Entertainment Reporter

Rod Stafford Hagwood

Rod Stafford Hagwood is an entertainment reporter for the Sun Florida Sun Sentinel. He joined the newsroom in 1990 as the fashion editor, going on to win both fashion journalism awards, The Fashion Association's Aldo in 1996 and the Atrium Award in 1997. After appearing in special feature reports for MSNBC, CNN, VH1, BET and The Style Channel as well as a weekly guest on Y-100 (WHYI-FM) and NBC 6 (WTVJ-TV), he went on to become an entertainment/dining reporter and theater critic. Rod also made it his personal mission to reach out to SoFlo's Caribbean communities of color and the LGBTQ+ organizations for coverage of their entertainment events in the Sun Sentinel, leading to recognition from the South Florida Black Journalists Association in 2008. He was honored by History Fort Lauderdale in 2023 as a LGBTQIA+ pioneer for his work in the regional gay and lesbian scene. Rod has also won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Society for Features Journalism.

A Paranormal Cirque bow-and-arrow/contortionist act. The human circus will perform Jan. 9-19 under a big-top tent set up in Miramar Regional Park. (Cirque Italia/Courtesy)

Paranormal Cirque comes to SoFlo (plus details on other circus shows)

January 2, 2026 at 4:02 p.m.

Along with Paranormal Cirque, look for: Water Circus Atlantis; Cirque du Soleil's Luzia; Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey; Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium.

Scott Farnsworth piloting an L-39 Albatros jet fighter. He and fellow pilots will participate aerial performances at the Mach 1 – Salute to Service Air Show in Jupiter on Jan. 11. (Curtis Noble/Courtesy)

8 festivals, fairs & festivities in January to start 2026 in a fabulous way

December 30, 2025 at 12:21 p.m.

This January fly high with an air show in Jupiter or celebrate all things strawberry in Boca Raton, among other fun activities.

The third annual Boca International Jewish Film Festival will run Feb. 21-March 22, 2026 with screenings in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach and Lake Worth Beach. But there will also be some pre-festival highlights before that including a Big Reveal Jan. 14, Cinebash Opening Celebration Jan. 26 and a Shorts Program Feb. 1. (BIJFF/Courtesy)

Boca International Jewish Film Festival spreads cinema-love in SoFlo

December 31, 2025 at 11:06 a.m.

There are some pre-festival events in January for the 3rd annual Boca International Jewish Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 22-March 22.

Olive & Sea beside the 17th Street Causeway drawbridge in Fort Lauderdale will celebrate New Year's Eve with a dinner special and limited-edition winter cocktails. (Nancy Kheiry for Olive & Sea/Courtesy)

The only South Florida waterfront-dining guide you’ll need this New Year’s Eve

December 24, 2025 at 8:40 a.m.

Here in South Florida, we can usher in 2026 with coastal flair by taking advantage of the serene vibe that comes from being so close to water.

Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1 is being sold exclusively at the iconic dinner theater and tiki bar. (Mai-Kai/Courtesy)

Mai-Kai makes a splash with its own rum, that you can buy!

December 18, 2025 at 8:48 a.m.

As if a tropical menu, Polynesian show and tiki-rrific cocktails weren’t enough, now the Mai-Kai in Oakland Park has gotten spirited with the launch of its own rum.

Server Noah Steiner clears dishes from a table in the “parklet” at Avocado Grill in West Palm Beach, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

See how West Palm Beach restaurants are transforming parking spots into ‘parklet’ patios

December 12, 2025 at 10:33 a.m.

"People love to sit out there. It's by far the most demanded seating preference, even more than indoors." — Julien Gremaud at Avocado Grill

Delray Beach is presenting a Holiday Village in Old School Square through Thursday, Jan. 1. (Delray Beach DDA/Courtesy)

What’s happening in December: Celtic Winter Faire, PAW Patrol, ice skating & other holiday fun!

December 12, 2025 at 10:20 a.m.

Lace up and get ready for a winter adventure with this month's exciting lineup, featuring everything from ice skating and vibrant festivals to a holiday village and plenty of other...

Co-owner Brad Tuckman with husband-and-wife celebrity chefs Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis at the Florida Room in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

‘Top Chef’ couple serve up star power at Florida Room in Fort Lauderdale’s The Fort pickleball complex

December 10, 2025 at 10:46 a.m.

"When you kind of walk into the dining room, it's very lush and green. It kind of plays into, maybe, your grandma's Florida room in her home." — chef Janine...

The timeless Christmas classic returns during Ballet Palm Beach’s The Nutcracker at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 5-7. (Steven Caras /Courtesy)

Looking for holiday cheer? Check out this list of 20 can’t-miss Christmas shows

December 2, 2025 at 1:01 p.m.

If you're feeling all Grinchy, here’s something to soothe those yuletide yearnings: a roundup of holiday-themed shows in Palm Beach and Broward counties.