THE CORAL SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS WELCOMES ALL

Come and enjoy a fantastic weekend of art, culture, and entertainment on March 18th and 19th! The 17th Annual Festival Of The Arts will highlight some of America’s finest artisans and contemporary crafters. There will also be exciting performing arts events, including fine dance, theatrical, and literary presentations.

The festival of the Arts redefines Coral Springs as a cultural destination by celebrating the arts and bringing focus to the new downtown area. It attracts 30,000 – 40,000 people from all over the South Florida area.

Held at The Walk of Coral Springs, the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts features a professional juried art and craft show with over 175 fine artisans and crafters. Nationally renowned art festival promoter Howard Alan Events is the producer of the show. With over 45 art fairs nationwide, Howard Alan Events, Ltd is America’s leading independent promoter of fine art festivals.

With its tree canopy, restaurants, and shops, The Walk of Coral Springs provides the perfect venue for the Festival. The Festival also features entertainment from all of the arts. Music, dance, theatre and literary performances will take place on two stages making the Festival unique in the area. With something for everyone, children to seniors, art lovers to music lovers, theatre enthusiasts to literary enthusiasts, the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts is the signature event for Western Broward County.

Live Music & Performing Arts

Musical Acts scheduled to perform on Saturday include Island music by “Oceanik,” Eric Hansen & Jackson Bunn playing Jazz, and Latin Music performed by “Copa Cabana Revue.” Sunday’s artists include 19-piece big band, “The Last Flight Out,” playing 1940s and ‘50s music, followed by country band “Whisky Six.” The Billy Joel tribute band “Turnstiles” will close out the weekend in style.

The performing arts stage will host a number of popular groups, including The Drake Irish School of Dance, South Florida Cloggers, Mariachi Voces De America, Gold Coast Banjo Band, Tama Leaos Polynesian Show, World of Dance, Ronin Taiko Drummers, Jonathan Sanchez Latin Music, Bollywood India Dancers and Jazz by Sound of Vision. There will also be a children’s area where budding artists can hone their craft and explore their creativity.

▸ The Coral Springs Festival of the Arts will be held at The Walk of Coral Springs on March 18 and 19. For more info on the event, visit www.csfow.org.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) observed the five-year anniversary of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by holding a Day of Service and Love. MSD and district students conducted projects and activities that encourage service to others and raise awareness about important and meaningful causes. Parkland & Coral Springs students and faculty pitched in to help bring our community together. Students at MSD were given the option of staying home or particpating in one of the many projects.

Dr. Earlean Smiley agreed to terms with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) to serve as the school district’s interim superintendent. The retired school administrator was selected by the school board in a 7-2 vote. She was Superintendent of McCormick County Public School District in South Carolina from 2010 to 2013 and was the Principal of Blanche Ely High School. School Board negotiations were led by Chair Lori Alhadeff. Smiley’s compensation package is said to be valued at approximately $300,000.

The move comes after the departure of controversial Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright. After agreeing to a separation agreement, Cartwright said, “I am confident that the district will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I do wish the district continued success in the future. Thank you for your support and your understanding.”

Smiley’s initial focus will be on improving the culture within the district’s administration.

“I’ve heard many board members talk about toxic culture,” Smiley said, “I want to move out of the culture that we’re in, to a