Author: terrep263@gmail.com

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL is marking the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl with a hometown opening act.

Green Day will kick off the big game with an opening ceremony Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the league announced Sunday. The performance will celebrate six decades of the championship’s history, with the band helping usher generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field.

The trio, who formed in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area and are made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, are expected to perform a selection of their best-known anthems as part of the tribute.

“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!” lead singer Armstrong said. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!”

The ceremony airs live at 3 p.m. Pacific on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo.

“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL legends who’ve helped define this sport, is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX,” said Tim Tubito, the league’s senior director of event and game presentation. “As we work alongside NBC Sports for this opening ceremony, we look forward to creating a collective celebration for fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The opening ceremony will take place ahead of the pregame entertainment, in which Charlie Puth is to perform the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Welcome to South Florida, Indiana football fans! We’re happy you’re here — and Notre Dame isn’t.

During your visit to the area for the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, we are committed to showing you our best version of your famed “Hoosier Hospitality.”

Unfortunately, we’ve discovered that we don’t really know much about your fine state, other than it being one of the nicest suburbs of Chicago and the Orthopedic Capital of the World. (We have something in common already!)

You’ll have to forgive our ignorance: We’re not much on education down here (but no state income tax!). And, if we’re being honest, we were afraid to even Google “Indiana” to avoid getting crossways with our DEI monitors.

We decided to settle our bewilderment — surely the state’s name refers to American Indians, right? — by binge-watching Indiana-set sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” And then Aziz Ansari’s Tom Haverford character showed up. Oh, right, there are Indian-Americans!

Here we’ve tried to come up with some ideas to help you understand South Florida and make your stay here this weekend more enjoyable — compiled with sensitivity to all of your cultures, from American Indian to Tom Haverford and John Mellencamp. We’re happy you’re here. And Notre Dame isn’t.

Cold snappy: If locals seem to be walking around looking kind of grumpy, it’s not you, it’s the Arctic blast. Brrr!  When the weather gets below 60 degrees, much less 50, we start putting bourbon in our Starbucks. We’re afraid we might have to start wearing those pants that go all the way down to our Crocs. This may even call for socks.

Indian lands: You have the Miami Nation of Indiana and we have the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where the championship will be played, as well as the sprawling Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood and its eye-catching Guitar Hotel (part of a $1.5 billion remodel of the resort completed in 2019), are all owned by the Seminole Tribe, who soon may just buy the whole state. Visit Casino.HardRock.com/hollywood.

Ghee whiz: Just in case, the best local cuisine from the India over yonder is Ghee Indian Kitchen in Miami, which received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand citation in 2025 and is presided over by chef Niven Patel, a four-time James Beard Award semifinalist. Visit GheeIndianKitchen.com.

Star watching: Keep your eyes out for celebrities while you’re here, and not just Pitbull (a headliner at the Capital One Music Stage at Allstate Championship Tailgate on Monday). Broward County is home to one of the most popular celebrities on the planet, Lionel Messi, whom you may consider the Caitlin Clark of MLS. And the president of the United States/Venezuela lives in Palm Beach County.

Our sandwiches: We hear that the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is a Hoosier favorite, with a large, breaded pork cutlet served on a bun with pickles and onions. Your BPT sounds a little like our classic Cuban sandwich, with Cuban bread layered with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard. If you’re interested, Sanguich De Miami (multiple locations, including the mothership on Calle Ocho in Little Havana) was voted the best Cuban sandwich in South Florida by Sun Sentinel readers and just won a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. Warning, there may be a line. Visit Sanguich.com.

Dining stars: Gotta admit it’s a little awkward referencing Michelin Guide mentions to residents of a state that created two pillars of American gastronomy: Wonder Bread and sliced bacon. But we do have a prestigious lineup of restaurants in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties that received Michelin blessings in the 2025 guide. If you are staying in Miami, seek out L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (two stars) and hidden gem Boia De (one star). Other Michelin eateries include Chef’s Counter at MAASS (one star) and Heritage (Bib Gourmand) in Fort Lauderdale, as well as Aioli and Palm Beach Meats (both Bib Gourmands) in West Palm Beach.

Sexy dish: If you’re looking for a Tom Haverford moment — exclusive, sexy, over the top — restaurant Sexy Fish in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood is all of those things. Brickell rooftop Rosa Sky allows you to look down on the rest of us. In Fort Lauderdale, the just-opened Omni Hotel at the port has the 29th-floor Ibis Sky Lounge, while nearby the Pier Top lounge rotates on the 17th floor of the $1 billion remodel of the Pier Sixty-Six resort, with an unparalleled view of the ocean and downtown skyline.

Fair play: We have Art Basel, you have the Indiana State Fair. The fact that the South Florida Fair opens this weekend in West Palm Beach may seem like coincidence, but it’s not. You’d do the same for us. We think we have all the boxes checked to make you feel at home: midway rides, agricultural displays, pig races, Cap’n Crunch Korean Corn Dogs. Visit SouthFloridaFair.com.

Stepping out: We hear you love marching bands — well, we love marching bands! The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, one of the premier showcases for HBCU marching bands, takes place this weekend with the finals at 4 p.m. Saturday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Yes, just for you. Visit NationalBattleOfTheBands.com.

Ring alert: You have Circle City (the nickname for Indianapolis, which is laid out around Monument Circle), and we have Hollywood, where Young Circle is one of three major roundabouts in the city. You can check it out on Saturday night during the free Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk, offering gallery openings, food and drink, and tours of the city’s iconic murals. Maybe we should start calling it Circle City, too. Visit HollywoodCRA.org.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell. 

So you couldn’t score a wildly expensive ticket to Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Miami Hurricanes and Indiana Hoosiers.

Well, you’re not alone, and so what? There are still plenty of ways to cheer on the home team, which last won a national title in 2002, at official CFP events and watch parties popping up at bars, clubs and restaurants throughout South Florida.

