|
Happy Friday, Fort Lauderdale. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let FTL Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
In today’s edition: Water quality push, Not Your Mama’s Craft Fair, The Seminole Collection, and more.
Let’s get to it.
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Water quality push intensifies: Fort Lauderdale adopted an ordinance capping overnight anchoring at 30 days and approved a mobile sewage pump-out boat to curb pollution, with service expected in early 2026, free for boaters — get all the details.
Elevating Broward’s arts ecosystem: Funding Arts Broward launched its 23rd season with an October 9 reception at Northern Trust and celebrated a milestone year, distributing a record $735,000 in grants for Broward’s arts community — read the full story.
Amenities and design highlights: Gables Riverwalk, a 43-story tower on the New River in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, is complete following its final TCO on October 29. The 295-unit building expects move-ins this month — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
|
Off-leash play and pints in Fort Lauderdale
For Fort Lauderdale folks with zoomy pups and humans who want a hangout, BarkYard n’ Brews pairs an off-leash dog park with a neighborhood beer garden. The play yard spans 10,000 square feet of fenced AstroTurf built for sprinting, sniffing, and joyful tail slaps.
While the dogs socialize, you can sip rotating local craft beer, wine, or a cocktail. Coffee and sodas cover off-duty nights. It’s relaxed, lively, and easy to linger.
Pups need a membership or a day pass. Staff check vaccines and spay or neuter status to keep the vibe friendly. Humans without a dog are welcome too; professional pet admirer definitely counts.
Drop in for a “quick run” that turns into neighborly training tips. Say hi at BarkYard n’ Brews when you’re ready to let them romp.
|
Ready to see your business featured in an ad spot like this? 👆
Advertising with us is as easy as it gets. Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!
|
🫶 We got your back
Emotions in motion onstage: Art Prevails Project brings back The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume VII: Love, Hate, and Everything In Between to the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater Nov 8-9 and 14-15. Expect a fusion of poetry, music, movement, and theater exploring relationships and self. Stick around for post-show conversations. It is part of the AMPLIFY ARTS initiative. Get all the details.
Innovation meets community compassion: Broward Children’s Center hosts its 22nd annual Miles for Smiles 5K on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Pompano Beach Community Park. The family-friendly run benefits programs for medically fragile kids, with clients joining the route alongside volunteers. Organizers will also unveil real-time patient monitoring upgrades unique among Florida’s freestanding pediatric care facilities. See how to register and sponsor.
Cocktails + conversation: At The Wilder, inventive drinks meet a cozy, lively room. Order a couple shareable, globally inspired small plates, then settle in as one round becomes two, maybe three. Conversations flow, phones stay face down, and the night feels easy.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
Need new windows? It’s not the most glamorous upgrade, we’ll admit. But newer windows = lower energy bills and a subtle (but definitely noticeable) glow-up. If you’ve been putting it off or waiting for the right moment, Renewal by Andersen is offering a discount that just might seal the deal. Check it out here.
|
🤝 Introducing local deals (just for you)
We’re launching a brand new segment to bring you exclusive local offers from trusted businesses right here in Fort Lauderdale. Think of it as your inside pass to the best local finds, discounts, and experiences.
The kind only available to FTL Brief readers.
Know a local business you love? Send ’em this newsletter and encourage them to get involved.
Own, manage, or market a local business? We’d love to feature you here for free. The only catch? Your deal has to be genuinely valuable and exclusive to our readers.
Email us 👉 [email protected] to get started.
|
📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →
Today
👑 Bob the Drag Queen @ Dania Improv Comedy Theatre | Friday (11/7) at 7:30 pm – Get ready for a night of unapologetic humor and fabulous storytelling as the one and only Bob the Drag Queen takes the stage. Known for her razor-sharp wit, charisma, and boundary-pushing comedy, Bob delivers a show that’s as bold as her name. Expect laughs, sass, and a full dose of drag royalty energy.
⏰ Better Late @ Empire Stage | Friday (11/7) at 8:00pm – Think your living situation is messy? Julian recovers at the home of his ex-wife and her composer husband, and polite chaos ensues as this razor-smart comedy tackles love, divorce, aging, and death with wit, compassion, and plenty of uncomfortable laughs.
