Events
Catch Me If You Can: The Charming Con Hits Broward
When Life’s a Scam, the Stage Becomes a Playground of Jazz, Tricks and Broadway Mischief. Catch Me If You Can Arrives in Fort Lauderdale on October 11th.
September 22nd, 2025
As the Broward Center prepares to welcome Catch Me If You Can, audiences are in for a theatrical thrill ride that promises glitz, jazz and a hint of mischief. Director Patrick Fitzwater, juggling last-minute preparations in the lobby, shared an insider’s view of what makes this stage adaptation both a nod to the classic story and a fully modern theatrical experience.
“Catch Me If You Can is a different medium for people who’ve only seen the movie or read the book,” Fitzwater explained. “It’s not just about telling the story—it’s about making it live, making it immediate, and making it fun.”
And fun, indeed, is what audiences can expect. The production embraces the energy and style of the early 1960s while sprinkling in contemporary flair. “We present it like a variety show,” Fitzwater said. “Think Lawrence Welk meets Johnny Carson, but make it Broadway. Frank puts the audience through flashbacks and musical numbers that capture key moments in his life. It’s very cinematic, but it also keeps the immediacy of live theater.”
Big dance numbers, rapid scene changes, and a three-story set make the production as kinetic as the cons themselves. “The set allows for chases, almost like a giant mousetrap,” Fitzwater said. “Frank is always two steps ahead of Agent Hanratty, and the audience feels every twist and turn. The combination of fast pacing and mid-century modern furniture really transports you to the 1960s while keeping the story visually dynamic.”
Costumes do more than evoke the era, they tell Frank’s story through the women, the uniforms, and the personas he adopts. Pan Am pilots, flight attendants, nurses, and doctors aren’t just period detail; they illustrate his obsessions, his desires, and his upbringing. “Each job he lands in, he’s surrounded by beautiful women,” Fitzwater said. “It’s part humor, part psychology, part spectacle. You see his influences like his mother’s attractiveness and it all plays out on stage in a lively, sometimes cheeky way.”
But the production isn’t all sparkle. The emotional core lies in Frank’s relationship with Agent Carl Hanratty. Carl’s moral steadiness and his personal backstory, a childless life devoted to work, provide a counterpoint to Frank’s audacious schemes. “Frank becomes a sort of son Carl never had, and Carl becomes the father Frank should have had,” Fitzwater said. “It adds layers to the story that audiences can emotionally invest in, beyond just cheering for the cons.”
Modern technology and production design elevate these moments even further. LED lighting, choreography by Kat Pagano, and precise ensemble numbers heighten tension, humor and emotion. “When you’ve said all the words you can in a scene, a musical gives you a tool: sing or dance. Add those, and the scene reaches heights the book or movie could never hit.”
The music itself reinforces time and tone. Jazz-infused numbers, composed by the team behind Hairspray, evoke smoky lounges, intimate romance and a playful noir vibe. “Everybody’s smoking, everybody’s holding a rocks glass,” Fitzwater said, chuckling. “It adds sexiness and sophistication while keeping the story grounded in the 1960s. Then, the ensemble’s precision high-kicks and choreography give it a Broadway spectacle feel that keeps you anchored in the moment.”
Despite the glamour and humor, the story is relatable. Frank’s clever tricks and financial cons allow the audience to root for him without moral conflict. “He’s not malicious,” Fitzwater explained. “No one gets hurt. He’s outsmarting systems to build the life he wants, and audiences can’t help but get swept up in that audacity. There’s a moral dilemma, but it’s irresistible.”
Even today, the story feels contemporary. “History repeats itself,” Fitzwater said. “People are always pushing systems, looking for glory or facing consequences. Some modern ‘Franks’ may be behind keyboards instead of airline counters, but the thrill of outsmarting the system persists. The story is timeless; the technology just changes.”
For those who have never experienced live theater, Fitzwater emphasized the communal magic it provides. “Now’s the time to come to the theater. We all breathe the same air, share the same moments. In a world that often pulls us apart, live theater reminds us we can still experience something together.”
With jazz, dazzling choreography, clever sleight-of-hand and a moral center that keeps audiences rooting for the antihero, this production of Catch Me If You Can promises to transport viewers into a world where life’s a scam and the stage is the ultimate playground. Humor, spectacle, emotion and audacity collide in a show that invites everyone to live boldly, colorfully, and unapologetically.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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