While you may not be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, a watch party has its benefits — large-screen TVs and food and drink specials without the logistical headaches of capacity-crowd traffic and parking issues.

So grab your orange-and-green gear and surround yourself with fellow fans who are ready to celebrate every touchdown by flashing “The U” hand sign.

Here’s a sampling of watch parties and other things to see and do as Hurricanes fever takes over South Florida this weekend. Event details may be subject to change; confirm before attending.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

The Palm Beach County ‘Canes watch parties take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday at three Duffy’s Sports Grill locations. Visit Facebook.com/pbccanes.

• 11588 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach
• 6545 Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach
• 225 Clematis St., West Palm Beach

Biergarten Boca Raton, 309 Via De Palmas, No. 90, is bringing in Tarpon River Brewing & The Tank Brewing Co. for its Monday watch party. A Happy Hour will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. before kickoff. Get free green-tea shots when Miami scores a touchdown. Visit Facebook.com/biergartenboca.

THRōW Social Delray Beach, 29 SE Second Ave., is offering fans the chance to watch the game on a 22-foot TV wall with sound. The event starts at 7 p.m. Monday; free entry. Visit eventbrite.com.

BROWARD COUNTY

The Broward County ‘Canes Community is planning watch parties starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at two locations:

• Carolina Ale House, 2618 Weston Road, Weston
• Dave & Buster’s, 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood

Proceeds (15% at Carolina Ale House and 20% at Dave & Buster’s) benefit the Broward County ‘Canes scholarship fund. Visit events.miami.edu.

DAER, the nightclub/dayclub at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, 1 Seminole Way, in Hollywood, boasts what it calls “the biggest LED screen in South Florida.” This party, which kicks off at noon Monday, include game-time bites and drink discounts. Tickets are $12.17 for women and $36.51 for men. Visit hardrocknightlife.com.

Before Game Day, DAER Dayclub will host A Welcome to Miami pre-party at noon Sunday, featuring former NFL players Damon Watts, Adewale Ogunleye and Damian Gregory, DJ Genesis and TV anchor Jawan Strader. Tickets are $36.51. Visit hardrocknightlife.com.

CanesWear, 2655 S. University Drive, Davie, will host a National Championship Game Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the Frost Band of the Hour, DJ Kwick, food samples and trivia. Free. Visit Facebook.com/caneswearpage.

Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, 3115 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, starts the party at 7:30 p.m. Monday with big screens and wall-to-wall game coverage. Visit Facebook.com/bokampersfortlauderdale.

Lucky Lou’s Raw Bar, 123 NE 20th Ave., Deerfield Beach, has created the Cat 5 Canes Shot ($6) in honor of the game, which you can watch on 19 TV screens starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Visit luckylousrawbar.com.

Watch the game indoors and outdoors at Galuppi’s, 1103 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach. Admission is free, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP at galuppis.com/ncaa for a free shot upon arrival.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Playoff Fan Central, a family friendly interactive experience, includes games, clinics, pep rallies, guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive. Free admission. Visit collegefootballplayoff.com.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, a traveling music festival, takes over Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Performers include Calvin Harris, John Summit, Xandra, Peso Pluma, Latin Mafia and Alvaro Diaz. Free admission. Visit collegefootballplayoff.com.

The National Championship Viewing Party and Official After Party at E11EVEN, 29 NE 11th St., Miami, starts at 6 p.m. Monday and continues until 10 a.m. Tuesday. The game will be shown on a 30-foot screen and televisions throughout the club. Visit 11miami.com.

Hurricanes fans take note: Batch Gastropub: Miami, 30 SW 12th St., will be hosting the official Indiana University alumni watch party starting at 5 p.m. Monday. “Miami fans and friends — we hope you’ll forgive us and understand that this Indiana boy needs to support his alma mater,” owner Kevin Danilo wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “All are welcome to join in the fun at our events — it’s a welcoming crew — and know that if there was any team we were rooting for besides us, it was #UMNation! Let’s rumble and may the best team win!” Visit Facebook.com/batchmiami.

MULTIPLE COUNTIES

Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill is flying the hurricane warning flags and selling “305 Flan Fan” UM-themed T-shirts to celebrate the national title game. Watch parties start at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Visit Facebook.com/flanigansfl.

At select Benihana restaurants, get a free appetizer (with the purchase of a full-priced entree) when you dine in wearing Hurricanes merchandise, through Monday. South Florida locations include Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. Visit Facebook.com/benihana.

The theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as set by the The King Center in Atlanta, is “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation The Nonviolent Way.”

In South Florida, you can honor that call and the legacy of the civil rights leader through service projects, marches and other events leading up to and on the federal holiday, which is celebrated every third Monday of January (King’s birthday month).

Below, find activities planned through Monday, Jan. 19, in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

BROWARD COUNTY

Dania Beach

The city seeks volunteers to take part in its MLK Day of Service project to beautify Northwest First Street at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. Starting at 1200 NW First St., the group plans to move along First Street painting fire hydrants and fences, doing landscaping and cleaning up litter from the neighborhood. Light refreshments will be provided. Visit daniabeachfl.gov.

Davie

The town’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will feature excerpts from the “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as guest speakers and musical performances, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. Free admission. Visit davie-fl.gov.

Deerfield Beach

The city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, begins with a parade, starting at 10 a.m., and a Fun Day in the Park event. The parade will start at Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave., and end at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 445 SW Second St. The event will include free food, entertainment, rides, vendors and family friendly activities. Free admission. Visit deerfield-beach.com.

Fort Lauderdale 

The YMCA of South Florida’s 22nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Celebrations will take place on Friday, Jan. 16, with an Inspirational Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 301 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, and an Inspirational Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. Joyce Ladner, civil rights activist and former professor of sociology, provost and interim president at Howard University, is the keynote speaker for both events. Tickets are $175 per person, per event, with all proceeds benefiting the “I Have a Dream” Youth Scholarship Fund. There will also be a Day of Service, set for 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 NW Sixth St,.Fort Lauderdale, and the Village of Allapattah YMCA, 2370 NW 17th Ave., Miami. Free. Visit ymcasouthflorida.org/standforsomething.

