Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, has launched ticket sales for the highly anticipated Brightline Orlando connection. While final preparations are being made for grand opening, tickets between South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) and Orlando are on sale now for late summer through early 2024. Guests can purchase tickets at gobrightline.com or by downloading the app.

An official opening date and inaugural rides will be announced after Brightline has completed required testing. Guests should sign up for Brightline emails on gobrightline.com to be the first to know when summer inaugural rides will go on sale.

“Brightline guests and the travel market have spoken loudly, and we want to respond by opening ticket sales from late summer through the beginning of next year,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “While we are finalizing an official launch date, guests can now book travel for Labor Day, Halloween and holidays through the new year.”

Brightline will offer one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. SMART service offers a comfortable business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.

One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.

Transportation and mobility options at Brightline Orlando Station will feature new Brightline+ products including shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor. When booked, guests receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add on extras available closer to their trip date such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options.

In South Florida, Brightline offers a wide variety of options to get guests to and from the stations using Brightline+ with Uber, fixed route shuttles to the airports, neighborhood electric vehicles and event shuttles. PREMIUM booked guests also enjoy Brightline’s first and last-mile service to get to and from the station with complimentary Uber rides anywhere within a five-mile radius in South Florida.

BRIGHTLINE FOR BUSINESS

Connecting South and Central Florida by rail will enable increased productivity and flexibility while promoting a better work-life balance. Brightline offers an array of business products for companies and their employees that are seamless and transferable. Brightline for Business is offering an introductory promotion providing a limited time exclusive offer for travel between Orlando and South Florida. To learn more visit Brightline for Business.

WHAT IS THE NEW TRAIN SCHEDULE?

Service will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.

Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.

The complete new train schedule between Miami and Orlando can be viewed by visiting gobrightline.com.

Unveiled for the first time last month, the new Brightline Orlando Station is meticulously designed and built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. The 37,350 square-foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes.

Kelly Gordon, Samuel F. Morrison, and Belvit Jordan

In its 20^th anniversary year, Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is proud to announce that it has raised and awarded a record high of $385,450 in grants to sustain and cultivate arts programming in the region. The non-profit volunteer-based organization awarded 36 grants of $ $314,450 (ranging from $3,000 – $12,500) for 2024 for performances and programs to nonprofit organizations. FAB awarded an additional $71,000 in Education Grants to 10 organizations to foster art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. With this grant cycle, FAB’s total monetary distribution to the local arts community exceeds $4.5 million.

Last October, FAB announced its “Be the Spark,” fundraising campaign. The initiative was launched with a lead gift of $750,000 from FAB Founder Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz and has a total of more than $1.8 million pledged. The campaign aims to raise $3 million over the next five years. Proceeds from this campaign have already significantly increased FAB’s grantmaking pool expanding grants for arts education, a new grant category and establishing an endowment at the Community Foundation of Broward.

“We are thrilled with the incredible support we’ve received over the years to cultivate the arts in Broward County; however, this year is a truly a stellar example of how our community and corporate supporters have united to make a difference,” said Ed Hashek, president of FAB. “Together through memberships and our ‘Be the Spark’ campaign, we have raised $385,450; 38% more over last year and 114% more than just five years ago for a larger selection of diverse cultural grantees. These grants go a long way toward ushering in full-house and in-person performing and visual arts productions, exhibits and presentations.”

This year’s FAB’s 2024 Visual and Performing Arts Grantees and award amounts were:

Each grant allocation was awarded for a unique upcoming program. Upcoming funded programs include ArtsUnited’s “Celebrating Diversity” featuring three concerts highlighting artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Dance NOW! Miami’s “POP,” a new choreographic work by Diego Salterini exploring allegories of coming of age, love, despair, joy for life, death and more, New City Players’ play “1,000 Miles” by South Florida playwright Vanessa Garcia, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks V Tchaikovsky | Bruch concert featuring soloist Huifang Chen, and Broward County Film Society’s “Get In the Picture,” an eclectic motion picture program that will engage and foster dialog among underserved members of the Broward community.

