Aventura Digest 2023 "Broadway With Heart"

Gulfstream Park heats up in 2023 with High-Season Entertainment

From horse racing and casino games to shopping and dining, offering a wide range of entertainment options

Gulfstream Park is heating up in 2023! Peak season has arrived at South Florida’s favorite entertainment destination where a number of exciting events and happeningswilltakeplaceunder the Florida sunshine. Home to a world-renowned racetrack, casino, live performance venue, countless dining options and plenty of shopping and entertainment, Gulfstream Park is excited to usher in another year of signature events that attract visitorsbothnearandfar.

Known as one of the richest races in the world, the Pegasus World Cup Presented by Baccarat has quickly established itself over the past six years as South Florida’s preeminent luxury sports and lifestyle event. Taking place Saturday, January 28, the Pegasus World Cup attracts A-list celebrity attendees, fashion icons, influencers and avid fans to catch a glimpse of horse racing’s most iconic event of the year. The PegasusWorld Cup brings a new energy and modernity to the sport of thoroughbred horse rac-

ing for a new generation of fans. The 2022 Pegasus World Cup hit arecord-settinghandlewithover $43.8 million wagered on the 12race program, a testament to the race’s popularity among fans. This year’s event promises even more excitement with an exclusive ticketed event at the Carousel Club featuring special performances by KYGO and One Republic. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: pegasusworldcup.com/tickets/ South Florida’s favorite food and wine festival is back! The Hallandale Beach Food & Groove: A Wine, Food and Art ExperiencereturnstoGulfstream Park as part of the 22nd annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One. Taking place Saturday, February 25 from 7-11 p.m., the event invites food lovers for an immersive experience. Hosted by Southern Glazer’sWine & Spirits and Florida International University, the Festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits

BeverageManagementCenter.

Theeventfeaturesavarietyof international cuisines that will get guests movin’ and groovin’ including Gulfstream Park Village’s Belly Fish and Ten Palms restaurants. Other participating restaurants include: El Tamarindo Coal Fired Pizza, Marash Turkish Cuisine, Moises Bakery, Dr. Limon Hallandale, CAO Bakery & Café, The Krazy Vegan, Il Mercato Café & Wine Shop, Matteo’s Trattoria, Dunn’s River Island Café, Holy Avocado, Ceviche Avenue, Chef Irie, See Thai & Japanese Cuisine, Nana’s Sapibon Haitian Restaurant, D’s Delights and Mable’s Island Kitchen.

Additional restaurants will be announced. General admission tickets are $75 and can be purchased by visiting: sobewff.org/ groove/.

Music in the Park, Gulfstream Park Village’s favorite live entertainment series, continues its weekly performances with the area’s favorite musical talent. TakingplaceWednesdaythrough Sunday nights from 6:30-9:30

p.m., Music in the Park is sure to get audiences dancing. These open-air performances take placeinthecenterstageandfeature rotating bands on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. Saturdays are DJ/ Family Nights. Free to attend, Music in the Park has proven to be one of Gulfstream’s most popular ongoing events. For additional live music, the Casino Stage features a DJ on Friday nights from 7-11 p.m. and live band on Saturday nights from 711p.m.TheBreezewayStagefeatures rotating DJs on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. and the Carousel Club features live music FridaySundayduringallopenhours.

“Gulfstream Park is the place to be – with live music, food and racing events, there is something for everyone to enjoy this season,” said Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing for Gulfstream Park Village. “Our eventscapturetheessenceofthe South Florida lifestyle and provide opportunities to try something new or revisit a favorite pastime.”

About Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination,locatedbetweenMiamiand FortLauderdale,anchoredbythe legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to acasinoandfamily-friendlyvenues including over 15 restaurants,outdoorcafes,artgalleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park,voted a 2020 Top Travelers’ Choice Winner byTripAdvisor,is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95.Valet service and complimentary selfparking are available. Gulfstream Park is open sevendays a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information please, visit: www. gulfstreampark.comor call:954454-7000.

e-Device Help, Classic Board Games, Meditation & Exercises And Much More

TheAventuraBranchLibraryhasawidevarietyofOn-

require you to RSVP, so, please go On-Line to register at: https:// mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventura Or for more information prior to attending the event, call: (305) 9315512.