The highlight of the 2026 King Holiday Celebration is the march for nonviolence, which steps off at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, from Sistrunk Boulevard and Northwest Fifth Avenue. The parade ends at Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a multicultural festival is planned at the park with entertainment and educational activities. Free admission. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.

Hollywood

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will feature performances, food, and arts and crafts from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The event will be at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 2400 Charleston St. Free admission. Visit hollywoodfl.org.

Lauderdale Lakes

Take part in the MLK Day of Service — WE CAN! from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Vincent Torres Memorial Park, 4331 NW 36th St. The day will include art and music, sports and recreation, employment and life-skills activities, and free lunch and care packages. Free. Visit lauderdalelakes.org.

Lauderhill

MLK Legacy Night will feature a fireside chat with Cornel West and Ilyasah Shabazz from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place. General admission is $20. Visit showpass.com.

Miramar

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration kicks off with a parade at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, around Sherman Circle. A festival follows from noon to 2 p.m. at Lakeshore Park, 8501 Sherman Circle, with food and music. Free admission. Visit mlkmiramar2026.eventbrite.com.

Oakland Park

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave., will feature performances and activities from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Highlights include a DJ, Jr. ROTC presentation, “I Have A Dream” speech excerpt, mobile gaming, bounce houses, face painting, balloon artist, food vendors and free ice cream. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.

Parkland

A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Pine Trails Park Amphitheatre, 10559 Trails End, with music, guest speakers, performances, poetry, essay contests, food trucks and more. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org.

Pembroke Pines 

The city will have its first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, during the annual celebration at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. The route will end in front of City Hall. Three designated parade viewing areas with bleacher seating will be available. On the plaza at 10 a.m., there will be face painting, arts and crafts for children, interactive family friendly activities, food trucks and vendors. The Deep Fried Funk Band is scheduled to perform from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free admission. Visit ppines.com.

Pompano Beach

The city, in partnership with the Pompano Beach Memorial MLK Committee, will offer a multiday series of events, including:

• Join a Poetry Jam from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to wear all-black attire for a night of expression, artistry and cultural celebration. Tickets are $28.52 at eventbrite.com.
• The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration steps off at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Blanche Ely High School, 1201 NW Sixth Ave. After the parade, head to Mitchell Moore Park, 901 NW 10th St., for entertainment, a kids’ zone and food available for purchase until 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Visit parks.pompanobeachfl.gov.

Sunrise 

A Night of the Arts — Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will have an opening reception at the Sunrise Civic Center Art Gallery, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. View the work of South Florida artist Karl Jerry Craig and enjoy entertainment and refreshments. To register in advance for free tickets, call 954-747-4646. For more events, visit sunrisefl.gov/mlk.

Tamarac

Art Prevails Project founder and artistic director Darius Daughtry will host Rhythm of a Dream: An MLK Performing Arts Celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at the Tamarac Community Center, 8601 W. Commercial Blvd. The event includes performances by Simone’s Just Dance Performing Arts, musician Doug McDonald, Voices of Rain and The Men of Impact Step Team from Piper High School. Daughtry will perform a spoken word piece. Free admission. Visit tamarac.org/specialevents.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Boca Raton 

The city offers four ways to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19. Visit myboca.us. The following events are free and open to the public:

• Community Breakfast, 8-10 a.m. at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Ruby St. Sponsored by D.I.S.C. (Developing Interracial Social Change), the theme is “A Day On, Not A Day Off.”
• Unity March, 10 a.m. from the MLK Jr. Monument, 200 Ruby St., to Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real.
• A ceremony is planned after the parade, 10:30 a.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, featuring speeches, poetry, music and a Humanitarian Award presentation.
• Unity Celebration, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, with rides and games, a community service project, booths, stage performances, and food and drinks available for purchase.

Boynton Beach 

Serve & Celebrate: Honoring MLK Jr.’s Legacy & Local Leaders returns to honor Dr. King’s legacy on Monday, Jan. 19. Take part in a service project from 8 to 9 a.m. at Sara Sims Park, 209 NW Ninth Ave.; meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave. Then, enjoy a breakfast from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the center, featuring remarks, a full buffet and awards for community leaders. RSVP at eventeny.com.

The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach brings its 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Brunch to Indian Spring Country Club, 11501 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. The event will include a performance by the CORE Ensemble and a keynote address by guest speaker William “Bill” Nix, reflecting on his family’s personal relationship with King and their connections to Morehouse College. Tickets are $55. Visit spadymuseum.com.

Delray Beach

Take part in the MLK Walk Against Violence & Hate at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave. After the walk, activities are planned at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth Ave., including speakers, performances, music and refreshments. Free. Visit delraybeachfl.gov.

Lake Worth Beach

“Passing the Torch” is the theme of the 32nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Visit Facebook.com/LakeWorthBeachPBC. Among the free events are:

• Two Community Service Day events are set for Saturday, Jan. 17. Volunteers can meet at 8 a.m. at the Norman J. Wimbley Gymnasium, 1515 Wingfield St., for a cleanup organized by Healthier Lake Worth Beach. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will have a Community Resource Fair and a clean-up at noon at Ninth Avenue South and G Street.
• On Monday, Jan. 19, the annual MLK Interfaith Unity Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 402 N. M St. Then, start gathering at 4 p.m. for the Candlelight March through downtown. Meet at City Hall, 7 N. Dixie Highway, for a singalong and parade down Lake Avenue. A commemorative program will take place at the Cultural Plaza Memorial.

