We’re calling this weekend March Madness (our lawyers and the NCAA’s are talking), what with the pileup of popular cultural events over the next few days. There’s WhiskyX, Festival of the Arts Boca, Jazz in the Gardens, Oscar watch parties, the Dania Beach Wine & Seafood Festival, Calle Ocho in Little Havana and the outer bands of St. Patrick’s Day. It’s also Spring Break, in case you were wondering where all the PBR went. Let’s go.
THURSDAY
Crockett in Miami: If you like your whiskey neat and your country music vintage, the WhiskyX tour has you covered on Thursday at Wynwood Marketplace in Miami, with unlimited pours from more than 60 leading brands and a performance by indie country star Charley Crockett. The “whisky experience” runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and also includes food trucks, a cigar lounge and complimentary hair and beard trims. General-admission tickets start at $75+. VIP tickets (including early 6 p.m. entry) cost $125+, with VIP Platinum tickets at $200+. Visit TheWhiskyX.com.
Whitney remembered: Acclaimed South Florida jazz vocalist Nicole Henry will perform her theatrical tribute “I Wanna Dance with Somebody: The Songs of Whitney Houston” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50+ at BrowardCenter.org.
Who are you?: The HillBenders bring the genius of “WhoGrass,” their bluegrass interpretations of The Who’s “Tommy,” to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show — on a tour bound for Tipitina’s, the Grand Ole Opry and FloydFest — cost $45+ and $55+ at Kravis.org.
Coldplay night: Life in Technicolor, a new local tribute band devoted to the music of Coldplay, led by expressive Fort Lauderdale vocalist Brett Miller, will be at Galuppi’s in Pompano Beach on Thursday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. If you want a table reservation (recommended), visit Galuppis.com.
A place to chill: The monthly Boca Night Market unwinds under the cafe lights on Mizner Park-adjacent Sanborn Square on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening features an array of food vendors, beer and wine, and local artists and makers. Visit DowntownBoca.org.
FRIDAY
Legendary voice: At the Arsht Center in Miami on Friday, soul-music legend Mavis Staples will share some of the timeless songs that made The Staple Singers one of the most important groups during the troubles of the 1960s and 1970s. They include “I’ll Take You There,” “Let’s Do It Again,” “Respect Yourself” and their cover of the Buffalo Springfield protest song “For What It’s Worth.” Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $35+ at ArshtCenter.org.
Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times
Mavis Staples will perform at the Arsht Center in Miami on Friday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Three amigos: Scattered tickets remain, starting at $36+, to see South Florida favorites Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin on their homecoming stop on the Trilogy Tour at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Friday at 7 p.m. Visit SeatGeek.com.
Ticket window: Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday to see eloquent country singer Kacey Musgraves at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Nov. 30. Prices start at $105+ at MyHRL.com. The tour, which includes Lord Huron and Nickel Creek, will support Musgraves’ new album, “Deeper Well,” set for release on March 15. Visit KaceyMusgraves.com.
Friday tributes: The beer garden stage at Mathews Brewing in Lake Worth Beach will have Jane’s Addiction tribute band Nothing’s Shocking and Foo Fighters tribute Foo Fight on Friday beginning at 8 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/mathewsbrewing. … If you are escaping to the Keys, Journey and Styx tribute band Majesty of Rock will perform at 8 p.m. Friday as part of the free Beats on the Bay music series at Founders Park Amphitheater in Islamorada. Visit KeysICE.com.
Weekend laughs: Veteran comedian and film/TV actor Jimmy Shubert has shows at Sadman Comedy Cafe in Boca Raton at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $25+. Visit SadmanComedyCafe.com.
Al Bello / Getty Images
Maxwell is a Sunday headliner at Jazz in the Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Al Bello / Getty Images)
SATURDAY
Gardens party: The annual Jazz in the Gardens concerts return to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens with a strong lineup of performers on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m. each day. Saturday’s schedule includes Summer Walker, Rick Ross, Omarion, Davido, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Jazmine Sullivan, Trina, Trick Daddy and others. Sunday’s lineup has Maxwell, Babyface, Jeezy, Lil’ Kim, Scarface, T.I., Uncle Luke, Too $hort and more. Tickets start at $105+ each day for general admission. The remaining two-day passes start at $310+ for reserved seats. Visit JazzInTheGardens.com.
