Want to be a writer? Head to this writers’ conference in Miami Springs

Published authors and those new to the writing world will join industry experts to learn and share at the 10th annual Mango Writers Conference.

“We are thrilled to bring such a dynamic group of speakers together for this year’s Mango Writers Conference,” said Beverly Melasi-Haag, president of the South Florida Writers Association.

“There is something for everyone. Whether you’re a new writer working on your first manuscript, or a seasoned writing professional, you will be inspired by this gathering of like-minded experts.”

The full-day event is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Feb. 8, at Miami Springs Country Club, 650 Curtiss Pkwy. Everyone is invited for a catered breakfast, lunch, snacks, speakers and raffle prizes. The cost is $50 for students, $60 for SFWA members, and $75 for non-members.

The agenda features authors who will speak on areas pertinent to writers in every phase of producing a manuscript. The full schedule includes Allen Bennett, Mary Greenwood, Yolanda Ledesma, Nina Romano, Marsha Sims, Lori Swick and Andrew Strycharski.

Group presentations with Q & A sessions will offer attendees the chance to work directly with the conference leaders. Register at www.southfloridawriters.org until Feb. 3.

Young musicians perform at Disney World

Eighteen budding musicians in South Florida Music’s Piano Year 2 Performance Group were selected to perform at Walt Disney World for the fourth consecutive year. The children, ages 6, 7 and 8, are among the youngest musicians invited to the theme park to perform.

Led by directors Joy Galliford, Alaina Lorenzo and Karen Flanary, the group performed Disney and classic compositions, song and dance.

“Preparing our musicians for the Disney journey is one of my most treasured musical opportunities,” Galliford said. “I have had the pleasure of watching them exceed expectations and set the stage as an annual event offered only by South Florida Music at this young age.”

Each began their musical journeys as toddlers in early childhood music classes at South Florida Music, where they sang and clapped along with their parents, learned to play the glockenspiel and began to read music.

For over 35 years, Galliford’s research-based music program has been reaching children at the most crucial stages of their mental growth with classes held throughout Miami-Dade County. She cites the musical example set by her mother as inspiring her research on the importance of music in early childhood development.

“Even though my mother did not have the research available to us today, she was providing needed stimulation for me and my siblings through music,” she said.

“It is clearly documented that the most rapid period of brain development is birth to one, which should encourage all parents of young children to seek experiences that will strengthen the neural connections necessary to unlock their child’s potential for life.”

Free early childhood music classes are also provided to 493 underserved students at Frederick Douglass Elementary in Overtown, Tropical Elementary in Westchester and Bent Tree Elementary in Kendall through Friends of South Florida Music, Inc., a nonprofit foundation. Private donors continue to help as well.

Learn more at www.southfloridamusic.org or call 305-930-2755.

Learn about the Brickells

Before their name was on a famous Miami avenue, William and Mary Brickell were working with Julia Tuttle as pioneers and co-founders of this magical city we all love.

Historian Cesar A. Becerra says they also were a bit mysterious. He has spent more than 27 years learning their stories.

His enthusiasm for history is contagious and Becerra has launched a yearlong series of talks throughout South Florida about the Brickell Family.

“I’m on a lifelong voyage of discovering anything and everything I can learn about this unique and influential but highly overlooked family,” Becerra said before traveling to Melbourne to learn more about the Brickell Family roots.

“I am convinced the Brickells themselves are egging me along from the underworld. There’s just too many coincidences that have led me to do this and I’m no longer fighting it.”

The next two talks will be at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at FIU Jan. 22 and Jan. 29. Cost is $15 each. Call 305-919-5900 to learn more.

Presentations continue at Broward County’s Fern Forest Nature Center Feb. 13. After that, Becerra will be at the Tropical Audubon Society of Miami March 10, The Miami Memorabilia Collector’s Club April 13, and he will lead a walking tour of Brickell Avenue May 10. Many of the talks are free.

‘The Sweetest Girl’ going to film

Nationally syndicated filmmakers Harry Jeudy and Samuel Ladouceur have joined forces with Amazon best-selling author Yanatha Desouvre in the project development of the short film “The Sweetest Girl: A Forbidden Love Story.”

The film challenges the human condition in its telling of a loving marriage of 25 years that comes to a deadly end when a husband tells his wife his most heart-shattering secret, on her death bed.

Inspired by timeless proverbs from Haiti, the story “takes us through fierce, captivating and emotional scenarios,” Desouvre said.

“The late Daniel Coulanges, known in 1989 as ‘one of the world’s finest guitarists’ will deliver the moving score for the short film, while the Emmy-nominated singer, rap artist and international performer Alexander Star, along with international songstress Ley Joans will provide the soundtrack,” Desouvre said.

For acting or partnership opportunities, write to sweetestgirlshortfilm@gmail.com and visit www.yanatha.com and https://bit.ly/2RfL3KW for the fundraising campaign.

If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.

This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 7:00 AM.