Perhaps like you, my “For You” page (a cesspool of AI treachery and some undeniably fine music) has been filled with riffs from the original Broadway production of “Hamilton.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s spectacularly entertaining musical — about America’s transition to democracy and the creation of the Declaration of Independence, told through the eyes of Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father and Caribbean orphan — remains a crowning achievement in American theater.
But what TikTok wants me to remember is the comedy: Jonathan Groff as King George III singing “You’ll Be Back,” as the incredulous British ruler watches his subjects in the Colonies work free from his benevolence.
Independence is complicated and governance, especially a democracy, gets messy, he warns. “You’ll be back,” the king coos. Failing that, “when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!”
As played by Groff and legions of actors after him, King George III is a foppish peacock: bejeweled robe, bulbous crown teetering atop a ridiculous wig, his golden scepter cutting the air for emphasis. Hilarious. Especially when the character debuted in 2015. As if we’d ever want to go back to that.
On Friday, we’ll celebrate a new nation’s clapback to King George, a brilliantly conceived distillation of grievances, “unalienable rights” and a “pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” If you haven’t read it since high school (um, guilty), you might find it instructional.
THURSDAY
Gonna McFly now: “Back to the Future in Concert” will pair a big-screen showing of the time-traveling family favorite with music from the South Florida Symphony Orchestra at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The night will include an ’80s-themed party with a DeLorean photo op, classic arcade games and a party soundtrack of the decade’s greatest hits. The film will be preceded by approximately 20 minutes of new music added to the film’s score by original composer Alan Silvestri. Tickets start at $40+ at BrowardCenter.org.
A New York scene: If you grew up a music fan in the New York area and are of a certain vintage, you know the name Ron Delsener, the concert promoter who produced most of the iconic concerts in the region for generations. Screening at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the documentary “Ron Delsener Presents” takes a look at a formative era of rock ’n’ roll through the lens of one of its ringmasters. Along with Delsener himself, the film includes interviews and music from Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Lenny Kaye, Verdine White, Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler, Gene Simmons and others. Tickets cost $12, or $10 for seniors. Visit FLIFF.com.
Long Island rock: Speaking of classic rock ’n’ roll, Blue Öyster Cult will bring hits including “Burnin’ for You,” “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla” to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $60.75+ at MyHRL.com.
Summer cocktail: Again, speaking of classic rock ’n’ roll, North Italia locations in South Florida (downtown Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Brickell and Kendall) on Thursday will debut a new cocktail in the chain’s nationwide Summer Sips campaign inspired by iconic songs of summer. In this region, that means Paradise City, created by Christian Duque, a bartender at North Italia Brickell. Inspired by the Guns N’ Roses classic, the refreshing-but-assertive cocktail ($15) features Four Roses single-barrel bourbon, Aperol, coconut and lemon. Cost: $15, or $12 during happy hour (3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday). Visit NorthItalia.com.
The early show: We like our Fourth of July fireworks around here, so much so that we do Third of July fireworks, with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek lighting the sky with a drone show and the famed Fireworks by Grucci. Gates will open at 7 p.m., and this free event will include entertainment, food trucks and full bars, leading into the drones and fireworks at 10 p.m. Admission is free, but you can elevate your experience with lakeside seats for $54.10 each at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit Casino.HardRock.com/coconut-creek.
Pie in the sky: The annual Key Lime Festival continues its takeover of Key West Thursday through Sunday, with all manner of lime-inspired events, including cookbook signings, special brunches and other meals, a 5K, the Key Lime Pie Hop, Key Lime Sip & Stroll, the Key Lime Pie Eating Contest on July 4 and the quirky Key Lime Pie Drop from the Key West Lighthouse on Sunday. Some events are free and others are ticketed, with prices varying by event. Visit KeyLimeFestival.com.
FRIDAY
Summer cocktail II: The Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Resort is one of the more inconspicuous gems on Fort Lauderdale beach (let’s keep North Beach Village to ourselves, OK?). But its location should make it a popular destination all summer, especially this weekend on the rooftop lounge Escape with its view of both beach and downtown fireworks displays. The hotel restaurant, La Fuga, recently unveiled a few new items on its coastal Italian menu, as well as a new summer cocktail menu of uncommon sophistication. With the latter, one highlight is the Clarified Cosmopolitan, a classic cocktail with Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, and lime, which is then purified with milk for 24 hours, doubled filtered and served in a martini glass rinsed with Strega liqueur and finished with a long lemon twist. Cost: $20. Similarly, the Fox Catcher acquires a subtle, savory depth with duck fat-washed High West Double Rye, brown sugar syrup, thyme-infused bitters and orange bitters, garnished with orange peel and a thyme sprig. Cost $21. Visit LaFugaRestaurant.com.
