The Scoop: Weekend of May 18th

TEQUILA TIME

Stephen Starr strikes again in Fort Lauderdale. The Philadelphia restaurateur follows Steak 954 with El Vez for all-day, Baja-influenced fare. Design firm Meyer Davis decorated the spacious indoor/outdoor setting with fun, ethnic touches like a Mexican beer can installation and colorful murals of Frida Kahlo and Day of the Dead skulls. Diners can order a pitcher of margaritas and compete in cornhole and shuffle board on the terrace with ocean views. They can also capture the outing in an old-fashioned photo booth. The chef from El Vez’s New York location relocated to make moles, Mexican street corn and tacos al carbon. When mango season starts, try his Tito Santana guacamole, which stars the tropical fruit complemented by jicama and habanero. Ceviches run from a single seafood to the whole shebang.

401 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard; 954.414.8200; Click here

OH TO BE YOUNGARTS

A video installation by South African artist William Kentridge comes to Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art and Design through its multi-site “Living Together” series. Commissioned by the EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam a few years ago, “More Sweetly Play the Dance” will be on view from May 19 to January 20, 2019. The 130-foot-long, eight-channel video immerses its audience in the artist’s signature animation inspired by his charcoal drawings. It depicts the history of processions, from a New Orleans jazz funeral to the danse macabre, a myth dating to the Middle Ages in which skeletons escorts people to their graves. Syrian refugees, a brass band and South African dancer Dada Masilo as a ballerina in military attire also appear in his philosophical procession where life triumphs in the end.

600 Biscayne Boulevard; 305.237.7700

OH TO BE YOUNGARTS

Fans of John Hardy’s handcrafted fine jewelry have a new haunt. The Balinese brand opened its first Florida location in Aventura, a real treasure considering it’s one of only eight boutiques worldwide. When entering the intimate space, clients feel like they’re stepping into the company’s artisan workshop on its tropical Indonesian archipelago. The sensory experience features a custom scent made with a blend of tuberose petals, sea breezes and sandalwood, while lights dim in accordance with the 15-hour time difference between Miami and Ubud in Indonesia. A Balinese sculptor carved the store’s custom work in sustainable teak sourced from Java, the next island over. Shop for classic chain pieces, pictured, and one-of-a-kind jewelry from the Cinta collection. The men’s selection also continues to grow under British creative director Hollie Bonneville Barden.

19501 Biscayne Boulevard; 305.792.6114

COMFORT CROWD-PLEASERS

Get out on the water with these fun maritime events. The SUP craze reaches new heights with Miami’s inaugural Paddletopia festival in Surfside Park on May 19 and 20. In addition to complimentary paddle boards and kayaks to cruise around the Intracoastal, the wellness weekend includes a Moda yoga class and Sweat Studio’s family boot camp. Kids can jump in an eco-friendly ball pit and decorate an inflatable “subway car” with graffiti while eating healthy snacks from Saffron Supper Club and Peekaboo Ice Cream with hidden veggies. A DJ and Krelwear’s tropical fashions also bring the party. Find details here. Switch out your watercraft for Wilton Manors’ 27th Annual Canoe Race on May 19 in Fort Lauderdale. The seven-mile course starts in Colohatchee Park and ends in Richardson Historic Park.

9580 Bay Drive; visitsurfsidefl.com. 1975 NE 15th Avenue; Click here

We’ll see you next week with even more of South Florida’s places to go!