Riviera Beach

“Walk Together in Unity with Purpose” at the 42nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, with a new route this year, starting at Congress Avenue and MLK Boulevard and ending at MLK Boulevard and Avenue O (where the parade viewing stand is located). Vendors and a family fun area with bounce houses, face painting and performances will be set up from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dan Calloway Recreational Complex, 1420 W. 10th St. Visit Facebook.com/cityofrivierabeach.

Royal Palm Beach 

Former schools superintendent and leadership coach L. Oliver Robinson is keynote speaker for the 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day Celebration, which includes breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, followed by a program at 10 a.m. The free event is at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, 151 Civic Center Way. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov.

By JAKE COYLE

Lines between cop and criminal get murky in Joe Carnahan’s “The Rip,” a crime thriller set across one foggy Miami night, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Damon and Affleck, of course, are so closely associated with Boston — most recently they produced the 2024 heist movie “The Instigators” there — that a detour to South Florida puts them, a little awkwardly, in an entirely different movie landscape. This is “Miami Vice” territory or Elmore Leonard Land, not Southie or “The Town.”

In “The Rip,” they play Miami narcotics officers who come upon a cartel stash house that Lt. Dane Dumars (Damon) says may have $150,000 hidden in the walls. It turns out to be more than $20 million, though, and their mission immediately turns from a Friday afternoon smash-and-grab into an imminent siege where no one can be trusted.

“The Rip,” which debuts Friday on Netflix, is a lean and potent-enough neo-noir where almost all the characters are police officers, yet it’s a mystery as to who’s a good guy and who’s not. It’s a nifty and timely premise, even if “The Rip” literally tattoos its message across itself.

When Dane sits down with the young woman (Sasha Calle) at the stash house who seems plausibly innocent, she looks at tattoos on his hands and asks what they mean. On one: “AWTGG”: “Are we the good guys?”

As much as the answer might seem a foregone conclusion in a movie starring Damon and Affleck, who are also producers, “The Rip” plays with and against type in ways that can keep you engrossed. (The cast also includes Teyana Taylor, Steven Yeun and Kyle Chandler.) However, the exposition is so light and hurried in “The Rip” that that’s almost all it plays with. We know almost nothing about our characters outside of the action in the movie, making all the potential double crosses ring hollow.

Carnahan opens the film with a flurry of internal interrogations. The Miami police department is full of finger pointing after the fatal shooting, seen in the movie’s first moments, of a detective (Lina Esco). Cutting quickly between angry accusations and equally furious defensiveness, we get the sense that nobody in the department knows who’s clean and who’s dirty.

“I hate it, man,” Dane tells Byrne. “I hate being a cop.”

Various divisions intermingle, including the DEA agent Mateo “Matty” Nix (Chandler) and FBI agent Del Byrne (Scott Adkins). The omnipresence of drug cartels and the dysfunction in the department has made the police force into a den of thieves, in its own right. When we catch up with Dane’s crew, they don’t look particularly official. On a Friday afternoon, they’re sitting around outside drinking, with armored vehicles parked next to them. When Dane says he’s got a CrimeStopper tip he wants to check out, they go in civilian cars.

With him are four other detectives: JD Byrne (Affleck), Mike Ro (Yeun), Numa Baptiste (an underused Taylor, which, coming off “One Battle After Another,” should be illegal) and Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno). Dane and JD, naturally, are tight. But after they find the money, the tone shifts. Dane doesn’t call the money into their superiors, and instead asks his crew to turn in their phones to him. Everyone begins to wonder: What’s going on? Is Dane crooked? A mysterious phone call comes in: Take $150,000 and go, or everybody dies. It’s not the cartel calling.

Carnahan, who also wrote “The Rip,” has said the movie is inspired by real events as described to him by a Miami detective. But little in how the movie plays out will strike many as particularly plausible. Yet Carnahan, achieving of the same dense atmosphere of his Liam Neeson wolf thriller “The Grey,” albeit with a lot less snow, imbues “The Rip” with a good cop-bad cop muddiness that makes his film feel resonant.

Affleck and Damon have made more than a dozen movies together, but their collaborations seem to be increasing in frequency. They’ve often found often interesting ways — like in Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel” — to shape and contort expectations for themselves on screen. Usually, that’s meant roles that are far from heroic, and often part of an ensemble. (Their production company, Artists Equity, operates with unusual profit participation for the cast and crew.)

As a B-movie with a couple of A-listers, “The Rip” will probably go down as a minor and flawed genre exercise. But even in their lesser efforts, the sincerity of Damon and Affleck’s buddy routine remains winning. Even in Miami.

“The Rip,” a Netflix release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for violence and pervasive language. Running time: 133 minutes. Two stars out of four.

Q: I used to like the Secret Woods Nature Center … It was free and an easy hike. There was also a small, interesting nature museum. Due to osteoarthritis, I am confined to a walker and wheelchair and had to sell my car, so I am no longer able to do the nature trails. I have seen some nature areas in Florida transferred to private property and built up with tacky condos or apartment buildings, so was hoping Secret Woods was still there and free, as it was in the past. Is it still open to the public? — Earl Rodney, Pembroke Pines

A: Earl, I’m so sorry to hear about your arthritis and your difficulty getting around. But if you can get a ride to Secret Woods, it is still there and remains a little preservation oasis on the New River, at 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach, wedged into the northwest corner of Interstates 95 and 595, right near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Its oak tree- and mangrove-filled trails and boardwalk are open and are getting a healthy amount of traffic from nature lovers. The 57-acre site is a treasure, designated by Broward County as an “Urban Wilderness Area,” meaning it’s a protected enclave. Visitors can see an assortment of wildlife, including land crabs, cormorants, red-bellied woodpeckers and endangered monarch butterflies.

Unfortunately, this designation did not save Secret Woods from Broward’s devastating flooding in April 2023. Torrential rains dumped 26 inches in about 24 hours, causing more than $100 million in damage, not to mention hundreds of temporary and permanent layoffs at businesses.

