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Tod Goldberg is the author of more than 15 books, including his Gangsterland series about a Chicago hitman who assumes a false identity as a Las Vegas rabbi. Goldberg’s latest is the crime novel, “Only Way Out,” about a crooked plot in an Oregon resort town that goes awry. As well as his writing, Goldberg founded and directs the Low Residency MFA program in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts at the University of California, Riverside. In a 2023 interview with this newspaper, Goldberg said, “In my books, there’s going to be a consequence. There’s always going to be a consequence for a bad thing someone does.” Here, he takes the Book Pages Q&A.

Q. Please tell readers about your new book, “Only Way Out.”

Like a lot of my work, it’s about bad people trying to be good, good people turned bad, and worse people caught in the middle. In this case, instead of being set primarily in the desert (though there is a section in the high desert…I can’t resist), it takes place in a dying resort town on the Oregon coast. And instead of Mafia gangsters, it involves smaller-time crooks, in this case a failed lawyer and his child-prodigy sister who plans an audacious heist, a crooked cop who stumbles on it, and an ex-con who knows too much. So, you know, a happy family story.

Q. What was it like doing a stand-alone novel after working for years on your Gangsterland books?

It was great fun. I’ve devoted the better part of the last 15 years writing about one character – Sal Cupertine, the Chicago gangster who hides out in Las Vegas as the Rabbi David Cohen – and while I enjoyed that immensely, I admit that I was getting restless to do other things. Some of that came out in my book “The Low Desert,” where I was able to expand the criminal universe I’ve been creating for most of my career in short stories, some of which took place in a version of the fictional town I’ve created for “Only Way Out.” On a craft level, it also meant I had to change the way I wrote, which was more challenging, since Sal/David’s voice is such a peculiar one that won’t work for all the stories I want to tell.  

Q. Is there a book or books you always recommend to other readers?

I’m a real evangelist for Daniel Woodrell. His best-known book, “Winter’s Bone,” is a huge favorite of mine, but really his entire catalog is amazing. 

Q. What are you reading now?

I just finished “The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature” by Charlie English, which has some, uhm, startling parallels to our present reality and then Susan Straight’s luminous new novel, “Sacrament.” She’s simply the best in the business. 

Q. How do you decide what to read next?

It’s hard to say – I have a lot of books I haven’t read yet, and yet I keep buying more. Often, it’s the situation that I pick up something to “flip through it,” and then five hours later, I’m still sitting on the floor, my feet asleep, reading. I did just buy a signed Donald Westlake/Richard Stark novel from about 20 years ago – “Nobody Runs Forever” – and I’m planning on diving into that to justify that princely sum I paid for the late author’s work. 

Q. Do you remember the first book that made an impact on you?

I do. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. That book reordered my reality at ten years old. It’s the first time I recall crying while reading, and it’s the first time I experienced violence on the page that felt like an honorable thing. 

Q. Is there a book or type of book you’re reluctant to read?

Well, I just can’t get through “Moby Dick.” I’ve tried. I have. It’s like how some people love tomatoes. I get it, they’re probably pretty good if you like them, but I don’t like the way they taste. 

Q. Can you recall a book that felt like it was written with you in mind (or conversely, one that most definitely wasn’t)?

Oh, yes. “Get Shorty” by Elmore Leonard. When I read that book, I thought: Well, this is the perfect distillation of all my interests!

Q. Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, are there any titles or narrators you’d recommend?

I listen to more audiobooks these days than I read, which has mostly to do with my need to turn my brain off every night at bedtime. Audiobooks do a wonderful job of putting me into a meditative state. I just listened to “The Confidence Game” by Maria Konnikova, which I loved. And then it’s hard to beat Colin Firth reading Graham Greene’s “The End of the Affair,” which I highly recommend if you’re feeling like you’d enjoy a long car ride with a very depressed Colin Firth.

Q. Do you have a favorite book or books?

Of course. Too many, of course. But here’s a few: “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo. “Give Us a Kiss” by Daniel Woodrell. “The Laws of Evening” by Mary Yukari Waters. “Fifth Business” by Robertson Davies. “Mecca” by Susan Straight. “Columbine” by Dave Cullen. “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson. “Father’s Day” by Matthew Zapruder. “Trouble Boys” by Bob Mehr. “These Women” by Ivy Pochoda. “Out of Sight” by Elmore Leonard. “Your House Will Pay” by Steph Cha.

Q. Which books are you planning to read next?

“Subject: Punk: The Photographs of Maggie St. Thomas” by Maggie St. Thomas and “Crooks” by Lou Berney are queued up on my nightstand as we speak.

 Q. Do you have a favorite character or quote from a book?

“I’m a detective and expecting me to run criminals down and then let them go free is like asking a dog to catch a rabbit and let it go. It can be done, all right, and sometimes it is done, but it’s not the natural thing.” – “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett 

Q. Is there a person who made an impact on your reading life — a teacher, a parent, a librarian or someone else?

My older brother Lee. He’s nine years older than me and when he left for college, he left me with bags of classic (and not so classic) crime novels, which essentially became my YA literature. This is why I probably knew more about hitmen than your average 6th grader. 

Q. What do you find the most appealing in a book: the plot, the language, the cover, a recommendation? Do you have any examples?

I’ll follow an interesting character into any kind of fine mess. I’m fascinated by people who make very poor decisions, or people who are pushed into a corner, or people who are pushed into a corner and then make very poor decisions. I think of a book like “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones, one of the scariest damn books I’ve ever read, which I could not tear myself from, just to see what horrible terrible mess was to come next. 

Q. Are you someone who must finish every book you start — or is it OK to put down the ones you don’t connect with?

I put books down all the time. This is why video games and streaming TV were created. 

Q. Is there a book that tapped into an emotion you didn’t expect?

“Five Days at Memorial” by Sheri Fink and also “Ghettoside” by Jill Leovy. Both made me question preconceived notions I had about how society does and does not work.  

Q. Do you have a favorite bookstore or bookstore experience?

My favorite bookstores’ experience of recent vintage came in 2016, the day after the election, when I found myself wandering the stacks at the late, great Sundance Books in Reno, NV, which was housed in this dying old mansion. I spent hours in the store that day, reading bits of books, going into and out of rooms, touching books, sitting quietly among printed friends, reminding myself that what we do as artists has a larger importance. 

Each December in South Florida, Santa prefers to travel around town by sea sleigh.

Of course he calls it a “megayacht,” but we know he’s hiding presents aboard, probably in cahoots with Rudolph.

Don’t believe us? See St. Nick for yourself from Miami to Jupiter, when flotillas of holiday boat parades decked from bow to stern in Christmas lights, elves and tinsel sail our waterways ahead of Christmas Day.

And this year, Santa has added a new route to his “nauti” list: The inaugural Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches, which will fill a geographical gap from North Palm Beach to West Palm Beach when it debuts Dec. 13. The parade route sits smack-dab between the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Lantana’s Lake Osbourne Holiday Boat Parade.

Below, find eight South Florida boat parades that will be keeping our Christmas spirits afloat throughout the month.

North Palm Beach/Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter

What: The 31st annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, presented as always by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, will kick off its twinkling procession, rain or shine, at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. There will be free entry for viewers and thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs for best-decorated vessels. The parade will also collect donations for Toys for Tots and Little Smiles — just wave a flashlight when you see passing boats with flashing amber beacons, and uniformed Marines and volunteers aboard will made dockside pickups for visitors bearing gifts. Those watching from afar can stream the parade live on WPBF-Ch. 25’s app and Facebook.com/wpbf25news. Call 561-863-0012 or go to PalmBeachBoatParade.com.

Routes: The parade will begin in North Palm Beach and follow the Intracoastal north to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse (500 Captain Armours Way), led by a traveling fireworks display. Viewing sites this year include North Palm Beach Country Club, Juno Park, Bert Winters Park, Sawfish Bay Park and Harbourside Place.

Traffic: The Parker Avenue Bridge will open for boats starting at 6 p.m., the PGA Bridge at 6:15 p.m., and the Donald Ross Bridge at 7 p.m. Finally, the Indiantown Road and Jupiter Federal bridges should raise at 7:30 and 7:45 p.m., respectively.

West Palm Beach/Riviera Beach

What: Not to be confused with its older northern neighbor, the inaugural Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches will hit the Intracoastal at 6 p.m. Dec. 13, with 50 festive boats tricked out in tinsel, candy canes, dancing Santas, costumed captains and crews. Sailing from Sailfish Marina on Singer Island, the event was created to fill a parade-route gap between the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade to the north and the Lake Osbourne Holiday Boat Parade to the south, organizers told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Grand marshals Kevin Rolston, Virginia Sinicki and Jason Pennington from 97.9 WRMF’s “The KVJ Show” will lead the procession. There’ll be a 4-8 p.m. VIP viewing party ($35 for children age 10 and younger, $75 for adults) at Sailfish Marina Resort (98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores) with a DJ, photo booth, a buffet-style dinner and fireworks. On-site toy donations will benefit The Little Smiles Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Call 561-844-1724 or go to SailfishMarina.com.

