Thanksgiving Weekend things to do in South Florida Nov 23-26
It’s been a year since beloved vinyl destination Radio-Active Records was run off from its longtime home in Flagler Village by the voracious maw of progress in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It seems like 10 times that long.
Relocated to a space up Federal Highway, north of Commercial Boulevard (5975 N. Federal Highway), Radio-Active Records will host its usual blowout for Black Friday Record Store Day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with DJs, Funky Buddha beers, live art and swag giveaways.
Get there early, of course, to get your hands on unique RSD releases, but also because radio station 104.3 The Shark will be there with tickets to give away to Riptide Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale beach Dec. 2-3.
The day also will function as an anniversary celebration of their new location, a reminder that we need to support businesses like these if we want them to stay with us. Visit Instagram.com/radioactiverecords .
Sincere thanks: Garden District Taproom, the self-pour bar in downtown West Palm Beach, will be openon Thanksgiving Day from 3 to 10 p.m. That’s what I call customer service. The rest of the weekend at GDT includes Black Friday with BOGO deals on select cans, food by Jenny With the PotKenny’s Smash Burger from 6 to 10 p.m., and a tap takeover by Tampa’s Magnanimous Brewing, with free samples and swag. On Saturday, the bar will host its inaugural Brunch, Brews & Bubbles event, with brunchy goodness by Tasha’s Table and bottomless bubbles and select beer for $25 from noon to 2 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/GardenDistrictWPB .
A new brunch: In case you missed it, waterfront, brunch-all-day restaurant Café Bastille opened this week in a location that, while in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, looks like a mistake on your Google map. Housed in an old Florida bungalow on a quiet canal surrounded by residential towers, Café Bastille is a sister restaurant to the original opened in Miami by young Parisians Estelle BellegyBenjamin Amsallem, where the enthusiasm for their brunch menu, baked goods and engaging vibe has inspired long lines. Fort Lauderdale’s new Café Bastille is at 704 SE First St. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Visit CafeBastilleDowntown.com .
Weekend laughs: Jared Freid is a stand-up comedian and podcaster best known for his fluency with the millennial idiom and dating culture, as heard on podcasts “U Up?” and “The JTrain Podcast,” which someone somewhere called “a Dear Abby for dudes.” Freid once hosted a show, produced by NBC, called “How Low Will You Go: Snapchat” — which “aired” on Snapchat. Do not question his bona fides. Freid and his transposed vowels will be at the Dania ImprovDania Beach for weekend shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25+ at DaniaImprov.com .
Shop and sing: The creative caravan known as Indie Craft Bazaar will be at (upstairs) in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight for a few hours of shopping among a tightly curated list of ICB vendors (call it a Mini Indie Craft Bazaar), drinks and music (DJ Lindersmash). Fair warning: There may be emo karaoke. Facebook.com/indiecraftbazaar .
Shop and nosh: You may have read about all the crazy progress going on in Oakland Park , but a more organic scene has always existed along Northeast 12th Avenue. (To orient you by your favorite landmarks: It’s south of Funky Buddha Brewery and east of Prison Pals Brewing.) This weekend brings the Small Business Saturday Market, a block party hosted by locals The Wander Shop, along with the Oakland Park CRA, with more than 40 vendors set up on Northeast 12th Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include food and drink vendors, family activities and more. Visit WanderHaus.party .
Pure gold: Manchester Orchestra, pride of Atlanta, bring the tour supporting their critically blessed album “The Valley of Vision” to Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Tickets start at $36+. Doors open at 7 p.m., with The Get Up Kids opening. Visit JoinTheRevolution.net .
Flamingo X Flamingo: The Flamingo Flea at the Flamingo House? Hello. The latter, a co-working space in downtown Boca Raton (33 SE Fourth St.), will host local vendors curated by The Flamingo Flea for a Small Business Saturday event from noon to 4 p.m. Along with shopping among the vendors, there will be live music, kids activities, drinks and food from a couple of local favorites, BC TacosAhmay’s Cuisine. Visit Facebook.com/theflamingohousecoworking .
Saturday night live: One of the more popular local tribute bands, Rock of ABBA, will play Galuppi’sPompano BeachBrev Sullivan (as seen in the Tom Cruise film “Rock of Ages”). It’s free, but reservations highly recommended for a table. Visit Galuppis.com . ... Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Matt Brown (highly recommended) will perform at Delray Beach at 7 p.m. Saturday. Visit FindYourHoppyPlace.com . ... The People Upstairs will be onstage in the beer garden at Mathews Brewing Co.Lake Worth Beach at 8 p.m. Saturday. Visit Facebook.com/mathewsbrewing .
Millennial music: Crazy Uncle Mike’sBoca Raton will host the musically enhanced on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with DJ Gio Black. Brunch starts at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Ladies who purchase an entrée get a free bottle of champagne. Reservations highly recommended. Visit CrazyUncleMikes.com .
Smooth grooves: Speaking of 2000s hitmakers, R&B singer-songwriters Ne-YoRobin Thicke will double up at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $89+ at MyHRL.com .
Free art, new art: NSU Art MuseumFort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale Neighbor Day on Sunday, with free admission for city residents (with photo ID or utility bill) from noon to 5 p.m. The afternoon includes the opportunity to be among the first to see the new exhibit “Glory of the World: Color Field Painting (1950s to 1983),” do some gift-shop browsing ( on books published by the museum) and relax with in the Museum Café. Visit NSUArtMuseum.org .
He’s got a name: A.J. Croce’s “Croce Plays Croce” show at The ParkerFort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m. Sunday will offer a set of timeless music from father Jim Croce, including “Time in a Bottle” (a song written for A.J.), “Operator,” “I Got a Name” and “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.” Tickets start at $44.50+ at ParkerPlayhouse.com .
