Thursday, November 5th, 2026 - Hamilton opens at the Broward Center next Tuesday, already one of the hardest Broadway tickets to find on tour. Tonight RUSH plays Hard Rock Live, and a one-day estate auction in Sunrise is selling actual Marilyn Monroe memorabilia next to hundred-year-old photographs of Miami. A true crime magician gets four shows at the Abdo New River Room this weekend, and two children's matinees of the same fairy tale play back to back on Sunday, one built specifically for sensory needs.
Next week brings Veterans Day: a ceremony in Coconut Creek, a quiet poppy garden closing out its run at the Galleria, and a drone show over the Pompano pier.ššš
Stuff You Wonāt Want To Miss This Week:
ā TOP PICK THIS WEEK: Opens Tuesday, Nov 10, through Nov 22 - weekday evenings 7:30pm, Sat 1:30pm & 7:30pm, Sun 1pm & 7pm | Hamilton at the Au-Rene Theater, Broward Center. Alexander Hamiltonās rise as a Founding Father, told through hip-hop, jazz, and R&B.
TONIGHT - 7:30pm | RUSH: Fifty Something at Hard Rock Live, Hollywood.
TONIGHT through Sunday - Thu-Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Con Man: A True Crime Magic Show at the Abdo New River Room, Broward Center. Magician Ben Seidman mixes sleight of hand, true-crime storytelling, and stand-up. Recommended 12+.
TONIGHT - 7:30pm | Greensky Bluegrass at Wells Hall, The Parker.
TONIGHT - 8pm | Undertale: Determination Symphony at the Au-Rene Theater, Broward Center. A 25-piece orchestra performs the indie gameās score live, with gameplay footage above the stage.
TODAY - 11am-7pm | Free First Thursday at NSU Art Museum. Free admission, a free noon tour, and Mini Muse drop-in art for children 4-6:30pm.
TONIGHT - 7:30-9pm | Cheyenne Jackson in Concert at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
TONIGHT - 6-8pm | Oldies Music Singo & Dance Show at the Herb Skolnick Center, Pompano Beach. $9 covers bingo cards, refreshments, and prizes.
TONIGHT - 8pm, one-day online auction | Icons & Discoveries, Sunrise. Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, antique maps, early Miami aerial photographs, and designer glass.
TODAY - opens 2pm, online auction | Stunning Palm Beach Estate Selections, Hollywood. A 650-lot auction of fine porcelain, crystal, jewelry, and artwork.
TONIGHT - 5:30-8:30pm, lighting at 6:30pm | Light Up Lauderdale at Esplanade Park, Fort Lauderdale. The cityās holiday kickoff: the tree lighting, live holiday music, a crafts area for children, and a visit from Santa.
TONIGHT through Sunday - Thu 5-10pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 2-11pm, Sun 1-9pm | St. Bonaventure Family Festival, 1301 SW 136th Ave, Davie. Free entry and parking; carnival rides, food, and games. Ride wristbands $35 for one day or $65 for all four if you buy ahead; the four-day pass isnāt sold once the festival opens.
Friday Night - 8pm | Jair Oliveira: Balloon Bossa at the Amaturo Theater, Broward Center. The Brazilian artist reimagines his early hits through bossa nova, jazz, and Brazilian soul arrangements.
Friday Night - 7pm | Matt McCusker: The Healing Frequency Tour at Wells Hall, The Parker.
Friday Night - 6-10pm | Old Town Untapped at Bailey Contemporary Arts, downtown Pompano Beach. Free; gallery openings, live bands, food trucks.
Opens Friday, runs through Nov 15 (weekends) | Gutenberg! The Musical at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. $55+. The South Florida premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy.
Saturday - 3-8pm | Day of The Dead Festival at Esplanade Park, Fort Lauderdale. Free; only its second year at this location.
Saturday Night - 7pm | The South Florida Pride Concert Band: Waves and Wanderers at Wells Hall, The Parker.
Saturday Night - 7:30pm | Bruce Cockburn with Special Guest Livingston Taylor at the Amaturo Theater, Broward Center.
