Perhaps appropriate given the solemnity of a weekend that begins with the end of Stephen Colbert’s TV show and ends with Memorial Day, but things feel relatively (pleasingly?) quiet around here. The major summer concert tours are still over the horizon, the big performing arts organizations are done for the season, Miami Swim Week is still but a dream (right around the corner on May 27-31).
So we’re going to kick back and think hyperlocal this weekend, enjoying the things we forget to enjoy when everything is so busy. Like music from locals Spider Cherry and Randy Bernsen, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket, the Water Taxi at sunset, a lychee cocktail by the beach, the Pompano Beach Amphitheater (one of the best local music venues), Smokin Renegade at Galuppi’s (another splendid spot), movies in historic theaters (Savor Cinema and Gables Cinema), Zak’s Brioche French Toast for brunch, and the annual Memorial Day Apple Pie 5K in Boca Raton on Monday. Maybe it’s not such a quiet weekend after all.
Thursday
Cherry Red: Local multi-instrumentalist Nathan Mercado, a prolific performer better known as Spider Cherry, will be the headliner at Clematis by Night in downtown West Palm Beach on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Visit WPB.org. These are exciting times for Mercado — he recently was tapped as the touring keyboardist for Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band, also featuring Michael Anthony (Van Halen), guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and ace drummer Kenny Aronoff. A native of London, Mercado got the gig after Ringo Starr drummer Gregg Bissonette sat in on a Spider Cherry set during Beatles on the Beach in Boca Raton in March. Impressed by Mercado’s skill and stage presence, Bissonette put the word out to Hagar’s people. The summer tour includes dates in England and the United States, none in South Florida so far, but stay tuned at RedRocker.com and SpiderCherry.com.
Palm Beach County musician Nathan Mercado, also known as Spider Cherry, will be joining Sammy Hagar’s new band on tour this summer. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Colbert farewell: Thursday brings the historic finale of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the topical comedy talk show controversially canceled by CBS apparatchiks. If you are looking to commiserate with other Colbert fans, Hunters Nightclub in Wilton Manors will host a watch party beginning at 9 p.m., highlighted by $5 Colbert Bump cocktails. Visit Facebook.com/huntersfl.
Out of Africa: This is opening weekend for the Boca Raton Museum of Art exhibit “Frédéric Bruly Bouabré: Selections from the 404 Art Collection,” a survey of four dozen drawings by one of Africa’s most revered contemporary artists. The Ivory Coast native, a government clerk by day, used handy instruments (ballpoint pens, crayons) to capture vivid and colorful scenes of daily life as a visual record of African knowledge and traditions. This exhibition is the second museum survey in the United States for Bouabré, who died in 2014, after a 2022 show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is the first exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art organized by new curator-at-large Ross Karlan. Tickets: BocaMuseum.org.
Thursday jazz: Beloved South Florida jazz guitarist Randy Bernsen will be joined by Dave Nizri (drums) and Uzi Nizri (organ) for “a night of jazz and surprises” at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Thursday at 7 p.m. The evening will include a full bar and movie theater concessions. Tickets: FLIFF.com/savorcinema.
Ticket window: Chance the Rapper is bringing the 10th anniversary tour for his seminal mixtape “Coloring Book” to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Sept. 6, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday at MyHRL.com. … Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay will stop at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on Oct. 17, joined by Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross. Tickets are in presale mode on Thursday (visit DanAndShay.com) ahead of the general on-sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com. … Rockers Beartooth are on their way to FTL War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 5. Presales continue on Thursday (visit BeartoothBand.com). The general on-sale begins at 10 a.m. Friday at Seatgeek.com.
Friday
Home bodies: The Palm Beach Home Design and Remodeling Show will pack hundreds of exhibitors across more than 100,000 square feet of space inside the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach on Friday through Monday. The celebrity guest will be Taniya Nayak of HGTV’s “Battle on the Beach” and “Build It Forward,” as well as the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.” Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Tickets: HomeShows.com.
