Summertime Groove

One of the great things about South Florida is there is always an event for whatever taste you have, be it old school dance, 80's metal or sing-along family shows. Below are some of my top picks for the hottest months of the year:

1) The Freestyle and Old School Extravaganza arrives at American Airlines Arena, located at 601 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. This must-attend event for all middle school dance lovers include New York's TKA, Fort Lauderdale's own Stevie B, hip hop groups Black Sheep and Naughty by Nature, Cynthia, Johnny O and Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite. Tickets start at $52.00, and the show starts at 8 pm. For more information visit the American Airlines Arena website at http://www.aaarena.com.

2) Remember Cinderella? This popular heavy metal band of the 80's is back. Heavy metal made animal print pants, teased up hair, and smudged eyeliner popular before the Jersey Shore kids were a glint in a guido's eye. Dig out your ripped jeans and headbang to "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" on July 31^st, at Revolution Live, 100 SW 3^rd Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at around $41.25 (fees included in price) and the show starts at 7:30 pm. For more information, check out www.jointherevolution.net.

3) You can't get more old-school than Neil Diamond. However, he's touring on the other side of the world. So check out Rob Garrett, the "King of Diamonds." Rob Garrett brings his talents as Las Vegas' top Neil Diamond impersonator to Boca Raton's Mizner Park Amphitheater on July 29^th as part of their "Summer in the City" music series. So after the old-school dancing, but before the horn throwing and moshing, bring the family to this free event. Mizner Park is located on Federal Highway, just south of Glades Road. Parking is free at any of the four garages located on site. For more information, call 561-393-7827 or visit http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/specialevents .

4) Saturday Nite Alive is a series of events, held on A1A from the Atlantic Hotel to Oasis Cafe. Parking rates are reduced, and various musicians, street performers, and vendors fill the sidewalks from June 4^th to September 3^rd. Saturday Nite Alive is from 7-11 pm. Check out http://thenewfortlauderdalebeach.com/2011/05/24/saturday-nite-alive-2/ for more information.

So here we are. A little throwback to youth, a little fun for the family, and a new way to check out Fort Lauderdale Beach. Enjoy!