JA World Uncorked 2025
By Rachel Galvin
A Rick Case Genesis greeted guests outside. Inside, people worked the room, eating and drinking to their heart’s content, and going to see who was performing music in the big room in the center. Women wearing bright neon colors and men in pastel Don Johnson jackets moved in time on the dance floor to the rhythms of Prince and other top singers on the 1980s during this year’s event — JA World Uncorked. The band, provided by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, got everyone engaged. This year’s theme, Miami Vice, made sure everyone got into the groove.
What was not different this year is the great eats and smooth sips available. From pasta to ceviche, guests ate to the heart’s content from some of the top restaurants in the area while trying some premier cocktails and wines. They even could have a Miami Vice drink made from Pina Colada and Rum. By the end of the night, people opted for the espresso martini and later a cup of coffee sponsored by Joe Dimagio Children’s Hospital.
Many took their time to bid on silent auction items or stood in line to get in one of the photo ops. They had a roving photographer and photo spots. People could put in their contact into the system and whatever photos were taken of them throughout the night would automatically show up. It was a great idea.
Of course, the event benefited Junior Achievement. The non-profit organization provides “youth with the knowledge, ability and confidence to navigate their futures, drive our economy, and lead our community.” For more information, visit https://jasouthflorida.org.
Sun & Stars Shines Through Feb. 2
Barbara Scharres & director Bruce David Klein at Q&A following film
By Rachel Galvin
The Sun & Stars Film Festival kicked off on January 23 with the film “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story” at the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Before the film, there was a reception complete with Asian light bites, a keyboardist performing and champagne and wine being passed around. Before guests left the area to head to the theater, they could grab a box of their choice of candy to snack upon. Once inside the theater, they had their choice of buttered or cheesy popcorn.
Keith Myers, the president and CEO of MorseLife Health System said a few words before turning the microphone over to Donald M. Ephraim and Terri C. Sriberg, who are both founders and consulting principals. Ephraim told a few jokes to warm up the crowd. Next came Barbara Scharres, the artistic director, who said there are 26 more films to come in the fest, and she introduced the director of the opening night film, Bruce David Klein. He would also come back after the film to do a Q&A moderated by Scharres.
The film was a documentary focused on Minnelli and how she came to be such an icon following the death of her mother, the legendary Judy Garland. The movie focused on the mentors around her that emerged to help her find her own unique voice away from her mother’s memory. It showcased the heartache she felt, the tragedies she endured, as well as the victories along the way.
This was just the first film in a long list of motion pictures that will be shown at The Kravis, as well as at EVO Entertainment in Delray Marketplace.
To see the list of all the films, special guests, and to buy tickets, visit sasiff.org.
Keith Myers 
Barbara Scharres 
Donald M. Ephraim and Terri C. Sriberg 
Director Bruce David Klein
Art Palm Beach 2025
By Rachel Galvin
There is something special about Art Palm Beach. From large scale artistic masterpieces to small sculptures, interactive art to pieces illustrating diversity, this show has a bit of everything. The fair includes 80 international galleries, as well as curated exhibitions, within the 100,000 sf space at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Despite the large space, what really makes the event unique is the intimacy achieved. People really get a chance to spend time with the art and with the artists. And many artists were in attendance. They were from all over and many sold their pieces to art lovers.
The opening night on January 22, brought in a very chic crowd bundled up in their finery, sheltering against the weather outside. Guests were greeted with champagne. There were also other light bites available, like paella and caviar.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art, which is celebrating its 75th year, provides a glimpse into their upcoming season. DiverseartPB presents four innovative projects. MOCAA Museum showcases work from more than 100 artists with its ceramic plate collection. These are just a few of the exhibits in the show.
The biggest draw is probably the Big Birk! Geo Casas created a huge yellow Birkin Bag that became the perfect spot for photo ops. He created it out of wood, foam and much more, putting it together in three pieces, and in the process, he created a sensation. It is presented by Denis Leon Galleries.
For the first time this year, Art Palm Beach partnered with Athletes for Life, a nonprofit, to bring the Art “n” the Schools program to the area. More than 200 underserved students from South Florida high schools received a private tour of the fair. Three students got the chance to have their art shown and to attend the VIP opening on January 22.
Art Palm Beach, with its artists from all over the world, continues until January 26. For more information, visit artpalmbeach.com.
