Greetings ,

Thursday, January 6 is Three Kings’ Day, with Christians celebrating the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus.

Thursday, Jan 13 is Stephen Foster Memorial Day, with celebrations at the Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park in Florida. Known as "the father of American music," he was an American songwriter famous primarily for his parlour and minstrel music, such as "Oh! Susanna", "Hard Times Come Again No More", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River"), "My Old Kentucky Home", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Old Black Joe", and "Beautiful Dreamer".

As always, make plans to enjoy the great outdoors in our little city. Walk down Miracle Mile, experience the live theatre and the best movies, browse the book stores, look into the art galleries and meet up with friends at the restaurants. Visit the parks and public spaces to appreciate the bounties of nature. 

Enjoy the best of Coral Gables in the coming days.

Robert and Robin Burr

please enjoy this image that reminds us of the beauty and serenity of our majestic city

Vessel sculpture at Cocoplum Circle

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Save The Dates - January 29–30

Coral Gables Festival of the Arts

The 8th Annual Miami/Coral Gables Art Festival with Free Admission - six events at the same time and place. Fine Art & Craft Fest - over 200 fine art & craft exhibitors; Miami Kid Fest with face painting, kid art, kid products and services; Miami Fashion Fest with apparel, jewelry, hats and more; Bo's Dog and Pet Fest; The Beat Music Festival; plus Miami Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival with unlimited beer, wine and spirits samples. https://www.coralgablesartfestival.com/

Thursday, January 6 at 6pm

Buster Keaton - Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Coral Gables Art Cinema and Dranoff 2 Piano present a screening of Buster Keaton's classic disaster film with a brand-new musical score composed by Jeroen van Veen and Mike del Ferro, who will perform this score live. In this 1928 silent classic, Buster Keaton plays a ukulele-playing college boy who's a major disappointment to his father, the captain of a steamboat that has seen better days. Keaton falls in love with the daughter of a rival captain, much to his father's dismay, but soon proves himself a hero as a cyclone rages through and it's up to him to rescue his love and her father from a watery grave. Steamboat Bill Jr. has emerged as one of Keaton's finest achievements, no doubt in part to the death-defying stunt work that includes a still-astonishing house that collapses atop the actor -- with only a three-inch margin of error. The reception begins at 6pm before the film with live concert at 7pm. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/steamboat-bill-jr/

Starts Friday, January 7

Parallel Mothers at Gables Cinema

Contemporary melodrama, a bold color palette and a sublime Penélope Cruz in the lead role: these elements combine in Pedro Almodóvar's latest film to form one of the most affecting entries in the celebrated Spanish director's prolific filmography. Cruz stars opposite newcomer Milena Smit, both playing single mothers whose lives intersect in multiple ways after both give birth on the same day in the same hospital. Shocking secrets and painful revelations lie in store for the new mothers and Almodóvar mines the complexity of the situation to explore a deep-rooted trauma in Spain's history, motherhood itself and the inevitability of the truth to out. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/parallel-mothers/

Friday, January 7 at 5:30pm

Wine O'clock at Orno

All wines by the glass and bottle are 50% off during Wine O’clock between 5:30 and 6:30pm on Tuesday through Sunday at Orno in THesis Hotel. This 400-bottle wine cellar features a wide selection of pairable unique and diverse wines. Reserve your table for an elegant and intimate dining experience at Orno. https://ornomiami.com

Friday, January 7 at 6:30pm

Lanie Mcnulty - The Angel In The House

McNulty’s nuanced portraits of women at home with children, husbands, parents, friends, and alone were created in collaboration with her subjects. The results starkly expose what the pandemic year has made all too clear: the outsized role women play trying to keep it all together. McNulty studied photography at the International Center of Photography. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and Bank Street College of Education. Meet the author at Books & Books, 265 Aragon at 6:30pm. Call 305-442-4408. Get details online.

Saturday, January 8 at 7am

Sunrise Clear Kayak Adventure

Depart from Deering Estate’s boat basin on a guided sunrise tour of Biscayne Bay in a clear kayak. As the sun rises over the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay and wading birds are leaving their rookery you will paddle out towards Chicken Key, a seven-acre island and nature preserve surrounded by sandbars, tidal flats, and seagrass beds. Cost is $50 per person. Ages 9 and up. Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72nd Avenue. Call 305-235-1668. https://deeringestate.org/event/sunrise-clear-kayak/2022-01-08/

This Weekend

Area Stage Company - Willy Wonka

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical following enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory -- or suffer the consequences. General Audience $30; Students $15. https://www.simpletix.com/e/roald-dahls-willy-wonka-jr-tickets-91703

Saturday and Sunday at 11am

The Wizard Of Oz

Based on a book by L. Frank Baum, Victor Fleming's celebrated musical The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a country girl who is swept away by a tornado (with her dog Toto) to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a difficult journey back to Kansas where along the way she makes friends and one foe -- The Wicked Witch of the West. Todd McCarthy of Variety notes that The Wizard of Oz has "remained in the American cultural mythology for six decades now, and the answers to why they resonate more with deep meaning and feeling than with kitsch value to millions of people lie throughout this remarkable film." Recommended for ages 6 and up. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-wizard-of-oz/

Saturday, January 8 from 10am to 2pm

Mangrove Potting Volunteer Project

Keep Coral Gables Beautiful and the Coral Gables Garden Club invites you to volunteer on this project to pot 1,000 mangrove seeds in a pop-up nursery behind the Scout House located at 1107 South Greenway Dr. These seeds will be grown on-site for six months before being donated to MANG for further growth and planting in South Florida's coastal areas. Please bring a hat, sunblock, and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Call 305-569-1835. Email: kcgb@coralgables.com. Register and get details online.

