AXS.com. The tour supports his excellent self-titled album, released in August, a worthy followup to his 2022 breakout release, “American Heartbreak.” Opening acts at the Sunrise concert will be The War and Treaty and Levi Turner.
Nickelodeon dance: DJ Matt Bennett (the actor once known for playing lovable nerd Robbie on Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”) brings The Party101 Legends Tour to Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday at 9 p.m. Expect all your favorite Nickelodeon and Disney Channel hits and then some during this 18+ party. Tickets start at $17+ at JoinTheRevolution.net.
Going to Church: The Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale will host shows on Friday and Saturday by Aussie rockers The Church, staples of ‘80s college-radio staples with hits including “Under the Milky Way,” “The Unguarded Moment” and “Almost With You.” Tickets start at $36+. They also are selling table seating near the stage and balcony seats for $75+. Doors open at 7 p.m. Visit CultureRoom.net.
Good folks: Seattle-based alt-folkers The Head and The Heart (“Honeybee,” “Rivers and Roads,” “Lost in My Mind”) will perform an all-ages show at 8 p.m. Friday at the Miami Beach Bandshell, with tickets starting at $50.50+ for GA floor space. A limited number of box seats are available for $87.50+. Visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
Guitar daredevil: Buzzed-about young guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (he’s 20) will perform at Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 20, backed by Grammy-winning drummer Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta) and bassist Brad Miller. Tickets start at $25+ for GA standing room, with most table seats gone (still available are tables for six for $180+). Visit CrazyUncleMikes.com.
Future laughs: Comedian and social critic Bill Maher is bringing his The WTF? Tour to The Fillmore Miami Beach on March 23. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at LiveNation.com.
SATURDAY.
Take the kids: The eighth annual Bark Back Benefit returns to Bryant Park Amphitheater in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., with top local bands and food trucks gathering at a family friendly fundraiser for the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches and Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary in Loxahatchee. The event will include music from, among others, Spred the Dub, Brett Staska, Uproot Hootenanny and tribute bands The Petty Hearts and Nirvanna. There will be food from Kaminari Ramen, Outside the Box Sandwich Co., Tacos Del Pueblo, Scarlett’s BBQ and others. Tickets cost $10 at the gate, $15 after 6 p.m. Visit BarkBackBenefit.com.
Welcome to the jungle: Baresco, the stylish Mexican restaurant on Pompano Beach’s beautifully revitalized oceanfront, will throw a grand-opening party on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. Featuring a Tulum Nights vibe, the restaurant will be transformed into a tropical jungle atmosphere, with themed cocktails and dishes, fire dancers and DJ and more. Visit .
Flea brunch: The creative market known as The Flamingo Flea will hit the brunch crowd at Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., with 25+ vendors inside and out. Coming soon to The Flamingo Flea is a new Mini Flea series on Wednesdays, beginning 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24, at Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park. Visit .
Mezcal dinner: The organizers of Mezcal Lauderdale will host a pairing dinner to celebrate National Mezcal Day at 6 p.m. Saturday at La Mexicana Taco Bar in Wilton Manors. Joined by representatives from Del Maguey, 400 Conejos and Mezcal Unión, La Mexicana will pair specialty cocktails with a three-course menu: ceviche, mole enchiladas and a sweet finish of pan de elote. Tickets cost $45+ at MezcalLauderdale.com.
Shopping esprit: More than 100 booths featuring an eclectic array of items made by local creatives, plus a cool vibe, can be found when Indie Craft Bazaar returns to the Revolution Live complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. There will be food trucks, DIY activities and more at this pet-friendly gathering. Admission is free. Visit IndieCraftBazaar.com.
