WHAT'S HAPPENING

THE PHANTASTIC PHANTOM
 
       It took me thirty years but I finally got to see "Phantom of the Opera". He sang for us at the Arsht Center last night. 
     Dang it's entertaining. 
     The "Phantom" is like an opera without the boring stuff, a rock n'roller coaster through love, murder, and excellent pyrotechnics. At one point so much fire shot up from the stage we nearly got sunburned sitting sixty-feet.  
     That's entertainment!  
    It's a terrific show and it'll be running here for 8 more days. For more information go to arshtcenter.org .

________________

ROCK THE LAKE

      The first Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival comes to South Florida this Thursday. Set up your tent next to our own Great Lake for four days of fun.  
The lineup includes Kendrick Lamar, Robert Plant, and Skrillex.  If that's not enough, there are 24 more groups like Joe Badass, Hall and Oates,  and Fetty Wap. See the whole lineup (and all you need to know) at www.okeechobeefest.com . 
   It sounds like it'll be well worth heading two hours north. Who knows, Okeechobee may become the next Wynwood!
_______________________ 


  JAZZ IN THE GARDEN (FEB. 28)

     Our own Plymouth Congregational Church is  celebrating Black History Month with its "Jazz in the Garden" event manana, Sunday, February 28.  It begins at 11 a.m. Honored guests include three families ("The Stirrups, Reeves, and Andersons") with deep roots in the West Grove.
       It will be a "Jazz Brunch" featuring the excellent Brenda Alford Trio. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the
United Negro College Fund.
______________________ 

HELPING LOTUS HOUSE (March 2)

    Lotus House (in NW Miami) shelters battered women.  They need to expand
to continue their important work.  You can help by coming to City Hall on Wednesday.  Here's a note below from LH director, Constance Collins: 
 
Dear Friends, You can help Lotus House make dreams come true with your presence at the Planning and Zoning Board hearing on Wednesday, March 2nd, 6pm (arrive early to get a seat), at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive in Coconut Grove, where our Lotus Village project is being considered for approval.
_____________________ 

MIAMI'S WATERFRONT (March 3)

      Our city's waterfront is always in jeopardy.  Come discuss it with our city commissioner, Ken Russell, on Thursday, March 3.  The gathering will be held at the beautiful Perez Art Museum.  Parking is a breeze (as is the air wafting off the bay).  It's free.  Refreshment at 6:30.  They're free too.
The one-hour discussion begins at 7.