Homework Help and Tutoring

Saturday, January 21st, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Certified teachers meet with small groups of students in one-hour sessions to provide homework help and Tutoring in Reading, Math and Science. Students are encouraged to bring homework material or school assignments for assistance in specific subject areas. This free service is available to all students in grades K-12. for course offerings, location information and to register. Funded in part by The Children’s Trust, please visit: https://www.mdpls.org/tutor/

Online Event: Resume Writing

Monday, January 23rd, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Northeast-Dade Aventura Virtual Programs Room

Learnaboutdifferenttypesofresumes,howtowritea resume and resume writing tips. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours oftheeventstarttime.19yearsofageandup.

Multilingual

Story Hour for Adults

Friday, January 27th, 2023, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Joinustoshareyourfavoriteshortstoryorastoryyou have written. You may also tell us a story in the style of storytelling. Stories in all languages are welcome. 12 yearsofageandup.

Homework Help and Tutoring

Saturday, January 28th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Certified teachers meet with small groups of students in one-hour sessions to provide homework help and tutoring in reading, math, and science. Students are encouraged to bring homework material or school assignments for assistance in specific subject areas. This freeserviceisavailabletoallstudentsingradesK-12.For course offerings, location information and to register. Please visit: https://www.mdpls.org/tutor Funded in part byTheChildren’sTrust.

Reading Circle

Saturday, January 28th, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Practice your reading skills in English, while improving your listening comprehension. Each participant will take turns reading aloud parts of a selected story and thendiscussthestorywithotherlearners.19yearsofage andup.

Online Event: Interview Skills

Tuesday, January 31st, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Northeast-DadeAventuraVirtualProgramsRoom

This interactive role playing workshop will teach you how to prepare for interviews, including phone interviews. Find out about the fifteen most important interview questions and how to answer them. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24hoursoftheeventstarttime.19yearsofageandup.

Online Event: Falun Gong Meditation & Exercises

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Falun Gong is an ancient, high level Chinese practice that uses gentle movements and meditation to cultivate the body, mind and spirit. Space is limited for this online event.Registrationisrequired.Zoomlinkwillbeemailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. For moreinformation,pleasecontact:(305)931-5512.19+.

Some of the above events require preregistration. To register, go to: https:// mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventuraFor more information, feel free to contact the Aventura Branch at: (305) 931-5512. The Aventura Branch library is located at 2930 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura, Florida 33180.

Calvin Klein Or Comedy: A Decision This Comedian Never Regretted

Comedian Bobby Collins has distinguished himself as one of the Premier Comedians in our country and has an ability to truthfully translate the human condition. Audiences across the country relate to his comedic characterizations as he exposes the humor of day-to-day situations as well as serving up resplendent rants on world events.

Throughprecisephysicaltiming and impeccable audience insight, he has honed his talents while performing from hole in the wall clubs to sold out theaters. Bobby Collins’ rise to top headlining, comedic master was inevitable. His true dedication to hiscraftiswhatkeepshisvibrant showsconsistentlysoldout.With such skillful dissection of everyday life, he weaves his uproarious storytelling with effortless flair and charisma as he success-

fully dismantles any and all socioeconomic, race and age divides. Night after night, Bobby Collins masterfully reflects the hilarious truth – we’re all in this together!

A native New Yorker, Collins possesses a confidence and genuine everyman likability that can only be earned. He knows whatit’sliketoworkadayjob,in order to pursue a dream. He’s flipped his share of burgers, as well as signing on as a substitute high school history teacher, to pay the bills – all the while performing in comedy clubs at night.

After heeding a conversation with his father, with some trepidation, he ventured into sales. Settling into the high fashion industry. A detour that proved so successful, that in the 1980’s he had risen to Vice President at Calvin Klein. It was there that he

found himself faced with a life changing decision; remain here or chuck the security (and more than substantial steady income) for the uncertain challenge of headingoutontheroad–topursue his dream of becoming a professional, full time stand-up comedian. It was a decision he’s never regretted and he will be performing in Aventura on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.

