As seen in a compelling new documentary film, the six-decade career arc of photojournalist Steve Schapiro, son of Brooklyn, was a balancing act.
He took pictures of iconic faces in art and pop culture (Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, James Baldwin, Samuel Beckett, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, David Bowie), but also scenes of great turmoil (Selma, the March on Washington and, before his death in 2022, Black Lives Matter) and seminal figures from the American tragedy written during the 1960s (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis).
The biopic “Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere,” screening this weekend at the Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival, shows that memorable moments in art and historic political upheaval have often occurred at the same time.
In the film, Schapiro issues a call to young photographers to document all of it, “to change the world with your images.”
The Sun & Stars festival continues in multiple locations in Palm Beach County on Thursday through Feb. 6, with the Schapiro documentary as its Centerpiece Night film, screening at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Director Maura Smith, Schapiro’s wife, will take part in an audience discussion. Visit SASIFF.org. For more on Schapiro and the film, go to SteveSchapiroBeingEverywhere.com.
THURSDAY
Grecian yearn: If you thought the lines for food and drink were long at last year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival, know that organizers of the increasingly popular event at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church heard you. This year’s 46th annual event, taking place Thursday through Sunday, will have an expanded footprint to allow for more efficient service and more space to mingle. Of course, the real problem is that the food is so amazing. Visit FortLauderdaleGreekFestival.org. … Also this weekend, the Boca Raton Greek Festival returns to Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church from Thursday through Sunday with its own distinctive food and drink, vendors and rides. Visit SaintMarkBoca.net.
A new spot on the water: This is opening weekend for G&B Dockside, the new waterfront Fort Lauderdale restaurant from the Be Nice Group, best known for beloved spots such as Coconuts, G&B Oyster Bar, Top Hat Deli, Foxy Brown and Lunchroom Sandwiches. It is located inside the Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal/Il Lugano Residences at 3333 NE 32nd Ave. I can vouch for the exquisite Faroe Island Salmon entree (distinctively flavorful), the Fettuccine Pomodoro (chef’s kiss for the San Marzano tomato sauce, delicately sweet) and the East Coast oysters (a Be Nice staple). Another must is the glorious bread pudding — a massive brick brightened by a layer of mascarpone, encrusted with a coarse-ground sugary glaze, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate shavings — it is the greatest bread pudding in the history of bread. Sorry, Mom. Visit GandBDockside.com.
FRIDAY
Bailey’s spirit: Charismatic young country star Bailey Zimmerman will bring his uninhibited style and No. 1 hits including “Rock And A Hard Place,” “Where It Ends” and “Fall In Love” to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Friday at 8 p.m. Visit MyHRL.com.
Epic sounds: The acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra continues its South Florida residency in a collaboration with famed pianist Yefim Bronfman on a program that pairs Beethoven’s final piano concerto, the audacious “Emperor” Concerto, with Mozart’s final symphony, “Jupiter.” Led by music director Franz Welser-Möst, the orchestra will perform at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Visit ArshtCenter.org.
Weekend laughs: Actor, comedian and Honduran immigrant Carlos Mencia may have something to say this weekend at the Miami Improv. Performances will be at 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. Visit MiamiImprov.com. … Former “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino is now finding success as some kind of “influencer,” which explains a lot. Catch him at the Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Visit ImprovFTL.com.
Unplugged weekend: The South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival will take place Friday through Sunday on multiple stages at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, with a lineup of national and local acts that includes Livingston Taylor, John McCutcheon, Mad Agnes, Mean Mary, The Kennedys, Alice Howe & Freebo, The Janzen Boys, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Rod MacDonald, Jimmy Stowe, Brett Staska, Soulshine, Jamie Granger and many others. Visit SFFolk.org.
Dance parties: If you feel like dancing, Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale will have the touring indie-rock and EDM dance party called Electric Feels on Friday at 9 p.m. Visit JoinTheRevolution.net. … Respectable Street in West Palm Beach will host the SpongeBob-adjacent Big Bubble Rave on Friday at 10 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/respectablestreet.
