NOW THAT THE WINTER IS UPON US I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Broadway star Avi Hoffman has just re-opened his New Vista Theatre Company in West Boca Raton. His shows are on par with the best of them on Broadway and it’s a real big deal that he is now in Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where the sun rises and sets on many an empty mind.

Last year they were in Boynton Beach, and they received 5 Carbonell award nominations. Now they’re launching their second season at the West Boca Performing Arts Center.

In association with The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, FUNNY GIRL and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS will open at the Alfred and Rose Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

Here’s the season line-up (if you find yourself here this winter – and who doesn’t have a grandmother or parent in South Florida?)

FUNNY GIRL will open in Ft. Lauderdale from November 23rd to December 2 and in West Boca from December 13th to December 30, 2007. Award-winning actress Irene Adjan brings the rags-to-riches story of funny lady Fanny Brice to life in this powerful new production.

JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS starring Carbonell award-winning Avi Hoffman, Laura Turnbull, Lisa Manuli and Tangi Colombel from December 20th to February 3, 2008. This award winning cast brings a complex blend of ballads, boleros, tangos and rock tunes cover life, death and love with humor and insight.

NEIL SIMON’S comedy THE ODD COUPLE opens on February 14, 2008 and runs through March 2, 2008. This is a co-production with the renowned Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Bruce Adler in I’M NOT RAPPAPORT runs May 1, 2008 to May 18, 2008. Set in a secluded spot in New York's Central Park, the play features two octogenarians determined to fight off all attempts to put them out to pasture.

HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDUH! Starring Avi Hoffman runs June 19, 2008 through July 6, 2008. Hilarious song parodies are woven into this merry musical about the life of Barry Bockman and his beloved, Sarah Jockman.

For more information: www.newvistatheatre.com or Call (561) 482-4144 or (888)284-4633.

If you find yourself enamored with horses – and are in the Hallandale-Aventura area (lots of garment honchos around these parts), check out the new casino and entertainment complex at GULFSTREAM PARK.

On Dec. 11 there is a free Chanukah Festival with food, dreidels, Chanukah gelt (money) for the kids, costumed characters and the lighting of Florida’s largest Menorah. Avraham Fried, the No. 1 superstar of Jewish music will perform and “The Kinderlach” a popular boy’s choir is flying in from Jerusalem.

There will also be Live Entertainment at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino on week nights and The Florida Derby will run March 29. The Casino also includes a trio of half-million dollar events and the sixth running of the Sunshine Millions.

Gulfstream Park’s starts on Jan. 3 – and closing day is April 20. The Sunshine Millions is a popular event - The eight-race series carries purses worth $3.4 million. This year Gulfstream will host the Turf and the Distaff, each worth $500,000; the $300,000 Sprint, and the $250,000 Dash. Race day is Saturday, Jan. 26.

ART BASEL COMES TO MIAMI BEACH FROM DECEMBER 6th TO 9TH.
This is a big deal for those who worship fashion and art. If you’re a hat designer looking for inspiration, this is the place to be. The beautiful people come from all over the world and they dress to impress. Young people bring with them a sense of style and an inherent sense of whimsy that is missing from the runways.

INFORMATION ON ART BASEL:

US Office Art Basel Miami Beach: FITZ & CO, Sara Fitzmaurice /
Dan Tanzilli, 535 West 23 Street #S10H, USA-New York, NY 10011,
Tel.+1/212-627 1455 ext. 226, Fax +1/212-627 0654, dan@fitzandco.com

Florida Office Art Basel Miami Beach: Garber & Goodman Inc.,
301 41st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33140, Tel. +1/305-674 1292,
Fax +1/305-673 1242, floridaoffice@ArtBasel.com

UK Office Art Basel Miami Beach: Brunswick Arts, 16 Lincoln`s Inn
Fields, GB-London WC2A 3ED, Tel. +44/20-7936 1290,
Fax +44/20-7936 1299, hscottlidgett@brunswickgroup.com

go to www.ArtBasel.com