Opening Act: Singer

Jennifer McClain

Jennifer McClain has been entertaining South Florida audiences for over 15 years in venues ranging from small bars to large night clubs and charity events. She has appeared on CNN performing in Key West for New Year’s Eve, she has also performed in New York City, Puerto

at her fingertips, she can easily slip from a sultry torch song to a high energy pop anthem and then into a comedic Broadway number.

Parking:

Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excellence School.

Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located

at the main entrance of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, in the circular drive. There is a convenientdrop-offareainfront ofthebuilding.

Tickets:

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.

You can purchase tickets online at: aventuracenter.org By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 4620222.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180.

Blood, Sweat & Mouseketears

Lindsey Alley Performs at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

With Musical Direction by Rick Leonard During this memorable evening of showtunes, catharsis and joy, Lindsey Alley takes us on a comedic musical journey...and her quest for the elusive “HappilyEverAfter.”

Having played all over the country, as well as internationally, Lindsey Alley has entertained audiences everywhere from 54 Below in New York City to the worldfamous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. “There are very few entertainers who are able to truly connect with people the way Lindseydoes.Notonlydoesshewinaudiences over with her endless charm, her beautiful voice and her bawdy sense of humor, but she has a way of touching them in completely unexpected ways. She’s a totally unique talent in a world thatneedsmoreofthem.”-RandleRoper, CEO, VACAYA “She’s thin, pretty and talented. I HATE HER!” - Jackie Beat, Drag Superstar

Lindsey Alley

Lindsey has been performing in theatre,televisionandfilmsincetheageofsix. In 1989, she was cast as a Mouseketeer on the Disney Channel’s “Mickey Mouse Club,” performing alongside Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell, etc. She was one of only three cast members to appear in the pilot and all seven seasonsoftheshow.

OnBroadway,Lindseycoveredtherole of Older Helen in Hollywood Arms, and recently, she completed the Chicago engagement of First Wives Club. Regionally, Lindsey’s starring credits include: Freaky Friday, Young Frankenstein, Legally Blonde (LA Ovation Nomination), Let’s Misbehave, Having It All (LA Ovation Nomination) Shear Madness, How To Succeed..., I Love You, You’re Perfect..., Paper Moon, and many more.

Favorite film, TV and web credits include; “Jessica Jones,” “Liza On Demand,” “Lethal Weapon,” “Barb Jorgenson:Confidential,”“HowIMetYour Mother,” “I Didn’t Do IT,” “Bedtime Stories,” “B.L. Stryker,” “Ernest Saves Christmas” and her original, hit web series, “On the Patio” at: www.onthepatiotv.com

Lindsey is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, The William Esper Studio in NewYork City and the Imagined Life Studio in Los Angeles. She is currently touring the world with her acclaimed club act, ?Blood, Sweat & Mouseketears?which will be showing at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Friday,January27th,2023at8:00p.m.

Tickets

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase tickets onlineat:aventuracenter.orgByphoneat: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance.ForGroupSales:(954)660-6307.

Parking

Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the AventuraCityofExcellenceSchool.

Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located at the main entrance of the AventuraArts&CulturalCenterinthecirculardrive.Thereisaconvenientdrop-off areainfrontofthebuilding.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180

The Ultimate Tribute

One of the most iconic bands of all time will be honored with ‘Absolute Queen,’ the most authentic Queen Tribute Show Band on the planet. Absolute Queen has spent hundreds of hours in the studio studying Queen’s many layered harmony vocals and instrumentation to bring you the most authentic sounding Queen Live Experience.

Martyn, our “Freddie” from Wales in the United Kingdom, hastouredthroughoutEuropein a famed Queen Tribute Show for years. He has had the pleasure of sharing stages with both Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and performed at many Queen InternationalFanClubEvents.

The show is more than just a Queen Tribute Band, the music and stage production will blow you away. The Oscar Winning Bohemian Rhapsody film’s success has elevated Queen

music to a whole new level and has exposed them to a new generation of fans. They are excited to play the entire movie soundtrackateveryshowplusall ofthehits!

Martyn “Freddie” also fronts fortheirotherTributestoAC/DC andDefLeppard!

