Night & Day Events

 THU 17

Here's a fun fact about In Her Shoes, the recent bittersweet flick starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Colette: In a pivotal scene at the Italian Market, Colette is being followed by her character's creator. Jennifer Weiner, the novel's author, makes a silent surprise cameo. The way her career's going, Weiner might show up on more movie screens yet. Her followup, Little Earthquakes, became her biggest novel yet. Thanks to the 25th Annual Jewish Book Festival, this cool, funny New York Times best-selling author will share her latest novel, the mysterious Goodnight Nobody, tonight at 7:30 at the Robert Russell Theatre at the Alper JCC, 11155 SW 112th Ave., Kendall. Admission is five dollars. Call 305-271-9000, or visit www.alperjcc.org. (PEGY)

FRI 18

During the controversial Italian explorer's second voyage, Christopher Columbus "discovered" Puerto Rico November 19, 1493. Columbus also discovered that a large population of Taino Indians already inhabited small villages on the island, and he quickly took advantage of their hospitality. (Wow, I can really take as much gold as I want? Gee, thanks!) In any event, we are happy to have the beautiful, mountainous island as our friend with benefits. To commemorate Columbus's party-crashing, Miami Dade College is Celebrating the Discovery of Puerto Rico with a weekend of films and art at the Tower Theater (1508 SW Eighth St., Miami). Tonight you can catch the documentary Prohibido Olvidar at 7:00, followed by the 1998 war drama Hroes de Otra Patria at 8:00. Admission to the art gallery (open from 6:00 to 9:00 tonight) and the documentaries are free. Tickets for the other films cost $3.50 to $5. Call 305-643-6091, or visit www.mdc.edu for a complete schedule. (LO)

SAT 19

Oh, the philandering, backstabbing, manipulation, and betrayal. No, we're not talking about the usual behavior of South Beach clubgoers. Today a whole new batch of untrustworthy (but totally hot!) men will grace the sands of Miami Beach with their chiseled jaws, buff biceps, sultry gazes, and ultragelled hair when the ABC Daytime Fun in the Sun Tour makes its last stop at the Eden Roc Renaissance Resort & Spa (4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach). The fine thespians scheduled to appear include All My Children stars Jeff Branson ("Jonathan"), Colin Egglesfield ("Joshua"), Aiden Turner ("Aidan"), and Jacob Young ("JR"); One Life to Live's Forbes March ("Nash"); and, our personal favorite, General Hospital's M'fundo Morrison ("Justus"). In addition to fun games and exciting activities, you will have a chance to win great prizes, including the opportunity to star in an ABC commercial spot with your favorite soap star! Scream with the rest of the desperate soap addicts today from noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Call 305-531-0000, or visit abc.go.com/daytime/funinthesun. (LO)

SUN 20

Take a stroll down the beach at Crandon Park (4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne) this afternoon, and you'll come across some rather impressive sand sculptures. The outdoorsy, fun SandBlast Sandcastle Building Competition is one of the American Institute of Architects Miami chapter's annual Celebrate Architecture events. The competing teams begin with the small grains: "We started by gathering a giant mound of sand. Just when we thought we had it down pat, it came crumbling down in some parts," Michelle Bilbao-Candela explains. This cool Miami Dade College architecture professor got down and dirty with her team and helped build last year's winning sand sculpture. Come and watch teams of students and professional architects compete today. "They announce the awards around 4:00 p.m., so if you want to see the finished products, that's the best time to come," says Bilbao-Candela. Admission is free. Call 305-448-7488, or visit www.aiamiami.com. (PEGY)

MON 21

If you planned on attending the events we covered in the calendar the week Wilma hit, our sympathies. Many were canceled, leaving organizers scrambling to reschedule. "It's been challenging, to say the least," says Tatiana Byron. Her Wedding Salon luxury wedding showcase was set to take over the Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables) Tuesday, October 25, a day Miami was left battered and without electricity. Byron is finally looking forward to actualizing her lush vision of bridal bliss. If you bought a ticket last month, don't worry. Tiffany & Co. will still showcase more than a million dollars in diamonds. Ana Paz and Sylvia Weinstock will still display their amazing cake art. You can still feast your eyes on gowns worth six figures. And oh, the gift bags: "They've gotten even better. We're even adding a second one, with cool products from Sephora and Giorgio Armani cosmetics," reassures Byron, who has found fresh inspiration in our local courage. "It's amazing that after something so devastating, how people just come together." Say I do today from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets cost $75, $125 per couple. Visit www.4pmweddingsalon.com. (PEGY)

TUE 22