This weekend
🧶 Not Your Mama’s Craft Fair @ Volunteer Park Community Center | Saturday (11/8) at 9:00am – Not Your Mama’s Craft Fair is taking over Plantation’s Volunteer Park Community Center with indoor and outdoor booths full of seasonal artisan goods, handmade clothing, and jewelry. Think less glue gun glitter, more gifts you want to keep. Proceeds back local charities, service groups, and scholarships.
🌈 Creativity Exploration: Kaleidoscopic Creations @ NSU Art Museum | Saturday (11/8) at 12:00pm – Trade your doomscrolling for cosmic geometry at NSU Art Museum, where educator Lark Keeler guides a chill, Emma Kunz-inspired workshop exploring pattern, vibration, symmetry, and energy. You make art, your brain relaxes. Preregistration required, space limited, $15 for members and veterans, $25 for non-members.
🎬 Savoir-faire Shorts: Our Shorts @ Savor Cinema | Saturday (11/8) at 4:00pm – Whether you like your cinema concise or your socializing unhurried, this shorts program nails both. Come early for a courtyard reception that is free with your ticket, courtesy of Our Fund. Shorts are on the screen, not the dress code.
🍷 Wine Tasting @ Marti’s New River Bistro | Sunday (11/9) at 1:30pm – Master Sommelier George Miliotes is hosting an intimate wine workshop. Taste coveted reds, refreshing whites, and the in-between, learn to blind taste without the bluff, and collect vineyard stories to retell at dinner, consider it continuing ed for your wine habit.
🐦 Birding Class @ Bonnet House Museum & Gardens | Sunday (11/9) at 2:00pm – Cooler afternoons call for a Bonnet House birding tune-up, binoculars welcome. Learn to ID species by flight patterns and feeding habits in a real class, complete with PowerPoint, helpful handouts, and a guided garden walk. Bring binoculars, a charged phone, and your best quietly curious stare.
🖼️ Consensus-making on New Art Now @ NSU Art Museum | Sunday (11/9) at 3:00pm – Grab a seat at the museum for a panel where Miami and Fort Lauderdale art brains explain how consensus forms on new art, and why our scene nudges the global one. Moderated by Dejha Carrington, with artists, a collector, and pointed opinions. Included with admission.
Next week
🪶 The Seminole Collection @ New River Inn History Museum | Tuesday (11/11) at 10:00am – Take a walk through centuries of culture with “The Seminole Collection,” a breathtaking exhibit honoring Native American Heritage Month. Explore rare artifacts, intricate textiles, and powerful artwork that celebrate the enduring strength and creativity of the Seminole people.
🎵 Symphony of the Americas @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts | Tuesday (11/11) at 7:45pm – Talk about a dream lineup! Bach brings the elegance, Beethoven brings the fire, and Brahms closes it out with pure drama. Add in Maestro Luke on harpsichord and piano virtuoso Mary Anne Huntsman, and you’ve got one seriously epic night at the symphony.
🎤 Vibrant Strings Night @ Main Broward County Library | Wednesday (11/12) at 6:00pm – Turn up the good vibes and make a difference while you’re at it. The inaugural Vibrant Strings Night blends inspiring performances, games, and raffles with an incredible headliner set by Nestor Torres. It’s a celebration of music, mentorship, and community impact.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 11/7 Enchanted Princess @ Princess Cruises – 7 pm
- 11/8 The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Marriott Hollywood Beach – 6 pm
- 11/9 The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape Volume VII @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts – 3 pm
- 11/11 Symphony of the Americas @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts – 7:45 pm
- 11/12 Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts – 7 pm
- 11/13 King’s X @ Culture Room – 7:30 pm
- 11/14 Tribute to Taylor Swift @ The Sanctuary Church – 6:30 pm
- 11/15 buko boys and more @ Infinite FTL – 12 pm
- 11/16 Darrell Arnold @ Marta-Beth Friedman Stirling Road Branch Library – 3 pm
|
🏠️ Price is right – Fort Lauderdale edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Neal Wiseman (Southern Group Realty Inc)
Substantially updated 3,345 square foot, 4 bed, 3 bath Coral Ridge Country Club pool home with an open flow made for gatherings. The kitchen runs three parallel prep stations, two with their own sinks, plus a pot filler over the glass cooktop. A built in living room wet bar, big pantry, and generous laundry keep things humming. Two large bathrooms and a full cabana bath open to the pool.
Large circular driveway for a crowd, a two car garage, and foam insulated attic storage that stays temperate. Whole house generator, so lights stay on and the party never blinks.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
|
|
|