All you ever wanted: In a chatty lounge act called “An Evening with Isaac Mizrahi,” the centerpiece of closing weekend at Festival of the Arts Boca, the personable fashion designer and TV personality will share music by some of his favorite songwriters and performers. It’s an evolving setlist, but will definitely include Billie Eilish. “I’m obsessed with her,” he says. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Tickets start at $30+. Visit FestivalBoca.org.
Loco por seafood: The 10th annual Dania Beach Wine & Seafood Festival returns on Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. in a new location at Dania Beach City Hall Plaza (100 W. Dania Beach Blvd.), but with the same dedication to local food and drink. The event will include more than 20 restaurants and food trucks, at least 40 wine brands and representation from six breweries. Spirited Miami party starters Locos por Juana top the bill of live music with an 8 p.m. set. Admission to the family- and pet-friendly event is free. Tickets for unlimited wine and beer tastings cost $55 in advance and $70 at the gate. Visit DaniaBeachWineAndSeafoodFest.com.
Pour house: Hopportunities, the self-pour beer and wine bar in Delray Beach, celebrates its fourth anniversary on Saturday with live music, games and unlimited beer, wine and coffee pours. General-admission tickets cost $40 to hang out from 1 to 5 p.m., while VIP is $100 for access from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus festival swag. A portion of the proceeds support a local girls softball team. Visit FindYourHoppyPlace.com.
Saturday tributes: Fort Lauderdale‘s out-of-the-way gem LauderAle will host Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band The Chili Poppers on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Visit LauderAle.co. … Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton will have Grateful Dead devotees Unlimited Devotion at 8 p.m. Saturday. Visit CrazyUncleMikes.com.
Free coffee: It’s been five years since philanthropy-minded former NFL star Stephen Tulloch opened Circle House Coffee in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village, and he’ll celebrate on Saturday by handing out free cans of his new Good Vibes Nitro Cold Brew during a party that runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event also will include a DJ, hourly giveaways and the chance to try CHC’s new line of spring drinks. Visit CircleHouseCoffee.com.
Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Former NFL star Stephen Tulloch poses in the drive-through window of his Circle House Coffee, celebrating its fifth anniversary on Saturday. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
SUNDAY
On the Ocho: One of the defining cultural events in South Florida, the Calle Ocho Music Festival is a 15-block celebration of Cuban life, food, music and traditions on Miami’s famed Eighth Street. Anyone who calls themselves a local needs to see it at least once. The centerpiece of Carnaval Miami, the festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday on Southwest Eighth Street between southwest 12th and 27th avenues, in the heart of Little Havana. Award-winning Cuban reggaeton duo Gente de Zona are this year’s Kings of Carnaval Miami. Admission is free. Visit CarnavalMiami.com.
Irish ayes: One of the region’s best Irish celebrations gets a jump on things as downtown Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival returns on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. At 1 p.m., the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps will take part in the city’s milelong parade down Hollywood Boulevard, around Young Circle and back up Harrison Street. The afternoon also includes live music from Uproot Hootenanny and fan-favorite U2 tribute band U2 by UV, more than 80 food and craft vendors, kids’ activities and more. Visit StPatricksFestival.com.
John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel
She means bead-ness at the 2023 edition of Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which returns on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Weekend shopping: A special edition of The Flamingo Flea will roll out on Sunday at downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Tarpon River Brewing, as Carley Sumner and her posse of creative daydreamers celebrate its fifth anniversary. You can expect more than three dozen vendors inside and out, crafting, live music from Aba Zion and Brett Miller (of Coldplay tribute band Life in Technicolor), plus food and drink from TRB. Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Admission: free. Visit Instagram.com/theflamingoflea.
Oscar night: The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival will throw the ultimate Academy Awards watch event on Sunday with a block party beginning at 6:30 p.m. in front of downtown art house Savor Cinema. The evening will include catered hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live entertainment and multiple viewing options, both outdoors where the street will be covered in comfortable seating and indoors on the theater’s 30-foot screen. Tickets cost $125 (or $100 for FLIFF members). Parking is free in the garage next door, and there will be a free valet. Visit FLIFF.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.