Parks Superintendent Chris Deal told me the rains ruined Secret Woods’ buildings, and they will remain closed indefinitely. That includes the beloved nature center; Deal said a temporary office and restroom building have been installed in the interim.

Secret Woods was the only Broward park to sustain such catastrophic scarring, Deal said.

“Due to the natural low elevation of the area, every building and many of the amenities on site experienced water and subsequent mold damage,” Deal said.

Broward has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money to renovate the buildings and reduce the chance of future flood damage. There have been many visits to the site by government officials, but, no surprise, it’s taking years to get the money to rebuild.

“Although we believe this is a necessary and critical step to prevent future flood damage and ensure that Secret Woods Nature Center remains the county gem that it is, this process has required that the buildings on site remain closed,” Deal said.

Deal said the parking lot and boardwalk are compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, so you should still be able to take in the scenery from your walker or wheelchair.

“There are some sections of the nature trail that have a wood chip base and, therefore, may be tough to navigate with a walker. However, overall, he should be able to make his way around the site,” Deal said.

Parks staffers are still working and offering environmental education programs, Deal said. And they are still answering the phone; the number is 954-357-8884.

Got a question about life in South Florida? Send to Lois at AskLois@sunsentinel.com for possible publication.

‘Wreck Your Heart’ by Lori Rader-Day; Minotaur; $29; 352 pages

Chicago could hardly be confused with Nashville as the country music capital, but the Windy City does have a thriving music scene, and award-winning author Lori Rader-Day hits all the right notes in her rhythmic “Wreck Your Heart.”

Rader-Day keeps the breezy plot of “Wreck Your Heart” in key with all the tropes of country music — lost love, family, a good bar, cowboy boots and more. There’s probably a dog and a truck somewhere in “Wreck Your Heart.” Yet, Rader-Day never makes the book feel gimmicky, using those references to enhance and set the mood in her solid story.

Readers will believe they hear a familiar twang in this brisk, highly entertaining tale of Dahlia “Doll” Devine, who has pinned her dreams on being a country music star. She just needs a break. But like in any good country song, Dahlia first must hit her lowest time.

In the middle of a Chicago winter, Dahlia is evicted because Joey, her boyfriend of three years, ran off with the little bit of savings the couple had. For some reason, their landlord frowned on the rent being behind months. (Another country motif.) Dahlia is used to a hard-knock life that began in her childhood with a mother addicted to drugs.

Dahlia heads back to McPhee’s Tavern, a place where she practically grew up and whose owner, Alex, has been like a father to her. At least at McPhee’s, Dahlia has a steady gig singing with her band, can earn extra money bartending and can always stay in the upstairs apartment. Of course, along the way to McPhee’s, she falls in a snowdrift, almost loses one of her boots while carrying her few meager belongings in a torn garbage bag (country song alert!) that the landlord allowed her to gather in 10 minutes. Of course, she had to take her glittery and fringed dresses.

Dahlia finds comfort in country music, which is “three chords and the truth. The truth, like a gong inside your soul,” she says. But then her estranged mother shows up, a young woman claiming to be a younger sister she has never met arrives, and there’s a dead body in the alley behind McPhee’s. Naturally, Dahlia knows the deceased. At least she has the makings for a country song.

Rader-Day keeps “Wreck Your Heart” loaded with Chicago atmosphere and lore. McPhee’s is an old-fashioned Chicago bar, still standing despite being surrounded by development. The bar also is rumored to be one of the places where Al Capone and his mobsters hid their loot, which may — if it ever existed — still be there.

Rader-Day’s award-winning novels are standalones, each featuring unique and different appealing characters. Dahlia is a survivor, refusing to give up her dreams, no matter how her heart breaks. Readers will root for her and hope, somehow, she gets a recording contract.

“Wreck Your Heart” sings. One expects Reba McEntire to show up to cheer on Dahlia.

One game will define the upcoming year, and the hype surrounding it is so meteoric that it will likely dwarf anything around it. After several delays, “Grand Theft Auto VI” is scheduled to arrive Nov. 19 with as much hoopla as “The Phantom Menace” did in 1999.

It’s been more than a decade since the release of the previous entry in the series, and there’s a near-bottomless reservoir of pent-up demand for a sequel. So what took so long? One of the biggest reasons for the gap between “Grand Theft Auto V” and the upcoming sequel is the success of “Grand Theft Auto Online,” which gave the Southern California-based entry one of the longest tales in gaming history.

The online component kept evolving over the past 13 years with additional content and new ways to play. “Grand Theft Auto VI” will likely follow a similar path as players explore Vice City, a locale inspired by Miami, and the surrounding areas of Leonida, a fictional state based on Florida. Not much is known about the single-player campaign aside from the fact that it features the series’ first main female protagonist, Lucia Caminos.

Although fans will play through the campaign, the meat of “Grand Theft Auto VI” will be the online component, which will likely last just as long as its predecessors. The game will be published on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.

While “Grand Theft Auto VI” will suck up most of the oxygen during the holiday season, several other titles will be vying for players’ attention the rest of the year. They include the following:

“Resident Evil Requiem” — The latest entry to the survival-horror franchise introduces a new protagonist named Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst, who is sent to Raccoon City for an investigation. The upcoming release marks the 30th anniversary of the series and brings back fan-favorite Leon Kennedy. It’s scheduled for release Feb. 27 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S and PC.

“007 First Light” — It’s been years since a James Bond game has been released, and this entry comes from “Hitman” developer, IO Interactive. Expect a more open-ended format as players step into the shoes of the world’s most famous spy and take on missions in his early days. Preview of the title reveals a more stealth-centric approach similar to “Hitman” that’s punctuated with action-heavy elements. It’s scheduled for release May 26 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S and PC.

