There’s something about sitting next to a fire that just sets a chillaxing mood. Ge ready to experience the beach’s breeze, the smell of burning wood and the scent of a special someone by attending the next Lake Worth Bon Fire, Friday, November 25th at 6 p.m.
Cool nights are just starting to sweep through South Florida, so start packing your s’mores and comfy blankets. It’s about to get hot in here.-literally. The bonfires are hosted by the city of Lake Worth right on the beach across from the Lake Worth Casino Building and Beach Complex.
As if the flames, the cuddling and the cool nights weren’t enough to set the vibe, you’ll also get to experience live music by ZBRA, a band of three guys who are confident to get you moving.
“We are three multi-instrumentalists who play stuff for you to shake your ass or other body parts to. Rocking your face off, then on, then back off again. It’s called the Caged Travolta,” says ZBRA.
It’s time for another extravagant bash! Join Dreyfoos in White, a pop-up picnic-style festivity where hundreds of people dress in all-white and feast at a secret location in the city.
Among ritzy themed-centerpieces and tablecapes, everyone enjoys plenty of food and drinks with their peeps. Don’t be fooled by the magic and exclusivity of the night. This party gets turnt up! And unlike Diner En Blanc, it’s for a good cause, too.
Here are 9 things to know about Dreyfoos in White.
All-white attire
This is not an option. Be as chic with your white garments as possible and host your own al-fresco get-together. Have fun with it. Hats, scarves, gowns and crowns totally expected. This is a made-for-Instagram event.
It’s exclusive
The secret location will be revealed just one hour before the event. Buy your ticket now and wait patiently for the invitation via e-mail. This just adds more suspense to the event and keeps large crowds away from your spree.
Over the top!
Dreyfoos in White. (Margie Yansura/ Wordsmith Communications)
Bring your most creative decorations to the table —literally. The event is based on showing off your most extravagant table-espace and creativity. Make an iconic table WITH A THEME and enter different decor competitions. You’ll also need them in order to eat and drink.
Stand out
Party-goers will be competing for “Most Fabulous,” “Most Humorous” and “Judges’ Choice” awards based on the dedication and great taste of their center pieces. The crowd and celebrity judges will be comparing the best of the best.
Bon Appétit
You have two options for your picnic:
Order your food prior to the night through SandyJames Fine Food, pick it up at the event and take it to your table.
Bring your own indulgences, and serve and pour on your finest China to enjoy.
Get lit!
Dreyfoos in White. (Margie Yansura/ Wordsmith Communications)
The Dreyfoos string and jazz students will provide music throughout the night, and there will even be a flash mob by dance students. And make sure you don’t miss the sparklers. These will light up the night before everyone starts dancing to the music of DJ Brad Barfield.
What not to Bring
Don’t arrive in a U-haul with tables and chairs. The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation will provide these along with sparklers and white cloth napkins for the traditional “napkin twirl,” which kicks off the celebration. Just worry about what goes on the top of your table: decorations, food and drinks.
The Purpose
Funds raised through Dreyfoos in White help support vital educational programs that would otherwise not be funded. Last year, the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation provided $1.3 million in support to the School of the Arts.
Dreyfoos in White. (Margie Yansura/ Wordsmith Communications)
Friday evening I arrived at a top secret location to experience the world’s largest dinner party — for only the second time in West Palm Beach. Where did Diner En Blanc take place this year? Currie Park.
As I walked from Flagler Drive to the grass field just a couple hundred feet from the inlet, I realized that the view was stunning but the atmosphere was empty. Guests hadn’t arrived and I wasn’t yet convinced that the evening would live up to its hype.
The Diner en Blanc in downtown West Palm Beach on November 4, 2016. (Yuting Jiang / The Palm Beach Post)
A mega event described as a flash mob meets white party? The vision wasn’t clear.
Then four commercial buses pulled up. And some of the most elegantly dressed people made their entrance. One woman wore an ensemble so beautiful it would have gotten her into Wimbledon London with royalty in the early 1900s. She carried a large white, woven basket likely filled with fine China, fresh fruits and cheeses.
Within 45 minutes, I witnessed more than 1500 ivory-cloaked guests mingling, eating and dancing at the elaborate, alfresco dinner tradition that was born in Paris and has since been replicated in more than 60 countries around the world.
One word: Insane.
Robert Suarez, center, celebrates with friends at Diner en Blanc in downtown West Palm Beach on November 4, 2016. The event, which takes place around the world, has participants, dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space. (Yuting Jiang / The Palm Beach Post)
1. There’s Haitian pride all over the secret picnic that will invade West Palm for years to come.
The concept of friends and family laughing together over a meal is one of the pillars upon which Diner En Blanc stands. It all began when a Frenchman asked a group of his closest friends to wear white and meet him at a public park with a dish.
That’s no different from the Haitian culture.
“Haiti may be going through a hard time, but the people of the Haitian culture love life, always finding time to embrace family and dine together,” said Nora David, one of the three business-savvy, fashion-inclined event planners behind Diner En Blanc West Palm Beach.
