It’s Valentine’s Day Weekend — do you have a plan?
(For many Americans, it’s also Presidents Day Weekend, a federal holiday on Monday, plural to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In Florida, the governor in January sidelined Lincoln and officially declared it Washington’s Birthday Weekend, part of what Secretary of State Cord Byrd called a movement “to teach the next generation about the principles our Founding Fathers enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.” To quote the great Teddy Riley: “No diggity.”)
If you don’t have a Valentine’s plan, or even a concept of a plan, we’ve got you covered — in bourbon and bacon and beignets, in the emotional torture of “Macbeth” and Morrissey lyrics, Digable Planets and the heavenly beauty of IGNITE Broward, plus a free picnic with New World Symphony. Let’s go.
FRIDAY
Big turn-on: The fifth edition of the immersive light and art festival called IGNITE Broward will return Friday through Feb. 22 with even more illuminating creativity seen in over 25 large art installations in four disparate locations over 10 nights. With works that weave light, sound and technology-driven art by local, national and international artists, IGNITE Broward will have installations at MAD Arts in Dania Beach, Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale, ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Presented by the Broward County Cultural Division and produced by MAD Arts, admission is free. The official kickoff event will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale. Information: IGNITEBroward.com.
The free light and art festival called IGNITE Broward opens on Friday in four locations. Among the displays at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find “Grove” by Pneuhaus, an interactive environment inspired by the exchange of energy between trees. (Kip Reinsmith/Courtesy)
A naughty banana: The absurdly naughty circus for grown-ups known as The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium and Drink-Ory Garden is back at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park for performances through Feb. 22. Taking place in a climate-controlled boutique big-top tent, the 90-minute shows will include all-new acrobatic acts and eccentric comedy, including the return of duo Jonathan and Anne, with their legendary banana act. (Don’t ask.) Outside, Dr. Elixir’s Drink-Ory Garden will be open an hour before showtime for creative cocktails, brews and bites. Get details on tickets and showtimes at MrSwindles.com.
Wanna be startin’ somethin’: The Broadway tour of “MJ: The Musical” — which follows entertainer Michael Jackson as he prepares for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour — continues at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach through Sunday. Featuring songs like “She’s Out of My Life,” “Human Nature,” “Billie Jean” and the classic “I’ll Be There,” remaining performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: Kravis.org.
Laugh together: “Batsu!,” a riff on a popular Japanese style of game-show comedy — in which improv comedians compete in challenges, hoping to avoid electric shocks, paintball attacks and other forms of punishment for the losers — has arrived to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale for performances through Feb. 22. Brave audience members can volunteer (upon signing a waiver) to participate. Weekend shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: BrowardCenter.org.
More laughs: Actor and comedian Harland Williams (“Dumb and Dumber,” “Something About Mary,” “Half Baked”), soon to be seen in the film “Wingman” (he also directed) at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on Feb. 27, stops at the Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach this weekend. Showtimes are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: ImprovFTL.com.
Who’s that Lady? The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival opened Thursday with a Shakespeare by the Palms VI production of the Bard’s wholly unromantic “Macbeth” at the open-air Veterans Park Amphitheater in Royal Palm Beach. Chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 a person. Performances continue 7-9 p.m. each night through Sunday. Information: PBShakespeare.org.
Cool like dat: Jazz-nourished, hip-hop trio Digable Planets, creators of one of the most durable hits of the 1990s with their Grammy-winning single “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” will bring their timeless music to the Miami Beach Bandshell on Friday at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.). Visit MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
Greek squad: The 51st annual West Palm Beach Greek Food & Wine Festival returns to St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church for three days of authentic Greek cuisine, entertainment and family friendly activities on Friday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Tickets: GreekFestWPB.com.
Friday night live: Singer-songwriter Mariah the Scientist will play The Fillmore Miami Beach at 8 p.m. Friday. Visit Ticketmaster.com.
Friday tributes: Smiths/Morrissey tribute band Ordinary Boys will present music for frustrated lovers at Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: JoinTheRevolution.net. … Avionce Hoyles brings her Tina Turner retrospective “Dear Tina” to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: AventuraCenter.org. … Tribute band 512 will remember Tejano-music icon Selena Quintanilla at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University in Davie at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: MiniaciPAC.com.
Friday laughs: Paula Poundstone, as heard on NPR’s weekly news quiz show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!,” will perform at Glazer Hall in Palm Beach on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: GlazerHall.org. … Brian Kiley, longtime writer for Conan O’Brien (earning multiple Emmy nominations), will perform at The Studio at Mizner Park in Boca Raton on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: TheStudioAtMiznerPark.org.
Olympic fever: Like me, you’ve probably watched curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and said, “I could do that.” (“Then would it kill ya to sweep the living room?” comes a voice from the next room.) If you want to learn how to sweep, Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale will help with public “Learn to Curl” sessions at 7:15 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:15 p.m. Feb. 21. Registration information at FTLWarMemorial.com.
