back_to_school_web.jpgThursday, Aug. 8

Back-to-School Events: See Back to School Special Section D.

‘On The Ave’: The free event packed with outstanding entertainment from 6 – 10 p.m., is moving to a main stage in Elizabeth Wesley Plaza at the corner of Southwest Fifth Avenue and West Atlantic Avenue, as well as a second stage on Fifth Avenue and First Street. Visit ontheavedelraybeach.com or call 561-279-1380.

Where’s the Money: Celebrate National Black Business Month and join the Fourth Annual South Florida State of the Black Business Forum and Networking Reception at 2 p.m. at Renaissance Hotel, 1230 S. Pine Island Rd., Plantation. Admission $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 561-290-6739 or email info@upscalebymosaic.com

Key West Lobsterfest:
Calling all lobster lovers. Enjoy a Thursday night lobster boil, Friday night Duval Crawl, Saturday street fair with lobster-inspired culinary creations, a free concert and a luscious lobster brunch Sunday. The festive feast celebrates the start of the Florida Keys lobster season, Aug. 9 – 11. Call 305-744-9804 or visit keywestlobsterfest.com

Saturday, Aug. 10


Volunteer at Branches:
Your neighborhood nonprofit that helps families grow deeper and climb higher is launching its fourth Grow program for elementary students this fall and needs your help getting the new space ready for the children, where they will be able to come after school for tutoring, mentoring and enrichment. Come out with your tools to help clear out old playground equipment and debris, prune trees, install a 20-foot safety rail in upstairs loft, install plexi-glass into a door, move furniture, paint and more from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Branches Community Center, 11500 N.W. 12th Ave., Miami. Call 305-442-8306 or email Martine at mmarcelin@branchesfl.org

Free Dance Classes: Miami City Ballet School is hosting a free Open House from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. featuring free half-hour beginning adult ballet, modern, jazz classes, creative movement classes for children, a pilates mat class, a tour of the dance studios and placement auditions for the upcoming school year, at 2200 Liberty Ave., South Beach. Call 305-929-7007 or visit miamicityballet.org/school/winter_program.php for full information on audition guidelines, requirements and fees.

Homeownership Fair: Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida is hosting this free event to help families realize their dreams of becoming homeowners. Learn about down payment and closing cost assistance programs, how to obtain the best loan and more, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Joseph Caleb Center, 5400 N.W. 22nd Ave., Miami. Call Ryan Adams at 305-751-5511 ext. 1154.

Tuesday, Aug. 13

‘Remembering Babylon’ Book Discussion: Dive into the award-winning novel by David Malouf presented by rotating book group leaders, 6 p.m. at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Call 561-266-9490.

Wednesday, Aug. 14

Artsy Happy Hour: The Artists of Collaboration are hosting a unique summer, after-work happy hour and art experience that will feature an eclectic group of local artists in a variety of media, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Bar Louie, 200 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Call Barbara at 561-351-6864.

Thursday, Aug. 15

Afro Cuban Dance Festival Kickoff: The Arts and Philosophy department at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus will again host the festival opening, free and open to the public, starting 7 p.m. at 300 N.E. Second Ave., Building 6, Room 6100. For tickets and other information visit ife-ile.org/festival/schedule.htm or call 305-796-1125.

Third Thursdays Art Walk:
Showcasing the fine arts, music and culinary nuances of the Purple Isles, the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District features national and local artisans who are showcased in galleries at Morada Way between mile marker 81 and 82 — formerly Industrial Road — as well as “culinary art” and live music 6 – 9 p.m. In addition to individual artists, participating galleries include the Redbone Gallery, Gallery Morada, Pasta Pantaleo Signature Gallery and Bluewater Potters. Admission free, the event is held the third Thursday of each month. Call 305-664-9100 or email moradawayarts@gmail.com

Saturday, Aug. 17

Second Annual Avocado Jazz & Fun Festival: Unity Center of Miami’s family fun day featuring delicious food including scrumptious barbeque and authentic Jamaican fare, music, activities and games for children, tables for dominoes and card games for adults and acres of avocados, 12 – 6 p.m. at the church, 16320 S.W. 147th Ave., Miami. Admission $5 for adults, $2 for children. Call 305-232-9503.

The Children of the Lotus Workshop: Send your children back to school stress-free by joining Dreamcatchers for the Soul Foundation at a workshop from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. during which parents and children may participate in yoga, Tai-Chi, meditation, healthy cooking classes, juicing classes, organic gardening and a round table of Homeopathic doctors. The free event will also include a “Four Agreements for Parent and Teens” workshop, music, entertainment and more at the Universal Truth Center for Better Living, 21310 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami Gardens. Call 954-558-0632 or email pam@dreamcatchersforthesoul.com

Sunday, Aug. 18

Realize the Dream Pre-March: Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, 9 a.m. at 93rd St. Community Baptist Church, 2330 N.W. 93rd St., Miami.

Ongoing

Priscilla Taylor Coffee Talk:
Call toll-free at 1-877-960-9960 and join the Palm Beach County District 7 commissioner from 8 – 9 a.m. Sunday mornings on 95.9 FM, 960 AM and 106.9 FM.

Build your Own Subscription: The South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center is offering patrons the chance to save 15 percent off four or five shows or 20 percent off six or more shows for its 2013-14 season. Patrons will select shows from an exciting line-up which includes the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Driving Miss Daisy and Take 6. Visit smdcac.org

Free Yoga at UM: Close the work week with a little relaxation at the UM Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 N.W. Seventh Avenue in Miami, by taking free yoga classes every Friday this summer from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Classes are held on the first floor of the park. Once class ends, head over to the restaurants located at the park for a healthy post-yoga meal. UMLSTP will offer complimentary parking or simply hop onto a health district trolley. For directions visit umlsp.com

The Women’s Circle: The 501c(3) nonprofit organization, at 12 S.E. Fourth St. in Boynton Beach, dedicated to helping lower income women achieve financial stability, offers classes ranging from English and literacy, to computer training and typing, to sewing and knitting, all services free of charge. Call 561-244-7627 or visit womenscircle.org