Saturday Night - 8pm | Timeless Harmonies: Celebrating 40 Years of Making Music at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. A world premiere by Grammy-nominated composer Adam Schoenberg.
Saturday Night - 8pm | Victoria MonĆ©t: Frequency of Love Tour at the War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale. The Grammy-winning R&B singer behind āOn My Mama.ā
Saturday - 5:30-9pm, drones fly 7-7:15pm | Drone Show Extravaganza at Fisher Family Pier, Pompano Beach. Free; 500 drones over the ocean.
Also Saturday - 6-7:30pm | Starlight Jam Sessions at the Palm Aire Gazebo, Pompano Beach. Free.
Sunday - 6-9pm | Soulful Sundays at the Ali Cultural Arts Center, Pompano Beach. $15.
Sunday - 12-4pm | Huizenga Park Community Market, Huizenga Park. Free entry; local artisans, food vendors, a live DJ.
Sunday Morning - 10:30am | Sensory-Inclusive Beanstalk: The Adventures of Jack and the Giant at the Amaturo Theater, Broward Center. Reduced sound, no strobe lights, a staffed quiet room; built for children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Also Sunday - 1pm | Beanstalk: The Adventures of Jack and the Giant at the Amaturo Theater, Broward Center. A castle in the clouds, a giant, and a young hero, for children and families.
Sunday Night - 6:30pm | Alex Edelman: What Are You Going To Do at Wells Hall, The Parker. Recommended 13+.
Monday Night - 7pm | John Cameron Mitchell: Hedwig 25th Anniversary Movie Tour at Wells Hall, The Parker. A 4K screening followed by a live Q&A and a short acoustic set.
Wednesday - 11am | Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park, Coconut Creek. Free.
Wednesday Night - 6:30-8pm | Think and Drink Trivia at Huizenga Park. Free.
SAVE THE DATES for Next Week
Thursday, Nov 12 - 7:30pm | Military Appreciation: DET vs FLA at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise. The Panthers honor active-duty and veteran military members.
Thursday, Nov 12 - 5:30-8pm | Business for the Arts Browardās 8th Annual Art + Stroll at Huizenga Park. Free; live art demonstrations and local artists.
Thursday, Nov 12 - 7-8:30pm | A Taste of Jazz at Bailey Contemporary Arts, Pompano Beach. $25.
Thursday, Nov 12 | America the Beautiful: Our Natural Wonders at MODS. Showtimes not yet posted.
Friday, Nov 13 | Dune 1 & 2 Re-Release Double Feature at MODS. Showtimes not yet posted.
Friday, Nov 13 - 7:30pm | WWE SmackDown at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise.
Friday, Nov 13 - 6-10pm | Enchanted Fairytale Senior Prom at the E. Pat Larkins Center, Pompano Beach. $30, ages 40+.
Friday, Nov 13 - 7-9pm | Music Under the Stars at the Pompano Beach Great Lawn.
Saturday, Nov 14 - 2-6pm | Fall Harvest Festival at Sabal Pines Park, Coconut Creek. Free, all ages; live music, a lumberjack demonstration, a chili competition, and childrenās activities.
Saturday, Nov 14 - 9am-2pm | Holiday Handcrafts Bazaar at the Charlotte Burrie Civic Center, Pompano Beach. Free; over 25 vendors. Pompano also runs two more markets the same morning, Treasures & Trinkets and the seasonās first Green Market.
Saturday, Nov 14 - 6-10pm | Smooth Sounds Soiree at Hunters Manor Park, Pompano Beach. Free.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov 14-15 - 8pm | Rod Wave: Donāt Look Down Tour at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise.
Sunday, Nov 15 - 10-11am | One Step Ahead: Talk, Play & Grow Playgroup at Huizenga Park. A speech-language pathologist leads play-based learning for toddlers and preschoolers with caregivers.
Our Ask: This week: Con Man's true-crime magic show, RUSH at Hard Rock Live, or Hamilton opens next week at the Broward Center. Reply CONMAN, RUSH, or HAMILTON: which one are you most likely going to?
Featured Fort Lauderdale
Originally set for this weekend but moved back one week, is the Cardboard Boat Races in Hollywood. Come for the creativity (the designs are amazing) and the courage (would you go out in one of these boats?) to see what this year will bring!
