Weekend things to do (updated): Ribs and country stars in West Palm Beach, brunching, baseball and free poke bowls

Before there was Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, there was the annual country-flavored Rib Round Up, now presented by radio station New Country 103.1, which returns on Saturday to iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach.

For my money — Rib Round Up tickets start at $36.50+ vs. nearly $100+ per day at Tortuga (which isn’t offering daily passes) — a country-music fan doesn’t have to squint too hard to feel like Saturday at the Amp is like a boots-and-shorts day of fun in the sun at Tortuga.

OK, no beach. But there’s a lawn. And ribs! And, yes, no Kenny Chesney. But if you’re looking to sing along to modern country chart-toppers, Rib Round Up will offer a heaping helping from acts that would be near the top of the bill at Tortuga.

Who’s hotter right now than Lainey Wilson? Not only is she part of the cast of the TV hit “Yellowstone,” but at the most recent CMA Awards she won Vocalist of the Year and Best New Artist honors. One of the best moments at Rib Round Up is likely to be her rendition of CMA Song of the Year nominee “Things a Man Oughta Know.” Wilson performs on the Main Stage at 8:15 p.m.

The Rib Round Up closer is Russell Dickerson, whose four No. 1 hits may soon have company with his new single, the redemptive “God Gave Me a Girl,” destined to be a major singalong on Saturday. He performs on the Main Stage at 9:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, young country-rocker Bailey Zimmerman (7 p.m.), with recent hits “Fall in Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place,” has future star written all over him. Other names to look out for among more than a dozen performers include veteran crooner Joe Nichols (5:15 p.m.), fast-rising Corey Kent (4:05 p.m.), country-soul singer Breland (2:10 p.m.) and Parkland singer-songwriter Ashley Cooke (2:10 p.m.).

Gates open at Rib Round Up at noon Saturday. Visit NewCountry1031.com.

Boca ‘Fantasia’: Festival of the Arts Boca opens its 10-day run of music, dance, author events and other cultural gatherings on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. screening of the animated classic “Fantasia,” accompanied by a live soundtrack provided by music director Constantine Kitsopoulos and Festival Orchestra Boca at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Gates open at 6 p.m. for an hour of family activities, including interactive art, popcorn and candy. Tickets cost $15 and $25 at FestivalBoca.org.

Agave love: Mezcal Lauderdale, the three-day celebration of “the elixir of the gods” that debuted in 2022, is returning June 3 to 5 in a new spot, downtown Fort Lauderdale restaurant Canyon and its clandestine tequila lounge, Rio’s. The weekend will include exclusive tastings, dinners, food pairings, workshops, brunch and more. Tickets just went on sale Thursday at MezcalLauderdale.com.

Witch on the move: “Wicked” ends its run at Miami’s Arsht Center with final performances Friday-Sunday. There are varying amounts of tickets available for each show, with prices starting at $33+ at ArshtCenter.org. The production next moves to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, with performances scheduled for March 29 through April 9. Visit Kravis.org.

Weekend movie: Perhaps you recall reading the November New York Times review of “EO” by Manohla Dargis, who wrote: “No movie that I’ve seen this year has moved me as deeply, made me feel as optimistic about cinema or engaged me with such intellectual vigor.” Legendary Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski’s grim and tender tale of a wayward donkey making his way in a beautiful and cruel world, inspired by Robert Bresson’s revered 1966 film “Au Hasard Balthazar,” is among the nominees for the best foreign film Oscar on March 12. You can see “EO” this weekend at Cinema Paradiso in downtown Hollywood, which is screening the film through March 9. Tickets cost $12, matinee $9. Visit FLIFF.com.

Nerds, do you copy? This is your last weekend to check out Netflix’s Stranger Things: The Store, which will end its run at Aventura Mall on Sunday. The pop-up shop — where fans can shop for exclusive merch, get up close to a Demogorgon, tour iconic locations and take photos inside “Joyce’s House” — will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Visit StrangerThings-store.com.

Weekend laughs: She made a name for herself at age 7 as a prank caller known as Little Ali on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show — and more recently, as a standup comedian, Ali Macofsky was the opening act for indie-rock goddess St. Vincent’s 2022 tour. Kind of the perfect resume. Macofsky performs at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Dania Improv in Dania Beach. Tickets start at $22+ at DaniaImprov.com.

Future laughs: Actor and comedy star Kevin Hart has expanded his global 2023 Reality Check Tour to include a stop at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on June 3. After a presale, tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at KevinHartNation.com. … Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee will bring the touring version of their hit podcast “Bad Friends” to Hard Rock Live on June 2. Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.

Ticket window: Hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are bringing their co-headlining NY State of Mind Tour to Hollywood’s Hard Rock Live on Sept. 22, with a series of presales leading into the general on-sale at 9 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com. … Citing high demand for her Nov. 14 concert at Miami-Dade Arena, P!NK has added another South Florida show to her Trustfall Tour, on Nov. 15 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at LiveNation.com. … British rockers The Struts will play the intimate confines of Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on July 3, with tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at JoinTheRevoluton.net.

Pair of aces: The Miami Marlins face the rival New York Mets in a spring-training game at 1:10 p.m.  Saturday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Scheduled starting pitchers are Jesus Luzardo vs. Justin Verlander. Tickets start at $28+ at MLB.com/marlins.

[ RELATED: Spring training baseball in South Florida: Where to see the Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Nationals and (of course) Marlins ]

Beach rods: Dozens of rare cars, trucks and hot rods will roll onto Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach on Saturday for Muscle on the Beach, a muscle-car showcase and fundraiser for the environmental work of Sandoway Discovery Center. The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be hosted by Mike Brewer, personable star of the Discovery Channel hit “Wheeler Dealers.” Spectator admission is free. Visit MuscleOnTheBeach.com.