The Diner en Blanc in downtown West Palm Beach on November 4, 2016. (Yuting Jiang / The Palm Beach Post)
She smiled when I asked her how her culture graced the work that she does as a business woman in the city. “I’m just happy a positive side of the Haitian culture is being talked about,” she said.
2. Life Behind the scenes at Diner En Blanc is not a walk in the park.
While David explains that there is something to say about the simplicity of the event, she iterates that the work happening behind the scene is not a few hours of busy work. This year, thirty volunteers were trained in a series of meetings to keep the traditional elements of the event alive from secrecy to table rules to dress code.
3. There’s no event more turned up and peaceful at the same time.
Drinks started pouring when table legs hit the floor, and no one ate solo. Just like dinner at the wooden table in homes on the movie screen, everyone understood that they had to pick up their forks simultaneously.
After that, feet were two-stepping and bodies were grooving to salsa, reggae, hip-hop, house and EDM music. Every single person was having a good time… And with the 2016 Presidential election just days away, it was really refreshing to see people of all ages and races enjoying each other’s time.
“If we could bring peace in the world, it would be through Diner En Blanc because it is a multicultural event,” David told us as she smiled.
Happy Halloween you ghouls and goblins! Did you get out and party this weekend? Festivities around West Palm Beach started with Clematis by Fright on Thursday and ended with Moonfeston Saturday. And we’ve got proof there were freaks out at night!
Families and freaks flocked to Clematis by Fright
Families join in the fun at Clematis by Fright in downtown West Palm Beach Thursday.
Pets gotta get dressed up too!
One of the new haunted trails at Clematis by Fright!
Music festivals are always a blast, especially when you get to hear your favorite jams, remixes or original songs while having your arms around your buddies (or special someone) and signing along. However, while some music spectacles can be very pricey, this upcoming one up is not! Head over to the free “Damn Glad to Party with You” music festival this Saturday, Oct. 15 at CSW Bar + Kitchen in Lake Worth.
Kai Schneider, left, and Remy Max hold each other while waiting for Skrillex to perform during the third day of the Okeechobee Music Festival in Okeechobee, Florida on Saturday, March 5, 2016. (Daniel Owen / The Palm Beach Post)
The Avett Brothers perform to a packed crowd on the final night of the Okeechobee Music Festival in Okeechobee, Florida on Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Daniel Owen / The Palm Beach Post)
If great music, a fantastic Indie craft bazaar and unique beers can’t get you through 12 hours of partying from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m, then there’s seriously something wrong with you. I’m only kidding, but really, this event has plenty of fun to get you going.
Kent LawlerCheck and DJ’s Layne Fox will set the mood throughout this event, by performing between live performances. The live music line up is here:
The boys and ghouls of Fright Nights are in full swing! The annual spookfest, at the South Florida Fairgrounds, is open to scare the heck out of you from now until Oct. 29.
People get spooked in the haunted houses during Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. (Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post)
There are four new haunted houses this year at Fright Nights: The Void; Sunnyville Schoolhouse; Doll Factory and Pestilence. If you need a break from the haunted houses, check out the midway rides, games, carnival food and scare zone.
This group art exhibit at SlushBox Gallery features as many as 25 different artists. See which of your friends are already going by visiting the Facebook event. Oh, and follow the gallery on Instagram for more sneak peeks, and shoot, just to spice up your Instagram feed.
Want to get ideas for Halloween costumes? Check out these creepy makeup tutorials on YouTube.
It’s that time of the year again, where the dead crawl back to life and the living yearn to cross to the other side. Enjoy!
The Deets:
What: Monster Madness
When: Opening night Saturday, October 15. Shows until November 19
Where: SlushBox Gallery 2716 South Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Hurricane Matthew updates: Check our WeatherPlus blog.
You’ve probably been bombarded with news, tweets and pictures regarding #HurricaneMatthew as it goes through the Caribbean and possibly hugs the eastern United States over the next few days.
However, if you’re still not convinced by the latest media hype (even though you should), check out the local forecast from the Pelican Park Weather Station:
Hurricane Matthew Update: The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts announces the cancellation of “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” originally scheduled for Oct. 6 through Oct. 8, and “Songs of Freedom” on Oct. 6. Guests who purchased tickets will be receiving an automatic refund.
To get the latest updates on Hurricane Matthew, check out WeatherPlus blog.
Original story: As part of their 25th anniversary, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts presentsGoodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny Oct. 6 to 8 and Songs of Freedom on Oct. 6 in West Palm Beach.
The first two are animal puppet shows are based on classic Margaret Wise Brown children’s books with scenic effects and music that attract kids ages 2 to 7.
Hurricane Matthew update: Fright Nights in West Palm Beach, has been canceled for this weekend, according to a Fright Nights representative. The popular Halloween event was set to open Thursday, Oct. 6 at the South Florida Fairgrounds with a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour.
Fright Night characters. (Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post)
The event will resume next Thursday, Oct. 10 and continue Thursday through Saturday nights through Oct. 30. For more information check the Fright Nights website or call 561-793-0333. And to get the latest updates on Hurricane Matthew check our WeatherPlus blog.
