Despite the gloomy news on the economy, art galleries continue to set up shop in Miami's art districts.

Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Art opens Saturday in the Miami Design District with the inaugural exhibition The Red Couch by German fine-art photographer Horst Wackerbarth, who will interview prominent Miamians and local characters as part of a video and photography project. Among the participants are University of Miami President Donna Shalala, developer and art collector Craig Robins, '' Mr. Clucky'' the rooster, and drag queen Adora, according to a gallery announcement.

The gallery is at 201 NE 39th St., Miami; 305-576-6960; www.wrpfineart.com.

In the Wynwood Art District, the new Kelley Roy Gallery, 50 NE 29th St., is exhibiting works by established and emerging artists. Showing through Oct. 18 are the paintings of former advertising executive Mike Tesch. Coming up is a solo show by architect-artist Robert Swedroe from Oct. 21 to Nov. 15. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; noon to 5 Saturday and by appointment; 305-447-3888 or www.kelleyroygallery.com.

-- FABIOLA SANTIAGO

Arnold Mittelman hired award-winning actor-singer Theodore Bikel several times during his 25 years as producing artistic director of the now-dormant Coconut Grove Playhouse. The men have remained friends, and now Mittelman is bringing Bikel back to South Florida under the auspices of his two not-for-profit companies, the American Theater Festival and the National Jewish Theater. Bikel is launching the world premiere of his play-with-music, Sholom Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears, at Washington, D.C.'s Theater J from Dec. 17 to Jan. 17. Mittelman is bringing the show to Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St., Jan. 28-Feb. 1. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $32.50-$65. 954-462-0222 or www.parkerplayhouse.com.

-- CHRISTINE DOLEN

Time to purchase choice art and help children get the medical help they need at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The fourth annual International Kids Fund Latin American Art Auction takes place at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation, 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami. There will be both a silent as well as a live auction. Door admission per person: $75 pre-event, and $100 at the door.

The auction is the signature fund-raising event for The International Kids Fund (IKF), a program of Jackson Memorial Foundation that facilitates access to life-saving or life-changing medical care for children in need. That includes children who cannot be treated in their native country as well as U.S. children who need IKF assistance for their procedures.

For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.internationalkidsfund.org or call 1-877-IKF-KIDS. For more information on the auction, how to get involved, or purchase tickets, call Nicole Hernandez at 305-585-1137.

-- FABIOLA SANTIAGO

You've seen the Meg Ryan flick (particularly if you're a moviegoer of the female persuasion); now, catch the play that started it all. Miami's New World School of the Arts kicks off its 2008-2009 theater season with ClaireBooth Luce's The Women, a tart 1936 comedy about Manhattan society types dealing with the myriad challenges of their lives -- men included, of course.

Faculty member Gail S.Garrisan directs 19 students playing 39 roles. The play happens at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Oct. 11 and Oct. 17-18; 2 p.m. Oct. 12 and Oct. 19. Tickets are $12 (students and seniors pay $5). Performances are at the Louise O. Gerrits Theatre, 25 NE Second St., Miami. 305-237- 3541 or www.mdc.edu/nwsa.

-- CHRISTINE DOLEN

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