Discover the Broward arts community this October with art and history exhibitions, musical performances, art meetups, and a grand community event hosted by the Broward Cultural Division showcasing the talent of close to 90 different arts and cultural groups and artists in Broward County.
Whether you love musical theatre, public art, or local history, there is something for everyone this October in Broward.
Community and Conversation Arts Events
Arts Launch Broward at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Broward arts community convenes for a day of live performances, art activities, creative demonstrations, artist showcases, and connection at “Arts Launch Broward” on Oct. 4. Presented by the Broward Cultural Division, “Arts Launch Broward” takes place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and brings together close to 90 Broward artists, arts and cultural organizations, and cultural venues, including:
- Music, Dance, and Performing Arts: Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, Hued Songs, South Florida Jubilee Chorus, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, All Together Drum Circle, Master Chorale of South Florida, The Girl Choir of South Florida
- Arts and Cultural Organizations: Art Prevails Project, Hollywood Art and Culture Center, Young At Art Museum, Grace Arts Center, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Deerfield Beach Historical Society
- Individual Artists: Galal Ramadan (visual artist), Elaina The Poet (singer, poet), Sheena Murray (vocalist, songwriter, actress), Cindy-Ann Boisson (comedian), Sandy Maranesi (visual artist)
Four spaces throughout the Broward Center play host to the event (Rose Miniaci Education Center, JM Family Studio, Amaturo Theater Lobby, and Abdo New River Room); visitors can stop by each of the four event spaces to see special performances and demonstrations, and to stamp their Arts Launch Broward Passport. “Arts Launch Broward” also coincides with “Sunday Jazz Brunch,” a free, outdoor concert series that takes place just outside the Broward Center at Esplanade Park.
“Arts Launch Broward” is a free, public event, pre-registration is encouraged.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Arts Launch Broward
WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4
COST: Free, registration encouraged
INFORMATION: Learn more about the event and register to attend here
BEST FOR: All ages
Coffee & Conversation Virtual Arts Meetup with the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals (FAPAP)
The Florida Association of Public Art Professionals (FAPAP) launches a new online event on public art with “Coffee & Conversation” on Oct. 1. This virtual meetup series brings together public artists, students, and public art administrators and enthusiasts for monthly discussions on issues and topics affecting the realm of public art. Participants get a chance to and deepen their understanding of the field and connect with other public art professionals.
The inaugural event discusses the fundamentals of public art and is led by FAPAP President, Laura Atria, who works at the City of Pompano Beach Visual Arts Program Manager and is the public art consultant for the Town of Davie. Mary Davis Wallace, FAPAP Board Member, cultural urban planner, designer, and public art expert, joins Atria in facilitating the event.
“Coffee & Conversation” is a free, virtual event; attendees must register to receive the Zoom link for the event.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Coffee & Conversation: Connecting with Colleagues Public Art 101
WHERE: Virtual Meetup via Zoom
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1
COST: Free, registration required
INFORMATION: Learn more about the event and register to attend here
BEST FOR: All ages
Music and Performances
Come from Away Performance at Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Broadway’s “Come From Away” comes to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this October with performances from South Florida’s Slow Burn Theatre Company. Founded in 2009 and supported by the Broward Cultural Division, Slow Burn Theatre brings contemporary musical theatre performances to South Florida with Broadway shows like “Into the Woods” (2023), “Anastasia: The Musical” (2024-25), and “Rent” (2027). Their performance of “Come From Away” premieres Oct. 10; the public can get a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s setup in the Amaturo Theater during “Arts Launch Broward” on Oct. 4.
“Come From Away” is based on the true story of a small community in Newfoundland, Canada who welcomed and hosted 7,000 stranded passengers after planes and air traffic were grounded following the September 11th attacks in 2001. Slow Burn Theatre’s Co-Founder, Patrick Fitzwater directs the production; a captioned performance of the show (for deaf and hard of hearing guests) takes place Oct. 18, the show runs at the Broward Center through Oct. 24.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Come from Away
WHERE: Amaturo Theater, The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, and 7:45 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, and Tuesday through Saturday, Oct. 20 to Oct. 24
COST: Tickets start at $91.45
INFORMATION: (954) 462 323-7884 or learn more about the event and purchase tickets here
BEST FOR: Adults
Hello, Harp Concert at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale
The Master Chorale of South Florida brings the ethereal magic of the harp to life in “Hello Harp,” a family-centered concert on Oct. 17. Designed specifically for children, this concert lets young listeners discover the instrumentation of the harp using demonstration, storytelling, and performance. A live choir accompanies the harpist.
Master Chorale of South Florida is an ensemble of singers from Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties; the organization brings live music performances to South Florida audiences and is supported by the Broward Cultural Division.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Hello, Harp Concert
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, 401 Southeast 15th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17
COST: Free, registration required
INFORMATION: (954) 641-2653 or learn more about the event and register to attend here
BEST FOR: Kids (up to age 14)
Exhibitions
15th Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition at Art Gallery 21, Island City Cultural Center
Art Gallery 21 at the Island City Cultural Center in Wilton Manors holds their “15th Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition” featuring 46 pieces from 29 different local artists. The show represents a diverse range of mediums, including photography, mixed media, sculpture, collage, pastels, and acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings. Wilton Manors artist, Tin Ly, served as guest jurist for the show; his exhibition “Traditional Chinese Artist’s Tools Re-Examined” featured at Art Gallery 21 in 2023.
