'Culture and Cocktails' series returns Monday

Diego Diaz Lasa, Palm Beach Daily News
·2 min read
Michael McKeever, co-founder of Miami-based theater Zoetic Stage.
Michael McKeever, co-founder of Miami-based theater Zoetic Stage.

The 19th season of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County’s "Culture and Cocktails" returns to West Palm Beach on Monday with a conversation featuring two co-founders of South Florida theater companies.

The event, “Sages,” is one of three catered talks set through April based on the theme of “looking back, looking forward." All events run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and will take place in the Blue Heron Ballroom at The Ben hotel at 251 Narcissus Ave. on the city's Intracoastal waterfront.

William Hayes, Co-founder and artistic director of Palm Beach Dramaworks.
William Hayes, Co-founder and artistic director of Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Monday's discussion features William Hayes, the artistic director of Palm Beach Dramaworks, and Michael McKeever, the Carbonell and Silver Palm award-winning screenwriter, director and actor who helped launch the Miami-based Zoetic Stage. Their talk will center on their journeys within the world of theater.

Literary titan James Patterson will feature in the series second event, and interview of the author by Baltimore Banner Columnist and Author Leslie Gray Streeter.
Literary titan James Patterson will feature in the series second event, and interview of the author by Baltimore Banner Columnist and Author Leslie Gray Streeter.

On Feb. 5, the series will feature “Pages,” an interview of writer James Patterson, winner of awards including the National Humanities medal, by Baltimore Banner columnist Leslie Gray Streeter, the author of "Black Widow" and a former Palm Beach Post pop culture columnist.

The panel is a successor to and reversal of the last live "Culture & Cocktails" before the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Patterson interviewed Streeter about "Black Widow," her first book and a memoir about her journey following the death of her husband.

Former Palm Beach Post columnist Leslie Gray Streeter will interview James Patterson at the Feb. 5 "Culture and Cocktails" event. Streeter now writes for the Baltimore Banner.
Former Palm Beach Post columnist Leslie Gray Streeter will interview James Patterson at the Feb. 5 "Culture and Cocktails" event. Streeter now writes for the Baltimore Banner.

On April 1, "Culture and Cocktails" wraps up with “Stages,” a talk centered on the future of the Sunset Lounge, a historical cultural center in West Palm Beach's Historic Northwest District that is currently being restored.

Leading the conversation is Alisha R. Winn of Consider the Culture, an educational and community engagement firm specializing in bridging the gap between community and institutional goals, including historic preservation. She also served as a board member for the West Palm Beach Mayor's Taskforce for Racial and Ethnic Equality.

Consider the Culture's Alisha R. Winn will be joining the series April 1 for a discussion on the preservation and future of the Sunset Lounge.
Consider the Culture's Alisha R. Winn will be joining the series April 1 for a discussion on the preservation and future of the Sunset Lounge.

Moderating the cultural center discussion will be Barbara Cheives, president and CEO of Converge & Associates Consulting, a firm specializing in race and ethnic relations consulting, employee relations and community engagement.

General admission for each event is $125, with preferred seating VIP tickets available for $165. For access to the entire series, The Cultural Council offers a $300 season pass and $450 VIP season pass. Free valet parking is provided. For more information, call 561-471-2901 or visit www.palmbeachculture.com/council-events/council-special-events/culture-cocktails/.

Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: 'Culture and Cocktails' returns Monday