Animal love: The 33rd annual VCA Walk for the Animals, a mile walk on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale beach, takes place 8 a.m.-noon in a new location, Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. This is the largest annual fundraiser hosted by the Humane Society of Broward County. Visit Walk4TheAnimals.com.

Think pink: Fresh from a season-opening win against Montréal, Inter Miami CF takes on the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $29+ (standing zone) and $34 (seats) at InterMiamiCF.com.

Free poke bowls: Fort Lauderdale food-and-bev conceptualist Memphis Garrett (No Man’s Land, Ya Mas!) on Saturday will have a grand opening for his new spot in Plantation called Point Break, featuring “Pan-Asian cuisine from surf beaches around the world” (yes, Spam). Located in the Shoppes at Cleary (8970 Cleary Blvd.), the eatery will say aloha to customers with free poke bowls from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Nice. Visit EatPointBreak.com.

The Sunset Beach Hawaii poke bowl at Point Break, which is having its grand opening Saturday in Plantation with free poke bowls from noon to 4 p.m. (Garrett Hospitality Group)

Take the kids: Now in its 39th year, the Southeast Florida Scottish Festival & Highland Games will gather the clans for a family-friendly day of kilts, caber tossing, live music (including Steel City Rovers and the “bareknuckle pipes and drums” of Albannach), food (yes, haggis), drink, and children’s games on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Plantation Heritage Park. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate for general admission; $5 for guests age 6 to 14; and free for age 5 and younger. The weekend begins with a traditional cèilidh, a social gathering and concert, 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Broward PBA Hall (2901 SW 26th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale). Tickets cost $15. There will be a cash bar, but bring your own snacks. Visit SASSF.org.

Saturday night live: The 16th edition of Global Cuba Fest at the Miami Beach Bandshell begins with charismatic Grammy winner Alex Cuba at 8 p.m. Saturday. General-admission seats cost $41.20 at MiamiBeachBandshell.com. … Fun-loving ska veterans Mustard Plug will be joined by Stop the Presses and Spred the Dub at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $15+ at RespectableStreet.com. ... Metal hellions Queensrÿche (with originals Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson) play the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $36.50+ at CultureRoom.net. … Fidgety Americana duo Hymn for Her play a free show at 9 p.m. Saturday at Lagniappe House in Miami. Visit LagniappeHouse.com.

Spirited night at MODS: The 26th annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits and Culinary Celebration will take place 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. As always, the event mixes food from favorite local restaurants (among them Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Boatyard, YOLO, Bo’s Pub and Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop) with bottles from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, craft beer by Funky Buddha Brewery, and a silent auction benefiting the museum. Tickets start at $150 at MODS.org. The official after-party will be a short stroll away at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale from 9 to 11:30 p.m.

Hard Rock life: Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest, the annual mingling of talk-and-tasting events hosted by Cigar Aficionado magazine and Whisky Advocate magazine, brings premium distillers, cigarmakers and other industry leaders to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Saturday. Tickets cost $350, or $450 VIP, at BigSmokeWhiskyFest.com.

A new brunch: I keep (James Beard Award-winning chef and owner) Michael Schwartz’s Edgewater restaurant Amara at Paraiso in my back pocket for a special occasion to be named. My wife loves Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in the Design District and inevitably I’ll do something stupid that can only be fixed by spending some serious coin on Schwartz’s food at this spectacular Miami waterfront spot. This weekend, Amara will debut its Samba Saturdays brunch series, with live music, Carnaval-style dancers and Latin American brunch items from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to the brunch menu, guests will find feijoada made on an open-air grill, caipirinhas and other cocktails. Visit AmaraAtParaiso.com.

Art and bread: The 35th annual Las Olas Art Fair returns to downtown Fort Lauderdale’s shady thoroughfare 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Counterintuitively, I have found that a morning table at Gran Forno or the Floridian, on the east end of the street, is easier to get during this event. Traffic is a hassle. Or maybe I’ve been lucky. Visit ArtFestival.com.

Sounds like brunch: The Sunday Jazz Brunch at Tarpon River Brewing in downtown Fort Lauderdale will feature a set or recommended music from Abstract Citizen + Aaron Lebos. The kid- and dog-friendly brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with music beginning at 1 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/tarponriverbrewing.

Middle East of Loxahatchee: Swank Specialty Produce continues its series of family-style meals with A Middle Eastern Dinner Party in the barn on the Loxahatchee farm on Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. The dinner will include fare from Joe Bonavita (Wet Restaurant & Lounge), Natasha Kortabani (Tasha’s Table), Nicolas and Susanna Kurban (Amar Mediterranean Bistro), and Anna Ross (Anna Bakes & Candid Coffee Co.). Tickets cost $175 per person at SwankSpecialtyProduce.com. The dinner benefits the Boca Raton Historical Society.

The Noods of March: Kapow Noodle Bar locations in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach will offer four new dishes every Monday in March, each available for that week only. Delicious to eat, but also fun to play: Use the hashtag #kapownoods on your Instagram posts and you’ll receive gift cards, spirits and merchandise if your noods are selected to be featured on Kapow’s newsfeed. Plus, each week one noodler using the hashtag will be randomly chosen to receive a $100 gift card. Noodle fanatics who stamp their Little Black Book of Noods for all 16 dishes during the month will be entered to win a $500 gift card. Check Kapow’s Instagram @kapownoodlebar for more information and to see the weekly menu.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at [email protected]. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.