Events Calendar November 30 – December 8, 2012

Saturday, Dec. 1

34th White Rose Luncheon: The Links, Inc. present Emmy award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield during the West Palm Beach Chapter’s annual arts scholarship and community programming benefit, 11:30 a.m.  at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. For tickets ($75) or information call 561-373-0311 or email delcallow@aol.com

A Night of Hope: Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, the Kreyol Nation Dancers and a screening of Blooming Hope, a documentary about longterm development projects transforming areas in Haiti, 6 p.m. at St. Thomas University in the School of Law Moot Court Room, 16401 N.W. 37 AvE., Miami Gardens. Cocktail attire. Tickets $10 – $20. Visit bloominghope.org

Community Prayer Breakfast: Join the Urban League of Broward County for a continental breakfast and fellowship as they host guest speaker Bishop Charles Ellis and Dorinda Clark-Cole at the First Church of the Open Bible, 4767 N.W. Second Ct., Lauderdale Lakes. Call 954-625-2503 or visit ulbroward.org

Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Holiday Gala: An enchanting evening of dinner, dancing and fun with special guests: renowned actor and business executive Boris Kodjoe, legendary hip-hop deejay Rob Base and WTVJ-NBC6 Anchor Sharon Lawson,  6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Blvd.  Tickets $175 per person, $1,500 for a table of 10. Call 305-751-8648 or visit m-dcc.org

Winter Recital: United Cerebral Palsy Diamond Minds Transformational Leadership Academy presents its 2012 showcase, 4 p.m. at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center, 3385 N.E. 188 St., Aventura. This two-act production features dance numbers from The Nutcracker in the first and students dancing hip-hop, contemporary and jazz styles performed to popular music in the second. Tickets $12 on Twitter at @AventuraCenter

‘Love’: The dynamic stage play will be performed at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University, 3100 Ray Ferraro Jr. Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets $25 until day of show, $30 at door, parking included. Call 954-262-5480.

Sunday, Dec. 2

Mended Hearts Support Group: A support group offering hope and encouragement for heart patients, their families and their caregivers, 1-3 p.m. in the Main Auditorium at Memorial Hospital West, 703 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines. Free. Call 954-608-4227.

Tuesday, Dec 4

Black Art Exhibit During Art Basel: TheUrbanCollective and partners present a top-notch lineup of the most exquisite contemporary artwork from Africa and its Diaspora during the second annual Art Africa Miami Arts Fair, through Dec. 9 in a grand 8,000 square-foot exhibition tent adjacent to the Lyric Theatre at 919 N.W. Second Ave., Miami. Visit: artafricamiami.com

Thursday, Dec. 6

Learn the ABC’s of Opening a Business: In an effort to promote economic growth and development, the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources  continues its series of free workshops on the steps required to open a business in Miami-Dade County, 12:30 p.m. at the Miami-Dade County Permitting and Inspection Center, 11805 S.W. 26 St. Seating limited. Call 305-375-3677.

Friday, Dec. 7

Free Jazz Concert: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan re-launches her Music in the Park Series with the Sunshine Jazz Organization, 6:30 p.m. at the Betty T. Ferguson Amphitheater, 3000 N.W. 199 St., Miami Gardens, featuring legendary pianist George Tandy Sr., saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr. and the Florida Memorial University Jazz Band. Call 305-474-3011.

Gilda’s Club Benefit: Attend the performance of Divorce Party The Musical: The Hilarious Journey to Hell…and Back, 8 p.m at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, to benefit Gilda’s Club South Florida, a free cancer support community for women, men, children, and teens with all types of cancer and their families and friends. For each ticket sold, $2 will be donated to Gilda’s Club. Use promotional code “gilda.”  Tickets $31.50 and $39. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com

‘My American Idols’ with Kimberley Locke: The inaugural season of the ‘Cabaret by the Bay Series’ launches with the season-two American Idol finalist at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 N.E. 188th St., Aventura. Tickets $34.50. Call 1-877-311-7469 or visit AventuraCenter.org

Oasis Christmas Reunion and Talent Show: Bring your dance, song, step, spoken word or multimedia arts talents and let them shine, 7:30 p.m. at Branches South Miami, 6565 Red Rd., Miami. Call 305-742-8217.

Pembroke Park Holiday Toy Drive: Commissioners will accept new, unwrapped toys, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday through Dec. 14 in Town Hall, 3150 S.W. 52 Ave., Pembroke Park, to kick off the town’s annual toy drive. Call 954-966-4600.

History Presentation: Join longtime Delray Beach resident and local history buff Alexander “Sandy” Simon, 2 p.m. at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., as he presents The Amazing Story of Delray Beach, Boca Raton & Boynton Beach, tracing the earliest settlements in the area including the Spanish arrival, the Seminole Indians, the legend of the “Barefoot Mailman” and the arrival of the Flagler Railroad. Call 561-266-9490.

Saturday, Dec. 8

Shirley Caesar in Concert: The Signature Series kicks off with first lady of gospel Shirley Caesar, 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center/ArtsPark, 2400 Civic Center Pl. on Red Road in Miramar. Tickets $35 – $45 with a two-show Signature Series subscription offering a 10 percent savings. Call 954-602-4500 visit miramarculturalcenter.org