For the third year, FAB also awarded increased Education Grants dedicated to art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. Recipient organizations and amounts were:

Since its inception in 2003, FAB has awarded grants of over $4.5 million to small, mid-sized, and large professional performing and visual arts organizations. FAB is supported by membership whose dues go toward these grants that preserve and cultivate the arts in Broward County. FAB is also supported by its corporate partners, Northern Trust, PNC Bank, Pallant Insurance Agency, Casa D’Angelo, Tim Singer Realty and Twig, Trade & Tribunal, and South Florida PBS.

To learn more about FAB including how to become a member or support the arts, visit www.fundingartsbroward.org or email fundingartsbroward@gmail.com.

Photos by Michael Murphy Photography 

Michael Alexander, Vivian Rigatto at Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting 2022. Photo by Jacek Photos.

Coming next week: The Boca Raton Historical Society will be hosting the always popular Boca Bacchanal, an annual weekend celebration of fine wine and food, slated for April 28-30, including four exclusive Vintner/Distiller Dinners and the always popular Grand Tasting, offering extraordinary tasting selections of wines, champagnes and whiskey, as well as generous samplings of signature dishes by celebrated local chefs.

This year’s event includes:

Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.

An exclusive BOCA BACCHANAL Distillers Dinner showcasing five exquisite whiskeys from The Macallan, hosted by The Boca Raton, located at 501 E. Camino Real inside the MB Supper Club. The food will be prepared and served by Andrew Roenbeck, director of Culinary Operations & Resort Executive Chef, and Peter Annewanter, executive chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge.

Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m.

VINTNER DINNERS ARE SOLD OUT

Sunday, April 30 at The Addison

+ Noon to 1 p.m. / Two Special Sipping Seminars at 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton — spotlighting The Macallan Distillery in Scotland and California’s ZD Wines. The Macallan Scotch Whiskey will be represented by Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat, and will offer sample sips of The Macallan, Macallan Harmony Intense Arabica, Macallan Double Cask (15 years), and the Macallan Rare Cask 2022.

ZD Wines will be represented by National Sales Manager Teresa D’Aurizio, who will offer tastings of the vintner’s 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Carneros Pinot Noir, 2019 Napa Cabernet, and the 2012 Library Cabernet.

+ 1 to 4 pm / The Grand Tasting, at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton

Attendees will revel in generous samplings from such vintners and distributors as ZD Wines, Silver Oak, Twomey Cellars, Domaine Carneros, DAOU, St. Supéry Estate, Coppola, Hahn, Hope Family Wine, Luca Bosio, and many more.

Plus, there will be unforgettable taste sensations from AlleyCat, Atlantic Grille at The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Bazille at Nordstrom, Big in Japan, Blis Foods, Capital Grille, Gourmetphile, KakaoZON Ecuadorian Chocolate, Lemongrass Asian Bistro, Max’s Grille, Oceans 234, Poke Company, Ramen Lab Eatery, Sicilian Oven and six curated food stations presented by The Addison.

The Grand Tasting will also include a silent auction of exotic luxury items, including The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release Decade I with four Lalique tumblers. The bottle packaging includes an original illustration of scenes from Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965) and You Only Live Twice (1967). The timeless single malt was specifically developed to reflect both the enduring character of James Bond and the Scottish heritages shared by both 007 and The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland.

Another item in the silent auction will be The Macallan private tasting experience hosted by National Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat and featuring some of its most exclusive whiskies with a catered pairing—to be hosted in the home of the auction winner.

Other auction items include Holland America Cruise for two, a Salmanazar (9 liters) of Taittinger Brut La Française, Truchard Wine Tasting for 10, vacation on a solar yacht, luxurious hotel stays, and memorable restaurant experiences. 

Tickets to The Macallen Distillers Dinner are $350 per person; tickets to The Grand Tasting are $125 per person; $160 including a Sipping Seminar.  