Routes: Decorated vessels will assemble north of the Blue Heron Bridge. A 6 p.m. fireworks display is set to kick off the parade, which will cruise south along the Palm Beach side of the Intracoastal, then loop back at Safe Harbor Rybovich Marina (4200 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach) along the west side before finishing in North Palm Beach.

Traffic: There will be limited Sailfish Marina parking for $20, and bleachers will be set up for free viewing. Trolleys will run back and forth from multiple parking lots on Singer Island.

Wellington

What: Why schlep east to the Intracoastal when Santa is perfectly happy to get rowdy in the suburbs? That’s the appeal of this returning Holiday Boat Parade, in which a flotilla of 30 festooned boats will bob around the waters of Lake Wellington starting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Call 561-753-2484 or go to WellingtonFL.gov.

Routes: Launching from Meadowland Cove around 6:20 p.m., the flotilla is scheduled to pass behind the Wellington Community Center (12150 Forest Hill Blvd.) at 6:30 p.m. then loop around the lake.

Traffic: Parking is abundant in the lots next to the Wellington Community Center and Village Hall, accessible via Town Center Promenade (12300 Forest Hill Blvd.) Visitors should provide their own seating.

Lantana/Lake Worth Beach

What: Parade brass expects 50 to 60 vessels aglow in garlands and bright lights to take part in the 11th annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade, kicking off at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. The parade is funded by the Osborne Yacht Club and by donations from Lantana-area residents. Go to Facebook.com and search for “1th annual Lake Osborne Holiday Boat Parade.”

Routes: The two-hour counterclockwise procession will begin at The Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar (2412 Floral Road, Lantana) and motor north, hugging the eastern shoreline before doubling back at Lake Worth Road and returning to The Hive. Top vantage points: anywhere along the Lake Osborne Drive perimeter and the John Prince Park campground (2700 Sixth Ave. S., Lake Worth Beach). Volunteers will collect unwrapped toys at The Hive to benefit Little Smiles.

Traffic: Parking is plentiful at The Hive, John Prince Park and along Lake Osborne Drive.

Lantana/Boynton Beach/Delray Beach

What: One of the oldest SoFlo shows on the waterway, the 53rd annual Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade will push off from the Boynton Harbor Marina with its bedazzled flotilla at 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Wave a flashlight and boats with amber-colored beacons will make dockside pickups for Toys for Tots donations, or drop off toys at donation boxes at Banana Boat, Prime Catch and Two Georges Waterfront Grille, all in Boynton Beach. Call 561-600-9097 or go to BoyntonBeachCRA.com.

Routes: The procession will gather around the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana at 6:30 p.m. and drift south to the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach (south of Linton Boulevard). For primo views, stake out the Boynton Harbor Marina (735 Casa Loma Blvd.), featuring a Santa visit and live music from Making Faces.

Traffic: Parking is abundant at many of the viewing parks along the parade route, but most can park at Boynton Harbor Marina. Bridges will be closed at Ocean Avenue (7:15 p.m.), Woolbright Road (7:30 p.m.), George Bush Boulevard (7:45 p.m.), Atlantic Avenue (8 p.m.) and Linton Boulevard (8:15 p.m.).

Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point and Deerfield Beach

What: The 63rd edition of the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Holiday Boat Parade will float down the Intracoastal at 7 p.m. Dec. 12. The 50-boat extravaganza will feature appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus and be livestreamed at Facebook.com/pompanobeachchamber. Call 954-941-2940 or go to PompanoBeachChamber.com.

Routes: Because the procession stretches from Lake Santa Barbara north to Hillsboro Boulevard, there will be three public viewing stands: Miraggio Italian Grill 3100-3200 E. Atlantic Blvd.), Sands Harbor Resort (125 N. Riverside Drive) and Alsdorf Park (2901 NE 14th St., Pompano Beach). Competing boats will perform a spin for judges at Miraggio.

Traffic: Bridges on Atlantic Boulevard, 14th Street Causeway and Hillsboro Boulevard will be locked upright from 6:15 p.m. until the final vessel passes by.

Fort Lauderdale

What: We’ve gotten Pitbull, Flo Rida, Shaquille O’Neal, Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat to wear the Grand Marshal crown in recent years, so it only makes sense to pass the reins to the dynamic duo we all had on our bingo cards: Grammy-nominated ’90s R&B singer Montell Jordan (“This Is How We Do It”) and Miami pop artist Romero Britto. Both will helm the 54th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 13, leading a packed bill of personalities including singer Ryan Cabrera, NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, TV’s Capt. Lee and Miss Florida Lou Schieffelin, with music by the Yacht Rockettes and Rick and Flo Celender. As always, the best perch to view the procession is the Parade Viewing Area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park (80 Las Olas Circle), for a fee of $40 for adults and $35 for children age 12 and younger. Chairs will be provided, and music act Shane Duncan Band is scheduled to perform. The parade will be streamed live via Winterfest’s Facebook and YouTube pages and later broadcast at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 on WSVN-Ch. 7. Call 954-767-0686 or go to WinterfestParade.com.

Routes: Stretching from the Stranahan House in downtown Fort Lauderdale north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach, the 12-mile route will feature by far South Florida’s biggest fleet of yachts and boats decked out with holiday decorations.

Traffic: Schedules for all bridge closings (and there are many) are listed on the Winterfest Boat Parade website.

Miami

What: Biscayne Bay will once again be blanketed in twinkling Christmas colors when Miami Outboard Club’s 26th annual Holiday Boat Parade returns at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, ending with an 8:45 p.m. fireworks show at Bayfront Park (301 Biscayne Blvd.), organizers say. Before and during the parade, visitors may donate unwrapped toys at Miami Outboard Club (1099 MacArthur Causeway). Call 305-379-3000.

Routes: Roughly 50 to 60 boats will motor along the Bayfront Park shoreline and hang north, pass beneath the MacArthur Causeway, then weave around Star, Palm and Hibiscus Islands before looping back to Bayfront.

Traffic: Of course, parking is as scarce as a snowflake in the Keys, but there are parking garages and metered spaces around downtown, if you’re lucky enough. The best viewing angles are at Bayside Marketplace (401 Biscayne Blvd.), Bayfront Park and the southern tip of Maurice A. Ferré Park (1075 Biscayne Blvd.).

It is common nowadays for playwrights to go back and forth between stage and screen assignments, but Tom Stoppard, whose death at 88 was announced Saturday, was an early adopter of the practice, with TV credits going back to the early 1960s.

Some entries in his impressively lengthy collection of screenplays were originals, but he was especially in demand both as a script doctor (usually uncredited) and as a go-to scribe for literary adaptations. In that latter capacity, he was able to tackle novels by writers as wildly different as John le Carré, Leo Tolstoy, E.L. Doctorow, Vladimir Nabokov, J.G. Ballard and Ford Madox Ford.

Below you will find a selection of films with Stoppard screenplays that are available on major U.S. streaming platforms. (Those curious about his work on Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s “Despair,” a Nabokov adaptation, will have to poke around YouTube.)

‘The Romantic Englishwoman’

1975

Stoppard was enthralled with the world of letters, and in this Joseph Losey film Michael Caine plays one of the many writers to pop up in the Stoppard oeuvre. Caine’s character is married to a woman played by the mighty Glenda Jackson, with the sexily enigmatic Helmut Berger in the middle — a lineup that, like the film, could not be more mid-1970s. The source material is a novel by Thomas Wiseman, who co-wrote the screenplay, but the Stoppardian touches feel obvious as life constantly bleeds into fiction, and vice versa, to the point where it becomes difficult to tell what’s inspiring what. Stream it on Tubi.

A Trifecta of Intelligent Intelligence

1979

Stoppard had a lifelong fascination with espionage, and amateurs of that genre should check out his work in three movies based on novels by bestselling masters. First is his Graham Greene adaptation “The Human Factor,” a coldly detached drama about the uncovering of a mole inside the British secret service. The wreckage caused in this movie is less cloak-and-dagger than psychological torment. Rent or buy it on most major platforms.

1990

The Cold War is depicted in a flashier way in “The Russia House,” based on a John le Carré book. Sean Connery plays a publisher (there’s that literary connection again) and Michelle Pfeiffer dons a Russian accent as a mysterious woman who sends him an even more mysterious manuscript. Stream it on Tubi.

2002

The best of this trilogy of sorts is the Robert Harris adaptation “Enigma,” a potboiler involving the British code breakers stationed at Bletchley Park during World War II — a great setting for a writer as enamored with the connection between language and ideas as Stoppard. Rent or buy it on Fandango at Home.

‘Brazil’

1985

Terry Gilliam’s dystopian movie is the funniest tragedy of the past half-century, or the saddest comedy — Janet Maslin described it as “a jaunty, wittily observed vision of an extremely bleak future” in her review for The New York Times. What is certain is that “Brazil” is an incredibly influential film about the pressure to conform and madness as an escape. Stoppard (who wrote the “Brazil” screenplay with Gilliam and Charles McKeown) and his family had left their native Czechoslovakia in 1939, but he always had a strong connection with his homeland — which may have fed the themes of doublespeak, sloganeering, surveillance and authoritarian power found in “Brazil.” Rent or buy it on most major platforms.