“The Duskbloods” — FromSoftware has been dabbling in multiplayer experiences with “Elden Ring Nightreign,” and now, director Hidetaka Miyazaki takes the next step with this title for the Nintendo Switch 2. The multiplayer action role-playing game features competitive and cooperative elements as players take on the role of a Bloodsworn and enter an arena. According to Miyazaki, the victory conditions vary and can reward the last one standing or the group that has to team up to defeat a difficult foe. No release date has been set, but expect to see it sometime this year.

“Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls” — Arc System Works is known for excellent fighting games that meld deep mechanics with beautiful visual design. The pinnacle of this is the team’s work on “Dragon Ball FighterZ,” whose soaring popularity and gameplay made it a darling of the community. Now, the team is working on a Marvel Comics-based fighting game that lets players choose a team of 4 and lets them tag-in allies as a match unfolds. It’s not exactly “Marvel vs Capcom,” but it shares some elements. It is scheduled for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC.

This weekend is complicated: I would traditionally devote some of my Monday to reading Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s graceful and edifying “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” This is also the day when my Miami Hurricanes will play for the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium. Thankfully, the Canes eliminated the all-day preparation needed for our usual tailgate by making tickets virtually impossible to get, even for longtime season ticketholders. C-A-N-E-S-W-T-F, Canes!

THURSDAY

Girls’ night out: This is opening weekend at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the critically lauded Broadway tour of “& Juliet,” the effervescent reimagining of what might have happened to Shakespeare’s star-crossed ingenue had she moved on from Romeo, set to a soundtrack of Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and Britney Spears. The book is by David West Read, an Emmy-winning writer for “Schitt’s Creek.” Weekend showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Performances run through Jan. 25. Visit Ticketmaster.com.

Thursday laughs: Film and TV actor and comedian Kevin James brings his Eat the Frog tour to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are scarce. Get updates at Kravis.org.

FLIFF is nigh: Get a sneak peek at the 40th anniversary edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival during the annual poster reveal party on Thursday at Savor Cinema. The 6 p.m. gathering will include an open bar, light bites, live music (RF Factor), and a first look at the bounty of films and parties coming to the festival, which will take place Feb. 20-28. Preview party tickets cost $40, which can be applied toward a FLIFF membership (the party is free for members). Visit FLIFF.com.

Weekend barbecue: Tropical Smokehouse is now open in downtown Delray Beach, serving the celebrated barbecue and burgers that have made Rick Mace (James Beard semifinalist) a dean of the Florida craft barbecue scene. This sister location to the original Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach, which was on Southern Living’s list of “Best New Barbecue Joints Of 2024”, can be found in the distinctive red-and-white striped building at 524 W. Atlantic Ave. Visit Instagram.com/tropicalsmokehousedelray.

How sweet the sound: South Florida’s Grammy-nominated ensemble Seraphic Fire continues its exhilarating adventures in choral music this weekend with “Gospel,” a moving program of spiritual music — including the iconic “Amazing Grace” and “Precious Lord” — under the direction of internationally celebrated conductor Jason Max Ferdinand. Performances will take place at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton (7 p.m. Thursday), Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables (8 p.m. Friday) and All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale (7:30 p.m. Saturday). Visit SeraphicFire.org.

Buckle up: Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position as provocative air hostess Pam Ann makes another bumpy landing at Hunters Nightclub in Wilton Manors on Thursday at 7 p.m. The vibe will be nostalgic air-travel glamour, when people didn’t wear pajamas to fly and you could get a decent in-flight scotch or three. Visit HuntersFTLauderdale.com.

Thursday night live: Guitar legend Al Di Meola will bring The Guitarchitect tour to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., a trek supporting his “rich and immersive” (All About Jazz) 2024 album “Twentyfour.” For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Weekend beer: 3 Sons Brewing Co. in Dania Beach has a new IPA, Fresh Start (Volume 2), released on Human Trafficking Awareness Day (Jan. 11), with $1 from every pour and $2 from every four-pack going to Kristi House Children’s Advocacy Center. Not only is this beer doing good, it also happens to be a great, low-intensity pour for the IPA-reluctant. (And the cans come with a distinctive label that echoes Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon.”) Looking ahead, at 7 p.m. Jan. 28, 3 Sons will host the Fresh Start: Community Against Human Trafficking event, with representatives of Kristi House discussing their mission. Visit 3SonsBrewingCo.com.

Easy does it: The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton on Thursday will kick off a four-night series, The Big Easy at The Funky Biscuit, featuring the sounds of New Orleans courtesy of D.K. Harrell (Thursday), Anders Osborne (Friday), Marc Broussard with the Honey Island Swamp Band (Saturday) and Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (Sunday). Tickets are available to individual shows and as a four-night pass. Visit FunkyBiscuit.com.

FRIDAY

It’s Stavvy’s world: Curiously irresistible pop-culture character Stavros Halkias — equal parts Dennis Franz and Ron Jeremy — is a memorable podcast presence (“Stavvy’s World” and the provocative “Cum Town”), an actor of undeniable presence (Netflix sitcom “Tires” and recent film “Bugonia”) and a room-filling comedian. Halkias will bring The Dreamboat Tour to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Fair warning: The South Florida Fair brings carnival rides, entertainment, livestock, agricultural displays and deep-fried everything to the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach on Friday through Feb. 1. An opening-weekend highlight will be Saturday performances by a trio of rising local country singers worth knowing: Emily Brooke (1:30 p.m.), Amber Leigh (4:30 p.m.) and Maggie Baugh (7:30 p.m.). For tickets and information, visit SouthFloridaFair.com.

Friday tributes: Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale will host Linkin Park tribute band In the End on Friday, with South Florida ex Alex Weiss and Blaze Francisco as special guests. Doors open at 7 p.m. Get tickets at JoinTheRevolution.net. … Galuppi’s in Pompano Beach will offer a Main Stage performance by Ozzy Osbourne tribute Diary of an Ozzman from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The Strangers will open. Meanwhile, The Deck @ Galuppi’s will be the setting for a dinner show by Neil Diamond tribute Diamond Dreams from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. For reservations, visit Galuppis.com.

