Weekend things to do in South Florida July 8-10

On Saturday, downtown Fort Lauderdale will be the setting for Fizzyland, a celebration of the latest ignominious assault on manhood known as the seltzer.

Beginning at noon, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale’s inaugural Spritz and Seltzer Festival is an all-day party that will feature live music and more than 30 brands of the bubbly potion that has turned many of my acquaintances into a tribe of zombie man-children.

A man cannot hold a can of High Noon, much less a can of Happy Dad, I remind them (but you ladies, you do you). It’s an emasculating affront, like movies about comic books, starting the 10th inning with a runner at second, and Tucker Carlson.

But, if you’re into that kind of thing, Fizzyland is free to enter (better be). Visit WharfFTL.com.

I know I am fighting a losing battle. This week came news that Sammy Hagar just rolled out his line of “sparkling rum” cocktails in Florida, with names like Tangerine Dream, Pineapple Splash, Island Pop and Cherry Kola Chill. He’s a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer! He goes faster than 55 and doesn’t care who knows about it!

Hagar will celebrate the launch of Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktail Co. in the Sunshine State with a July 23 appearance in Boca Raton at the Waterstone Resort & Marina’s SeaSpray Inlet Grill on Lake Boca.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Red Rocker will share samples of his canned cocktails and get behind the bar to show off his mixology skills, making drinks with his other spirits: Santo Tequila Blanco, Santo Tequila Reposado and Beach Bar Rum.

If someone brings a guitar, maybe he’ll break out a few songs. Lake Boca would be a perfect place to hear “Sailin’,” one of my favorite songs about boat life.

Visit Facebook.com/WaterstoneBoca, Facebook.com/sammysbbcco.

Weekend drinks: As you may have heard, Fort Lauderdale’s FAT Village, once a rich repository of creativity and authenticity in a city sorely lacking in such, is not long for this world. Demolition crews will start doing what they do in August. So you should probably spend as much time as you can soaking up the transformative atmosphere at Next Door, one of the great bars of South Florida, sort of hidden inside C&I Studios (at 537 NW First Ave.). By day a warm, welcoming spot for coffee and tea, at night the vibe around its bookshelved bar seems to belong to another, better city and another, better time. Maybe it’s the Basil Hayden. Visit DrinkNextDoor.com.

[ RELATED: RIP, old FAT Village: Fort Lauderdale’s funky arts district prepares for demolition and a new look ]

I want my ‘80s: At the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Friday night’s Art After Dark series will host a throwback night with DJ Rumble spinning the best of the ‘80s from 6 to 9 p.m., and local game guy Adam Goldstein (Good as Gold Events) leading an ‘80s trivia contest at 8 p.m. Art After Dark runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Visit Norton.org.

Weekend wine: The engaging Small Wine Shop in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village will throw a party for their rescue, Augie, at 2 p.m. Saturday, with wine, a raffle and treats (dog and human), and 10% of sales going to the Humane Society of Broward County. Moments by Mel will be offering mini photo sessions for $25, with proceeds going to HSBC. Visit SmallWineShop.com.

End of an era: A fixture on Federal Highway in Delray Beach for more than three decades, Ellie’s 50′s Diner continues its closing sale Friday-Saturday in advance of owners Ellie and Bob Smela (they’re retiring) locking up on Sunday. The cash-and-carry sale, with items ranging from ‘50s memorabilia to dinnerware and kitchen equipment, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Visit Ellies-closing-sale.eventbrite.com.

New blues: Fort Lauderdale-based blues vocalist Kat Riggins will share music from her new album, “Progeny” (Gulf Coast Records), the follow-up to her powerful 2020 album “Cry Out,” at 7 p.m. Friday at Gingers Bar & Restaurant in Oakland Park. Tickets: $20. Visit Facebook.com/KatRigginsMusic.

Country comfort: The duo Bexar (Chris Ryan, of Bexar County, Texas, and Logan Turner) make the kind of upbeat odes to simpler times that fuel much of country radio these days. Might be just what you need. See them at 7:30 p.m. Friday (with opener Dave Kuncio) at the Tin Roof in downtown Delray Beach. (BTW, like the county, the band’s name is pronounced “Bear.”) Free. Visit TinRoofDelrayBeach.com.

Take it easy: More easygoing music can be found when Boca Raton-based Eagles tribute band The Long Run plays a hometown show during the Summer in the City series at Mizner Park Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Friday. It’s free. The rest of the schedule includes ‘80s tribute Back in Time (July 15), Chicago Rewired (July 22) and Absolute Queen (July 29). Visit MiznerAmp.com.

Are you game? If you are looking for a place to watch the Marlins take down the Mets this weekend, consider the new Hard Rock Sports Bar that opened recently at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Located in the old Comedy Club space, next to the entrance to Hard Rock Live, the bar includes an impressive bank of dozens of large TVs, blackjack tables and a wrap-around bar embedded with electronic table games. There’s a menu of bar food ($17 burger, with fries; $18 wings) and a full bar (draft Bud Light or Funky Buddha Hop Gun is $8 for 16 ounces, $10 for 20 ounces). Visit HardRockHolly.com.