‘Empire of the Sun’

1987

Stoppard adapted a semiautobiographical novel by British writer J.G. Ballard for what would turn out to be one of Steven Spielberg’s best films of the 1980s. The story centers on a young British boy (Christian Bale, in his first major role) who spends most of World War II in a Japanese internment camp in Shanghai where he must fend for himself. This is likely to have been an evocative setting for Stoppard, who had spent the early 1940s in Singapore with his family, before being evacuated to India. Rent or buy it on most major platforms.

‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’

1990

Stoppard himself directed this screen adaptation of his breakthrough play, from 1966. A comic “Hamlet” spinoff, the story moves the title characters, played here by Gary Oldman and Tim Roth, from the periphery of the story to its center. Verbose, filled with references and wordplay, it is ur-Stoppard. The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival; a runner-up was Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas,” so not too shabby for Stoppard’s lone directorial effort.

Stream it on Tubi.

‘Shakespeare in Love’

1998

Stoppard’s most famous screenplay remains that of the historical romantic comedy “Shakespeare in Love,” for which he and writer Marc Norman shared an Academy Award in 1999. The movie mixed life, repartee and art in a riff on Shakespeare, this one imagining a story grafting itself onto “Romeo & Juliet.”

“As with ‘Rosencrantz,’ the movie is both Stoppardian and Shakespearean, which is to say it is an antic original but also respectful of its source,” Mel Gussow wrote in the Times. He also pointed out that even though Stoppard and Norman shared the credit, “the dialogue has the linguistic limberness of Mr. Stoppard at his wittiest.” Stream it on Paramount+.

‘Parade’s End’

2012

Boiling down Ford Madox Ford’s modernist tetralogy into a miniseries was no small task, but Stoppard was up for it. The project gave Benedict Cumberbatch one of his finest roles as a government statistician who fights in the trenches of the Great War and is torn between two women. The mood is certainly not light, but “Mr. Stoppard sifts delicious bits of dialogue from the novel’s long, stream-of-consciousness monologues,” Alessandra Stanley wrote in the Times, “and he is especially good at drawing out the light comedy beneath all the ill will and betrayal.” Stream it on HBO.

‘Anna Karenina’

2012

Stoppard returned to Russia over and over again in his work, most notably in his trilogy “The Coast of Utopia.” So it wasn’t a surprise to see him take on one of that country’s literary summits, “Anna Karenina.” According to A.O. Scott’s review in the Times, Stoppard and director Joe Wright’s take on the Tolstoy masterpiece “is risky and ambitious enough to count as an act of artistic hubris, and confident enough to triumph on its own slightly — wonderfully — crazy terms.” Set in a theater, the film was deliberately stagy, with Stoppard focusing on one aspect of the story. “The word ‘love’ is central to the book, and to our movie,” he said. “I decided not to work on including those parts of the novel that might be about something else.” Rent or buy it on most major platforms.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

They still have it in them.

Gathering recently at Lynn University in Boca Raton, 14 South Florida alumnae of the Radio City Rockettes, ages 44 to 94, took to the stage and performed one of the troupe’s signature routines: the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, taking straight-legged steps in a perfectly aligned pinwheel, all heads turned to the right.

It was a few minutes of joy for each of them. After several go-rounds, they laughed, clapped, obsessed over each move and recalled when they were younger and the tiny steps didn’t hurt their hips.

Dancing with the famous kickline, which has been a centerpiece of Radio City Music Hall in New York since 1932, was the seminal event in many of their lives, and shaped who many became in later years. In Florida today, where at least 30 live, many are performers and teachers, Pilates instructors and choreographers.

“It’s a sisterhood but it’s also a family. You go through a lot together,” said Marcella Seymour Kiernan, 44, a Jupiter resident who made the squad in 2006 and 2008. “People see you as a part of history. When I get introduced today, they say, ‘Did you know she was a Rockette?’ ”

Although she only worked two seasons, Kiernan said the Rockettes remain her fixation. She has 15 Rockette Barbies in boxes that she displays in her home at Christmas. She has more than 20 Rockette Christmas ornaments and dedicates a whole tree in her home to the troupe. And she travels to New York every year to see the team’s world-famous “Christmas Spectacular.”

In this 100th anniversary year of the iconic precision ensemble, Rockette veterans from around the country have been traveling to New York for reunions and dance parties, and of course, for the “Spectacular,” which is being performed at Radio City from Nov. 19 to Jan. 5.

A hundred years ago, the Rockettes had a modest debut as the “Missouri Rockets” in St. Louis. But in 1932, the troupe relocated to Radio City Music Hall, where they became the “Roxyettes” and then the “Rockettes.” They have since undergone many changes, but still perform every year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. They appear throughout the year at events and shows, including the Tony Awards and “Saturday Night Live.”

They keep up with the times by posting regularly on social media, including Instagram (@therockettes), where they have 1.2 million followers, and Facebook (Facebook.com/rockettes), where their fans total 2.6 million.

Boca Raton resident Temple Kane, 53, was a Rockette from 1996 to 2009. She remembers wanting so desperately to join the troupe that she crunched her abdomen to make herself shorter as a staffer measured her height during tryouts. At the time, 5 feet 9 inches was the maximum height allowed; Kane is 5-foot-10.

Somehow she shrunk her stature enough to be accepted.

Being a Rockette is a full-time job each year from October, when rehearsals begin, to early January, when the last show is performed at Radio City. Rehearsals are six days a week, said Danielle Jolie Dale-Hancock, a West Palm Beach resident who performed from 1993 to 2010.

There are 80 women in the troupe dancing in two squads, and there are several shows each day of the week, leading to intense workdays with lots of kicks. According to the New York Theatre Guide, there are at least 160 high kicks per show, which can add up to 650 in a day.

This physical stress takes its toll: Dale-Hancock said the most common injuries include blisters, bunions and sore hips, ankles, shoulders and hamstrings.

There are several notable South Florida alumnae of the Rockettes, including:

• Danielle Jolie Dale-Hancock, 53, of West Palm Beach, an assistant drama professor at Lynn University.
• Michiko Wilson-Ryan, 52, of Miami, one of the few Asian American dancers in the troupe and possibly the first of American Indian heritage (Sioux). She performed from 1999 to 2004.
• Joy Prouty, 84, of Delray Beach, who danced from 1959 to 1961 and is director of education and programming for Zumba LLC and former owner of several Palm Beach County fitness studios.
• Cheryl Steinthal, 71, of Boynton Beach, a Rockette in 1975 and 1976 and choreographer for The New Florida Follies, a senior dance troupe that performs in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
• Patsy Brady Walters Scalise, 94, of Fort Lauderdale, one of the oldest alumnae and a Rockette from 1949 to 1951.

Dale-Hancock said the Rockettes remain American superstars because in a chaotic world, the audience knows what to expect from these beautifully postured, athletic women who have evolved with the times but are firmly rooted in tradition.

“In a world that constantly changes, it’s nice to have something consistent,” she said. “You can rely on our eye-high kicks.”

Crime fiction makes us examine who we are and how we, as a society, deal with life’s challenges.

2025 was another outstanding year with standard favorites and debuting authors offering their stories. 2025 also saw an unusual number of short story collections based on various themes.

These were the works that stayed with me throughout the year. Once again, narrowing my favorites was difficult, but it’s a wonderful problem to have.

Money — or rather the lack of it — motivates three sisters in “El Dorado Drive,” an intelligent, character-driven thriller that spins on the suspense that infiltrates family dynamics. Raised in the affluent town of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the sisters were used to the privilege that wealth brings. Until the money dwindled from a series of situations, first because of their father, then their husbands, making them ripe for scams. Abbott succinctly looks at how the heedless pursuit of money and appearances can be soul-numbing, while also exploring the paralyzing effects of regret.

In “The Proving Ground,” the eighth Mickey Haller novel, the Lincoln Lawyer files a negligence suit against a technology company on behalf of a mother whose daughter was murdered. The company is accused of devising a chatbot companion that may target teenagers, especially teenage boys. Mickey is no longer the Lincoln Lawyer – he now drives a Bolt. And he’s given up lucrative criminal law in favor of civil law, which can be profitable but the payoff is slower. Mickey must prove to his clients and to himself that he can manage his new career path. Connelly strongly weaves in current issues, making even the most complicated subjects understandable. In 2025, Connelly also published a second outstanding procedural, “Nightshade,” which launched a new series about L.A. County Sheriff Detective Stilwell stationed in Santa Catalina Island. “Nightshade” turns a light on the greed, corruption and exploitation of the working class that flows through the island.

Several crooks inhabit the outstanding “Crooks.” Most of them are members of the Mercurio family, including the parents and their five children. Spanning more than 50 years, “Crooks” works as both an epic crime tale and an intimate family story as Berney concentrates on his characters. Spare writing, akin to the late Elmore Leonard, quickly gets to the heart and soul of each character. A legacy of criminal tendencies filters through each Mercurio, even those who insist they are law-abiding.