Turn Back Time at JA World Uncorked!
By Rachel Galvin
One of the premier events in the area is taking it back in time… to the 1980s, Miami Vice style. That event is JA World Uncorked and the theme encourages as many popped collars as possible and plenty of neon. Get ready to party in style.
This yearly event is perfect for foodies as top local restaurants bring out samples of their signature dishes, and Breakthru Beverage Florida will be ready to pour. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino always rocks it with live entertainment. There is always a silent auction as well. This truly will be the place to be.
The event, which will be held on Saturday, January 25, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, 1130 Coconut Crek Blvd., benefits Junior Achievement.
It’s going to be totally awesome! Get all the details at https://jasouthflorida.org/events/uncorked.
Theater Spotlight: “From Brooklyn to Boca”
By Rachel Galvin
Sharon Pfeiffer has been showing her comedy chops again. This force-to-be-reckoned-with shows her prowess in a brand-new play she wrote and is the lead in called “From Brooklyn to Boca.” The fish out of water tale is likened to “The Sopranos meets The Goldbergs.” It is not for the easily offended and gives an equal opportunity ribbing to both the Jewish and Italian cultures, but it’s all in good fun. The play follows her character, Regina’s, journey. Her husband, known as “Fuggedabout it Frank,” played by Alex Alonso, is involved with some mafia dealings. When the other mobsters get pinched, he will also take the fall. In order to save himself, he has to make a drastic life change, going into the witness protection program. This takes him and his family — Regina and their wise cracking son Carmine– from living in Brooklyn, New York to Boca Raton, Florida and means changing his name and becoming Jewish.
This culture shock is the crux of the play. And plenty of laughs ensued, many over Frank’s interesting choice of vocabulary. Alonso plays it well. Pfeiffer scores plenty of laughs as she does her best to keep their real identity hidden. They meet some interesting characters along the way and still have to worry about if the mobsters will track them down and destroy their new life, and then it would be curtains. They have to keep their wits about them to make it through this tough situation.
Overall, the play was well written with fun characters and snappy hilarious interactions. There is some breaking of the fourth wall, especially by Pfeiffer, who serves as the narrator for the play. All of the mobsters have fun camaraderie together, something thoroughly embraced by the actors. Each character has a funny name, such as Joey “Bag A Laundry” Romanelli, Big Sal Vitti and Mikey “the Bat” DiMaggio.
The new characters she encounters bring their own sense of comic relief. A shout out to actor Cameron Holder, whose character got laughs every time he hit the stage.
This play shows independent spirit. Since it was first a movie, it kind of is presented that way with many scene changes and much movement of makeshift props to set the scene. A huge kudos to the whole cast and crew for being brave enough to create something brand new.
Every night so far has been sold out. The opening gala night on January 10 was packed and the legendary singer Connie Francis attended. (Sher says she is collaborating with her on a new version of her iconic film “Where the Boys Are” called “Where the Men Are.”) Francis made sure to call over Pfeiffer to let her know how much she enjoyed the play and to encourage her, something that left Pfeiffer honored and kvelling. But Francis was not the only one giving praise. She received praise from everyone.
Guests were treated to delicious light bites and music from DJ Freakin Dominick and some even busted out into disco dancing, while others enjoyed champagne, wine and other spirits. It was a lovely evening.
In the beginning…
For Pfeiffer, this play was pretty personal. After all, she has direct real experience with starting anew here in Florida after dealing with mobsters back in New York. She actually escaped the life of being a mob wife in New York before starting over here in the Sunshine State. Her story was told on the TV show “I Married a Mobster,” Season 2, episode 3. It is quite the tale.
She took her experiences and used them to create something unique, teaming up with Deni B. Sher to write this story. Sher has a background in theater and screenwriting, and has co-written an award-winning local film called “Boxed” with Laurel Levey about The Holocaust, as well as others, including a film called “Grave Errors” and one called “The Imagined.” Her script “Evergreen Christmas Wedding,” also begins production soon.
Originally, the play “From Brooklyn to Boca” was intended to be a movie. They filmed the pilot and a teaser (directed by Josh Louis) and were in the process of shopping it as a feature film when they decided to go in a different direction and try it as a play. So, they rewrote the script a bit and did a staged reading, later to tweak some more, hold auditions and put together the show. (Side note: In the original pilot, this reporter was in the role of Rhonda, and in the play, was cast in a different role, as the news anchor).