For more information and to purchase tickets to BOCA BACCHANAL 2023, please visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Sponsors include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), The Addison, The Boca Raton, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Boca Magazine, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family, Privaira Private Aviation, The Buzz Agency, Boca Chamber, BLIS, Atlas Event Rental, and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets,  visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Photo of a past vintner dinner. Courtesy of Gary Schweikhart.

By Rachel Galvin

Foodies, be aware, some changes are afoot when it comes to the premier event of the year — Boca Bacchanal. The celebration of wine and food, which takes place this year April 28-30, always begins with vintner dinners that include a five course meal prepared with renowned chefs paired with wine from acclaimed international wineries. This year is no different; but, for one dinner, the pairing is not with wine, but with whiskey.

The Whiskey Dinner: Specifically, the whiskeys are from the Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland. They include a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old Macallan Double Cask, The Macallan Harmony Collection Intense Arabica, an 18-year-old Macallan Sherry Oak and a 2022 Macallan Rare Cask 2022. They will be represented by Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat.

The dinner hosted by The Boca Raton, will be held on April 28 at 7 p.m within their MB Supper Club. The five-course meal will be prepared and served by Andrew Roenbeck, Director of Culinary Operations & Resort Executive Chef, and Peter Annewanter, Executive Chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge.

The other dinners now include the following:

Dinner #1: Hosted by  Thom & Joyce DeVita and Al & Joni Goldberg within a private home, the dinner will be prepared and served by Eric Baker, chef/owner of AlleyCat and Big in Japan. The wine will be from Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars from Napa Valley, California and will be represented by Anna Pepgjonaj.

Dinner #2 will be held at The Depot for cocktails followed by dinner at The Addison. It will be hosted by David & Holly Meehan and Zoe Lanham & The Addison. The food will be prepared and served by Patrick Duffy, executive chef at The Addison, as well as Jeff Tunks, executive chef, Corvina Seafood Grill in Boca Raton; Chris Clime, executive chef, PassionFish in Reston, VA; and Jose Hernandez, executive sous chef, The Addison. The wine will be Domaine Carneros from Napa Valley, California and will be provided by winemaker TJ Evans.

Dinner #3: Hosted by The Seagate Hotel & Spa with Elizabeth Kelley Grace and Olivia Hollaus, the dinner will be served and prepared by Seagate’s chef Gordon Maybory, director of culinary; Ivan Acevedo, executive chef and Mitzu Nozaki, pastry chef. The Wine will be ZD Wines from Napa Valley, California, represented by Teresa D’Aurizio, national sales manager.

An image of a past Grand Tasting. Courtesy of Gary Schweikhart.

The big event, remember, is on April 30 — The Grand Tasting. It will be held this year at The Addison (located at 2 Camino Real in Boca Raton) during the day, from 1 to 4 p.m. It will feature a plethora of wine, whiskey and champagne options prized vintners and distillers and generous samples of signature dishes by local chefs. Guests can also bid on the silent auction. 

This year, there will also be seminars by ZD Wines and Macallan.

Sponsors for Boca Bacchanal include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), The Addison, The Boca Raton, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Boca Magazine, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family, Privaira Private Aviation, The Buzz Agency, Boca Chamber, BLIS, Atlas Event Rental and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the vintner dinners and The Grand Tasting, visit www.BocaBacchanal.com.

With all the glitz and glamor of Hollywood’s biggest night, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) rolls out the red carpet for their Awards Party in celebration of the 95th Academy Awards®, Sunday, March 12. Hosted by philanthropist and FLIFF’s Chairman of the Board, Steven Savor, the evening will be held at his magnificent waterway estate, Villa de Palma.    

Corks pop at 7:00 p.m. with an open bar, great food, and live entertainment throughout the evening by Violin Vibes and Sunset Girls Band. You’ll not miss a moment of the Oscars® as, throughout the property, the “big night” will be televised on three jumbo outdoor screens, six large flat screens, and in the living room is a 13’ ft screen for Oscar enthusiasts. 