R&B memories: Vocalist Quinnes “Q” Parker and R&B heartthrobs 112 (“Only You,” “Cupid” “Peaches & Cream,” and “I’ll Be Missing You” with Puff Daddy and Faith Evans) will play the Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Friday at 8 p.m. Get tickets at TheCenterCS.com.

More laughs: Long Island-raised actor-comedian Pete Correale, the half of “The Pete and Sebastian Show” podcast who is not Sebastian Maniscalco, will perform at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets at Ticketmaster.com. … Texan, comedian and under-duress husband Steve Treviño is at the Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach for performances at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday. Saturday’s shows are sold out. Get tickets at ImprovFTL.com.

SATURDAY

King remembered: MLK Legacy Night comes to the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a conversation about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring philosopher and public intellectual Cornel West and author-educator Ilyasah Shabazz (daughter of Malcolm X). The evening will be moderated by NBC 6 anchor Jawan Strader. Tickets for general admission and for a 5 p.m. VIP dinner and meet-and-greet are available at LPACFL.com.

Championship sounds: You may have heard that the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, pitting the Miami Hurricanes against the Indiana Hoosiers, which means all kinds of preamble. The biggest event not restricted to ticketholders will be AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, a free, two-night concert series on Saturday and Sunday at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Saturday’s lineup will be highlighted by mega-popular DJs John Summit and Calvin Harris, while Sunday will feature Mexican rapper-singer Peso Pluma and others. Gates open at 6 p.m. each day. Admission is free. Visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

Gehry and Adams: New World Symphony will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the New World Center in Miami Beach by honoring its architect, the late Frank Gehry, with an all-John Adams program conducted by Adams and NWS artistic director Stéphane Denève. This retrospective of Adams’ iconic music — with works from “Nixon in China” to “Doctor Atomic,” as well as a new concerto written for and performed by celebrated Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson — will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets remain for both concerts at NWS.edu. Saturday’s performance also will be presented as a free Wallcast concert in Soundscape Park next to the New World Center.

Nu & Lupe: The brave Nu Deco Ensemble returns to the Miami Beach Bandshell on Saturday with a powerful celebration of the poetry of hip-hop in a program highlighted by a collaboration with Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco. The evening will also include a new suite honoring the music of producer Timbaland, a piece titled “Playground” by YoungArts alum Pascal Le Boeuf, an original work by Nu Deco Ensemble, and the bold and uplifting finale of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Tickets are available at Nu-Deco.org.

Classical royalty: Britain’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, led by music director Vasily Petrenko and rock-star violinist Ray Chen, will return to South Florida with a program featuring Sibelius’ shimmering Second Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, the Violin Concerto. Performances will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach (Kravis.org) and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Arsht Center in Miami (ArshtCenter.org).

Saturday laughs: The Miami Comedy Festival will bring top talents such as Sommore, Earthquake, Bill Bellamy and Lavell Crawford to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Sweet Judy: Singer, songwriter and folk-music heroine Judy Collins will perform in the intimate Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Tie-dye one on: Tarpon River Brewing in downtown Fort Lauderdale will host a tribute to the late Bob Weir on Saturday, a night of soulful jams and community led by popular local Grateful Dead tribute band Crazy Fingers. The jams begin at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Visit TarponRiverBrewing.com.

Take the kids: The South Florida Strawberry Festival returns to South County Regional Park in Boca Raton for three days of family fun on Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Monday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). You’ll find carnival rides, inflatables and bounce houses, and plenty of berry-based food and drinks. For information on tickets and ride wristbands, visit SoFloStrawberryFestival.com.

Walk this way: The Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk returns on Saturday with its funky authenticity intact, featuring live music from Los Wizzards (8 p.m.), vintage vendors at the Artisan Market, and a maze of eye-catching murals along Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. Visit HollywoodCRA.org.

Old dogs, new tricks: “Mutts Gone Nuts” is a touring production of laugh-out-loud entertainment performed by rescued shelter dogs with extraordinary talents. Catch them at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts (TheCenterCS.com) and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center (AventuraCenter.org).

Dancing in the dark: Argentina’s world tango champion Germán Cornejo and his company of dancers, singers and musicians bring the passion and power of “Tango After Dark” to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (ParkerPlayhouse.org) and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach at 7 p.m. Sunday (Kravis.org).

SUNDAY

Sunday laughs: Ismo Leikola is a globally touring Finnish comedian, wordsmith and off-road dirt-buggy enthusiast who recently broke his back in an accident — a sentence piled high with potential humor. Ismo will bring his Perseverance Tour to the Palm Beach Improv stage at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach for performances on Sunday at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Get tickets at Kravis.org.

Guitar man: Juno Award-winning, Canadian jazz and flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook will play The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ParkerPlayhouse.com.

What’s on tap: Symphony of the Americas will come to the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale this weekend to perform “Shall We Dance: Symphonic Music to Move You,” highlighted by the world premiere of a new orchestration of Gershwin’s “Shall We Dance,” reimagined as a concerto for solo tap dancer and orchestra. Performances will feature tap sensation Tommy Sutter, seen recently on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and the national tour of “Some Like It Hot.” Showtimes will be at 2 p.m. Sunday and 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. Visit BrowardCenter.org.

MONDAY

MLK Day: Monday is about remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at events from Miramar to Palm Beach Gardens. Highlights include Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk Boulevard parade at 9:30 a.m. and Carter Park festival at 3 p.m. (KingHolidayCelebration.com); the Unity March in Boca Raton from the MLK Jr. Monument (200 Ruby St.) at 10 a.m., concluding at Mizner Park Amphitheater, where a free celebration will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (MyBoca.us); and the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum’s annual “I Have A Dream” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch at 10 a.m. at Indian Spring Country Club in Boynton Beach (SpadyMuseum.com).