Weekend cocktails: Truluck’s on the beach in Fort Lauderdale (701 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.) is serving a couple of topical cocktails this weekend. A purchase of their Espresso Martini ($20) will send $1 to Camp Hope, a post-traumatic stress disorder support program for veterans. Meanwhile, lychee season just started in South Florida, and Truluck’s cocktail of the month is the Lychee Empress (Elderflower Rose Gin, Carpano Bianco, lychee, fresh lemon, raspberry; $19.50). Both cocktails are included in the happy hour menu (available from 4 to 6:30 p.m. daily), offering 50% off cocktails, spirits, select wines by the glass and items on the oyster menu. Visit Trulucks.com.
Cruise with views: The Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale will launch its new Sunset Music Cruise series on Friday from Shooters Waterfront, offering live entertainment, a welcome drink and memorable sundown views. The evening begins with a 5 p.m. happy hour in a dedicated VIP section at Shooters, with departure on the Water Taxi at 7 p.m. Tickets, information: WaterTaxi.com.
Wet season: Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach is offering military members (active duty, retired and reserve) free admission on Friday through Monday, as well as the chance to purchase up to four single-day tickets for friends and family at 50% off. There will also be a Memorial Day Weekend Sale, offering up to 45% off Gold and Platinum Season Passes. Visit RapidsWaterPark.com.
Dueling water coaster Mega Mayhem is one of more than 40 slides and attractions at Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Friday night live: Fast-rising singer-songwriter Sam Barber (“Straight and Narrow”) will play the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: PompanoBeachArts.org. … Pop singer Kiesza will be at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale for an all-ages show on Friday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: JoinTheRevolution.net. … Modern reggae revivalist Protoje will bring his distinctive blend of influences to the Miami Beach Bandshell on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets: MiamiBeachBandshell.com. … Reggae Fest and headliner Alkaline will be at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets: KaseyaCenter.com.
Weekend movie: Coral Gables Art Cinema will begin screenings on Friday of “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” the 2026 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature, about a popular Russian teacher (co-director Pasha Talankin) who witnesses the militarization of his school amid the Ukraine war and becomes an unlikely whistleblower. Wrote Carlos Aguilar in Variety: “Through the eyes of its delightfully brave, yet utterly relatable subject (also the de facto cinematographer), this terrifying, revelatory and poignant exposé offers an unseen human angle on an ongoing conflict.” Weekend showtimes are 2:45 and 7 p.m. Friday, 1:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Sunday and 4:45 p.m. Monday. Tickets: GablesCinema.com.
Saturday
A member of the SOCOM Para-Commandos parachute jump team soars over the Great American Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale in 2023. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Take the kids: A Memorial Day Weekend staple in Fort Lauderdale, the Great American Beach Party brings free, family friendly events to Las Olas Oceanside Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You’ll find live bands, water slides, a kids’ zone, classic cars, a sand-sculpting contest and a SOCOM Para-Commandos parachute jump (2-2:30 p.m.). Admission is free. Visit Parks.fortlauderdale.gov/gabp.
Record setting: A new vinyl shop, Shellshock Records, will open in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 11 a.m., owned by the savvy Gunther Schenk, formerly of the late, great Radio-Active Records. Here’s hoping that Shellshock, located at 603 NE 13th St. (next to the extraordinary LoveLee Bakeshop), can light a spark on that strip, where the loss of restaurant Milk Money still hurts. Visit Instagram.com/shellshockrecs.
Friendly warning: I’ve been told that this weekend will bring the penultimate edition (leafs through dictionary … Why didn’t they just say “second to last”?) of the West Palm Beach GreenMarket on the downtown waterfront. The gathering — voted the best farmers market in the country in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards — takes place on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/WPBGreenMarket.
Feeling crafty: The 28th annual Downtown Delray Beach Memorial Day Weekend Craft Festival returns to Atlantic Avenue, offering the work of nearly 100 local and statewide crafters and artists, a green market and more on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free. Visit ArtFestival.com.
Saturday night live: Is there a more fitting way to kick off the summer concert season in South Florida than with Carlos Vives — king of Colombia’s vallenato vibe — at Miami’s Kaseya Center, bringing his Tour Al Sol stop at 8 p.m. Saturday? The answer is no. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com. … Led by samba percussion orchestra Bateria Saideira, Miamibloco’s Saideira Social Vol. VI brings a sweaty, glittery Brazilian street party scene to the Miami Beach Bandshell on Saturday at 7 p.m. Miami-based jazz-fusion quartet Electric Kif will be along for the ride. Tickets: MiamiBeachBandshell.com.