AC/DC Highway To Hell

For over 20 years Highway To Hell has traveled internationally and all over the USA to bring their high energy fan friendly AC/DC show to all types of audiences. Expect Incredible vocals from Martyn, powerful rhythms and a crazy rockin’ Angus!

Highway To Hell plays songs spanning the entire 40 year career of AC/DC - songs made famous by both of AC/DC’s Legendary Singers, Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. You will be amazedbytheattentiontodetail

in Highway to Hell’s show -- the music, the instruments, the look andacannon!

This amazing band is proud to be the only AC/DC Tribute to have members share the stage with AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams and they were featured on the real AC/DC home page for being part of the massive AC/DC Festival in Peru in2011.

Absolute Def Leppard

The boys of Absolute Def Leppard have spent literally over 1,000 hours in the studio recreating the multi-layered vocal harmonies, with that plus amazing live vocals and the incredible stage production involved, you get the closest thing to the original album versions as possible! This is exactly what the real band does, so they bring you a really fantastic facsimile of a real Def

LeppardConcert. As one of the world’s bestselling music artists, Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, have two albums with RIAA diamond certification, Pyromania and Hysteria. They are one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. The band were ranked #31inVH1’s“100GreatestArtists of Hard Rock” and ranked #70 in “100 Greatest Artists Of All Time.”

Tickets

This multifaceted Tribute Show band will be performing ‘AbsoluteQueen,’inAventuraon Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. No matter if you are a Queen, AC/DC or Def Leppard fan,thisshowiscertaintorock!

Ticketmaster is the only

official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase tickets online at: aventuracenter.org By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 4620222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to5:00p.m.and90minutesprior to each performance. For Group Sales,pleasecall:(954)660-6307.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180.

“BROADWAY WITH HEART”

Song, Dance & Pizazz With Michael Kessler & Melinda Jackson

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Friday

February 3rd, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Beloved husband and wife, song and dance team Michael Kessler&MelindaJacksonreturn to the beautiful Aventura Arts & Cultural Center with Broadway with Heart, a funny, optimistic and touching love story. It is the story of a veteran showbiz couplewhotravelbackintimeto relive their favorite moments from every Broadway show they have seen or done, while revealing personal, backstage stories of their work and experiences with some of the giantsofmusicaltheatre.

In this new musical celebration of the best of Broadway, M&M and their dynamic cast from NewYork and Las Vegas, sing and dance their way through a history of classic musical numbers from hit

Broadway shows like West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Hair and many more, while revealing personal, backstage stories of their work and experiences with some of the giants of musical theatre like famed Directors, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Joe Layton and Actor,Writer,LyricistJimRado.

Native New Yorkers, Jackson and Kessler, affectionately knownasM&M,sharemorethan 30 years of producing, directing, writing, composing, choreographing and performing internationally from ballet to Broadway,RadioCityMusicHall, the Las Vegas Strip to theatres andoperahousesworldwide.

In addition to decades of international tours of their original shows, the couple have performed in Tommy Tune’s Broadway show, Grand Hotel, choreographed the Winter Olympics, the U.S. Pro Gymnastics tour and directed

and choreographed the 30th Anniversary tour of the Hit Rock MusicalHairandmanymore.

Their career is a show business fairy tale that began in aprofessionalballetclassinNew York City. Melinda remembers, “Michael showed up in ballet class in boxing trunks, wristbands and basketball socks, walkingonhishandswithabevy of females around him. At first, I wouldn’t give him the time of day. But it quickly became clear that we were so enchanted with one another, that Maggie Black, ourteacher,wouldseparateusat theballetbarre.”

Michael adds, “Once we began working together, singing, dancing and acting, we realized what a perfect fit we were. Our first show was at the humble 14th Street Y in New York City. Three months later, after a short winning streak on the TV show Star Search, we got married. We decided that from that point forward we would only accept

work where we would be together. Ten months later we were playing sold out theatres and Opera Houses in our first of manyEuropeantours.”

Melinda is proud to be the great-granddaughter of United States President Theodore Roosevelt. Bully! Michael is proud to be the great-grandson of Russian Cantor Yacov Sanzofsky.Shalom!

Proceedsfromticketsaleswill benefit M&M’s nonprofit M&M American Dance Theatre Works dedicated to promoting artistic collaboration, educational and cultural enrichment through exposure, mentorship and involvement in musical dance theatre.