Downing balances dark humor with a hard-boiled approach in “Too Old for This,” impressively keeping the reader on the side of Lottie Jones, a 75-year-old grandmother who used to be a serial killer. Lottie believes she’s retired. She changed her name, moved to a new area, lives quietly, has friends and attends church twice weekly, mainly for the bingo. Then a young producer shows up wanting to do a documentary series. Goodbye, retirement. But Lottie finds new challenges with electronics pinging locations, social media posts, DNA technology. And she often needs a nap.

Lillie delves deep into the treatment of Native American communities and the preservation of their remains in “The Bone Thief,” a second formidable novel about Cherokee archaeologist Syd Walker with the Rhode Island Bureau of Indian Affairs. A detailed look at Native American history and culture never overrides the gripping plot. The discovery of the 300-year-old remains of an infant at an exclusive summer camp and plans for a state-of-the-art museum bring out dark secrets about a group whose wealthy, powerful members claim ancestral rights over contested land, revisiting the tensions between the Native Americans and European colonists.

In “King of Ashes,” Cosby shows the trajectory of Atlanta finance manager Roman Caruthers – akin to Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” – whose initial avoidance of “the family business” gives way to the eventual loss of his soul. Roman is the epitome of an anti-hero, maybe not even worth rooting for, too slick for his own good, arrogant and entitled. But those flaws work because Cosby makes us invested in his outcome. We need to know what happens and how Roman corrals the dark and lethal that’s unleashed in him.

A family grapples with its past, present and a shaky future as the rural area they own in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is invaded by developers, part-time residents and tourists who lack respect and concern about the land where the Sawbrook family’s roots go back to the 19th century. “The Trouble Up North” is a heartfelt story that combines classism, economic struggles, family legacy and parental love, all packed into a tidy plot.

Fredericks takes another leap at creating engrossing historical mysteries depicting real people. Set in New York City during 1920, Fredericks focuses on charming gambler and womanizer Joseph Elwell, whose murder was covered by beginning journalist Morris Markey, with appearances by F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Fredericks doesn’t sanitize the real people, but draws complete portraits including their strengths and flaws. And the Fitzgeralds have a lot of flaws, which are well-documented. “The Girl in the Green Dress” is the perfect marriage of character, era, setting and intriguing plot as Fredericks did in her terrific 2024 novel “The Wharton Plot” about author Edith Wharton.

The action-packed “The Oligarch’s Daughter” is equal parts political thriller and love story in which an investment analyst marries a seemingly struggling photographer. Her down-market East Greenwich Village apartment and simple lifestyle suggest financial struggles — until he met her billionaire father, a Russian oligarch whose mega-opulent lifestyle is beyond luxurious. Guess what! His business isn’t completely legitimate. The newlywed finds his father-in-law’s henchmen and the FBI are overly interested in him and his new family.

Who hasn’t wanted to leave a nasty note on a car whose driver cut you off, stole your parking spot or was just rude. Friends on a getaway to the Hamptons do just that in “The Note.” But this is not a one-and-done as they find out when they become suspects when the driver disappears. “A simple little note — but the potential for so much damage,” writes Burke, who weaves in women’s friendships and cancel culture.

“Low April Sun” is a poignant look at how the bombing of Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building affected a family. Squires’ novel is considered the first work of fiction to tackle what was the worst act of homegrown terrorism in U.S. history, which marked its 30th anniversary on April 19, 2025. Instead of a historical accounting of how and why this horrific act happened, Squires skillfully mines its effect on a family and how they maneuvered a morass of grief trying to rebuild their live. Squires pinpoints the moral center and the lasting effects of a tragedy.

While football is at the crux of this brisk plot, it isn’t necessary to be a fan, as Edgar Award winner Cranor explores greed, the corruption of the sport, its often naive players and hero worship in “Mississippi Blue 42.” An FBI agent investigating the University of Central Mississippi Chiefs football program tackles a history of fraud, deceit, suspicious deaths and a corrupt politician. Game on.

The five investigators in this new elite, cerebral FBI team call themselves “Head Cases” because, as one character says, they “mostly live in their heads.” Publicly, they are known as the FBI’s Patterns and Recognition team — PAR. The agents would rather stay in the office, but don’t shy away from action. The tight-knit investigators respect each other’s skills and care about their colleagues’ welfare and personal lives, without being intrusive. Rumors that PAR may be dissolved brings them closer but doesn’t affect their devotion to their investigation.

BEST DEBUTS

(in alphabetical order)

A strange photograph leads a young woman to learn that she had an aunt named Carol, who, as a teenager, disappeared decades before but who was never discussed by the family. Carol’s vanishing coincided with the disappearance of six other Black teenage girls between 1963 and 1965 from the same area of Raleigh, N.C. “We Don’t Talk About Carol” is a riveting story of racism, family, community, motherhood and decades of secrets wrapped in a solid plot filled with believable characters and situations.

Pan delivers the story of two young slackers who inadvertently are drawn into the drug trade in “Florida Palms,” a gritty, uncompromising look at the criminal underworld of Central Florida. Pan excels at making the reader care about the two teenagers, who start out as naïve. Pan shows how the Space Coast was shaped by the aerospace industry that elevated the region and now, because of economics, is on the downslide

The rich scenery of New Zealand and Scotland become facets in themselves in “The Vanishing Place,” while informing the gripping plot and shaping the believable characters. Now a police officer in Scotland, Effie escaped the New Zealand wilderness where she was raised off the grid, isolated with her family. Effie returns to New Zealand to help a girl who may be her niece and who, like her, witnessed a violent act. The plot unravels at a perfect pace as Rankin immerses the story in scenery.

SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGIES

Author Copenhaver and publisher West tapped 26 authors to deliver stories about LGBTQ+ life, community and concerns using queer icons as inspiration in “Crime Ink: Iconic.” Brief essays from each contributor about who inspired their short story as well as brief biographies of the authors are featured.

Art critic, literary editor, biographer and author S.S. Van Dine devised “Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Fiction” during the early 20th Century that did more to hamper than enhance the genre. Frankly, those rules made no sense then and even less now. The 20 authors in the smart “Double Crossing Van Dine” don’t just ignore those rules but “break them like kindling,” as McPherson writes. Today, Van Dine may be recognized only by those steeped in the history of mystery fiction. But the authors in this anthology are making an impact.

The story songs by the late Stephen Sondheim, arguably the greatest composer of musical theater who ever lived, are the perfect fodder for this collection.

Each author in this collection has worked in the entertainment business in some aspect — as a performer, a producer, a writer, even catering. Each contributor’s proceeds are being donated to the California Community Foundations Wildfire Recovery Fund. The editors included a mixture of styles, from the hard-boiled to the cozy. Many stories feature well-known landmarks and favorite sites such as Larry Edmunds’ bookstore.

The prestigious “Strand” magazine dates to 1891 — it was the first place readers heard of Sherlock Holmes as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” appeared here. This anniversary book shows the breadth of short stories the magazine has published during the last 25 years under the Gullis, a brother and sister team. Yes, there is a story by Michael Connelly but also Ray Bradbury, Tennessee Williams, Rudyard Kipling and H.G. Wells, among others.

NONFICTION

An apt title for this comprehensive biography of the late Elmore Leonard, the master of American crime fiction who definitely is and was one of the coolest authors ever. A Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Leonard’s entertaining plots were punctuated by punchy, tightly coiled prose filled with wit and grit. Many of Leonard’s novels landed on best-sellers lists and remain timeless. “Get Shorty,” “Jackie Brown” and “Justified” are just a few of the films and TV series launched from his books. Just remember his advice to writers: Never start a book with weather.

You know how a cold snap for us is around 70 degrees? Yes, it’s truly paradise. But that sunny subtropicalness can make it a little tricky to get into the Christmas vibe.

After all, the best we can do for a winter wonderland is white sand beaches, with SoFlo Santa rocking a tank-top, shorts, flip-flops and shades.

If that’s got you feeling all Grinchy, here’s something to soothe those yuletide yearnings: a roundup of holiday-themed shows in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Please note: Ticket prices may not include fees and taxes. Also, we will continue to refresh this list, so you may want to keep checking back. Enjoy the shows!

”TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE …’ BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Based on Clement Clarke Moore’s iconic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show is making its SoFlo debut with this West Palm Beach run.
WHEN: Through Nov. 30
WHERE: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach
COST: $57.50-$155.25
INFORMATION: 561-832-7469; kravis.org

BOCA BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS “THE NUTCRACKER”

Clara’s dream unfolds as the Nutcracker Prince, Mouse King, and Sugar Plum Fairy all come to life in this version of the Christmas classic created by co-artistic director Dan Guin. Special guest artists include Zimmi Coker and Carlos Gonzalez, both of the American Ballet Theatre. Also, following the 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday, there will be The Gingerbread Ball where children can meet the cast and get a good bag.
WHEN:

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28
• 2 and 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30

WHERE: Olympic Heights Performing Arts Theater, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton
COST:

• $25-$55
• The Gingerbread Ball is $12 per child

INFO: 561-995-0709; bocaballet.org

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

The Wick Theatre will produce an elaborate staging of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” with a large cast and a score by Broadway legends Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens
WHEN: Nov. 28-Dec. 24
WHERE: The Wick Theatre & Museum Club, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
COST: $89-$119
INFORMATION: thewick.org

SYMPHONY OF THE AMERICAS PRESENTS ‘JUST LIKE THE ONES WE USED TO KNOW’ HOLIDAY CONCERT

Conducted by Luke Frazier, this holiday concert will feature Laurie Jennings, the Emmy-winning TV news reporter and former WPLG-TV anchor, as well as guest vocalists Nova Payton (sang with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack), Eric Ulloa (Gloria Estefan musical, “On Your Feet”) and Amanda McGovern (winner of American Pops Orchestra’s NextGen Vocal Competition).
WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Dec. 1-2
WHERE: Amaturo Theater at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
COST: $64.90-$118
INFORMATION: sota.org; browardcenter.org

ONE JOYOUS NIGHT GOSPEL CONCERT

Grammy Award-winning and gospel music superstar — and co-star of the Broadway musical “Hell’s Kitchen” — Yolanda Adams is the headliner for this holiday show. Soul/R&B-gospel ensemble Sensere will also perform. The event is presented by the City of Lauderhill as well as WHQT Hot 105 and WEDR 99Jamz radio stations.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill
COST: $85-$125
INFORMATION: lpacfl.com

FLORIDA GRAND OPERA’S ‘SILENT NIGHT’

Based on Christian Carion’s Academy Award-nominated 2005 movie “Joyeux Noël,” this opera recounts the extraordinary moment during World War I when Scottish, French and German soldiers laid down their weapons to share a night of peace. The production is a team effort between Florida Grand Opera (FGO), The Atlanta Opera and Opera Carolina. “Launching our season with ‘Silent Night’ is deeply symbolic,” FGO general director Maria Todaro said. “It reminds us that even in times of division and despair, there is always a moment when humanity prevails. Music becomes the common thread that binds, heals and restores.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and Dec. 6
WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
COST: $54-$215
INFORMATION: 954-462-0222; fgo.org

BALLET PALM BEACH PRESENTS ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

The professional ballet company of the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast presents this Christmas classic where Marie is spirited away for adventures in an enchanted winter wonderland.
WHEN:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 5
• 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6
• 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 7

WHERE: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
COST: $28.75-$143.75
INFO: kravis.org

”TIS THE SEASON’ CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA FUNDRAISER CONCERT

With an ensemble of more than 150 musicians, this benefit concert from the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Broward College will spotlight holiday classics, movie favorites and singalongs.
WHEN: 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: Bailey Hall at Broward College, 3501 Davie Road, Davie
COST: $15
INFORMATION: eventbrite.com

SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S PERFORMANCE OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH AND HOLIDAY POPS

Led by Sebrina María Alfonso, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra will perform the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah,” which culminates in the “Hallelujah” chorus, as well as a collection of modern Holiday Pops favorites. There will be a pre-concert presentation with Alan Mason 30 minutes before the concert featuring an in-depth conversation and insights about the works and composer.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
COST: $41.30-$147.50
INFORMATION: parkerplayhouse.com

SERAPHIC FIRE’S ”TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS’

The Miami-based professional a cappella choral ensemble will present its signature candle-lit Christmas program throughout South Florida. “Somehow the music of the Christmas season brings that sensation of eagerness and hopeful wonder back to all of us, whether we’re 5, 55 or 95,” conductor James Bass said. “That’s what we will be trying to capture in this program. Seraphic Fire’s holiday concert is the perfect way to start the season.” In addition to Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, performances will take place in Coral Gables, Miami, Cutler Bay and Naples.
WHEN/WHERE:

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 333 Tarpon Drive, Fort Lauderdale
• 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton

COST:

• $68 general admission; $85-$95 reserved (Fort Lauderdale)
• $65 general admission; $85-$95 reserved (Boca Raton)

INFORMATION: 305-285-9060; seraphicfire.org

FLORIDA INTERGENERATIONAL ORCHESTRA’S HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA CONCERT

Now in its 20th season, the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra — as the name spells out — unites children, parents, grandparents and retirees into one music group, with members ranging in age from 8 to 96. “This concert is all about joy, connection and community,” said conductor Lorraine Marks-Field. “It’s wonderful to see generations performing side by side, sharing the gift of music together.”
WHEN: 3 p.m. Dec. 7
WHERE: O’Shea Hall at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton
COST: $23.18-$44.52
INFORMATION: 561-922-3134; flioa.org

QUIRKY CHRISTMAS CABARET

South Florida-based entertainer Jennifer McClain returns for a third consecutive year with her mix of classic Christmas tunes, comedy, singalongs and a few surprise guests.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 9-11
WHERE: The Foundry, 2306 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors
COST: $37.50-$53.50
INFORMATION: ronnielarsen.com

CHRIS MACDONALD’S MEMORIES OF ELVIS ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY’ DINNER SHOW

Elvis Presley tribute artist Chris MacDonald brings the special holiday edition of his show performing of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s most popular renditions of Christmas songs. Tickets include a three-course meal.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 12
WHERE: The Paddock Restaurant at Palm Beach Kennel Club racetrack,1111 Congress Ave., West Palm Beach
COST: $80.89-$94.49
INFORMATION: pbkennelclub.com

SOULFUL CHRISTMAS

This weekend celebration of music, art and cultural heritage will transform Fort Lauderdale’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center into a unique take on a tropical winter wonderland.

• A free “Soulful Christmas Concert” with Hued Songs from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 will feature artists such as Ja’Nia Harden (jazz/R&B), Erron Cooper (gospel singer), Brittany Graham (operatic soprano) and Wilkie Ferguson III (Broadway/TV performer)
• A “Soulful Christmas Community Day of Celebration” from 1-5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 will include holiday storytelling and singalongs, LEGO Christmas Ornament Making, Ugly Christmas Sweater Decorating, Super Soul Steppers performance, gift giveaways (while supplies last), a Hued Songs concert, Delou Africa performance, face painting, holiday crafts for all ages and more.

WHERE: African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
COST: Free
INFORMATION: broward.org

PENTATONIX: CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY TOUR

The Grammy-winning vocal group is bringing their holiday concert tour to SoFlo featuring the five a cappella singers (including baritone Scott Hoying, who twinkled his toes on the latest season of “Dancing with the Stars”).
WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 15
WHERE: Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise
COST: $52-$522
INFORMATION: amerantbankarena.com

PATRICK LAMB’S A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TOUR

Saxophonist Patrick Lamb performs live as the iconic Charlie Brown animated  TV Christmas special plays on a screen in the background. In addition to his band, Lamb will be joined by a Delray Beach student choir for this family-friendly holiday concert.
WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 17
WHERE: The Amphitheatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
COST: $27.37 (bring your own lawn chair)-$266.25
INFORMATION: downtowndelraybeach.com

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY’

New City Players has a new take on a Christmas classic with Frank Capra’s iconic movie reimagined as a radio play, complete with live Foley sound effects and a cast of five actors voicing almost three dozen characters. “Most people are familiar with ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” said producing artistic director Tim Davis. “While the style and venue of this show will feel fresh, at its heart the story remains the same: A man who has felt like he has lost everything realizes that what is most important in his life all along has been his community.” Doors open an hour before showtime for cocoa, carols and a curated menu from The Palm Cafe at General Provision in Fort Lauderdale.
WHEN: Dec. 18-21
WHERE: General Provision Downtown, 300 SW 1st Ave., Suite 155, Fort Lauderdale
COST: $30-$35
INFORMATION: 954-376-6114; newcityplayers.org

ARTS BALLET THEATRE OF FLORIDA’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

This production set to Tchaikovsky’s score is choreographed by artistic director Vladimir Issaev. The performance will spotlight the company’s professional dancers in key roles, as well as a community cast of children from Issaev’s School of Classical Ballet and local character artists.
WHEN:

• 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18 (Smart Stage Matinee Series)
• 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20
• 3 p.m. Dec. 21

WHERE: The Parker, 707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
COST:

• $31.27-57.53
• $10.01 per ticket for Smart Stage Matinee Series

INFORMATION: parkerplayhouse.com

SARGE’S CHRISTMAS-CHANUKAH-NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA

Standup comedian Sarge brings his holiday-themed act back to Boca Raton, where he is a longtime favorite. Known not only for comedy but also for his vocals and self-taught virtuoso piano skills, the Miami Beach-born Sarge grew up the adopted biracial son of a Jewish couple in Brooklyn.
WHEN: Dec. 24-25, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 1
WHERE: The Wick Theatre & Museum Club, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
COST: $80-$100
INFORMATION: thewick.org

From the bones of century-old warehouses, the $1 billion NORA District has finally opened its first wave of restaurants, retailers and fitness centers north of downtown West Palm Beach.

In past months, the area around NORA — named for its main thoroughfare North Railroad Avenue — has bustled with construction cranes, urbanites in athleisure and young professionals. Gone are industrial stonecutters and boarded-up motorbike shops spanning North Quadrille to Palm Beach Lakes boulevards, replaced by a hip corridor surfaced in cobblestone that stretches past retailers Warby Parker and ZenHippo and car-centric cafe Sunday Motor Co.