More dancing: Riverdance is celebrating 30 years of Irish dance performances (how many steps is that?) on a tour that will bring new dancers, choreography, costumes, lighting and projections to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale this weekend. Showtimes will be 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit BrowardCenter.org.
SATURDAY
Wakeup call: The much-anticipated Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Festival returns to the Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park on Saturday, a free all-day homage to the beloved “breakfast beer.” As usual, the celebration will include more than 50 draft beers, special can releases, a chef-driven buffet and food pairings, live music, whiskey tastings, line dancing, mechanical bull riding, exclusive merch and more. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Visit Facebook.com/FunkyBuddhaBrew.
Viva, Las Vegas: The always entertaining and unsubtle Pub at the Hub fundraiser on Saturday will bring an immersive Vegas theme to Space of Mind, the innovative schoolhouse in downtown Delray Beach. The 7-11 p.m. gathering will transform SoM into a neon-soaked mini Strip, with live entertainment, casino tables, multiple bars and food prepared by top local chefs. Suggested attire: Sin City glam and Rat Pack swagger. Pub at the Hub will raise funds for the Community Classroom Project, a nonprofit spinoff of Space of Mind that provides experiential learning and entrepreneurship opportunities to students facing unique challenges, along with resources for parents, teachers and mental-health providers. Visit FindSpaceOfMind.com.
Saturday night live: Indie-rock vocalist Neko Case brings her Neon Grey Midnight Green tour to Midline in Wynwood on Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Visit MidlineMiami.com. … British band EMF, best known for 1991 hit “Unbelievable,” will play Respectable Street in West Palm Beach on Saturday at 8 p.m., joined by special guest HADEE. and DJ Lindersmash. Visit RespectableStreet.eventbrite.com. … Grammy-winning Texican trio Los Lonely Boys will share “Heaven” and other favorites at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.
Art walk: The 39th annual Museum Art Festival, hosted by the Boca Raton Museum of Art, will fill Mizner Park with more than 150 artists, family activities and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Museum admission will be 50% off all weekend. Visit BocaMuseum.org.
Words to live by: The fourth annual Fort Lauderdale International Book Fair will celebrate the value of literature and community on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Esplanade Park. The family friendly event will include authors, activities and vendors of all kinds. Visit Facebook.com/FTLBookFair1.
Saturday laughs: Comedian Pat McGann, as seen on the Letterman and Colbert shows, will perform at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Visit BrowardCenter.org. … You may have heard that comedy duo Penn & Teller have postponed Saturday’s 50th Anniversary Tour stop at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood until April 26. Visit MyHRL.com.
SUNDAY
Sunday laughs: Comedian, director and actor Cedric the Entertainer (currently seen on CBS hit “The Neighborhood”) will bring his tour to the Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Sunday at 8 p.m. Visit TheCenterCS.com.
More Mozart: The Cleveland Orchestra will move from the Arsht Center to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on Sunday at 2 p.m. to perform Mozart’s “Jupiter” and Shostakovich’s 11th Symphony. Visit Kravis.org.
LOOKING AHEAD
Matisyahu unplugged: Spiritually inquisitive singer-songwriter Matisyahu is bringing his acoustic tour — which revisits his breakout album “Live at Stubb’s” (featuring “King Without a Crown,” “One Day” and “Sunshine”) and recent studio album “Ancient Child” — to the Boca Black Box Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Monday and again on March 26. Visit BocaBlackBox.com.
The clock is running: The Publix Fort Lauderdale Marathon and Half Marathon on Feb. 15 are among the area’s most beautiful running events, along a flat oceanfront course on State Road A1A. Both are popular. You can still sign up right now, but be advised that the Fresh from Florida 6K event is sold out, as is the Celsius Fort Lauderdale 5K the day before. Visit A1AMarathon.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.