The play’s the thing: “Merchants of Venice” is a provocative reimagining of Shakespeare’s 16th-century work set amid economic and racial struggles of the Jim Crow era in South Florida, written and directed by local poet and playwright Darius Daughtry. Presented by local nonprofit theater company Grace Arts Florida, the show has performances through Sunday at Victory Black Box Theatre in the new YMCA at 1409 Sistrunk Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $25 at Eventbrite.com. Visit Facebook.com/victorybbtymca.

Weekend laughs: Longtime Y100 radio personality Michael Yo, now the world’s most famous Blasian comedian, is back in town for shows through Saturday at the Dania Improv in Dania Beach. Tickets cost $22+ at DaniaImprov.com.

Organic scene: Before things get away from you this weekend, reserve your spot now for the first edition of Sidewalk Bottle Shop’s Sunday wine-pairing dinner series, beginning July 24. The natural/organic wine spot (and the rolling spinoff Sidewalk Diner) in Fort Lauderdale’s Progresso neighborhood will offer a five-course meal paired with wisely curated wines. There will be mood music. Price $175 per person (plus tax). Visit Instagram.com/sidewalk.bottleshop.

Here are your ‘80s: As if on cue, enduring ‘80s charmers New Kids on the Block bring the Mixtape Tour to FLA Live Arena in Sunrise at 8 p.m. Saturday, accompanied by Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and crooner Rick Astley. You’ll find scattered tickets starting at $25 at Ticketmaster.com.

The Weekender – South Florida Events

Weekly

Get a roundup of the best events and things to do in South Florida so you can make it an epic weekend.

Hidden pizza: I got my (most recent) favorite pizza at that pizzeria on Fort Lauderdale’s Northeast 13th Street. You may ask, what pizzeria on Northeast 13th Street? Exactly. You can’t see Pizzeria Magaddino from the street — it’s inside Gulf Stream Brewing. It’s not new, and I’ve had a few pies there before. But last weekend, I tried the Humble Bumble pie (which I had never ordered because, you know, honey). It’s pepperoni, mozzarella, parmigiano, red sauce, basil and sous-vide infused chili honey ($14). The way the crispy little discs of pepperoni, curled at the edges, cradled the essence of honey, and the way it married with the hoppy bite of Gulf Stream’s Graphic IPA … well, let’s just call the effect well-pleasing. Visit PizzeriaMagaddino.com.

Think pink: The event that launched a thousand Speedos, FlockFest returns from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, a party that will gather hundreds of inflatable flamingos (they may top 1,000 this year) and the people who love them at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. The fundraiser highlights a weekend of spin-off parties Friday through Sunday for local charities including Renand Foundation, Julian’s Fountain of Youth and United Dog Rescue. Tickets for FlockFest start at $5, with various levels of VIP and party passes also available at FlockFestEvents.org.

Sunday brunch: When trying to describe the Old Florida vibe he hopes to create for a story about his upcoming reincarnation of the Florida House in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Society 8′s Steven D’Apuzzo went with a shorthand description any local understands: “I don’t want to compare it to a Dada in Delray, but it has that charm. That’s the vision …” Because if you’re looking to return to the tropical gentility of Old Florida you see in the picture books, Dada in downtown Delray Beach is one of those spots. Just steps away from the bustle of East Atlantic Avenue, Dada’s unpretentious attitude and ambitious menu is served under a shady canopy of old growth trees in front of a nearly 100-year-old home. Plus, Brunch has French Toast Bread Pudding. Brunch hour is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/DadaDelray.

[ RELATED: New restaurant to open in Fort Lauderdale’s old River House: ‘This is where you become a local’ ]

Wild soul: The charismatic personality who creates the vegan and gluten-free artisanal treats at Miami’s Pamela Wasabi Bakery will be at Books & Books in Coral Gables at 4 p.m. Sunday to discuss “The Wild Woman: Nourishing the Feminine Soul” (Celestial Publishing). Visit PamelaWasabi.com.

Surreal estate: The design-forward Wolfsonian-FIU museum and O Cinema South Beach continue their examination of iconic American homes in movies with a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” at 4 p.m. Sunday. The show includes a post-film discussion with Popcorn Frights Film Festival cofounder Igor Shteyrenberg. Tickets cost $11. Visit Wolfsonian.org.

Aqua dogs: Miami Seaquarium will begin its Dog Days series on Sunday, allowing families to be accompanied by four-legged friends. A special dog park will be set up, complete with toys and pools to cool off, and dog bowls with water will be located in shady spots throughout the park. The series continues every Sunday in July. There are vaccination requirements (the dog, not you) and other rules. For information, visit MiamiSeaquarium.com/dog-days.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow IG: @BenCrandell and TW: @BenCrandell.