Thursday 5/1

Bella Beware

Quirky, intelligent, and musically inclined—sounds like the perfect date. Thankfully, one member of hipster, college-radio friendly Vampire Weekend is actually openly gay. Rostam Batmanglij (keyboardist and producer) publicly declared his homosexuality a few years after the group hit it big. Formed at Columbia University in the early 2000s, Vampire Weekend gained critical acclaim with their self-titled hit and intellectually stimulating single Oxford Comma. In that song the members of the band bemoan the use of an Oxford comma (a comma used after a series of lists of three or more before the coordinating conjunction). According to them, the Oxford comma is pointless, stupid, and unnecessary. Still, certain esteemed, obnoxious, and narcissistic writers for local gay publications insist on using it. 8 p.m. Fillmore Miami Beach. 1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, 33139.

Friday 5/2

Food and Wine!

Many people stumble down Las Olas Blvd drunk and with full bellies. Tonight an event dedicated solely to such an activity takes place. The Las Olas Wine and Food Festival arrives with a revamped VIP Prive party, exciting new restaurants, and a variety of on-site events guaranteed to elevate the experience. Recognized as one of the most anticipated wine and culinary events of the year, the 19th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival will have 45 tables of wine, spirits, and micro brews. A Bombay Sapphire Gin Lounge and Shellback Caribbean Rum hut will showcase the offerings of two of the main sponsors. All of the proceeds will benefit the American Lung Association in Florida. 7:30 p.m. Las Olas Wine and Food Festival. 600 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, 33301.

Carlos Santana

Fusing Latin American sound and American rock, Carlos Santana received acclaim for his 1970s band Santana. The band’s sound featured his blues-based guitar lines set against Latin and African rhythms not generally heard in rock music. A newer generation might know him most famously from the ubiquitous and repetitive Grammy-award winning hit single Smooth (featuring Rob Thomas). This year he received a Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contribution to American culture through the performing arts. Tonight he plays all of the hits. 8 p.m. Hard Rock Live. 5747 Seminole Way, Hollywood, 33314.

Saturday 5/3

Ghost

Whoopi Goldberg is taking over South Florida! With a recent stand-up routine, the musical Sister Act having already made the rounds, and now Ghost playing at the Broward Center, Whoopi Goldberg has been as present as an old deceased love, watching over our every move. Goldberg, of course, received her Academy Award for the film version of Ghost, playing a wacky psychic who Patrick Swayze’s character decides to haunt. The iconic film about love, grieving, and the afterlife is given the Broadway treatment with a musical featuring an original pop score from Grammy-winners Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Even if Whoopi herself won’t be on stage, she’ll be there in spirit. 8 p.m. Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW Fifth Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33312.

SewAPalooza: Once Upon a Quilt

Grandma, beware—it’s coming! The granddaddy (grandmommy) of all sewing spectaculars arrives in Davie as a Bernina dealer in Fort Lauderdale hosts SewAPalooza. Sewing enthusiasts will gather to sew, learn new techniques, and be inspired by sewing experts. Educators Betsy Carlson and Janine Babich will be on hand to discuss different sewing skills. The festival also includes kits, project supplies, use of Bernina sewing machines, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Be prepared, Davie, things are about to get C-R-A-Z-Y! 9 a.m. Old Davie School Historical Museum. 6650 Griffin Rd, Davie, 33314.

Sunday 5/4

Lady Gaga

Despite supposed lackluster sales for ArtPop, Lady Gaga is still the official gay icon of the new millennium. With so many “little monsters” adoring Gaga’s every move, the talented singer-songwriter has become a mastermind of publicity. From the meat dress, to the Kermit-the-Frog dress, to the Muppets Thanksgiving Spectacular, to the admitted coke addiction, Lady Gaga has grabbed headlines for each and every one of her antics. Songs like Born this Way and Bad Romance defined a generation of gay men and women fighting for their rights. Tonight she’ll perform and dance and produce an artistic celebration of her ego. 8 p.m. BB&T Center. 2555 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise, 33323.

Monday 5/5

Murder and Music

Psycho is remembered for its Freudian analysis, surprise twist beginning, famous shower scene, and its evocative musical score. That score was written by one of the great film composers of the 20th century—Bernard Hermann. The South Florida Symphony showcases Hermann’s music in their summer series Blue Door String Quartet. Along with Hermann’s Echoes, the program also features Janacek’s The Kreutzer Sonata and Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1. The evening starts with a complimentary reception at 7 p.m. catered by Lenore Nolan-Ryan Catering and Cooking School, followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. Josephine S. Leiser Opera Center. 221 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33312.

Tuesday 5/6

The Head and the Heart

The Seattle based indie folk-rock band creates music more television-friendly than radio-friendly. The song Rivers and Roads was featured on the series finale of Chuck and an episode of the now-defunct sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Other songs have been featured on Hart of Dixie and the British TV program Beaver Falls. Formed in the summer of 2009, The Head and the Heart contains members Josiah Johnson, Jonathan Russell, Charity Rose Thielen, Chris Zasche, Kenny Hensley, and Tyler Williams. The two albums they released will be on display tonight as they perform at The Fillmore. 8:30 p.m. The Filmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, 33139.

Wednesday 5/7

Beach Bear Weekend Meat & Greet

Fort Lauderdale has been nervous for a couple months. No one parties harder, smarter, or more discerningly than the bears, and they’re coming to town for an entire weekend of events. Beach Bear Weekend was found to bring the best men to greater Fort Lauderdale to experience our city’s unique offerings. The weekend begins at Village Pub for the aptly named Meat and Greet. This first official party of Beach Bear Weekend is a chance for the bears, cubs , otters, and all those who love them to party and discuss the current issues facing the subculture (according to the classic film Bear City 2: The Proposal, there’s a rivalry between muscle bears and “classic” bears). Discounts are included for those wearing their BeachBear ID tag. The proceeds from this event benefit The Pride Center. 6 p.m. Village Pub. 2283 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305.