ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Published March 23rd, 2008

By Skip Sheffield

Easter in the Park

The second annual 17-day Festival Boca of the Arts was a jolly big success, but life goes on year-round for the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park and its Count de Hoernle Amphitheater. A 9 a.m. today a seventh annual Easter in the Park service is presented by First United Methodist Church, located across the street from Mizner Park. Easter in the Park was created as a community outreach to people who may not otherwise attend church. Musical director Bob Sheffy puts together an orchestra of professional musicians to back to concert choir and the praise team singers. Often choreography, drama and dance are incorporated into the production. Pastor Ken Roughton keeps the message short and sweet, and the service is climaxed by the release of butterflies- as many as 800- by the children in the audience. Admission is free and free water is distributed in warm weather. Call 395-1244 or visit www.fumcbocaraton.org.

Easter Bonnet Stroll in Delray Beach

A 14th annual Easter Bonnet Stroll will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. today at Old School Square. Prizes will be given to Best Bonnets, Best-Dressed Lady, Gentleman and Couple, Best-Dress Boys and Girls, Best Period Costumes and Best-Dressed Animals. There will be refreshments, a jelly bean contest and live Dixieland music. Call Carolyn Zimmerman at 276-1715 for more information.

Boca Ballet Spring Dances

Ballet Theatre presents its Spring Dances at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at the Florida Atlantic University Theatre. The program includes “La Source’ featuring Tina LeBlanc and Mateo Klemayer, “Moonlight Concerto” by Jennifer Vannucci, “Boca Baroque’ by Dan Guin and “Zoom” by Pattie Obey. Tickets are $30 adults and $25 children and seniors. Call 995-0709.

Albert Castiglia at Back Room

Albert Castiglia plays the Back Room, 7200 N. Dixie Highway, Boca Raton, at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Tickets are $5. Singer-guitarist Castiglia is touring to promote his new album, “These are the Days.” Call 988-8929.

New Exor Galleries at Royal Palm Place

Royal Palm Place has a new art spot, Exor Galleries, opening Saturday, March 22 at Suite 45 A. featured artists are Maria Di Russo, Ari Hirschman, James Kitchens, Sarah Lord and Michelle Molnar. An opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Call 361-7474.

Art Walk in Mizner Park

The Artists Guild of the Boca Museum presents a first Art Walk from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at Mizner Park. Call 393-9115 or visit www.bocamuseumartistguild.org.

SunFest Announces Headliners-
Sheryl Crow, Fergie, Black Crowes, Natasha Bedingfield

The headliners have been announced and tickets are now on sale for SunFest 2008, Florida’s largest music, art and waterfront festival, in West Palm Beach. The ladies are taking center stage at this year’s April 30-May 4 hoedown. Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow leads off Wednesday, April 30. Prog-rock group Good Charlotte performs Thursday, May 1 as part of New Music Night. Former Black-Eyed-Pea Fergie entertains Friday, May 2 and Natasha Bedington stars on Saturday, May 3. Saxophonist Mindy Abair is one of the few jazz acts. She performs on Sunday, May 4 along with the Rippingtons and Steven Marley. Advance tickets are now on sale for Club SunFest members. A two-day pass is $39 ($44 regular price). A five-day pass is $54 ($59 regular price). Children 6-12 are $8 ($10 regular price) and one-day senior tickets at the gates are $19.

Early Bird Tickets are on sale through April 12, then go on sale April 13 at participating Publix Super Markets. Tickets are available online at www.sunfest.com or at the SunFest store at 525 Clematis St., west Palm Beach. Call (800) SUNFEST or (561) 659-5980.

Cat Shell Makes Delray Affair Debut
46th annual arts, food and entertainment festival

Delray Beach celebrates its 46th annual “Affair” Friday, March 28 through Sunday March 30 over a 10-block area of downtown.
The Delray Affair has a long and storied history, as it began originally as a gladiola festival celebrating the season. Now it’s an all-purpose arts and crafts festival, with food and drink and live entertainment on three stages, with additional strolling entertainment. The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce estimates 250,000 people flock to the festival, which has become a boon to tourism (It’s a Top 20 event in the Southeastern U.S. and a Top 200 event as voted by Sunshine Artists magazine). Among the bragging rights are the “best conch fritters this side of the Bahamas” and “the best festival food you can find.” The Delray Affair is a prime showcase for South Florida musicians seeking a wider audience. Boca Raton-based singer-songwriter Cat Shell is an example of just such a musician. Cat recently released her first CD, “Cat’s Outta the Bag,” and this is her Delray Affair debut. She’s performing at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Beer Garden at Swinton and Atlantic Avenue.

“It’s tough having a musical career in South Florida,’ she says. “Everything is so spread out. I learned about the Delray Affair from my friend Jerry Leeman and he encouraged me to apply. I’m looking forward to it.” Catherine Shell was born in Peoria, Illinois the daughter of a radio personality. Because of his career, the family moved a lot. Dad is now in Fort Myers, and Cat performs with him when she visits.