Mary Damiano

Mary Damiano’s Arts Scene

Seat Soaking?
Being an arts writer is hard work—going to the theatre, the ballet, art openings and fab parties—but someone’s got to do it, right?  Seriously though, I love what I do.  While most people feel lucky if they get paid to do what they love, I get to take it one step further and get paid to be entertained.  Case in point:  I was in the audience of the newly renovated Colony Theatre when actor and comedian Mario Cantone (you probably know him as Charlotte’s wedding planner and best gay bud on Sex and the City) was sending the crowd into hysterics during the South Beach Comedy Festival.  Mario (we’re on a first name basis, don’t you know) did an abbreviated version of his Tony nominated show Laugh Whore and made me and everyone else laugh so hard that those brand new theatre seats were in peril, if you know what I mean.

Mary and Mario backstage at the Colony Theatre after his show January 19. Photo by Harvey Burstein

Get Artsy in North Beach
If it’s February, there must be a festival brewing in Miami.  Check out the 32^nd Annual Coldwell Banker Miami Beach Festival of the Arts Feb. 11 and 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 73^rd St. and Collins Ave.  Over 100 selected artists converge for this juried show, which attracts about 50,000 visitors.  In addition to the art there will be plenty of food, music and fun, all in the gorgeous Miami Modern setting of North Beach. 

A Hair-Raising Musical
Religion, mental illness, gender identity, immigration, homelessness—that’s the stuff of screwball musical comedy, at least for Mario Betto, whose musical Combing Through Life’s Tangles gets a special run at the Byron Carlyle Feb. 10-12.  Betto, who apparently reimagined some popular songs ala Menopause the Musical, makes his directorial debut with Combing Through Life’s Tangles.  The plot concerns Cori, who is experiencing gender identity crisis against the backdrop of a 1970s style beauty parlor in Anywhere U.S.A.  Proceeds from the performances will benefit Hairstylists for Humanity, which Betto, who has been a stylist and salon owner, founded.  Hairstylists for Humanity provides no-cost hair services to the elderly, disadvantaged, and others in need.  Call 954-523-3309 or 305-358-5885 for tickets and more information. 

	A dancer from Brazz Dance Theatre

New Dance Company Makes Debut
Brazz Dance Theatre, a dynamic and inventive fusion of Afro-Brazilian and contemporary dance, celebrates its Miami debut performance at VH-100 Black Box Theater at the FIU South Campus on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. and February 12 at 2 p.m.  Tickets will be available for purchase at the door the day of the show, or in advance by calling 305-348-6124.  For information, visit www.brazzdance.com.

You Caveman, Me Laugh
For a totally irreverent good time that will prove once again that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, check out Defending the Caveman at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Feb. 16-18.  Created by Rob Becker, this funny show about the differences between men and women is being performed by Vince Valentine.  I saw this show at Parker a few years ago and laughed so hard that the tears were flowing.  Thank God I was wearing waterproof mascara.   For tickets, call 954-462-0222 or visit www.parkerplayhouse.com

Here & Now and Always Terrific
Don’t miss Miami Light Project’s annual Here & Now event, which takes place weekends throughout the month of February.  This weekend, it’s Program A: a performance by Rudi Goblen and Helena Thevenot;  Program B, Feb. 10-11, 8 p.m., is film, with Clifton Childree, Paul Tei and Lisandro Perez-Rey;  Program C, Feb. 15-18, 8 p.m. it’s performance, with Natasha Tsakos and Nikki Rollason.  All performances take place at the Light Box Theatre, 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.  For more information, visit www.MiamiLightProject.com.