A dining scene is beginning to blossom in this trendy complex, with hot slices from Brooklyn export Juliana’s Pizza beside sweet scoops from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Shoppers luxuriate on sidewalk patios, sipping turmeric shots from Celis Juice Bar and noshing on bacon-egg-cheese sandwiches from newly opened H&H Bagels.

And soon, South Floridians will even be able to live here. Scheduled to open in November 2026, the 201-room Nora Hotel by Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD Hotels will feature Big Apple-based, French brasserie Pastis, plus a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway to the east and Lake Mangonia to the west.

And that’s just Phase 1. The second phase, expected to break ground early next year, includes an 11-story, 350-unit apartment complex along 10th Street at North Railroad Avenue with 52 workforce spaces; and an 11-story condominium at 1105 N. Dixie Highway.

If this scratch-built project invites comparisons to CityPlace farther south or even Miami-Dade County’s Wynwood in its infancy, co-developer Joe Furst is quick to insist that NORA is its own thing. And he would know: He cut his teeth as a managing partner for Wynwood pioneer Tony Goldman, and was responsible for transforming that district into a thriving retail paradise.

“NORA has its own unique identity with very intentional areas for live, work and play,” says Furst, founder of Place Projects, which spent seven years creating NORA alongside NDT Development and Wheelock Street Capital. “Wynwood evolved from an arts-focused place into an entertainment district. But with NORA, we own the majority of real estate, so we’re very surgical about where buildings are placed to create this main-street destination.”

In 2018, Furst and investors began snapping up nine aging warehouses on North Railroad Avenue along the FEC tracks, then more land and properties east to North Dixie Highway. The project gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic following a mass exodus of companies and residents from the Northeast to South Florida — especially West Palm Beach.

Now, all told, the 40-acre NORA District marks the city’s biggest planned downtown redevelopment since CityPlace debuted in 2000, Furst says.

Jay Rushin, CEO of H&H Bagels, remembers driving past NORA’s warehouses in late 2022 amid the big “Wall Street South” migration, enchanted by the city’s growth spurt.

“It just made a lot of sense,” says Rushin, whose bagel shop debuted at NORA on Thursday, three years after signing the lease. “Lots of offices and cool commercial spaces, condos. Good brands drive a great surge in traffic, and here we are next to Juliana’s and Van Leeuwen and Pastis. How do you beat that vision?”

Juliana’s Pizza owner Matthew Grogan says the NORA District, rising in a rougher section of the city, reminds him of Brooklyn’s “sketchy” Dumbo neighborhood back in 1990. Bringing the first Juliana’s outside of New York will appeal to South Florida’s snowbirds and “transplants craving a taste of back home,” he says.

“This is when everyone flies to Florida to escape the brutal New York winters,” Grogan says. “Between that and the migrations, the timing is perfect for us.”

Below, meet the new NORA class of restaurants, bars and cafes now open or expected to arrive over the next 12 months. Furst, NORA’s co-developer, says four more restaurant-bar concepts will be announced in spring.

NOW OPEN

H&H Bagels
890 N. Railroad Ave.; HHBagels.com

This vaunted New York icon (as seen on “Seinfeld,” “Sex and the City,” “The Office”) un-loxed its West Palm Beach doors on Nov. 20 with bagels made from NYC filtered tap water. A Queens commissary proofs and kettle-boils every H&H bagel before they’re flash-frozen and shipped to Florida, where they’re thawed on-site and baked to chewy-crunchy consistency, owner Jay Rushin says. The menu also features schmears (lox, cream cheese, tuna and chicken salads), alongside top-selling breakfast sandwiches packed with eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, roasted turkey and top-round roast beef. As Kramer might say, “Let’s bagel.”

Celis Juice Bar
895 N. Railroad Ave.; 561-725-4077; CelisJuiceBar.com

This health-conscious brand (check out their running club) from cofounder and West Palm native Alex Celis opened its fourth location in September, joining three more outposts from Delray Beach to Palm Beach. Find acai bowls and fresh-pressed juices, nutrition shots, fruit smoothies, salads, coffees, scrambled egg and confit tomato sandwiches, avocado toast and breakfast burritos.

Juliana’s Pizza
875 N. Railroad Ave.; 561-766-6200; JulianasPizza.com

Straight out of Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood comes the first Florida location of this slice of Big Apple royalty, which opened Nov. 22. But this is no ordinary pie shop: It is descended from late restaurateur Patsy Grimaldi, nephew of by-the-slice inventor Patsy Lancieri (of Patsy’s Pizzeria fame), who opened Juliana’s with ex-Wall Street executive Matthew Grogan in 2012. Juliana’s, which has topped best-pizzeria lists from TripAdvisor and USA Today to Cosmopolitan, offers coal-fried pies with thin, crackerlike crusts, plus egg creams, salads, meatballs and seltzer.

Sunday Motor Co.
805 N. Railroad Ave.; 561-805-1025; SundayMotorCo.com

Husband-and-wife owners Nick Vorderman and Renee Mee, both car aficionados with a shared love of java fuel, opened this cafe on Aug. 29, joining their flagship in Madison, New Jersey. The dining room percolates with auto-themed merch and decor — and caffeine in many forms, from iced strawberry matchas to maple-turmeric lattes. Food options include shakshuka with ciabatta, birria chilaquiles, curried chickpea wraps and PLTs (pesto, lettuce, tomato, stracciatella and rosemary on focaccia). Don’t forget the every-Sunday cars-and-coffee meetups in the parking lot, known for drawing legions of Porsche, Ferrari and BMW gearheads.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
870 N. Railroad Ave.; VanLeeuwenIceCream.com

French-style, made-from-scratch dairy and vegan ice cream distinguishes this new dessert destination, which opened in early September as part of a bigger South Florida push. If the name sounds familiar, this brand from cofounders Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neill can already be found in Whole Foods, Target and Sprouts Farmers Market. The scoop shop touts novel flavors such as coffee affogato, marionberry cheesecake, Sicilian pistachio, praline butter cake, mango sticky rice, banana bread pudding and honeycomb.

COMING SOON

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar
840 N. Railroad Ave.; LocoTacoShops.com

This funky, South Boston-born neighborhood staple specializing in Baja-style tacos, oysters and tequila is expected to debut here in early 2026, the first out-of-state spot from cofounders Michael Shaw, Eric Aulenback and Michael Conlon. Loco hasn’t unveiled its NORA menu yet, but if its Boston taquerias are any indication, picture diver scallop ceviche on shaved ice, pineapple and bacon-flecked guacamole, housemade salsas (smoked tomatillo, mango habanero), a daily oyster raw bar and a heap of tacos (braised short rib, beer-battered cod, maple-bourbon pork belly, roasted cauliflowers).

Del Mar
1015 N. Railroad Ave.; DelMarMediterranean.com

When it opens in mid-2026, this Mediterranean coastal cuisine mini-chain will offer “an elevated dining experience where modern elegance meets vibrant flavors,” per a statement from David Miller, president and COO of Ohio-based hospitality group Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. What that means for its menu is unclear; it has three locations in Fort Lauderdale (opened Nov. 25), Naples and Columbus, Ohio, so far. If the Fort Lauderdale sitdown is any indication, you’ll find spicy lamb sausage Turkish flatbreads, tomato salads and loaded hummus starters, as well as lobster spaghetti, veal chops, swordfish and 16-ounce ribeyes as entrees.

Indaco Italian Food & Wine
905 N. Railroad Ave.; IndacoRestaurant.com

Southern ingredients with Italian accents is one way to describe this rustic sitdown chain with a mighty presence in the southeastern United States (seven locations and growing), which is heading to West Palm Beach in early 2026, NORA developers say. The restaurant from The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (“Indaco” is indigo in Italian) and founder Steve Palmer is known for tailoring menus to each city, but all locations include Polpette (Angus beef-heritage pork meatball blend), wood-fired pizza with San Marzano tomatoes, Tagliatelle with pork tesa (Italian-cured pork belly), Bucatini, Hanger steak and a three-course chef’s choice menu, which the restaurant calls “family style.” Also available: Italian varietals and signature cocktails.

Pastis
1021 N. Railroad Ave.; PastisNYC.com

This French brasserie and touristy icon from New York’s Meatpacking District will become the ground-floor anchor of The Nora Hotel opening in November 2026, developers say. And the vibe? As with its Wynwood, Nashville and D.C. clones, you’ll find a crowd-pleasing array of bistro classics against a stylish backdrop of white-tiled walls that evoke a Parisian metro station. The menu features Escargots in butter, Chicken Paillard under a blanket of chopped almonds, cheesy French onion soup, Salade Niçoise (confit tuna, dijon vinaigrette), Steak Frites in Béarnaise sauce and, if you must insist on keeping it American, the double-patty Cheeseburger à l’Américaine.

If the world has gone crazy, maybe a little shopping therapy is the balm. This is the season of giving and good vibes, putting money into the local economy and encouraging local makers to keep doing that creative thing they do. What would life be without them?

Here are 12 places in South Florida that will be open between Black Friday and late December, where you’ll find distinctive, local gifts that imply extra thoughtfulness when you give them. Plus, many of these venues will be serving cookies and festive drinks. Also a balm.