Game day: The College Football Playoff National Championship is Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium, and if you are one of the many locals shut out from getting tickets, the premier watch party will be found at DAER, the dayclub/nightclub in the neon-illuminated shadow of the Guitar Hotel in Hollywood. Featuring “the biggest LED screen in South Florida,” the party will include game-time bites and drink discounts. Doors open at noon. Get ticket information at HardRockNightlife.com.

Note to readers: Many South Florida venues now operate with a dynamic pricing model that changes the cost of seeing a show between the time we compile this roundup and when you see it. This is frustrating for you and us. So instead of specific prices, we have decided to provide a direct link to the latest information on tickets. Please let us know how you feel about this change: bcrandell@sunsentinel.com.

In a way, if you will, it’s equal parts band-off and Band-aid.

The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) will bring college marching bands to Boca Raton on MLK Weekend where they — with pristine performance precision — play their instruments, strut and dance … to beat the band.

Well, kind of.

The bands are from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And rather than a cutthroat competition of cadences and choreography, this show is more about scholarship.

“It’s more of a showcase. Everyone’s a winner,” NBOTB executive producer Derek Webber says. “Each band is going to walk away with $50,000 in scholarship funding back to their university.”

This is the first time the event has been staged in South Florida. The bands are scheduled to hit the field starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Tickets range in price from $27 to $72.

“We really felt, over the last couple years that we’ve been engaged with the folks down your way, that they were very intentional, they were very committed and … we felt that their passion was in the right place,” Webber says. “And so that checked all the boxes for us as far as making us comfortable to move and select [South Florida] as a market for expansion.”

DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOW

Each band gets 10 to 12 minutes to perform on the field, then another six minutes to perform in the stands — something Webber says is unique with NBOTB.

“They’re going to play a recent song and just rock it from the stands. It’s a unique blend of performance on the field and then performance in the stands,” he explains. “So, you get a completely 360 view of what it is to be a part of an HBCU marching band experience.”

The participating bands will be:

• Florida Memorial University — The ROAR (Miami Gardens)
• Bethune-Cookman University — Marching Wildcats (Daytona Beach)
• Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University — The Marching 100 (Tallahassee)
• North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University — Blue & Gold Marching Machine (Greensboro, North Carolina)
• Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — Human Jukebox (Baton Rouge)
• South Carolina State University — Marching 101 (Orangeburg, South Carolina)

“the sound is amazing,” Webber continues. “I mean, if you think about it, our band sizes go from 350 to 275. … Most of our bands are big bands. And you’re going to be able to tell the sound that they bring. It’s quite amazing.”

FREE FAN ENGAGEMENT

The weekend will include other activities as well. The lineup of official activities and community engagement gatherings, all free and open to the public, includes:

• NBOTB Cares Initiative — in which volunteers provide meals and resources to those in need on Thursday, Jan. 15.
• HBCU College & Career Fair — with representatives from more than 30 HBCUs on Friday, Jan. 16.
• Emerging Experience Entrepreneurship Conference — three panels for up-and-coming business owners on Friday, Jan. 16.
• Fan Experience & Stroll Off Competition — with an arts fair, performers and a Greek Stroll Off competition (with fraternity and sorority stepping) on Saturday, Jan. 17

“I just think that if we’re able to create enough exposure for youth, they can dream big and be anything they want to be in life,” Webber says. “And so that’s why we do this. We do this to generate scholarships for youth, give them an opportunity to dream big, and to really create an avenue of awareness for music arts and education, because it’s definitely been dropped off the radar over the last couple of years.”

IT ALL KINDA-SORTA STARTED WITH ‘DRUMLINE’

Webber, who is also CEO of Charlotte-based Webber Marketing, helped with the marketing for the 2002 film, “Drumline,” starring Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldaña and Orlando Jones.

“From ‘Drumline,’ it came to the Honda Battle of the Bands and then from there, when I started up my own firm, I thought I needed an intellectual property. So, I started up the Queen City Battle of the Bands and it grew into the National Battle of the Bands, and I just got sucked up into this band world, right?”

He has been staging NBOTB events around the country for the past 12 years. Though it’s a first-time event in South Florida, Webber has worked in the region before, with the American Black Film Festival and the Orange Blossom Classic, both in Miami-Dade County.

“People always ask me if I played in the band, and I was like, ‘I’ve never played in the band.’ I do not know how to play an instrument,” Webber says. “But I have a love for the sport, the bands and HBCUs. And it started when my dad took me to a game. He went to North Carolina A&T State University, and I can remember being … 7, 8 years old, and halftime came on. I can still remember the song in my head.

“It’s just something about the energy. It’s something about the pageantry. It’s something about the commitment and the fun that everyone is enjoying when they’re performing. I’ve been a fan ever since then.”

Some Florida HBCUs that have participated in past NBOTB shows include Florida A&M University, Edward Waters University and Bethune-Cookman University. Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens makes its debut in the showcase this year.

All in all, NBOTB has been responsible for a little over $2.1 million in scholarships while Webber’s firm has facilitated a little over $30 million in sponsorships/scholarships supporting HBCUs, Webber says.

WHAT MAKES HBCU BANDS IMPORTANT?

Marching bands from HBCUs are a major part of Black culture, Webber says.

“It’s been like that since before the Civil War. That’s the reason why HBCU bands were created back in the day, they were created to help bring energy and build up the morale of the Civil War troops. And they’re continuing to do that. They’re building morale among our fans, our students, our alumni, our communities. …

“I think what makes them unique is being able to perform, to dance, to play the instrument — all at the same time — the different arrangements that they’re going to give you, the energy, the updated songs that they’re going to play, the rhythm, the soul that they bring to it because to see an HBCU band performance is quite amazing.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: 2026 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands

WHEN: Activities take place Jan. 15-17, with the Battle set for 4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Flagler Credit Union Stadium, Florida Atlantic University, 101 N. University Drive, Boca Raton

COST: $27-$72

INFORMATION: nationalbattleofthebands.com