Tickets are $40, $50 and $60. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: aventuracenter.org By phone at: (877)

311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales,pleasecall:(954)660-6307.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida33180.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-square-foot, 330-seat waterfront complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages.

Join the conversation,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram at: @aventuracenter Or at: #aventuracenter

Facebook: MandMAmericanDanceTheatre Twitter: @michaelmelinda

Instagram: @m2mdancetheatre

Or: #mandmamericandancetheatre

The Cooke Book: Darrian Ford and The Music of Sam Cooke

Darrian Ford, a Chicago native began his professional theater career at age 13 in Oscar Brown Jr.’s THE GREAT NITTY GRITTY.At15,thedanceprodigy joined The Joseph Holmes ChicagoDanceTheaterandat19 movedtoNewYorkCitytodance in the companies of Alvin Ailey and Donald Byrd/The Group. He made his Broadway debut as Charlie in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s STATE FAIR, about which the NewYorkTimes said “...note the irrepressibly comic Darrian Ford.” He also appeared in The Who’s TOMMY (B’way/First National), SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (First National), for which he wonThe BlackTheater AllianceAwardforBestActorina Musical and the First National tour ofTHE COLOR PURPLE. He finally re-debuted in his first Chicago Production since 1998. Of the Court Theater’s 2017 production of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, The Chicago Tribune said “Little Moe (Ford) lends High

Tenor zest to these songs... the long-time dancer has lost nothing to the years.” Get a load of that! Darrian also co-starred opposite Halle Berry in HBO’s INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE as Fayard Nicholas of the legendary Nicholas Brothers and recurred on Disney’sTHAT’SSORAVEN!

In addition to a dozen appearances on daytime talk shows as musical guest, he has been featured on several of his Broadway colleagues’ albums, original workshop recordings and concept albums. Since its 2006 debut in New York City, Darrian continues to tour and perform his original concept concert, THE COOKE BOOKTheMusicofSamCooke,around the country. The reviews everywhere have been stellar and along the way he’s initiating a whole new generation of Sam Cooke fans. As a performing Singer/Songwriter,youcancatch him in top Jazz Venues,

Performing Arts Centers, Cabarets and Clubs around the country with the most refreshing, exciting and new voice in Jazz. Prior to the release of his latest album, he released two EPs, EVERYTHING and HEAVY DEMONSTRATION. In February of2018,hegratefullyreleasedhis first full-length album of original vocal Jazz, NEW STANDARDS. It debuted at #1 on the NACC Jazz Album Debut chart, #9 on the ROOTS Chart and #11 on the VibeUK Top 20 Jazz Albums of 2018. You will hear influences from his theatrical background and some of his music heroes like Al Jarreau, Mel Torme’, NancyWilsonandTonyBennett.

On the anniversary of the great singer’s birth, The City of Aventura presents The Cooke Book:TheMusicofSamCooke,a celebrationofhisinnovative(but too brief) career on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Cooke blazed a trail for Aretha Franklin, Curtis

Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson and many other giants of soul music. The concert delivers songs from the legendary Singer/Songwriter that seamlessly highlight Cooke’s musical journey from gospel golden boy to his transition into an international pop sensation as well as his remarkable Jazz and Blues interpretations from his triumphant Copacabana appearance. A Chicago son, like Cooke himself, Darrian Ford performs these timeless and classic melodies with expanded and reinvigorated arrangements that hold stylistically true to the era, while his “... scorching vocals send you searching for your soul,” according to The Chicago Tribune.

Tickets

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase tickets online

at: aventuracenter.org By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 4620222.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180.

Mutts Gone Nuts: Some Of The World’s Most Talented 4 Legged Performers

Expect the unexpected, as canines and comedy collide in a smash hit performance, that’s leaving audiences everywhere howling for more. From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action pack-ed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented 4 legged performers. Deem-ed ‘A Must See’ by the Washington Post, the dogs are sure to steal your heart and then yoursocks!

The all-star lineup includes the highest jumping dog in the universe, two Guinness World Rec-ord Champions, a hilarious six pound Pomeranian Pikachu mix, a host of previously discarded dogs that will dance, prance, flip and skip their way right into your heart! Deemed “A must see!” by the Washington Post, Mutts Gone Nuts is sure to winBestinShow!

