Towns In The Palm Beaches Tempt Cultural Tourists This Summer
Cultural tourists are treating themselves to a bounty of activities, exhibitions and experiences on the streets of Palm Beach County this summer season.
From June through August 31, visitors to the West Palm Beach waterfront will be transported into a colorful collection of classic tales during the City of West Palm Beach Summer in Paradise, a creative series of events offered all summer long.
Guests are invited to enjoy a whimsical art installation, featuring classic fables, where even the picnic tables are art. “Aesop’s Tables” is an installation of colorful picnic tables and benches adorned by Palm Beach County artists. There will be interactive story-telling activities for all ages, and larger-than-life versions of favorite games—including human foosball. Families can extend the reading theme with a visit to the wonderful Children’s Library at the Society of the Four Arts across the bridge in Palm Beach. Here, children borrow books, use computers and enjoy special event programs free of charge. The library’s Mary Alice Fortin Children’s Art Gallery features exhibitions of special interest to young people.
Among free activities during Summer in Paradise are Screen on the Green, a movie theater under the stars, and two concert series—Clematis by Night and Sunday on the Waterfront. Not to be missed is a stroll around the West Palm Beach Art & Entertainment District, where large-scale murals, wall paintings and sculpture installations transform downtown into an outdoor museum.
The nearby Norton Museum of Art’s Annual Bastille Day Celebration is a must for lovers of all things French. This year, the celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on July 15. The museum, which has a world-class collection of French art, will present music, film, language lessons, food, drink and art—all focused on France. And don’t miss the Norton’s Art After Dark evening series on Thursdays.
In Downtown Boca Raton, the Mizner Park Amphitheater is celebrating summer with its Summer in the City entertainment series through August 12. The series provides something for everyone including live music concerts, along with a craft beer garden, games, food trucks and more. Outdoor family movie nights feature special pre-show entertainment featuring magic and a Polynesian dance show. A performance with a Space Odyssey musical theme, performed by The Symphonia, Boca Raton, will be a highlight of the celebration.
Summer continues in Downtown Boca with the Annual Brazilian Beat at Mizner Park Amphitheater on Saturday, September 9. Live music, street entertainment, a Capoeira circle, carnival dancers, samba drummers and Latin Grammy songstress Vanessa de Mata, will be accompanied by authentic Brazilian food and cocktails.
Mizner Park Amphitheater is located at the north end of Mizner Park in Downtown Boca, which features a wide array of shops and dining and is home to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, which has several treats in store for the cultural tourist this summer.
Four powerful simultaneous exhibitions await visitors to the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Cuban artist Carlos Luna’s drawings depict Latin American culture using cultural symbols, materials and processes in the “Deep Line Drawings” exhibition on view from August 8 through the end of the year. “Photography from the Bequest of Isadore and Kelly Friedman“ will be on view from August 8 until October. Paintings, collage and constructions by Patricia Nix make up the “American Baroque” exhibition, showing from August 8 through October. Iranian artist Shirin Neshat defies Iranian stereotypes in the “Fervor and Turbulent” exhibition from August 8 through October.
For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect at palmbeachculture.com