Supported by the Broward Cultural Division, Art Gallery 21 presents local artists and cultural events for the community and preserves the historic Woman’s Club of Wilton Manors.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 15th Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition
WHERE: Art Gallery 21, Island City Cultural Center, 600 NE 21 Court, Wilton Manors
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and by appointment, exhibit runs through Saturday, Oct. 17
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 225-5488 or learn more about the exhibition here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
The Language of Water Exhibition and Opening Reception at Deerfield Beach Historical Society
Florida artist, Heather Cirrincione, presents an exhibition of her work in “The Language of Water,” at the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Cirrincione is known for her acrylic paintings of coastal landscapes and marine wildlife, with many of her works depicting Florida’s oceans and coastlines. Her paintings will be on display at The Old School House during a special evening reception on Oct. 2 and again on Oct. 3. Visitors to the exhibition can also tour the Old Classroom at The Old School House (built in 1920), one of the four historic sites part of the Deerfield Beach Historical Society.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Language of Water Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: Deerfield Beach Historical Society, The Old School House, 323 NE Second Street, Deerfield Beach
WHEN: (Opening Reception) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 (Exhibition Hours) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 429-0378 or learn more about the exhibition here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
In Memory Of Exhibition and Opening Reception at ArtServe
ArtServe closes their season with “In Memory Of,” an exhibition that explores memory, personal histories, and creative journeys. The exhibition features works from 30 ArtServe member artists who present art examining personal stories, memories, and the moments that shaped them. Artwork in the show includes a variety of mediums, from painting to collage, and dives into the artists’ intimate feelings and stories. “In Memory Of” opens with a free public reception on Oct. 2; the exhibition will be on display at ArtServe through Dec. 4.
ArtServe promotes art and artists through their educational programs, workshops, exhibitions, and performances; major support for ArtServe is provided by the Broward Cultural Division.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: In Memory Of Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: (Opening Reception) 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 (Exhibition Hours) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, exhibit runs through Monday, Dec. 4
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 462-8190 or learn more about the exhibition here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
Into Neverland Exhibition and Opening Reception at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center
The Bailey Contemporary Arts Center presents “Into Neverland,” an exhibition from Florida artist Channing Gray that opens Oct. 2. “Into Neverland” explores the artist’s personal experiences through her vibrant paintings of imagined places that stretch traditional understandings of perspective and the human figure; her art interrogates cultural expectations, reality, dreams, myth, and memory. Gray works as an exhibition designer and museum preparator and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. Gray’s “Into Neverland” also premiered at Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens in Ormond Beach, Florida.
The opening reception for “Into Neverland” is free to the public and includes docent-led tours of the exhibition.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Into Neverland Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, 41 NE 1st Street, Pompano Beach
WHEN: (Opening Reception) 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 (Exhibition Hours) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, exhibit runs through Thursday, Dec. 17
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 786-7879 or learn more about the exhibition here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
Captured: A Living Archive Photo Exhibition and Opening Reception at Blanche Ely House Museum
The Blanche Ely House Museum opens a new photography exhibition, “Captured: A Living Archive,” on Oct. 2 to the public with an evening reception. “Captured” reflects on the people, communities, and historical events connected to the story of Blanche Ely House Museum. The exhibition also invites viewers to become part of that story and contribute to the living archive of the Museum’s history through a Polaroid installation, where they can contribute photos and their thoughts on the exhibit and the Museum’s story. The historic Blanche Ely House Museum preserves and shares the story of Blanche E. General Ely, a dedicated educator who advocated for the needs of Broward’s African American students during segregation.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Captured: A Living Archive Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: Blanche Ely House Museum, 1500 NW 6 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33060
WHEN: (Opening Reception) 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 (Exhibition Hours) By appointment only, exhibit runs through Friday, April 2
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 545-7800 to schedule a gallery visit or learn more about the opening reception here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
Experiments & Accidents Exhibition and Opening Reception at Pompano Beach Cultural Center
South Florida artist Mark Viau uncovers the joy and significance of unexpected detours in his latest exhibition, “Experiments & Accidents,” presented at Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Viau’s collection explores how control and planning give way to detours, disruptions, and happy accidents that lead to personal growth and discovery. Trained in fine art at Wayne State University in Michigan, Viau’s work pulls from classical fine art techniques and is characterized by bold patterns, layered color, and textured materials; many of his works deal with altered perception and experimentation.
“Experiments & Accidents” opens Oct. 9 with a free evening reception at Pompano Beach Cultural Center; the exhibition runs through Jan. 6.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Experiments & Accidents Exhibition and Opening Reception
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach
WHEN: (Opening Reception) 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9 (Exhibition Hours) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, exhibit runs through Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 545-7800 or learn more about the exhibition here
BEST FOR: Teens and adults
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division.