Attire for the evening is black tie; evening gowns or cocktail apparel for the ladies, and tuxedos for men. 

There is limited complimentary valet parking for cars with four occupants or more. Limousine and Uber transportation or carpooling is highly recommended. 

Villa de Palma is located at 600 Isle of Palms, Fort Lauderdale 33301 

Advance tickets are required and priced at $175 for non-FLIFF members/$125 for FLIFF members. Tickets are available to purchase now at www.fliff.com/awardsnight    

FLIFF memberships offer exclusive benefits, including free movies, members-only parties, and year-round discounts. Inquire about FLIFF memberships at info@fliff.com  

All proceeds benefit The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit cultural organization.

The 38th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) takes place Nov. 3-12, 2022. Named one of the top destination film festivals in the nation by Moviemaker Magazine, FLIFF brings film talent from around the globe and audiences together to celebrate American Independent and International cinema. The festival screens over 150 films showcasing a diverse selection of genres, and champions both rising and renowned artists, including Florida filmmakers. www.fliff.com Follow on social media @fliffnmore #flifffest

By Rachel Galvin

The 17th annual Festival of the Arts BOCA kicked off on Friday, March 3 with a performance of the Festival Orchestra Boca playing the soundtrack of the Disney movie “Fantastia,” which played on the large screen behind them.

Festival Executive Director Joanna Marie Kaye introduced the orchestra, conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos, festival music director. Before the orchestra began, there was also a showing of a short film called “Bella,” directed by FAU student Alfonso Gibson, who was able to get up with the film’s composer and say a few words. This was his first film.

Earlier, there were fun activities for the whole family, including a WLRN Instrument Petting Zoo, interactive art wall and face painting. There was also popcorn and cotton candy available.

This is just the beginning of the fest, which runs through March 12. From lectures to musical performances, to ballet, there is something for everyone. Some of the big names who will be in the mix include Grammy Award-winning Sergio Mendes, author, actor and social commentator Fran Lebowitz, prolific Jazz singer Nicole Henry and many more.

To see the whole schedule, visit www.festivalboca.org.

By Rachel Galvin

Fashion lovers mark their calendars yearly for the Delray Beach Fashion Week. This year, fashion is back in the form of the #LoveDelray Fashion Experience. Held March 2-3, the event is presented by Old School Square and powered by the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority. As usual, it benefits the Achievement Centers for Children and Families.

The fun begins on March 2 at the Cornell Art Museum and Pavilion at Old School Square with a “Bikinis to Ball Gowns” Runway Show. At 6:30, there will be light bites and cocktails followed by the fashion show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 for general admission.

It is followed on March 3 with the “Love Your Way Thru Delray” Sip and Shop beginning at the museum again. This will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy a light breakfast with champagne and mimosas at the museum, then shop at the downtown Delray Beach boutiques. Each will receive raffle tickets for each purchase to win prizes during the conclusion of the event. Tickets are $25.

There also will be the First Friday Art Walk #LoveDelray Artist Fashion Pop-Ups there from 6 to 9 p.m. This free event will feature the art of William DeBilzan, Amanda Johnson  and James Knill. Meet the artists, view their artwork featured,  including fashion on mannequins and live models, and enjoy the sounds of classical guitarist Dorian Avila from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Old School Square, the Delray Beach DDA and downtown merchants are proud to present #LoveDelray Fashion Experience benefiting the Achievement Centers for Children and Families,” said Laura Simon, executive director, Delray Beach DDA. “This year the event is a spinoff of Delray Beach Fashion Week, and incorporates art, culture and fashion. Join us for this unique, fun, and all-encompassing opportunity to share with our local residents and visitors the fashion, beauty and culture that is found right here in downtown Delray Beach.”

For more information and tickets, visit https://achievementcentersfl.ticketsocket.com/event/lovedelray-fashion-experience.