SATURDAY
Free love: New World Symphony will provide the mood music on Saturday at Miami Beach’s New World Center with a special encore Wallcast concert, “Fire and Romance with MTT,” at 7:30 p.m. It will feature NWS co-founder and artistic director laureate Michael Tilson Thomas leading the orchestra in a 2020 performance filled with romantic heat. The program includes Sergei Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto, Franz Liszt’s Prometheus and Robert Schumann’s yearning Third Symphony. Wallcast concerts are projected on the 7,000-square-foot wall of New World Center and viewed from adjacent SoundScape Park, with its high-tech audio enhancements. Blankets and picnic baskets are welcome. Admission is free. Information: NWS.edu.
Smoke on the water: If you have a wife who is excited by the return of the Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Fest this weekend, you married well, my friend. Setting up at Wellington Town Center on Saturday (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.), festivities will be filled with obligatory whiskey and pork snacks, but also a new cigar bar (in an Airstream trailer) and a lounge with blackjack. Admission is free. Information: BaconBourbonFest.com.
Valentine’s brunch: A relaxing waterside getaway on the south fork of the New River in Fort Lauderdale, YOT Bar & Kitchen is extending its brunch offering Saturday through Monday this weekend, including a Valentine’s Day Prix-Fixe Menu for Two with options including Snapper Ceviche, Spiced Lamb Chops, Sweet Corn Ravioli, Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon and Basque Cheesecake. Cost: $145 per couple. Visit Yotlmc.com.
Road trip: Reunited country favorites Rascal Flatts will bring their Life is a Highway Tour to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Saturday at 7 p.m. Singers Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane will open the show. Tickets: MyHRL.com.
Traffic alert: As you may have heard, the Palm Tree Music Festival will bring big-name EDM performers including Calvin Harris, Kygo and Sofi Tukker to the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach on Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. Tickets are sold out — you can join the waitlist at PalmTreeMusicFestival.com/wpb — but we mention it also as a reminder that traffic will be hellish around that time.
Yes, ‘Diggity’: Influential Grammy-winning producer and performer Teddy Riley will create a Valentine’s Day soundtrack at the Miramar Cultural Center on Saturday at 8 p.m. Along with his own music, including the indelible Blackstreet hit “No Diggity,” the Teddy Riley and Friends concert will feature Wreckx-N-Effect (“Rump Shaker”), Shai (“If I Ever Fall in Love”), Kut Klose (“I Like”) and Guy 2.0. Tickets: MiramarCulturalCenter.org.
Gotta have that funk: If you are looking to work up a sweat on Valentine’s Day, check out Cimafest, a two-day dance party on Saturday and Sunday at nightclub ZeyZey in Miami, with DJs, live bands and a headlining set each night by Grammy-nominated Cimafunk y La Tribu, led by “the Cuban James Brown.” Doors open at 6 p.m. each day. Tickets: ZeyZeyMiami.com.
Cimafunk, shown at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2024, will headline two nights at ZeyZey in Miami. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Tapestry of love: Along with her many other hits, Carole King wrote some of the most poignant and memorable songs of love and longing of her time, including “So Far Away,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “It’s Too Late” and “Natural Woman.” On Valentine’s Day, Slow Burn Theatre Co. will open their production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Weekend shows will be at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances will continue Feb. 19-22 and Feb. 24-March 1. Tickets: BrowardCenter.org.
Art walk: One of the most beautiful gatherings of this or any weekend, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, now in its 62nd year, will gather art lovers along Biscayne Bay for three days of browsing, dining, drinking and live entertainment. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Tickets: CGAF.com.
SUNDAY
Beignet love: The sights, sounds and flavors of Mardi Gras will begin to percolate on Sunday at Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street in Jupiter, especially at the complex’s restaurant Topside at the Beacon, hosting the Beats and Beads party from 4 to 9 p.m. Highlights include specials from Abita Brewing Co. and Sazerac Rye, along with housemade beignets (five for $15) from acclaimed executive pastry chef Jenniffer Woo. Visit TopsideJupiter.com.
Behold, the beignets by executive pastry chef Jenniffer Woo at Topside at the Beacon restaurant in Jupiter. (Lessing’s Hospitality Group/Courtesy)
Sunday night live: The Robert Cray Band will share their Grammy-winning synthesis of blues, roots and soul music at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: ParkerPlayhouse.com. … Mexico City rap-metal legends Molotov will uncrate classic anthems such as “Gimme Tha Power” and “Frijolero” at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets: MiamiBeachBandshell.com. … Australian singer-songwriter Ruel brings the tour supporting 2025 album “Kicking My Feet” to Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: JoinTheRevolution.net.
Traffic alert 2: The Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half Marathon taking place along the beach on Sunday morning is officially sold out. Which is great for them, but, again, we mention it as a reminder that traffic on the east side of town may be extra challenging. Check out the route at PublixA1AMarathon.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.