The third week of March is a nice little respite between spring break and Miami Music Week, when traffic is only kinda-terrible but the weather is still better than anywhere in the country. It’s also a low-key fantastic weekend full of events geared towards the people who actually live here, like a southern rock festival all over Ft. Lauderdale, a sci-fi film fest in downtown Miami, and the cast of The Sopranos telling stories in a room Frank Sinatra used to play. All that and big-time tennis in a football stadium highlight the best stuff going on in South Florida this weekend.
Peruse the early rounds of the Miami Open
Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24
Hard Rock Stadium
Well, it was nice knowing ya, Key Biscayne, but this year the best tennis players in the world are taking the game to the new courts at Hard Rock Stadium. The Williams’, Federer, Nadal and the gang will be playing the stadium court, while the outer courts will be filled with lesser-known talents you can watch up close while sipping Milagro margaritas and tennis-themed Hendricks gin drinks.
Cost: Grounds passes start at $50, weekend passes at $175
Hit the best southern rock fest you’ve never heard of
Friday, March 22 – Saturday, March 23
Revolution Live/America’s Backyard/Stache
The Allman Brothers’ Wanee Music Festival is typically help up in Live Oak, Fla. and features some of the best up-and-coming bands in the southern rock/blues world. This year it’s moving to three venues in Ft. Lauderdale, over Friday and Saturday, where The Marcus King Band and Jaimoe’s Mississippi All-Stars headline a full weekend of good ole rock and roll.
Cost: Tickets start at $39.95
Eat your way through the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Food and Wine Festival
Friday, March 22 - Sunday, March 24
Artspark Hollywood
Much like the city itself, Ft. Lauderdale’s inaugural food and wine festival promises to be a smaller, cheaper, less-chaotic version of Miami’s, with food that’s a little more approachable. There’ll be events going on all weekend, but the main event is Saturday’s Grand Tasting, where Tacocraft, Temple Street Eatery, Bar Rita, and other Broward favorites will be slinging samples from 1-5pm.
Cost: $60 GA, $105 VIP
Geek out at the Sci-Fi Film Festival
Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24
Silverspot Cinemas
The sixth annual Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival takes over downtown’s Silverspot Cinemas all weekend, where you can catch edgy, avant garde short films and features, plus lectures and augmented reality experiences.
Cost: Single tickets $17.87. Festival passes start at $79.
Begin Saturday with a yoga party at The Barnacle
Saturday, March 23
Barnacle State Historic Site
Celebrating National Women’s Day a little late, Daybreaker’s day-party theme for March is “The Future is Feminine.” That means wear all your futuristic sci-fi best yoga garb for the 10am class, then get ready to dance to the sounds of DJ Laura of Miami from 11am-1pm, with light snacks and juices provided.
Cost: Yoga and dance $27, just dance $17
Help break a world record for largest circuit training class
Saturday, March 23
Miami Beach between 8th and 9th Street
If Saturday mornings at the gym just don’t have quite enough people sweating on you, head out to the sand at 8th Street around 9am, where an enterprising group of instructors will try and set the world’s record for largest circuit training class. As per Guinness guidelines, it’ll include at least three stations, full-body training, and will last at least 30 minutes.
Cost: Free
Hear the cast of the Sopranos tell stories from the set
Saturday, March 23
Fontainebleau Hotel
The Sopranos debuted 20 years ago. Now that you feel old, go full-on 50s throwback at “Sinatra Meets the Sopranos” Saturday, when leading Frank Sinatra tribute artist Michael Martocci performs a set of classics with a 22-piece orchestra. Afterwards, Vincent “Big Pussy” Pastore, Michael “Christopher Moltisanti” Imperioli, and Steve “Bobby Baccalieri” Schirripa will take the stage and tell stories from the show.
Cost: $75 for the show, $135 dinner and a show package at Stripsteak
Toast Tarpon River Brewing’s first anniversary
Saturday, March 23
Tarpon River Brewing
The South Florida beer all-star team that brought us Tarpon River Brewing has made it a full year in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale, and they’re celebrating from 1-11pm Saturday with a huge backyard BBQ. In addition to grilled meat and beer, there’ll also be an all-day music festival featuring Surfer Blood, The Heavy Pets, The Goddamn’ Hustle, and other local faves.
Cost: Free
Smoke big at Hard Rock
Saturday, March 23
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Not that Saturday night at the Hard Rock isn’t always a great chance to fill your lungs with carcinogens, but come Saturday said smoke won’t have to come from a 75-year old lady playing nickel slots. This Saturday it’ll come from over 25 of the world’s finest cigar makers at Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke. In addition to loads of stogies, you’ll also get unlimited high-end spirits and a buffet.
Cost: $275
Celebrate Nowruz with a Persian feast
Sunday, March 24
Byblos
Nowruz, if you were confused, is the Persian New Year, and while you might be inclined to celebrate by buying a rug you’re better off hitting the Saffron Supper Club’s March pop-up dinner, where chef Ben Heaton’s four course menu will include falafel, maftoul stuffed peppers, salt-crusted branzino and plenty of Zonin wines.
Cost: $65. RSVP to saffronsupper@gmail.com to reserve your spot
Sign up here for our daily Miami email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.