[đ #FFFTL] Art Walk, Jazz Brunch, Star Wars Under The Stars...
And Young People Competing At The Mayorâs Chess Challenge: This week in FTL.
Thursday, April 30, 2026 - Sunday Jazz Brunch at Esplanade Park, a free Star Wars screening, and the Mayorâs Chess Challenge. One of the worldâs largest cruise ships is officially moving its homeport to our backyard. A Hidden Gem: Why you should take the scenic route to SW 166th Ave for a taste of âOld Florida.â And Legends America bring their farewell tour to town this Saturday night..
Stuff You Wonât Want To Miss:
TONIGHT | Crossfit at Huizenga Park. Join Flagler Village CrossFit for a fun, fastâpaced fitness session designed for all levels. Warm up, crush a 20âminute circuit workout, strengthen that core, and cool down with a relaxing stretch.
Friday | Artwalk at Thrive Art District. Monthly first-of-the-month art walk â local galleries, artists, and a free night out downtown.
Also Friday | Best of Broadway: Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and More!. A showcase of Broadway classics featuring the iconic music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Saturday | The Mayorâs Chess Challenge is coming to Riverland Park. Join families, elected officials, and community leaders for free and friendly meetups at the 11th Annual Mayorsâ Chess Challenge series in support of scholastic chess! Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome.
Saturday | NSU Art Museum â Museums on Us (Saturday). FREE admission for Bank of America cardholders â one of South Florida's best contemporary art museums. Just swipe your card.
Saturday | Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida: Spring Gala. 32 dancers close the season with the U.S. premiere of Issaev's Polovtsian Dances. Free 30-minute pre-show Arts Ballet Encounters talk at 7:00 PM.
Saturday Night | America: The Happy Trails Tour 2026. Classic rock legends ("A Horse With No Name," "Ventura Highway") bring their farewell tour to Fort Lauderdale.
Sunday | Sunday Jazz Brunch at Esplanade Park. FREE outdoor jazz on THREE stages along the Riverwalk â first Sunday of each month (MayâDec). Well-behaved leashed dogs welcome. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic basket.
Sunday | A Ukrainian Montage. The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami perform a powerful evening of Ukrainian cultural dance and music.
Monday | Free Star Wars Outdoor Film. May the 4th Be With You on Monday night as Free Movie In The Park hosts Return of the Jedi starting at 8pm.
Tuesday | Youth Spring Musical â Fiddler on the Roof JR.. Students grades 4â10 perform the Tony Award-winning classic. Two shows on May 5 (6 PM & 8 PM) plus May 6 (8 PM).
SAVE THE DATE | May 9th | Free movie for 12 and under at Savor Cinema. Come see Time Hoppers: The Silk Road follows the adventures of four gifted children from Vancouverâs Aqli Academy in the year 2050.
đâ Hey - quick question. Did we miss anything? Each week we do our research but you might know of an event, an organization, or a local business that deserves some love here in our weekly basket of goodies. Just hit reply to this email and let us know!
Featured Fort Lauderdale
The Biggest of the Cruise Ships Now Calls Fort Lauderdale Home
We have some exciting news for our local travel community! Royal Caribbean has officially announced a major shift in its 2027 lineup: the massive Symphony of the Seas will be repositioning from Galveston, Texas, to its new homeport right here at Port Everglades.
Why this matters for Fort Lauderdale: This isnât just a win for cruise fans; itâs a major boost for our local economy. As one of the worldâs largest Oasis-class ships, the Symphony brings thousands of visitors to our city every week. For our local businesses, hotels, and restaurants, this means a steady âsurgeâ of tourism as travelers fly in to explore Fort Lauderdale before heading out to sea.
What to expect: Starting in 2027, Symphony of the Seas will offer a mix of 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale. Whether itâs a quick getaway to the Bahamas or an extended tour of the Eastern and Western Caribbean, one of the crown jewels of the Royal Caribbean fleet will be just a short drive away for FFFTL members.
The âVenice of Americaâ Advantage: Royal Caribbean noted that this move is part of their strategic itinerary planning to meet guest demand. And we know why. Thereâs no better way to start a vacation than with a stay in the âVenice of Americaâ before boarding a world-class vessel.
Keep an eye on the Port Everglades schedule for more updates, and get ready to see that iconic silhouette back on our horizon!
*** Want to read the full story? Check out the details here.
So... You Think You Know South Florida
You probably already know... South Florida is sunny and full of harvest goodies.
What you might not know... you can purchase fresh, locally harvested honey from a 24-hour vending machine?
Located in the rural community of Southwest Ranches, the HealthierToGo honey vending machine offers a modern twist on the traditional farm stand. This self-serve roadside stop provides jars of golden honey sourced from local hives, offering a taste of âOld Floridaâ charm tucked away from the cityâs busier corridors.
Whether you are looking for a natural sweetener or simply want to explore the scenic backroads of Broward County, this hidden gem at 5010 SW 166th Ave is a unique destination for residents and visitors alike.
You can see this local curiosity in action here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1290149642715186 (Special thanks to Visit Lauderdale for the find.)
More Treats To Try
We donât let just anyone sponsor this newsletter. Hereâs who âmade the cutâ this week:
(Hit reply to this email if you want to reach over 1300+ local families for just $100)
đ Buy YOUR OWN Classified Ad Here đ
The Opulent Reset. For the woman who built it all, and forgot herself inside of it. A private four-day return to yourself on the white-sand shores of Turks & Caicos.
Just hit reply to this email to get started. Work with us to reach over 1250+ Greater Fort Lauderdale families.
Quote Of The Week
Over 25,000 people a month walk through the new Huizenga Park, but not many realize these wise words are on display on the eastern side of the green. I shared this same quote with our Acton friends who recently visited FTL.
Now⌠letâs go make it happen!
Flotsam & Jetsam
I love seeing a simple idea, executed well. Hisorty is that kind of game. Elegantly simple on the outside. Just test your sense of historical timelines. You get 6 cards from different moments in history, and you decide in which order they should organized.
For example, which date came first⌠the defeat of the Spanish Armada or the completion of the Hagia Sofia? And was that before or after Sir Issac Newton published his work Principia? Test your knowledge (just takes a minute) and see how. you score!
Word Play Of The Week
âSteal Someoneâs Thunderâ
To âSteal Someoneâs Thunderâ means to take credit for someone elseâs idea or achievement, or to upstage someone by doing or saying something that draws attention away from them.
This idiom has a fascinating theatrical origin. In the early 1700s, English dramatist John Dennis invented a new method of creating stage thunder for his play Appius and Virginia. The play wasnât successful, but his thunder technique was. Shortly after, Dennis attended a performance of âMacbethâ and heard his thunder effect being used. He reportedly exclaimed, âDamn them! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder!â ~ âSource
âUnder-The-Radarâ Openings Job Board
Hereâs a new section that we are debuting this week with our transition to Substack.
Open position at MODS. Science Facilities & Exhibits. High school diploma and minimum two (2) yearsâ experience performing building preventive and/or exhibit maintenance.
MODS is also looking for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Serving as a strategic partner to the President & CEO and senior leadership, providing financial stewardship and operational oversight in support of the Museumâs mission.
FIFA 2026 is looking for a Senior Content Manager. Because if you didnât hear, football (no, not that football) is coming to South Florida in a big way.
Lastly⌠One Big Idea For Your Week
Tell Us How We Are Doing
Every week we are working to improve #FFFTL every week, both for your reading experience and to provide a cutting-edge media apprenticeship opportunity for our learners.
We want to hear from you. What do you love? What could we do better FOR YOU? And most importantly, what FTL businesses and experiences should we be highlighting?