calendar-blue_web.jpgThursday, Jan. 23

UniverSoul Circus 20th Anniversary Celebration: The soulful circus is now celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a return to South Florida.

This high tech state-of-the-art production features acts highlighting excellence in artistry from around the globe. UniverSoul showcases music, theater and circus acts, along with a unique brand of comedy. Audiences of all ages have the opportunity to experience the fun while becoming a part of this show, which offers a progressively urban and international flavor. Remaining show times are: Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., at Miramar Regional Park (Under the Big Top) at 16801 Miramar Pkwy. Tickets range from $16-$35. Call 1-800-745-3000 or visit universoulcircus.com

East Commercial Boulevard: Join Lauderdale-By-The-Sea from 2-5 p.m., as it celebrates the completion of the final streetscapes project along Commercial Boulevard. Enjoy performances by Drum Café, an interactive drum entertainment and Drive By Big Band, an 18-piece big band. Danny Carter of Dance Moves will also offer dance instruction during the celebration. Call 954-640-4200 or visit lbtsevents.com

Saturday, Jan. 25

Girls’ Choir Auditions: The Girls’ Choir of Miami is hosting open auditions from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for all girls ages 8 to 17 at Miami Edison Middle School. The group is looking for singers, beat boxers, noise makers and talented young women who will dedicate themselves to performing and learning. They must have prepared a song as their audition piece and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call Ms. Hayley at 305-756-5502 or email outreach@girlpowerrocks.org

Obstacle Course Competition: The Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Achilles International of South Florida will host the “2014 Hope and Possibility Road Race and Obstacle Course” Competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65 St., Hialeah.  The games are open to people of all ages with physical disabilities.  Family members and friends will also have an opportunity to participate in the event. Admission to the event is free. The cost for parking is $6. Pre-registration is advised. Registration will also be available starting at 9 a.m., on race day. Call Jody Cox at 305-234-1673 or email jsantia@miamidade.gov

Sunday, Jan. 26

NFL Player Autograph Signing: Sinbad Sports in Seminole Paradise will host a silent auction, Miami food truck rally and autograph signing with current and former NFL players from  noon-6 p.m., at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, One Seminole Way, Hollywood, as part of “Dare 2 Dream Weekend,” a three-day charity event to benefit the Dare 2 Dream Foundation. Players will be present from 2-3 p.m. Call The Moss Foundation at 305-926-8210, Complete Athletes at 786-247-6274 or visit dare2dreamweekend.com

Tour de Cure: The American Diabetes Association is challenging riders to be part of the Stop Diabetes movement by taking part in the annual Tour de Cure, a cycling event taking place at Haulover Beach Park, Miami Beach, to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes. The fundraising event requires participants to collect donations in excess of $250 to participate. To register, ride or just volunteer, call the American Diabetes Association at 1 888-DIABETES ext. 3117 or visit diabetes.org/miamitour

Tuesday, Jan. 28

Miami Arts Marketing Project: A panel of marketing leaders will provide a national perspective and local success stories about “Marketing the Arts from Within: New Solutions For New Audiences” from 9 a.m. – noon, at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Peacock Education Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Learn about the importance of becoming experience providers and how to move from a short-term, event-based transactional relationship with the audience toward developing life-long relationships through meaningful and transformative experiences. Visit artsbizmiami.org

Thursday, Jan. 30

Economic Development Plan Meeting: The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking public input for a comprehensive economic development plan that will build community and bring the citywide vision to life 6 p.m., at City Hall Commission Chambers, 100 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-828-6130 or email efuredi@fortlauderdale.gov.

Friday, Jan. 31

Distinguished Visiting Chef Dinner: Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami Campus, 1701 NW 127 St., will host Alumnus Vishwesh Bhatt of the City Grocery Restaurant Group beginning with a pre-dinner reception beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. The dinner is open to the public at $85 per person. A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student from the university’s College of Culinary Arts. Seats are limited. RSVP to 305-892-7578.

Saturday, Feb. 1

Salute to WWII Veterans: Enjoy dinner, big bang music and special World War II guests from 5:30 – 10:30 p.m., at Miami ELKS Lodge 948, 10301 Sunset Dr., Miami. This musical evening is a fundraiser for three local organizations which promote veteran’s activities. You may purchase tickets by calling the Wings Over Miami at 305 233-5197; Carol Nobels at 305 251-4398 or Sherry Maer at 305 613-1946. Tickets are $75 per person for dinner, music and great camaraderie.

Ongoing:

Black History Month Essay Contest: Students in grades 4-12, living or going to school in Broward County, are invited to submit an original essay and/or a visual artwork to the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The competition will be divided into three categories: grades 4-6, grades 7-9, and grades 10-12. Contest winners will be awarded prizes in February as a celebration of Black History Month. This year’s theme is “What Do Civil Rights in America Today Mean to You?” Call Youth Services at 954-357-6209.

Feed the Homeless: S.E.E.K. Inc., will feed the homeless in the City of Overtown every first Saturday of each month from 2-4 p.m., between 14-15 Streets and First Ave.  S.E.E.K., is a not-for-profit organization serving youth of diverse backgrounds by providing public services that promote self-advocacy skills, strategic thinking skills, and community involvement to become lifelong problem solvers. Email seekingempowerment@gmail.com