Saturday night live: Some tickets remain for country star Keith Urban’s 8 p.m. show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Saturday, with GA floor tickets starting at $165+. Visit MyHRL.com. … iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina (featuring Chayanne, Ricardo Montaner, Fonseca, Olga Tañon, Yandel and others) is at the Kaseya Center in Miami at 8 p.m. Saturday, with tickets starting at $29+ at Ticketmaster.com. … Grammy winner Arturo O’Farrill brings his 18-piece Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra to the Miami Beach Bandshell at 8 p.m. Saturday, accompanied by transfixing vocalist Daymé Arocena, Aymée Nuviola and Telmary. Tickets cost $41.20 at MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
Saturday night laughs: Subtly charismatic actor, comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alum Tim Meadows has two shows on Saturday night at the Boca Black Box Center for the Arts. Tickets for his performances at 7 and 9 p.m. start at $37.50+ at BocaBlackBox.com.
Fast company: NASCAR driver Chase Elliott and Miss Hooters International Emily Johnson will be at South Florida Hooters locations this weekend to meet fans and sign copies of the new 2024 Hooters Calendar, which raises money for the restaurant chain’s long-running fight against breast cancer. You’ll find them at Hooters of Weston at 4 p.m. Saturday and Hooters of Pembroke Pines at 7:30 p.m., where they’ll be joined by some local staffers who appear in the calendar. Included in the calendar are: Ayansley Santos (Boca Raton), Natalie Ungashick (Boca Raton), Abbey Fuqua (Boca Raton), Candis McKay (Boca Raton), Aliyah Cottrell (Sunrise), Selena Sanchez (Pembroke Pines), Gracie Williams (Weston), Ashley Tice (Weston), Diane Solares (Weston), Daniella Rapaglia (Weston), Heather Widle (Weston), Annye Posada (Doral) and Madison Novo (Hialeah). Visit HootersFlorida.com.
Free dive: Proudly dive-y hot spot Roxanne’s Liquor Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village will celebrate its third anniversary at 8 p.m. Saturday with DJs, food trucks and satellite bars. It’s free. Visit .
SUNDAY
Your ’90s are here: Local impresario DJ Johnny Quest is back with the I Want My 90’s Back Day Party, co-hosted by “Beverly Hills 90210” icon Brian Austin Green and featuring a performance by Color Me Badd (“I Wanna Sex You Up”) at Clematis Social in West Palm Beach. Tickets to the event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, start at $10+ as part of a BOGO deal. Visit .
Buddy Guy postponed: Citing a medical issue, Grammy-winning guitarist and irresistible blues proselytizer Buddy Guy has postponed Sunday’s stop on his Damn Right Farewell Tour at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. The tour is planning to reschedule the performance. For more information, visit PompanoBeachArts.org.
LOOKING AHEAD
Clematis cannabis: Country-music star Mitchell Tenpenny — in town next Friday as an opener on Jason Aldean’s Highway Desperado Tour concert at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre — will do a meet-and-greet at RISE Dispensary in West Palm Beach (430 Clematis St.) to celebrate the launch of his new Rythm Artist Series cannabis strain, Mitchell Tenpenny’s Night Owl Haze. The appearance will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and all attendees must have a valid Florida medical marijuana card. FWIW, Aldean’s show is sold out, but you can check on resale options at LiveNation.com. Visit RiseCannabis.com.
There for you: An interactive re-creation of one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms, The Friends Experience tour will open at Aventura Mall on Oct. 27. The space will be filled with Instagrammable moments for those who want to pose in front of Rachel and Monica’s purple door, relax in Chandler and Joey’s recliners and lounge on the orange couch at the Central Perk. You’ll also find props and costumes from the show and, of course, the tour is accompanied by a retail store (no ticket needed). Tickets start at $36.88, with time slots every 30 minutes. The Friends Experience can be found inside Treats Food Hall on the third level near Center Court through March 24. Visit .
The time of your life: Tickets are now on sale for Dirty Dancing Live in Concert at the Amphitheatre at Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach on Dec. 15. The 6-10 p.m. nationally touring event includes a screening of the classic film accompanied by a live band and singers performing its iconic songs, followed by an after-party with more performances. Tickets range from $29+ for general admission (BYO chair) to $125+ for VIP. Visit .
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at . Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.
