Four-time James Beard award nominee Chef Niven Patel is the embodiment of farm-to-table dining, residing on his two-acre, Homestead farm aptly dubbed Rancho Patel, where he grows produce for all his restaurants. In a series of tasting events called Sundays at the Rancho, Chef Niven invites you into his home for an intimate culinary experience. The appetizing afternoon begins at 3 p.m. with a welcome cocktail and passed bites. Guests will then take a seat at the table to enjoy a wholesome farm feast, served family style and paired with delicious wines - all set to the rustic natural backdrop of the farm. Tickets are available via Resy for $195 per person.

South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO) 25th anniversary season continues to shine with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, the world premiere of Ocklawaha by composer-in-residence John Gottsch, and a selection of great opera arias from Puccini, Verdi, and Lara. Led by Music Director Sebrina María Alfonso with guest soloists Catalina Cuervo, soprano, and Adam Diegel, tenor, the Masterworks program is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on January 24 at New World Center in Miami Beach. Originally intended to be a grandiose piece that would glorify Stalin’s regime and Russian victory over the Nazis in 1945, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 rendered a more complex, thoughtful, and sometimes carefree composition. The composer was known for his resistance to Soviet rule and his subversion tactics often promising to compose the piece the regime wanted while actually giving it something else. SFSO’s composer-in-residence John Gottsch will present the world premiere of Ocklawaha. The Ocklawaha is a river originating in the lakes of central Florida and flowing north through some of the most mysterious, wild, and breathtakingly beautiful parts of the state. As a young boy, the composer traveled the Ocklawaha with his father, learning the history of the river and surrounding lakes, which brought to life on passing shores, the escaped slaves, Seminole warriors, and a Civil War battle. The musical narrative brings to life the storied struggles of Florida’s Native American ancestors through thoughtfully arranged orchestral movements. John D. Gottsch was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Florida with his family, shortly thereafter. He spent his youth in the lake country of the Sunshine State traveling extensively and observing natural habitats. These explorations of Florida gave him an enduring love for its beauty and wildlife. He has been a lifelong composer and a number of his compositions reflect his deep appreciation of the outdoors. Last year, SFSO premiered the live performance of Gottsch’s original composition Princess Yurievskaya, and in 2020, SFSO premiered Sunset, both of which were featured on Gottsch’s 2020 debut album released by Naxos Records, the world’s leading classical music label. SFSO also performed Gottsch’s Bagatelles for Violin & Piano as part of its Summer With the Symphony Series in June 2021. His piano suite, Homosassa, premiered in Palm Beach in 2020. His piano quintet, Maryland Hunt, premiered at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, DC in 2018 and has been performed in Philadelphia, Vienna, Rotterdam, and Baltimore. Gottsch, a full-time doctor, now splits his time between Baltimore and Key West. In addition, the program includes a selection of great opera arias performed by Catalina Cuervo and Adam Diegel – Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “Un Bel Dì, Vedremo,” and “O Soave Fanciulla,” Agustín Lara’s “Granada,” Verdi’s “La Donna è Mobile” and “Brindisi” (The Drinking Song from La Traviata). Tickets for the Masterworks II program start at $25 for New World Center. Tickets may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2022-23-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445, or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.

PAOW! (which stands for People And Our World) is serving up some delicious plant-based protein at Miami’s SEED Food & Wine Festival, the ultimate event dedicated to celebrating the best in plant-based health, wellness, and conscious and sustainable living. Stop by PAOW!’s table on SEED Festival Day for the chance to try — all the retail flavors that will be available to enjoy! The Florida-based brand PAOW! creates revolutionary taste experiences that mimic its meat counterparts. Made with only three ingredients — non-GMO soy, water, and salt — PAOW! presents a variety of bite-sized pieces to add to any recipe, from tacos to rice bowls to ravioli. All SEED tickets include unlimited bites, so be sure to try as much PAOW! as you’d like.