Black Friday Record Store Day: With participation at nearly 20 independent South Florida record stores, from Rust & Wax in West Palm Beach to Sweat Records in Miami, this holiday-season edition of RSD on Friday will have vinyl heads on the move. Among the rare titles that may resonate here: Billy Joel’s “Live From Long Island,” a triple album recorded at New York’s Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 29, 1982, in a new, remixed edition. Also, Talking Heads’ “Tentative Decisions: Demos & Live,” with recordings that began in 1974 when Chris Frantz and David Byrne were students at Rhode Island School of Design. Visit RecordStoreDay.com. Talking Heads fans know that Byrne will be at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Dec. 5-6, with only resale tickets available at Ticketmaster.com.

Florida Panthers Black Friday: The team shop for the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when you can pick up one of the sweet new jerseys the team will wear for the NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2 against the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami. These adult jerseys go for a little more than $200, with a variety of Winter Classic jackets, hats and other merchandise also available. Visit FlaTeamShop.com. Tickets for the Winter Classic are hot; see Ticketmaster.com. Visit NHL.com/panthers.

Advent & Christmas Market: Convivio Bookworks in Lake Worth Beach hosts this three-day Old World market this weekend, featuring a wide variety of thoughtfully curated items from around the globe, with homemade cookies and Löfbergs Coffee from Sweden to enjoy while you shop. (And keep an eye out for the Christmas stollen from Germany.) Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Visit: Facebook.com/conviviobookworks.

So Flo Finds: The vintage thrift boutique in Delray Beach will host a three-day Shop Local Vendor Weekend from Black Friday through Sunday, offering a variety of curated items from a rotating lineup of vendors, live music, yoga and more. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit Instagram.com/soflo_finds.

Small Business Saturday: This is the day to drop in on that favorite shop in your community. Places like The Wander Shop on a buzzy stretch of Northeast 12th Avenue in downtown Oakland Park, filled with fashion and home goods curated by the discerning eye of owner Marisa Folz (you may remember her Airstream pop-ups back in the day). Folz will host a Small Business Saturday festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than 60 local businesses represented. Visit Instagram.com/tothewandershop.

ChainBridge Distillery: While you’re at The Wander Shop, consider a stroll across Dixie Highway to visit this family-owned spirits maker, which recently earned the title of Best Craft Gin in USA Today’s 10Best awards. ChainBridge makes a traditional clear gin ($36.99) and a bourbon barrel-aged version ($39.99). If you can’t make it to Oakland Park, ChainBridge offers its gin and other spirits (they also make vodka, brandy and rum) at the Southwest Ranches Community Farmers Market each Saturday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). Visit ChainBridgeDistillery.com.

Museum Store Sunday: Many major South Florida museums will have their shops open on Sunday with shelves filled with jewelry, books, stationery and children’s gifts. NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale has the Monopoly: Fort Lauderdale Edition board game ($49). Visit NSUArtmuseum.org. At the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, the book, “Jackson Pollock Splashed Paint and Wasn’t Sorry,” by Fausto Gilberti (Phaidon Press; $17.95) is irresistible. Visit Shop.Norton.org.

The Jamboree Flea: A relative newcomer to the South Florida flea scene, but not lacking in style and swagger, the Jamboree Flea is planning to fill the parking lot in front of 26 Degree Brewery & Kitchen in Pompano Beach with more than 40 vendors on Dec. 6-7, from noon to 7 p.m. each day. Visit Facebook.com/thejamboreeflea.

The Flamingo Flea: Founder Carley Sumner takes her long-running caravan of local makers and creative types to Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton, where dozens of vendors will set up for a holiday market on Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/theflamingoflea.

Indie Craft Bazaar: The OG of South Florida maker markets, created by Atlantic Studios’ Amanda Weiner and Chris Gaidry more than 15 years ago, will take place at noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 in the swank War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Park. Expect more than 85 vendor booths offering vintage and artisan items, free DIY maker stations, festive drinks, food, baked goods and more. Admission is free. Visit IndieCraftBazaar.com.

Sunny Side Up Market: The ladies of SSUM will be celebrating six years of vintage vibing during a holiday edition of the market in the 800 block of Northeast Fourth Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s MASS District on Dec. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. The family-friendly outdoor market will feature dozens of vendors, holiday treats, interactive fun for kids and Santa photo opportunities. They’ll be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Broward Partnership. Visit SunnySideUpMarket.com.

The Rust Market: A holiday edition of the monthly event, hosted by Kelsey Vintage Goods in the Lake Park Arts District, will display more than 100 vendors in the 700-800 blocks of Park Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20. This market specializes in  unusual and interesting vintage finds, along with music, food and beer. Visit Instagram.com/therustmarket.

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

Known for contemporary musical stage productions, Slow Burn Theatre Co. will present the Great White Way version of Disney’s “Frozen.”

From Dec. 13-Jan. 4, catch the production at the Amaturo Theater within the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. It is based on the Oscar-winning original Disney film with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as well as a book by Jennifer Lee, plus new music.

“’Frozen’ is a breathtaking journey through the bonds of family, the courage to be oneself, and the magic that lives within,” said director Patrick Fitzwater. “We’re excited to share this dazzling production with audiences of all ages during the holiday season.”

SCHEDULE:

• There is a performance for guests with sensory sensitivities at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Dec. 13.
• There’s also a Winter Wonderland: A “Frozen” Family Celebration with a buffet, themed drinks, arts and crafts, face painting and a DJ dance party at noon Sunday, Dec. 14 (before the 2 p.m. matinee performance).
• A Noon Year’s Eve celebration with preshow arts and crafts, dance contest and prizes is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, before a noon performance.

COST:

• $96.76-$118.80
• $375 for Wonder Wonderland: A “Frozen” Family Celebration
• $91.45-$120 for Noon Year’s Eve celebration
• Ticket sales for the sensory-inclusive performance go on sale at 10:01 p.m. Dec 1

INFORMATION: 954-462-0222; browardcenter.org or slowburntheatre.org

This is the weekend when we begin to feel a joy and light return to the land (even for Florida and Florida State football fans). When, perhaps with out-of-town-guests, we take a moment to appreciate some things that make our place on this quirky peninsula special: The Mai-Kai, The Guitar Hotel, a great Elvis tribute artist, stone crabs for Thanksgiving, and ice skating when it’s 80 degrees out. This is why we’re here.

THURSDAY

5K on ice: If you’re looking to get people out of the house while preparations are happening, on Thursday morning the Florida Panthers will host the Turkey 5kATE race, followed by the Turkey Day Public Skate at Baptist Health IcePlex in downtown Fort Lauderdale. In case you didn’t know (who did?), 11 laps on an NHL rink is a mile. The Turkey 5kATE will be a 34-lap, 5K event (skating experience required) with participant medals at the end. The event begins at 8 a.m., with check-in and light refreshments before the race from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $40. The Turkey Day Public Skate takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Skating costs $17, spectating is free. For registration to each event, visit FTLWarMemorial.com.

Lion eyes: Zoo Miami is open this weekend, including on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when you may see the newest residents, two young male lions, Azizi and Jasiri, that recently arrived from the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona. The brothers, less than 18 months old, are adapting to a new environment so their appearances are unpredictable. Tickets cost $25.95, or $21.95 for guests ages 3 to 12 . Visit ZooMiami.org.

More skating: At The Ben hotel in downtown West Palm Beach, the Winter Wonderland will be open on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with skating on a 50-by-66-foot outdoor ice rink, a full-service holiday bar serving hot chocolate, hot toddies, s’mores, popcorn and other treats, plus the Holiday Tree Forest created in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Admission is free, but 90-minute skating sessions cost $25, or $10 for children ages 4 to 11. Skate rentals also are available. Visit TheBenEvents.com.

Distinctive dining: If you are looking to dispense with the cooking in a fun way on Thursday, you’ll find a special atmosphere at one of South Florida’s most distinctive dining destinations, the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale, a year removed from a glorious four-year, $17.5 million restoration. The Polynesian restaurant, bar and entertainment venue will be serving from its regular menu while also offering a South Seas-themed Thanksgiving option in two seatings at 2 and 5 p.m. The Thanksgiving meal, including an appetizer, entree and dessert, with three options for each course, will cost $75. Visit Facebook.com/maikairestaurant or call 954-563-3272.

Eating for good: The 19th annual SubCulture Group Thanksgiving Charity Dinner will feature multicourse Thanksgiving meals — roast turkey, hearty sides and housemade desserts — and a thankful vibe at some favorite Palm Beach County restaurants on Thursday, with all proceeds supporting efforts by Hospitality Helping Hands to help feed families and dogs in need. They include Dada in downtown Delray Beach ($34.95 per person), Hullabaloo ($41.87 per person) and Howley’s ($28.95 per person), both in West Palm Beach. Visit Facebook.com/subculturegroup.