Here are some examples from two-years ago.
And if you were disappointed about no Cardboard Boat Races to watch this weekend, you can also come out Saturday afternoon and evening to Fort Lauderdaleās Dia de los Muertos Festival.
So... You Think You Know South Florida
You probably already knowā¦ Hamilton is coming to the Broward Center.
What you might not know isā¦ Hamilton exists because its writer read an 800-page biography on a beach vacation.
In 2008, on a break from his first musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton as poolside reading in Mexico. He had the idea for a show before he finished the first chapter.
Chernow later became the musical's historical consultant, checking every draft for accuracy. Interestingly, Hamilton the Musical has also made Hamilton The Book one of the most popular tomes for our learners reading Civ-inspired deep books at Acton.
In a shout-out to the original Michael Jibson version, hereās King Georgeās closing words that helped make the show such a treat.
More Treats To Try
We donāt let just anyone sponsor this newsletter. Hereās who āmade the cutā this week:
Do you know about Good Night John Boy - A new 70s Disco Club is opening November 6th in Fort Lauderdale?
Have you tried Sweetwaters (NOW OPEN) in Huizenga Park? A neighborhood restaurant, right by the water. Think Bryant Park right here in downtown FTL.
Did you know you can come out and watch the Panthers practice? Or join a hockey league, take a skating lessonā¦ or just join a free skate?
SAVE THIS DATE: Sunday, November 8th - the first Families Serving Fort Lauderdale. Once a month, on a Sunday morning, we will partner with a different local nonprofit to learn about the important work they do and then roll up our sleeves (parents and children) for a meaningful, hands-on volunteer project. The goal is to help children develop a lifelong commitment to giving back, discover the joy of helping others, and see firsthand how they can make a difference in our community.
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Just hit reply to this email to get started. Work with us to reach over 2500+ Greater Fort Lauderdale families.
Quote Of The Week
Spite makes you work harder. Curiosity makes you work longer. Discipline is what you need when you have neither. ~ Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish is an entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, host of the popular Knowledge Project Podcast, and wisdom seeker behind one of the world's most popular newsletters, Brain Food.
Flotsam & Jetsam
At Acton, we use the term āSheepdogsā a lot. For us it means a service leader, who not only is a role model for other by taking care of their own responsibilities, but they also help others and hold accountability to the promises in each studio. Our school runs on the strength of our sheepdogs.
Which is why I was excited to find this online game, about herding sheep. The interesting thing about Shepherdās Dog is that it was one of the first full games coded in less than an hour by AI. No bugs, no fixes, just a fully-functional game created from an idea and less than an hour later people were playing it.
Word Play Of The Week
āSmoke and mirrors.ā
It means a misleading explanation meant to obscure the truth. The phrase traces to 18th-century phantasmagoria shows, where magicians used literal smoke and mirrors to create ghostly illusions; it entered modern figurative use through journalist Jimmy Breslin's 1975 book. ~ āSource
āUnder-The-Radarā Openings Job Board
Lots of folks offering cool positions here locally. Maybe thereās one for you or a friend?
Development and Membership Assistant at Flamingo Gardens, Davie. A nature preserve and botanical garden hiring for donor and member relations.
Science Facilitator, Sea Turtle Walks Lead (Full-Time) at MODS (Museum of Discovery and Science). Leads the museumās seasonal sea turtle walk programming.
Diver to clean hulls of yachts in South Florida. A marine trade role most newcomers never think to look for.
Industrial Sewer / Marine Products Fabricator in Pompano Beach. Builds and repairs marine canvas and upholstery.
Do you have a listing you would like to place here for next week? Hit reply and let us know.
Lastlyā¦ One Big Idea For Your Week
Curiosity is the key? We feel more heard and understood. And asking curious questions can be a gift to another, even someone you just met. Who will you get curious about this week?
Tell Us How We Are Doing
Every week we are working to make #H!L better for you and to provide a cutting-edge media apprenticeship opportunity for our learners.
Please share your feedback. What do you love? What could we do better FOR YOU? What FTL businesses and experiences should we be highlighting?