The play was directed and produced by Sharee C. Pemberton, who also has quite the background. This native Floridian went to Chicago to be part of Roger Ebert’s Film Critics’ Awards before returning to the state. As a creative director, she also has won the Clio for the iconic “This Bud’s For You!” campaign. She also has worked with the USO Entertainment Troupe with actor Gary Sinese and received an Emmy for a PBS special. She was the executive producer for the film “The Letter,” which will be released soon. As far as her experience in theater, she worked for Fox Theatricals on “The Producers,” which won a Tony, and has won additional awards for her work as a producer and actress. In addition, she is an author of two books.
As for “From Brooklyn to Boca,” there are plans for additional runs of the play. Who knows what is next for this comedy.
More about Pfeiffer — she also is a stand-up comedian on the local circuit and continues to act in various projects. She can be seen as in a funny sexy role in “The Beach Bum,” directed by Harmony Korine, with Matthew McConaughey, among many others.
“From Brooklyn to Boca” will be shown at The Studio in Mizner Park in Boca Raton through Jan. 19. For more info. and tickets, visit www.thestudioatmiznerpark.com.
Photos by Rachel Galvin. More pics coming soon on the Facebook page.
Nonpareil Art & Fashion Exhibition 2024
By Rachel Galvin
Models busily prepared to hit the runway while King Yahweh, clad all in white, posed for photos, and other guests strolled through large scale artworks while sipping on spirits and listening to live entertainment. Emcee Rick Sykes kept the party going. This swanky soiree was the Nonpareil Art & Fashion Exhibition, held at Santorini by Giorgios in South Beach on December 6. Fashions were brought to the forefront, courtesy of Unblemished Couture and Swan Song Couture. This event was the brainchild of Travon Ridley-Evans and it benefitted Tinkerbell’s Kids. DJ Myla kept the music pumping. Big Wes and Abdul Muhammad II rapped. And Alexander Padei serenaded. These were a few of the performances for the evening. People dressed in quirky artistic style to add a more festive element to this Art Basel based event. The party kept going til late with a champagne toast to finish it off in style.
#Art #fashion #SouthBeach #Miami #NonpareilArtAndExposition #fashionshow @unblemishedbycherice @veronica_iovan
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Men of Style: A Wicked Affair
By Rachel Galvin
The BBX Capital Men of Style event, presented by Kimpton Shorebreak, had a decidedly “Wicked” flair this year, thanks to its theme inspired by the iconic musical play/ film of the same name.
The popular event on December 5, held at The Galleria Mall as usual, brought all the zest people have come to expect. Characters like Glinda, the Tin Man, a witch and wizard, and a juggling Scarecrow greeted guests. DJ Nikko played an 80s mix. People could take photos 360-style. There was live entertainment, drinks, light bites from local restaurants and more. But the highlight was the runway show featuring 12 honorees and models showing off styles from Macy’s and Dillards.
Jacey Birch, WPLG news anchor, emceed. Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager at The Galleria, spoke, as did Lois Marino, executive director of BBX Capital, the main sponsor for the event, before the fashion show began.
The crowd went wild as the honorees strutted their stuff, bringing plenty of personality. Each represented a nonprofit. This year’s honorees were Raphael Walters, for Florida Children’s Theatre, William Schultz for The Pride Center at Equality Park, Chaz Warrington for Junior Achievement of South Florida, Alec Bogdanoff for History Fort Lauderdale, Baldwyn English for Art & Culture Center/ Hollywood, Hayden Casson for Henderson Behavioral Health, Emmanuel Garnier from Handy, Scott Dunseath for FLITE Center, Israel Gomez for Leadership Broward Foundation, Ramon Moreno for Kids in Distress, TJ Walsh for South Florida Symphony Orchestra and Captain Lee Rosbach for Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center.
People could vote on their honoree with money going back to the cause and could participate in the raffle.
Over the last 18 years, Men of Style has raised over a million dollars toward worthy causes. This year, Children’s Diagnostic Center raised the most money at about $60,000.
Did you miss this year? There is always next year!