World Red Eye / Courtesy
Escape Rooftop Bar at the boutique Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a fine place to savor a cocktail and watch July Fourth fireworks. (World Red Eye/Courtesy)
Built to spill: All your training can finally be put to use as the Fourth of July Beer Olympics (also known as “the most patriotic workout you’ll ever do”) returns to Tarpon River Brewing in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. The event includes a beer, then beer pong, a second beer, then cornhole, a third beer, then flip cup, a keg race, then the diabolical Run, Forrest, Run race around the block — two times! Entry is $20+ (all beer included), with a limited number of entry spots. Visit TarponRiverBrewing.com.
Run and thrive: The Badass Run Club, organized by the Badass Vegan (wellness advocate and author John Lewis), will host a free fun run/walk on Friday at Uncommon Path Brewing in the Thrive Art District in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the event concludes with an after-party featuring drinks, vegan bites and a DJ-powered mixer curated by neighboring Connect Records. The event also will serve as a pre-party for the Vegan Block Party on Saturday (see below). Visit Facebook.com/veganblockparty.
The Brewers are here: God could have had the Milwaukee Brewers playing anywhere this weekend, but he put the Beermakers in loanDepot Park, home of the resurgent Miami Marlins, on Friday through Sunday. Generally speaking, Marlins game tickets start at around $10 (plus fees), but each day this weekend will have something special to offer. Friday’s 7:10 p.m. game will feature the Red, White & Brew package ($40+), which includes a game ticket, souvenir mug and 8-ounce pours of eight special beers (I see you, Pernicious). Of course, there will be postgame fireworks. The game on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. will celebrate the World Baseball Classic coming to Miami next March with the Team USA Day package ($39+), including a limited-edition jersey honoring Team USA. The 1:40 p.m. game on Sunday will include a Jim Leyland bobblehead to the first 8,000 fans. Visit Marlins.com.
Hot wheels: Community-minded roller skating club All Skates Go to Heaven will host the Fourth of July Roller Disco party at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Friday, with DJs spinning from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, and you can bring your own skates or blades, or rent a pair from All Skates. Visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com. You can enjoy the music even without skates from the Club Box Deck. A couple of blocks north, Altos Del Mar Park will feature the City of Miami Beach’s family friendly Fire on the Fourth events ahead of a fireworks and drone show at 9 p.m.
SATURDAY
Green day: The Vegan Block Party will set up in Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m., offering a variety of plant-based food, drinks, music, family events and conviviality. The festival is scheduled to include more than 70 vendors. Cost is $12, or free for kids age 10 and younger. A ticket includes admission only, but some vendors will have free samples. VIP admission (express check-in, a complimentary drink ticket and a VIP swag bag) is $50. Visit VeganBlockParty.com.
Summer sounds: Stick Figure brings its dubby-chill vibes to iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on Saturday at 7 p.m., joined by reggae royalty Stephen Marley and west coast (Florida) groovers The Hip Abduction. Tickets are available, starting at $56.50 for general-admission lawn access, at Ticketmaster.com.
Taste of Chicago: Self-pour bar Garden District Taproom in West Palm Beach on Saturday will turn over some of its taps to one of my favorite breweries anywhere, Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Co. (including my favorite Daisy Cutter Pale Ale). Beginning at 2 p.m., there will be giveaways for the first few customers, and for every Half Acre beer you drink, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a swag pack. Visit Instagram.com/gardendistrictwpb.
Boys of summer 2000: The Pop 2000 Tour will stop at Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m., with performances by some of the era’s hitmakers, including Ryan Cabrera, O-Town and LFO, hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC. General-admission tickets cost $27 (BYO seat), with free entry for kids age 5 and younger. Premium seats cost $47, and VIP access (VIP seat, lounge with dedicated bar, free cocktail) costs $67. Visit DelrayOldSchoolSquare.com.
Summer cocktail III: Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão, with locations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Kendall and Coral Gables, has a new off-menu cocktail called the Hot Brazilian. This sweet-spicy sip is made with Reposado tequila, Tempus Fugit liqueur, fresh lime juice and a splash of mango habanero sauce, finished with a stylish black lava salt rim and mint. Again, you won’t find it on the menu. If you know, you know. Cost: $14. Visit Fogo.com.
Warped memories: In downtown West Palm Beach on Saturday night, Respectable Street will scratch your Warped Tour itch with a lineup of bands playing the emo/punk hits you miss from those legendary shows. The music will come from Take This to Your Grave, Mass Revival, Live From 05, The Burn Club and We’re Wolves, the West Palm Beach band that has put out some emotionally urgent new music videos lately (they also do a devilish cover of Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer”). Doors open for this 18-and-older show at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15+ at LimitlessAgency.com.
SUNDAY
Sunday wings: At Cheffrey Eats, the celebrated food truck at Barrel of Monks Brewing in Boca Raton, chef Jeffrey Lemmerman will set aside his burger obsession to spotlight Jalapeño Popper Wings as a one-day-only special on Sunday. Like it sounds, they are chicken wings that have been encased in a mixture of bacon, jalapeño and cream cheese, dredged in breading, then fried. Crunchy outside, jalapeño-cheese explosion inside. They cost $15 for five. Visit Instagram.com/cheffreyeats.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and X @BenCrandell.