The other claws: Catch & Cut restaurant on downtown Fort Lauderdale’s buzzy Las Olas Boulevard will be serving a special Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. featuring turkey breast (brined for 12 hours) with herb stuffing and gravy, whipped potatoes, green bean and mushroom casserole, sweet potato mash with toasted marshmallow and a slice of pumpkin pie. Price: $59 per person. But how about creating a new, very South Florida tradition? Stone crabs, anyone? Catch & Cut executive chef André Bienvenu is a former executive chef at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, and he’ll be serving stone crab claws on Thanksgiving as well. They’ll be market price, which currently means large stone crabs are sold two per order for $31; jumbo size are $44.50 per claw; colossal stone crabs (when available) are $49.50 per claw. Visit CatchAndCut.com.

Free for kids: A family friendly production founded in Canada nearly 100 years ago, Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus includes clowns, aerialists, the Human Cannonball and a performer billed as the world’s smallest man. The production will set up under a big-top tent at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Boca Raton this weekend for performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday. The show moves to the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach for performances on Dec. 4 through Dec. 14. Discounted tickets at Sunset Cove start at $23.27, and entry is free for kids age 13 and younger accompanied by an adult. Visit WhatsOn.GardenBrosNuclearCircus.com.

Even more skating: Thanksgiving Roller Disco, a free event, returns to the Miami Beach Bandshell at 5 p.m. Friday. DJs Mutant Pete and Terence Tabeau will make the grooves, and All Skates Go To Heaven will offer rentals. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. Tickets are free with RSVP at MiamiBeachBandshell.com.

FRIDAY

Now, Dancer! Cirque du Soleil’s “’Twas the Night Before” will have its final performances at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach through Sunday. Based on the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” this family-friendly production is the acrobatic troupe’s first holiday show, with a story that follows a jaded young girl in her search to rediscover the magic of the holidays. Weekend performances will be at 1 and 4 p.m. Friday; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; noon, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $69. Visit Kravis.org.

Boogie fever: The Norton Museum of Art in downtown West Palm Beach will put on its boogie shoes during Art After Dark on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. Highlights include ’70s music trivia from DJ Adam Gold while he spins the hits from 6 to 7:30 p.m., then an outdoor dance party from 7:30 to 9:30 with DJ Konflikt in the lovely Goergen Garden. Konflikt is a globally touring DJ who is also music director at Good Night John Boy, the nostalgic, all-disco nightclub in Delray Beach. Art After Dark tickets cost $10, $5 for students, and can be purchased at the reception desk or in advance at Norton.org.

Good cheers: Ravish Kitchen & Cocktails in Lantana will lean into the holidays by turning itself over to Miracle, the nationwide holiday cocktail pop-up that is heavy into over-the-top decorating and inventive seasonal drinks. You’ll find Miracle at Ravish starting Friday through Dec. 28. Visit RavishKitchen.com. Rooftop@1WLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale will offer a chic Christmas cocktail vibe beginning on Friday, with an 18-foot centerpiece Christmas tree (it’s a rooftop!) and a new menu of seasonal cocktails. The pop-up runs through Dec. 30. Visit Instagram.com/rooftop1wlo. … Across the street from Rooftop, at the Hyatt Centric, speakeasy Room 901’s Whiskey Workshop will put on its Santa outfit for some secret partying Dec. 2 through Jan. 2. Seatings will be at 5, 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. To visit Room 901 you’ll need a reservation, which gets you the password that you’ll give at the front desk to get the room key. Anyone who drops off a gift for Toys for Tots receives a complimentary “warming” shot of whiskey. Visit RoomNine01.com.

Adele and St. Nicks: The Candlelight concert series, which offers a pop soundtrack played by a classical quartet amid the warm flicker of candles, will be at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday with a tribute to Adele at 6:45 p.m. (tickets start at $53.10) and Fleetwood Mac at 8:45 p.m. ($48.15). Visit Feverup.com.

Taylor tribute: The free Friday Night Sound Waves concert series will host Love Story, a nationally touring tribute to Taylor Swift by singer Rikki Lee Wilson, at Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale on Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The concert will kick off Seas & Greetings, nearly a month’s worth of holiday festivities at the LOOP.  Visit TheLoopFLB.com.

Young King: Wellington-raised Matt Stone, one of the most accomplished Elvis tribute artists in the world, will perform as the King in his slim-trim prime at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $55.50 at ArtsGarage.org.

Weekend laughs: Probably the funniest thing about Fox’s sketch comedy show “Mad TV,” Aries Spears comes to the Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach for a full bag of shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7, 9:30 and 11:59 p.m. Saturday; 6 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $36.90. Visit ImprovFTL.com. … Comedian and podcaster Jared Freid brings comes to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m. Friday on his Table for One Tour (about traveling through Europe when you’re single and 40, which is apparently not what you think it would be). Tickets start at $35.40 at ParkerPlayhouse.com.

Classic Dickens: The Wick Theatre & Costume Museum in Boca Raton opens a musical adaptation (from Broadway veterans Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens) of Charles Dickens’ heartwarming holiday treat “A Christmas Carol” on Friday for a run through Dec. 24. Performances this weekend will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $109 and $119. Visit TheWick.org.

SATURDAY

Light and sound: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood will open a new light show, “Hard Rock the Holidays,” at The Guitar Hotel on Saturday. The family friendly experience will transform 24 acres around the hotel pool into a winter wonderland with more than 2 million LED lights, 20 themed areas and a light and music show synchronized to holiday classics. Shows will take place 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Jan. 3. Admission is $45 for adults, $10 for kids ages 7 to 12, free for 6 and younger. Visit HardRockTheHolidays.com.

Cows and beer: LauderAle Brewery in Fort Lauderdale will host a Small Business Saturday event from 2 to 8 p.m., with vendors, food from Halo Project and live music from country singer Chris Collins. The latter makes some sense given that the day also will include a group of woolly-faced Highland cows to pet and interact with. The Highland Cow and Beer Experience costs $16.95 for 10 minutes with the cows and a beverage of your choice. Visit Facebook.com/lauderale.

Heavy holidays: Metal veterans Queensrÿche (with original guitarist Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson and longtime vocalist Todd La Torre) bring their Volume and Vengeance Tour to the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a set by special guests Accept. General-admission tickets cost $81.90 at Ticketmaster.com.

Old school: Respectable Street in downtown West Palm Beach on Saturday will host the Y2K Party, a celebration of the flip-phone era hosted by MC Elgin David, former cast member of MTV’s “Wild ‘n Out.” DJ Lindersmash will drop hits from the late 1990s to 2010, including favorites from Eminem, Blink-182, Beyoncé, Linkin Park and Avril Lavigne. Doors open at 10 p.m., with the 21-and-older party starting at 11 p.m. Tickets cost $10+ in advance, $15 at the door. Visit Sub-Culture.org/respectable-street.

People who need Barbra: The Pompano Beach Cultural Center on Saturday will host a different kind of tribute with the show “Her Name Is Barbra,” featuring Brooklyn-born singer-actor Joy Altman on a musical journey through Barbra Streisand’s film, stage and pop chart career, from “People” to “The Way We Were.” Performances will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m. General-admission tickets cost $28.52. Visit PompanoBeachArts.org/events.

Christmas town: Still one of my favorite downtowns (I’ll miss it when the developers take over), Lake Worth Beach will host its free holiday tree-lighting festivities from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Lake Worth Cultural Plaza. The evening will include food trucks, entertainment (from the Victorian Voices of South Florida, among others), Santa and other family fun. Plus, that elusive village-y vibe that feels like the holidays. Visit LakeWorthBeachFL.gov.

SUNDAY

Season of love: Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, original stars of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit  “Rent,” will be the headliners at a World AIDS Day Concert on Sunday at Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale, hosted by CAN Community Health, the national nonprofit dedicated to ending epidemics. The performance will begin at 6 p.m. General-admission tickets cost $10+, or $150+ for VIP. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Susan Terry Foundation, which supports people living with HIV. Visit NoDayButToday.org.

Local sounds: South Florida “campfire punk” songwriter Dominic DeLaney spent great stretches of 2023 on an Amtrak tour of the East Coast and Midwest, and he has written a book about the townsfolk and train passengers met along the way, “Playing to Nobody (and Sometimes Everybody),” published on Nov. 17. His band DDRB (with fellow traveler Ricky Bolufe) will play a book-signing show of sorts at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth Beach on Sunday at 7 p.m. The cover is $10. Visit Instagram.com/dominicdelaney.

Nashville sounds: The Rhythm Foundation and Miami Beach Bandshell will kick off Miami Art Week with country music, because of course. The Nashbash Miami party takes place at the bandshell on Sunday beginning at 3:30 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.), with a serious lineup of Nashville talent: Maggie Rose, Moon Taxi, Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves and newcomer Jess Nolan. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $46.35 at MiamiBeachBandshell.com.

Beer and shopping: Barrel of Monks Brewing in Boca Raton will host Crafts & Drafts, a holiday market featuring local art, handmade goods, home decor and good vibes on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Be sure to say hello to resident chef Cheffrey Eats and ask if you can get a sneak peek at his December Burger of the Month. He’s crazy. Visit  Facebook.com/barrelofmonks.

What is hip?: Underappreciated old-school funk band Tower of Power will bring their Holiday and Hits Tour to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Holiday music is fine, but hearing “What is Hip?” and “So Very Hard To Go” would be a real gift. Tickets start at $46.61 at Ticketmaster.com.

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