Film Review: “Bad Shabbos”
When David (Jon Bass), who is Jewish, and his fiance, Meg (Meghan Leathers), who is Catholic, invite her parents for the first time to meet his parents, nerves run high. After all, David’s mom Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick) is not too happy with someone of a different faith becoming her daughter-in-law, even though she is converting. The awkwardness ensues immediately. Everything from preparing dinner to making small talk is like nails on a chalkboard. Things are not going well.
But they are going to get worse. Added into the mix are other inner family conflicts. David’s sister Abby (Milana Vayntrub) is fighting with her boyfriend Benjamin (Ashley Zukerman), so is David’s brother, Adam, who is his own brand of nutty. Furious with Benjamin and filled with anxiety, he needs to pop pills to calm down but that doesn’t stop him from creating conflict. Little did he know his actions would lead to the unraveling of the whole family and night. Not even his father Richard’s (David Paymer) self-help theories can help to soothe the drama that unfolds. Even hip doorman Jordan (“Method Man”) gets swept up in the situation. The more challenges that occur, the funnier it becomes.
The actors did a great job at pacing and characterization, adding to the comedy of the moment. Kyra Sedgwick really shines as the mom. Meg’s parents, played by Catherine Curtin and John Bedford Lloyd, excel when they appear on screen, as do the rest of the cast throughout.
This film is sure to delight all audiences, but especially those familiar with Jewish culture, or simply the awkwardness involved when there is a clash of cultures. The award-winning film, directed by Daniel Robbins and co-written by Zack Weiner, will be shown exclusively at Movies of Delray beginning December 6. The director, as well as producer Adam Mitchell, will be in attendance on opening day and on weekends.
In January 2025, the comedy will screen in West Palm at the Sun and Stars International Film Festival (January 23-Feb. 2), and at the Miami Jewish Film Festival (January 9-23). After that it will roll out to additional theaters in Florida and elsewhere in the U.S.
For more information, visit moviesofdelray.com.
Men of Style 2024 is almost here
Photo from 2021 Men of Style event
By Rachel Galvin
Food, Spirits, Fashion & Philanthropy — Men of Style is a high energy event that has it all. Held at the Galleria Mall, this year’s event, presented by Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel, will take place December 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. WPLG news anchor Jacey Birch will emcee and Jay McCracken will be the guest DJ.
Guests can grab a drink and a light bite from one of the many participating area restaurants. They also enjoy live entertainment and engage in the lively fashion show.
Every year, 12 men from the community are honored and each represents a different charity. Their supporters come out to cheer them on as they strut down the runway wearing trendy fashions along with models. This year’s honorees are Raphael Walters, for Florida Children’s Theatre, William Schultz for The Pride Center at Equality Park, Chaz Warrington for Junior Achievement of South Florida, Alec Bogdanoff for History Fort Lauderdale, Baldwyn English for Art & Culture Center/ Hollywood, Hayden Casson for Henderson Behavioral Health, Emmanuel Garnier from Handy, Scott Dunseath for FLITE Center, Israel Gomez for Leadership Broward Foundation, Ramon Moreno for Kids in Distress, TJ Walsh for South Florida Symphony Orchestra and Captain Lee Rosbach for Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center.
You can vote on your favorite man, get more details on the event, participate in the raffle and get tickets for the event at galleriamall-fl.com/events-promotions.
41st Miami Book Fair — brings book lover to Miami
By Rachel Galvin
Are you someone who can’t wait until the next book in a series drops, or who spends their nights with their nose in a book, or who follows everything their favorite author says and does? No matter which type of bibliophile you may be, you are sure to love the Miami Book Fair. Now in its 41st year, the fair seems to have more reasons than ever to check it out.
The event is held on the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus from November 17-24 and 400 authors will be in attendance. All genres will be presented from horror to romance to fantasy, and beyond. There are also authors of children’s books. One of the biggest draws is sure to be horror author Stephen King. But there are plenty of journalists who have written books who will be in attendance, including Connie Chung, and well-known classic authors like Amy Tan and funny guy Dave Barry. The long list of authors from all over is really outstanding this year.
Don’t miss the “Evening With” presentations with some of the most established thinkers of our day like Chung who is having a conversation with her husband Maury Povich; Tan talking about her “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” Clarissa Ward talking about her experiences in the news industry, and more.
This event is perfect for families. Not only can children go home with handfuls of books, but they can also engage in activities in the Children’s Alley, including making books of their own, doing science experiments, learning about robots, making music and more. There will be performances, storytelling, strolling characters and artists, virtual reality and a FIFA experience too.
