Festival transforms streets into art

On February, the streets of downtown Lake Worth fill with colors and art following a tradition that began in Italy in the 16th century and has endured over 400 years.

During the Street Painting Festival over 400 artists use the pavement as their canvas and express themselves. Their art transform the streets into a temporary outdoor museum of original pieces and masterpiece reproductions.

The festival also includes live entertainment featuring jazz musicians, classical music, dance, theatre, improvisation, and an array of street side cafes.

To see a visitor's review go to:

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/north-america/index.pl?read=249

Location:
Downtown Lake Worth

Lake and Lucerne between "J" Street and Federal Highway

For more information visit: http://streetpaintingfestivalinc.org/v3/home.htm

SunFest: Five days and nights of music, art and fireworks

For five days and nights in the first week of May, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival takes to the streets of downtown West Palm Beach.

SunFest is not only an opportunity for South Florida music fans to check out the best national acts --everyone from John Mayer to Fergie have graced the outdoor stages-- but is also a chance for local bands to introduce themselves.

This year a new event called New Music Night was added. For $15 dollars visitors got a selection of 15 bands ranging from ska (Cerveza) to piano pop (Gabe Dixon) to dreamy folk (Landon Pigg).

One of my favorite events takes place the last night of the event, when hundreds of fireworks illuminate the dark sky to end the festival, which will come back next year with more music and entertainment.

Fun facts
• SunFest is produced by a private nonprofit organization.

• More than 3,000 volunteers work under the direction of a 21-member board and a full-time staff of 10.

• SunFest raises more than $50,000 annually for other local nonprofit organizations.

• SunFest's local economic impact averages $16 million annually.

• SunFest attracts more than 275,000 guests each year.

• SunFest recycles close to 32 tons of paper, food, icebags and grease.

• SunFest brings in visitors from all over the world, making it one of Palm Beach County's largest tourism attractions.

To know what happened this year in SunFest visit: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/events/content/entertainment/events/guides/sunfest/index.html

For more information visit: http://www.sunfest.org/

Celebrating the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s

If the life-style of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s captures your interest, a new exhibition at the Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture will allow you to experience a slice from each decade.

The exhibition Stuff! features everything from vintage household items and furnishings, to collectibles, clothing and memorabilia.
However, I’m looking forward to see the selection of 19 portraits of Hollywood screen legends from the Cuban-American artist Jay DePalma.

The collection Divas of Hollywood! includes portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davies, Audrey Hepburn and others.

Information:

Exhibit dates are Nov. 25 through Feb. 8
Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.Admission $6; $4 seniors and students; free for ages 13 and under.

Location: The Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture, part of Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.

(561) 243-7922

An Avenue with designers and History

If money is no object, Worth Avenue is the place to spend some cash.

Worth Avenue boasts more than 200 shops, offering everything from world-class designer jewelry, clothing and shoes to internationally acclaimed paintings and antiques. Among the oldest retailers on Worth Avenue are Kassatly's Linens (1926) and Martha Phillips (1945).

But if you want to know more about the past of the famed shopping destination join James Ponce, the official historian for the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and The Breakers Hotel, on a historical walking tour of Worth Avenue. Complete with top hat, pocket watch and walking cane, Ponce assumes the persona of Henry Flagler during the tours as he shares the history of Worth Avenue and its environs.

Tours Information:

- Tour star at 11 a.m and are the second Wednesday of the month October thru April.
- Tours begin in the Gucci Courtyard, 265 Worth Ave., Palm Beach.
- The tours are free with donations collected for the Historical Society of Palm BeachNo reservations are necessary.

For more information visit: http://www.worth-avenue.com/

James Ponce: A Living Landmark

- A descent of the country’s oldest documented family
- Ponce was born in St. Augustine in 1917 and grew up in Henry Flagler’s presence
- Ponce’s father, a mortician, was the one to bury Flagler when he died in 1913.
- Ponce has worked at The Colony and The Brazilian Court
- He retired as assistant manager at The breakers in 1982
- He now functions as the hotel's resident historian, tour guide and lecturer.

Read the review of a Worth Avenue's visitor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34530-d105476-r3937301-Worth_Avenue-Palm_Beach_Florida.html

An authentic Greek grill

Its exterior appearance is not charming like those other South Florida Greek restaurants. But the food at Souvlaki Grill it’s amazing.

Blue seat fill the bright, white dinning area just feet from the sizzling grill, so customers can watch while their order is being prepared.

The souvlaki, which refers to grilled meat or seafood, can be ordered as a skewer, sandwich or platter. My favorite is the souvlaki chicken skewer, but the menu alsooffers pork, lamb, beef, dolphin or shrimp.

The restaurant even prepares its own, tzaziki, a yogurt-based sauce and their pita is amazing.
Prices are reasonable- in the $3 to $11 range for menu items; sides and desserts are generally cheaper.

Location: Souvlaki Grill, 795 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.
(561) 655-6333

Read the review of The Palm Beach Post's food critic Charles Passy: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/hungryman/entries/2007/10/04/the_weekly_dish_kataifi_at_sou.html

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens comes to live in December

Of West Palm Beach's 14 historic residential districts, El Cid has the grandest homes. The residences are some of the most beautiful examples of Mediterranean Revival and Mission architecture in the city.

In this neighborhood, just south of downtown West Palm Beach and with houses dating to the 1920s, is also located the former residence of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-19852).

Now, the residence features a collection of 300 species of tropical palms and is known as The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. But what I love about this property is that displayed through the house, studio and garden are more than 100 works by the artist, including nine monumental sculptures, eight in brick and one in granite.

On Dec. 5 through Dec. 12, the gardens will come alive with the Festival of Trees. In this magical evening, visitors can travel through the gardens and view evergreens trees adorned with festive décor created by notable designers and sponsors.

This year, the theme and imagery of “Books Come Alive in the Gardens” will revolve around timeless classics and contemporary children’s literature. Dancers, singers and storybook characters will transport visitors to the land of holidays.

Location:


The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach


(561) 832-5328
Price: Adults $10, students $5 children under 4 free.

For more information visit: http://www.ansg.org/index.htm

Taverna Opa: A festivity that never ends

I enjoy restaurants that tell a story or take me somewhere that I’ve never been, but only dreamed of going. That happens every time I visit Taverna Opa, located at the heart of CityPlace in West Palm Beach.

The music, the decoration, the open kitchen and the fresh and authentic Greek menu at this restaurant/nightclub makes me feel as if I have just stepped in to the Greek Isles.

Taverna Opa is unique, how many restaurants do you know let customers dance with waiters on tables and throw napkins in the air as if they were confetti, all to the tune of some very loud Greek dance music? In this place you will experience all that. Also, they have belly dancers and after midnight they play international music as well.

There is also an outdoor bar, but the real fun is indoors in the dinning room where every so often the music stops and people scream Opa!, which means in Greek ' lets party ' or ' get down and dance.'

If you are planning to come here, I recommend you to do it with a big group, so your friends or family members can accompany you on this journey to the Greek Isles.

For more information visit: http://www.opapalmbeach.com/