The King lives in Downtown Boca this weekend, with South Florida’s favorite Elvis tribute artist headlining this month’s Friday Night Live in a free concert.
Chris MacDonald, who takes his Elvis show all over the country, will play at Sanborn Square on May 4, with a band and dancers. His show highlights several stages from “the King’s” career.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with a food truck roundup: 4Alarm Pizza, Divan Bakery, Gene’s Joint, Guiseppe’s Italian Sausage, Kona Ice, Latin Burger, Meatballs Etc., Tango Grill and The Philly Grill.
At 7 p.m., a group Boca Bop line dance will take the stage, followed by MacDonald at 7:30.
MacDonald has performed all over the country, including Graceland and Las Vegas, in addition to frequent local shows. Broward County’s Florida Country Music Association once named him Male Vocalist of the Year. (He is playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in August; those tickets start at $42.50).
He has appeared with Elvis’ own original backup group, the Jordanaires. And in February, he presided over a marriage vow renewal ceremony for 50 couples at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The Boca show is part of the city’s new entertainment series on the first Friday of every month. Downtown shops, restaurants and clubs extend their hours and offer samplings, discounts and specials from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place, along Palmetto Park Road and Plaza Real South.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
Most events are free. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with live entertainment starting at 7:30.
LEARN MORE Visit Chris MacDonald’s website or find him on Facebook
Keep up with Downtown Boca events at www.downtownboca.org and on Facebook
HEAD’S UP The new iPic cinema opens May 4 at Mizner Park. Find a ticket deal at downtownboca.org.
HEAD’S UP
The new iPic cinema opens May 4 at Mizner Park. Find a ticket deal at downtownboca.org.
- CHARLENE PACENTI
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There’s a new hidden treasure in Boynton Beach, neatly tucked off Congress Avenue. The Barrier Free Park, which opened earlier this year, is beautifully designed and fun for children and adults alike.
The park has been specially designed so that children of all abilities can comfortably enjoy the park’s amenities. Barriers have been removed so that nothing hinders children with special needs from enjoying the playground equipment.
The scenic 13-acre park features a large pond, beautifully decorated art panels, a splash area, a jungle gym and a climbing structure.
In addition to the typical swing sets, there is also a Sway-Fun glider, which has been designed to allow wheelchair-bound children the chance to experience what riding a swing is like.
The Swamp Splash Pad has two alligator heads, and other fixtures including a rain stick, that spray out cool water and makes a sizzling sound when flipped.
The park, which has a swamp theme, is beautifully landscaped with palm and oak trees, grass plants, and large rocks. Instead of the usual wood chips or mulch that surround many local jungle gyms, the Barrier Free Park uses a soft, vibrant green artificial grass.
Large shade sails have been strategically placed throughout the park so that the equipment can be enjoyable on the sunniest days.
In addition to several picnic tables that are located underneath the large pavilion, there are bistro-style tables and numerous wooden benches throughout the park.
Plans for the park have been in the works since 2003, when the Boundless Playgrounds Initiative was introduced by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. Cuts to the city budget delayed construction of the $2.3 million park project in 2009.
In 2010, the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation, a nonprofit organization, took over the building efforts and began to raise money for the project, according to its website.
The $1.7 million first phase was opened to the public Jan. 21. The foundation is still working to raise enough money to add the other three stages, which will include a building for therapeutic recreation and a larger play area.
MORE INFO
Read more about the Barrier Free Park Project at the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation website.
Visit the park at 3111 S. Congress Ave., halfway between Woolbright and Lake Ida roads next to the city tennis courts.
- MERCEDES COPPIN
The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s annual Sea Turtle Day is March 3.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes environmentally friendly vendors, a performance by Sol Children Theatre Troupe, arts and crafts, guided strolls and more.
You can also see the new tanks. Gumbo Limbo hopes to have at least one of them filled for the event.
Read more and get a full schedule at GumboLimbo.org.
There’s a reason our roads, restaurants and everything else fill up this time of year. South Florida is the best place to be in winter. And as parents, it’s no small privilege that our kids get to play outside year-round.
A few ideas for taking advantage of it:
What are your favorite things to do outside this time of year? Post in the comments.
MORE FAMILY FUN
Find more ideas for classes, events and other activities in Things to Do.
Uribe created 'Mule' in 2008 from wood and shoes.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art is showing a colorful exhibit the kids will love.
The World According to Federico Uribe is a whimsical installation that celebrates sustainability and the natural world.
Uribe’s sculptures are made of everyday objects – sneaker soles, clothespins, crutches, pencils, shoelaces, garden hose.
A mural of black sheep, Obeja Negra, is made from black phone cord. The spines of books are cut to form tropical birds and a cactus. A tree is formed with flip-flops.
Large murals, life-size palm trees and a stunning yellow sun transform the museum’s 5,000-foot main gallery, with sounds of the rain forest playing in the background.
It’s like wandering into a cartoon and getting lost in the magic.
Uribe, 49, a native of Colombia, lives in Miami.
IF YOU GO
The World According to Federico Uribe is on display at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, located at the north end of Mizner Park in Downtown Boca, through Dec. 4. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays; noon to 5 p.m. weekends; closed Monday. Admission is $8 for adults; $4 for students; free for kids 12 and under. Family memberships are $120 if you join by Dec. 4.
The museum will be open on Nov. 11, Veterans Day – a no-school day.
MUSEUM EVENTS FOR KIDS
Get more information on the museum at www.bocamuseum.org.
Read more about Uribe and see more of his work at www.federicouribe.com. - CHARLENE PACENTI