By Rachel Galvin

If you have lived in Deerfield Beach for awhile, you cannot wait for February because it means Pioneer Days is coming. It means a parade down Hillsboro Boulevard and plenty of arts and crafts vendors and entertainment on the beach.

This year, the event will take place February 18 and 19 and they are bringing back the bonfire on Sunday night from 6 to 9 p.m. The Festival of the Arts, held on the beach, will host over 100 vendors, live music, food trucks & more.

The poster for the Festival of the Arts (on left) was created by Barbara Allen. There was a contest and she was the lucky winner. Allen is a photographer and digital artist living in Pompano.

Are you ready for the parade? The floats and bands, and other participants.  will line up at St. Ambrose Catholic School. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will go East on Hillsboro Boulevard, North on AIA, past the pier then South along the beach. Please be aware of road closures. The theme is Parading Through the Decades. They have yet to announce their Grand Marshal for the parade.

Following the parade, there will be an awards ceremony at the beach. 

The fun on the beach starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. 

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Clean Slate Band, noon to 2 p.m.

Play It Again- The Luke Bryan Tribute Band, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Real Deal, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Nostalijah, 6 to 7 p.m.

TBA, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Big City Dogs Band, noon to 2 p.m.

The Foreigner Experience – The Ultimate Tribute to Foreigner, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Chili Poppers – The ultimate Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute experience, 4 to 5:45 p.m.

For more information, visit https://www.deerfield-beach.com/1179/Pioneer-Days. ABOVE BANDS & TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

A personal note:

Yes, Pioneer Days holds a special place in this reporter’s heart. When we had Observer TV, I was out there interviewing people on the parade route. Jim Lusk from our office, who passed away last year, was always making sure to secure entertainers to help out the parade yearly. He brought in the Star Wars characters, Back to the Future actor impersonators, as well as a police car with a fake dog in the back that he loved. He also hosted the little league team, putting them on our Observer float, which he built every year, and serving them breakfast in the morning before the parade. The paper was a frequent sponsor of the team and also went out and took pictures of the games. Jim also helped build other floats or get trucks for people to use.

The Observer, when it was still in print, used to create a special section every year for Pioneer Days (and before that, it was Founders Days and, of course, before that, it was Cracker Days). The section wrapped around the regular newspaper and had information on bands, a message from the mayor, info. on the grand marshal, road closures and more. Many of us collaborated on that, although near the end, I was doing the bulk of it. It was quite an undertaking. The section was as long as the paper itself. 

Our graphic designers, when we had two of them — Leslie and Patrick — had a contest to design different ideas for the cover and then we all would vote on the winner. We had some great designs through the years.

I hope to be able to someday put all of those issues up online. In the meantime, here is one I had easy access to. It is the 2013 version: https://issuu.com/observernewspaperonline/docs/02-16-12__founders__days_

By Rachel Galvin

If you are a car enthusiast, you should know about the Cool Wheels Car Show. It happens every year and takes over the park at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield. This year’s event took place on Jan. 15.

The event benefits the Young Automotive Training Center (YATC). This  tuition-free nine-month program was created in 1984 by automotive giant Jim Moran. It teaches disadvantaged youth in basic automotive repair, academic remediation, job readiness and life management skills.

More than 1,000 classic and sports cars were on display in the park for this year’s show. Guests could take a look while listening to live music by Smokin Renegade, a Tribute to Boston and Styx. DJs Scott The Music Man, Lance Kohn and Eugene the human percolator were also there to provide some good tunes. In addition, there were food trucks and tents with merchandise and more.

Over 115 trophies and cash prizes were awarded. Gift bags and t-shirts were given to the first 300 cars to arrive at the event.

Coolest of Show – 1st Place went to John Pellicone for his 1969 Pontiac GTO. Second Place went to Michael Merlo for his 1957 Chevy Nomad. Third Place went to Walter Goldscheck for his 1968 Dodge Coronet.

For more information on YATC, visit https://yatc.org.