Adults will love the nightly cocktail parties at the Lost Chapter lounge and the full food court hosted by Smorgasburg.
Have fun at the street fair from November 22-24!
There is free parking on campus in building 7, a block sized garage, between NE 1st and 2nd Avenues and between NE 5th & 6th Streets.
General admission is $12 for adults, $5 for ages 13-18 and those over 62; free for under 12. There is a free block party the first night with Funkbox NYC, featuring DJs Tony Touch Hector Romero and Tedd Patterson with a live performance by Joi Cardwell.
For more information and to get tickets, visit miamibookfair.com.
Authors include the following:
Nonfiction
* Alice Driver, Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company
* Alice Randall, My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Future and Present
* Carrie Sun, Private Equity: A Memoir
* Daniela Rus, The Mind’s Mirrors: Risk and Reward in the Age of AI
* Ernesto Londono, Trippy: The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedeolics
* Jonathan Vigliotti: Before It’s Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America
* Glory Edim, Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me
* Jason Stanley, Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past
* Kara Swisher, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story
* Marie Arana, LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority
* Patrick J. Kennedy, Profiles in Mental Health Courage
* R. Derek Black, The Klan Man’s Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism
* Sahaj Kaur Kohli, But What WIll People Say: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures
Pop culture icons
* Amy Tan, The Backyard Bird Chronicles
* Former Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Water, Water: Poems
* Daniel Handler, (as Lemony Snickett) And Then? And Then? What Else?
* Deborah Paredez, American Diva: Extraordinary, Unruly, Fabulous
* Edda L. Fields-Black, Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During
* Erik Larson, The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
* Ed Newman, Warrior Judge: One Man’s Journey from the Gridiron to the Gavel
* Julie Satow, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion
* Kathleen Hanna, Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk
* Madeline Blais, Queen of the Court: The Many Lives of Tennis Legend Alice Marble
* Marianne Williamson, The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love
* Moon Unit Zappa, Earth To Moon: A Memoir
* Patti Smith, A Book of Days
* Ray Suarez, We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century: An Oral History
* Simon Doonan, The Camp 100: Glorious Flamboyance from Louis XIV to Lil Nas X
* Stacey Abrams, Stacey Speaks Up
* Susan Seidelman, Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir
* Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Anguish and Anarchy
* Thurston Moore, Sonic Life: A Memoir
* V (Eve Ensler), Reckoning
Florida based icons
* Asha Elias, Pink Glass Houses
* Dave Barry, The Swamp
* Dr. Paul George and Henry Green, Jewish Miami Beach
* Ed Newman, Holly Greenberg Newman Warrior Judge: One Man’s Journey from the Gridiron to the Gavel
* Edwidge Danticat, We’re Alone: Essays
* Fabienne Josaphat, Kingdom of No Tomorrow
* Gene Moreno, Carlos Alfonzo: Late Paintings
* Geoffrey Philip, My Name is Marcus
* Jen Karetnick, Inheritance with a High Error Rate
* Jennine Capo Crucet, Say Hello to My Little Friend
* Jim Grippando, Goodbye Girl- A Jack Swyteck Novel
* Joy Castro, One Brilliant Flame
* Leonard Pitts, 54 Miles* Dr. Paul George, Jewish Miami Beach
* Lisandro Perez, The House on G Street: A Cuban Family Saga
* Oscar Fuentes, Relics of the Heart: Stories of My Family
* First Miami Dade Poet Laureate Richard Blanco, Latino Poetry: The Library of America Anthology
* Rochelle Weinstein, What You Do To Me
Fiction
* Alice McDermott, Absolution
* Claire Messud, This Strange Eventful History
* Lisa See, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
* Jamie Quatro, Two-Step Devil
* Jayne Allen, The Most Wonderful Time
* Jean Hanff Korelitz, The Sequel
* Jill McCorkle, Old Crimes: and Other Stories
* Julia Phillips, Bear
* Louis Bayard, The Wildes: A Novel in 5 Acts
* Margot Livesey, The Road from Belhaven
* Marie-Helene Bertino, Beautyland
* Mona Simpson, Commitment
* Myriam Chancy, Village Weavers
* Nicola Yoon, One of Our Kind
* Rachel Kushner, Creation Lake
* Tracy Clark, Echo, featuring detective Harriet Foster