John Thomason

4 days ago | bocamag.com | John Thomason

An “artist couple” shares populist work at the Boca Museum, the Spady Museum celebrates families, and a bestselling novel migrates to the stage in Coral Gables. Plus, Billy Idol and more in your week ahead.

1 week ago | bocamag.com | John Thomason

Boca magazine is saddened to hear about the passing of Nancy Stewart-Franczak, executive director of Festival Management Group, on April 28. A linchpin of culture in the Palm Beaches, Stewart-Franczak founded her organization in 1998—following a seven-year stint with IBM in Boca Raton—and went on to spearhead many of the community’s most beloved events, including the South Florida Garlic Fest, Lagoon Fest and Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Festival, as well as the historic Delray Affair.

1 week ago | bocamag.com | John Thomason

A Heavy Pets side project debuts in Boca, the Norton opens work from an octogenarian master, and ska legends the Toasters tour West Palm Beach. Plus, a Smiths tribute and more in your week ahead. What: The ToastersWhen: 7 p.m.Where: Respectable Street, 518 N. Clematis St., West Palm BeachCost: $20Contact: 561/832-9999, ticketweb.com/event/the-toasters-in-west-palm-respectable-street-tickets/14239993The name of this enduring New York City band has nothing to do with a kitchen convenience.

2 weeks ago | bocamag.com | John Thomason

Anyone approaching the new thriller “The Surfer” (opening in theaters Friday) and expecting “Endless Summer”-style swells, wipeouts and shakas will leave disappointed. There is very little surfing in “The Surfer.” For the title character, played by Nicolas Cage, the label is little more than an aspiration thwarted by hostile surroundings. It’s a homecoming of sorts for his otherwise nameless character, who is introducing his teenage son to the stretch of Australian beach where he was raised.

2 weeks ago | bocamag.com | John Thomason

In the Boca Roundtable feature in our special centennial issue of Boca magazine (May-June), we interviewed five members of pioneer families who still call Boca Raton home. Marie Hester, whose ancestors helped settle Pearl City even before Boca’s official incorporation in 1915, had more to say about her childhood in the historic neighborhood during the time of segregation. She shares these additional insights in this exclusive Web Extra.