South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO) 25th anniversary season continues to shine with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, the world premiere of Ocklawaha by composer-in-residence John Gottsch, and a selection of great opera arias from Puccini, Verdi, and Lara. Led by Music Director Sebrina María Alfonso with guest soloists Catalina Cuervo, soprano, and Adam Diegel, tenor, the Masterworks program is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on January 28, opening the season at Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys in Key West. Originally intended to be a grandiose piece that would glorify Stalin’s regime and Russian victory over the Nazis in 1945, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 rendered a more complex, thoughtful, and sometimes carefree composition. The composer was known for his resistance to Soviet rule and his subversion tactics often promising to compose the piece the regime wanted while actually giving it something else. SFSO’s composer-in-residence John Gottsch will present the world premiere of Ocklawaha. The Ocklawaha is a river originating in the lakes of central Florida and flowing north through some of the most mysterious, wild, and breathtakingly beautiful parts of the state. As a young boy, the composer traveled the Ocklawaha with his father, learning the history of the river and surrounding lakes, which brought to life on passing shores, the escaped slaves, Seminole warriors, and a Civil War battle. The musical narrative brings to life the storied struggles of Florida’s Native American ancestors through thoughtfully arranged orchestral movements. John D. Gottsch was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Florida with his family, shortly thereafter. He spent his youth in the lake country of the Sunshine State traveling extensively and observing natural habitats. These explorations of Florida gave him an enduring love for its beauty and wildlife. He has been a lifelong composer and a number of his compositions reflect his deep appreciation of the outdoors. Last year, SFSO premiered the live performance of Gottsch’s original composition Princess Yurievskaya, and in 2020, SFSO premiered Sunset, both of which were featured on Gottsch’s 2020 debut album released by Naxos Records, the world’s leading classical music label. SFSO also performed Gottsch’s Bagatelles for Violin & Piano as part of its Summer With the Symphony Series in June 2021. His piano suite, Homosassa, premiered in Palm Beach in 2020. His piano quintet, Maryland Hunt, premiered at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, DC in 2018 and has been performed in Philadelphia, Vienna, Rotterdam, and Baltimore. Gottsch, a full-time doctor, now splits his time between Baltimore and Key West. In addition, the program includes a selection of great opera arias performed by Catalina Cuervo and Adam Diegel – Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro,” “Un Bel Dì, Vedremo,” and “O Soave Fanciulla,” Agustín Lara’s “Granada,” Verdi’s “La Donna è Mobile” and “Brindisi” (The Drinking Song from La Traviata). Upcoming SFSO concerts include Brahms, Sibelius, and Berlioz on February 18 and a Dvořák program on March 25. Tickets for the Masterworks II program at Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys start at $25. Tickets may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2022-23-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445, or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.

Join Moxy South Beach on Sunday, January 29th for the first Samba Sunday Rooftop party of 2023 at The Upside. Enjoy cool cocktails, hot beats, and beautiful views from South Beach’s coolest destination. From 5 PM until 11 PM, guests can enjoy Brazilian dancers and sounds from Samba Band Tata do Povo and DJ Lucca Savi while enjoying 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, South Beach, and the downtown Miami skyline.

Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization will celebrate the impact of its significant role to plan and direct transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the region and honor those who advocate for smart planning and connectivity during the second State of the Region Annual Awards to take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, at The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood (3555 South Ocean Drive). WPLG-TV Local 10 Anchor Glenna Milberg and comedian Tane Danger have been tapped to co-host this prominent event, coinciding with the Safe Streets Summit, which is presented by the Broward MPO and local partners. This year’s distinguished honorees are George Platt (Lifetime Achievement Award), Gail Bulfin (Community Impact Award), Beverly and Levoyd Williams (Visionary Award), and Joseph Yesbeck (Champion Award). Attendees to this year’s State of the Region Annual Awards will enjoy the transportation wit and wisdom of Tane Danger. A professional improv comedian with a master’s in public policy, Danger serves as director of the Westminster Town Hall Forum – the Upper Midwest’s largest and most prestigious speaker series. For more than a decade, Danger has hosted the nationally renowned civics-inspired improv comedy show, The Theater of Public Policy. At each show, he interviews newsmakers, policy-wonks, and big thinkers on issues ranging from race in education to the farm bill. Then, the show’s cast of improvisers takes everything that’s been said and turns it into entirely unscripted improv comedy theater. In his own workshops and keynote talks, Danger uses his background in improv comedy to get folks to practice communication, collaboration, and creativity differently. He’s taught improv for better communication to everyone from healthcare executives to Lutheran bishops. He is a regular contributor to Almanac, the weekly public affairs program on Twin Cities Public Television but may be best known as “the bus guy!” In 2019, Danger began working with Metro Transit on a web series called, “Hey! Where Does This Bus Go?” In each episode, he rides a local bus route from start to finish, noting landmarks along the way and chatting with riders. The series demystifies each bus route and changes people’s perception of who rides the bus. Last year’s Broward MPO State of the Region Awards honorees was former Hollywood Commissioner and past Broward MPO board chair Richard Blattner, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Fort Lauderdale Chapter, Florida House of Representatives member Christine Hunschofsky [D-96] and Deputy City Manager Sheila Rose. The event is presented by Accenture, Deloitte, and T.Y. Lin with other sponsors including the City of Hollywood, BYD, Kimley Horn; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail; Galleria Fort Lauderdale; GPR | Goodman Public Relations, City of Lauderdale Lakes, The Brand Advocates, Circuit, Benesch, TSE Consulting, City of Coconut Creek, FEC Railroad, The Whitehouse Group and Port Everglades. Awards dinner tickets are $150 per person; tables of 10 are available. To reserve tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/BrowardMPOSOTRAwards2023.

Lovers of all things adorable are welcome to catch The Hello Kitty Café Truck as it makes a return to South Florida. The viral sensation on wheels will roll into town this Saturday, February 4 at Sawgrass Mills. Look for the Sanrio-swathed van between St. John and Burberry. Hello, Kitty lovers can catch exclusive Sanrio goodies and limited-edition collectibles such as Hello Kitty coin banks, glass mugs, lunchboxes, t-shirts, canvas totes, thermos, cookie sets, and more. There will also be exclusive treats that fans can purchase exclusively at the truck.

The Friends of Jack & Jill Center will host its First Annual Winter Carnival on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at Jack & Jill Center’s Halmos Family Building. The community event will feature a fun-filled day of carnival rides, games, arts & crafts, signature carnival food, face painting, photo opportunities, a live DJ, and much more. Activities will include a Dual Lane Inflatable Slide, Ballistic Swings, Rock Climbing, Bounce Houses, a Four-In-One Sports Center, Phantoms Revenge, and more. The public event is open to all ages. All proceeds will benefit Jack & Jill Center’s mission to strengthen children and families through innovative education, supportive programming, and community engagement. Since it was established in 1999, The Friends of Jack & Jill Center has raised over $5.25 million and volunteered countless hours to improve the lives of the Center's children and families. Jack & Jill Center supports children of high-need working families through quality early childhood education, elementary education, and family strengthening programs to ensure every child and family has the tools they need to be successful. Jack & Jill Center has served 26,000 children and families in South Florida since 1942. Event sponsorships ranging from $500–$12,000 are available at https://www.jackandjillcenter.org/event/wintercarnival-2/. When: Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023 12 – 4 p.m. Where: Jack & Jill Center, Halmos Family Building 1315 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Cost: Individual tickets are available for $2 per person (children under two years of age are free), with additional registration options to support the children and families of the Jack & Jill Center. Food tickets will be available for purchase at the event. How: To attend the event, tickets may be purchased at: https://www.jackandjillcenter.org/carnivaltickets/. To become a sponsor, please visit https://www.jackandjillcenter.org/event/wintercarnival-2/ or contact Sydney Stelter, Marketing Manager, at: sstelter@jackandjillcenter.org, 610-937-1992, or 954-463-8772, ext. 255.

Wigwood is South Florida’s annual queer performance festival - featuring all types of drag performances, DJs, and vendors. The event will be a daytime rooftop pool party at the brand-new and luxurious Arlo hotel in Wynwood. Drag legend Lady Bunny will be headlining and DJing, plus there will be a variety of drag shows around the pool deck. The perfect Sunday event to wrap up the weekend! This event is 21+