Saturday tributes: LauderAle Brewery will host tribute bands The Chili Poppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Remake Yourself (Incubus) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but there’s a two-drink minimum. Visit Facebook.com/lauderale. … Top South Florida tribute Smokin Renegade (Boston/Styx) will play at Galuppi’s in Pompano Beach on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, reservations: Galuppis.com.
Eat local: Brunch at Burlock Coast in The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday this weekend, which may be a good time to try that buzzed-about, build-your-own bloody mary bar, where you can personalize your cocktail with garnishes that include bacon, chilled shrimp and oysters on the half shell. But I don’t think I can deny Zak’s Brioche French Toast (topped with Florida oranges and sweet vanilla cream; $25), featuring the work of Miami’s celebrated Zak the Baker, who has a Michelin Bib Gourmand and multiple James Beard nominations on his resume. Visit BurlockCoast.com.
Burlock Coast in Fort Lauderdale will have three days of brunch on Memorial Day Weekend, with a menu that includes Zak’s Brioche French Toast, featuring bread from Miami’s acclaimed Zak the Baker. (Burlock Coast/Courtesy)
Sunday
Georgia peaches on my mind: It’s peach season in South Florida — well, Georgia, but it’s the same thing. This is opening weekend for Peach Drops, when Palm Peach Co. takes your order for fresh-picked Georgia peaches and trucks them straight from the farm to pickup sites across South Florida. A 12-pound box (roughly 25-30 peaches) costs $35, and deliveries take place each Sunday through Aug. 2. This weekend’s first wave of Peach Drop deliveries will be at the Daily Grind in Palm Beach Gardens (7:45 to 9:15 a.m.), Palm Beach Acres in Loxahatchee (10:15 to 11:45 a.m.), Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach (1 to 2:30 p.m.) and Bob Roth’s New River Grove in Davie (3:30 to 5 p.m.). The deadline to order peaches for delivery this weekend is 5 p.m. Friday. Even if you miss the deadline, Palm Peach Co. typically has a few boxes available for walk-ups. Visit PalmPeaches.com.
Sunday laughs: Ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham brings his expansive universe of puppets to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood at 7 p.m. Sunday with a new show, “Artificial Intelligence.” Tickets: MyHRL.com.
Say cheese: Respectable Street in downtown West Palm Beach will host the annual Cheesy ’80s Prom on Sunday beginning at 9 p.m. Wear your most vintage thrift finds as DJs Danxiety, Lindersmash and AllMyFriendsAreGIFS spin some of the best and worst music ever made. There will be a costume contest, and if you actually lived through the ’80s — no fair! Tickets: Facebook.com/respectablestreet.
Sunday movie: Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday will kick off multiple screenings of “Bernstein’s Wall,” a documentary about celebrity conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and his fight for social change, which had its theatrical premiere at Film Forum in New York in April. Get tickets to Sunday’s 2 p.m. screening at FLIFF.com. The film will have other showings through May 31.
Monday
Fun run: A signature event of the holiday weekend, the 41st annual Memorial Day Apple Pie 5K and Whit’s Frozen Custard Mile will take place at Spanish River Sports Complex in Boca Raton on Monday morning (5K at 7 a.m., mile at 8 a.m., free kids’ run at 8:15 a.m.). Preregistered participants get finisher medals and T-shirts, but also the traditional apple pie (5K) and frozen custard (mile runners). Proceeds from the event will benefit K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs to area veterans. The race is free for U.S. military. To register, visit Facebook.com/runnersedgeboca.
Taste of country: Batch New Southern Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village will host Day 3 of its Memorial Day Weekend Country Brunch on Monday, the day when veterans and active military can receive a free bloody mary or mimosa with any brunch purchase. The three days of themed events will include line dancing (Saturday-Sunday), country-music DJs and brunch offerings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Visit: Facebook.com/BatchFTL.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.