Performancesfeature9amazing mutts (and 4 hu-mans) in a 75 minute canine extravaganza. Wit-ness the unbelievable as these once discarded dogs jump,

cial ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase tickets online at: aventuracenter.org By phone

0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to5p.m.and90minutespriorto each performance. For Group Sales,pleasecall:(954)660-6307.

Parking

Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excel-lence School.

Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located at the main entrance of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in the circular drive. There is a convenientdrop-offareainfront ofthebuilding.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180.

Obtaining A Wealth of Health For The New Year

Honor Your Resolution With Free Fitness

Options Throughout The City

By Joyce R. Forchion - LOVE Aventura

While perusing the aisles at the sparkling-new Plum Market on Biscayne Boulevard, I encountered a retired couple from New Jersey rummaging through containers of prepackaged tropical fruit.The husband and wife of over 40 years randomly approached me and asked for a second opinion on which item to select for a picnic.

“Pineappleormango,”sheasked as she held up each choice. After recommending the mango slices for their holiday date, she and her spouse thanked me while walking away, whispering ardent advice to me before finally departingtothecheck-outline.

Health is wealth, indeed. We’ve reached a triumphant New Year, and with the passage of time, we realize that the only

thing that truly remains the same in this life is change. Time andtimeagain,menandwomen take it upon themselves to document habits and characteristics that they would love to change within a year’s time. Like clockwork, “exercising more often” consistentlyranksasthenumber one affirmation most individuals make when considering ways to transform their bodies and reframe their lives. In the case of Aventura residents, there are many free options around the City that are available to those who are committed to honoring their New Year’s resolution to workoutforahealthierlifestyle.

“As someone who spends each day conversing with business owners, professionals, and families about comprehensive health insurance packages and

decisions affecting their loved ones and bottom line, I’m here to encourage everyone to prioritize personal health goals and cultivate the highest quality of life as a resident possible, especially since many wellness resources are easily accessible throughout the City,” said Gabriel Brakha, CEO of Aventura-based insurance agency, VITALSURANCE. “Scheduling consistent exercise throughout the week in our local parks– along with maintaining our mandatory doctor visits and regular check-ups– are all part of taking ownership of your lifestyle. To me, personal health is the most invaluable component of wealth, so staying motivated should become second nature in our neighborhood where these values are heavily promoted at

Adopting a wellness mindset is the collective goal for 2023, and establishing residency in Aventura presents a plethora of opportunities to activate healthy lifestyle choices, enhance your workout plan and enrich your mental health, all free of charge. Here are a few options available to the entire family for new residents who are unfamiliar with whattheCityhastooffer:

Don Soffer Exercise Trail

If you love to burn off some steam from power walking, sprinting, jogging or biking, the 3.1 mile Don Soffer ExerciseTrail surrounding the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa along Country Club Drive is for you. Prepare to encounter some of the most scenic views along the 10-foot wide trail, which is also ideal for leisure strolls with your pets and taking in relaxing sunsets among the palm treelinedpathway.

Yoga In The Park

Every Friday at 9:00 am, the City offers complimentary yoga classes at Founders Park for yogisofallagesandskilllevelsto learn, relax, and recharge after a busy week. For one hour, a cer-

tified instructor leads each class with guided breathwork and stretching exercises under the sun, but registration is mandatory at: cityofaventura.com/ ors - Students are also required to bring ID to class indicating Aventura residency, along with a YogaMat,water,andtowel.

Zumba In The Park

EveryThursdayfrom9:00am, a certified Zumba instructor teaches hour-long classes at Founders Park. Individuals seeking a more interactive movement-based experience fusing Latin dance with traditional aerobic exercises should sign up for this class by registering at: cityofaventura.com/orsDue to the limited space in this class and the intensity of the exercises, guests are encouraged to remain hydrated throughout the duration of the hour and shouldbringIDuponentry.

“Now remember…..health is wealth,anddon’tyoueverforget it!”

LOVE, AVENTURA.

Acolumncelebrating theheart,soulandculture ofourcommunity.