Saturday, January 8 at 2pm

Underrated Fruit Of The Winter Garden

What’s in season? South Florida is known for many summer crops, but the mild, short winters allow for many species of reliably delicious fruits. Julian Lara of Lara Farms Nursery leads a class at Fairchild Garden with his expertise on growing healthy, beautiful fruit trees for a winter harvest. Members $25; Non-members $35. Call 305-667-1651. Get details on line. 

Saturday, January 8 at 3pm

Organizing Your Genealogical Files

The Genealogical Society of Greater Miami presents an online seminar with Zoom featuring Drew Smith, one of the Genealogy Guys, as he presents “Organizing Your Genealogical Files.” Whether you have digital or paper files -- or a combination -- learn ways to save and store your material with integrity. Get details online.

Saturday, January 8 at 9pm

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Television actress Pepa (Carmen Maura) is desperate because her boyfriend Iván (Fernando Guillén) is about to fly to Stockholm with a new girlfriend. Pepa must track him down to deliver a message: she’s pregnant. Hilarious and mind-boggling events enter the picture: Pepa’s close friend Candela (María Barranco) might have gotten herself involved in a terrorist plot; a real estate agent sends Iván’s son Carlos (Antonio Banderas) to check out Pepa’s apartment; Carlos’s girlfriend Marissa (Rossy de Palma) accidentally downs a pitcher of substance-infused gazpacho; and a taxi driver with a passion for mambo keeps appearing to give Pepa a ride. Is it possible to avoid a nervous breakdown with all the madness spiraling out of control? This absurd comedy was an international hit, winning multiple Spanish Goya Awards and garnering an Academy Award nomination. Get details online. 

Sunday, January 9th at 10am

Bike Ride Tour on Commodore Trail

Join Dade Heritage Trust, the Friends of The Underline, the Friends of the Commodore Trail, Bike Walk Coral Gables and UHealth Bike Safe for a great bike ride through Miami’s Roads and Shenandoah neighborhoods, starting at Dade Heritage Trust, 190 Southeast 12th Terrace. This event is free to the public. Registration is required. Get details online.

Sunday, January 9 at 2pm

Bob Carr - The Bigger Picture of Brickell Point

Brickell Point has been conquered, inhabited, landed on, worshiped on, built on, buried on and positioned from the get-go as the epicenter for several communities that eventually would become a critical part of the magic city. Join noted archaeologist and preservationist Bob Carr as he recounts a long journey at his beloved Brickell Point with a special program on Zoom. https://www.mpnod.org/events/bob-carr-the-bigger-picture-of-brickell-point/

Sunday, January 9 at 5pm

Mark Bowden and Matthew Teague - The Steal

In The Steal, veteran journalists Mark Bowden and Matthew Teague offer a week-by-week, state-by-state account of the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In the sixty-four days between November 3 and January 6, President Donald Trump and his allies fought to reverse the outcome of the vote. Focusing on six states -- Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin -- Trump’s supporters claimed widespread voter fraud. Zoom registration link sent with purchase. Get details online.

Tuesday, January 11 at 9am

City Commission Meeting

The City of Coral Gables will be holding its Regular Meeting at City Hall Commission Chambers. View the agenda online. Members of the public may participate in person but are also able to participate online via the Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/3054466800

Tuesday, January 11 from 7 to 9pm

CGWC Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger

Attend the Woman's Club fundraiser to support many charities with a night of bingo and fun. Gringo Bingo includes music by DJ Germain and the always entertaining emcee and owner of Clutch Burger, Steven Bradley. Price is $30 for 12 games with great prizes plus the coverall game for grand prize. Space is limited; so, RSVP early. Call 305-968-3090. https://www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/events

Friday, January 14 at 7pm

Keith Johns at The Barnacle

Spread out a picnic blanket under the moonlight and enjoy an evening of live music on the bay as Miami-based artist Keith Johns performs dynamic, beautifully orchestrated Indie Folk compositions. $20 general admission, $15 for members of The Barnacle Society, and $10 for children ages 6 to 12. The gate opens one hour before show time. Get details online.

Saturdays from 8am to 2pm

Farmers' Market At City Hall

Coral Gables' iconic farmers market is back from 8am to 2pm every Saturday through March 26 featuring fresh fruits, vegetables, prepared foods and local flowers and plants. Native plant vendors will promote local species as part of the Keep Coral Gables Beautiful campaign. For details, email: specialevents@coralgables.com

Save The Date

Saturday, January 15 at 10am

Redland Riot Road Rally

Every third Saturday in January, since 1994, this fruity, tropical history tour through the Redland agricultural region has delighted hundreds of families, history buffs, foodies and nature lovers with a whimsical adventure through the countryside. Dozens of car teams go searching for clues and enjoying the bounty of the Redland, stopping at wonderful places along the way. Meet at Cauley Square between 10 and 11am to get started. The big finale is at Schnebly Redland's Winery in the Miami Brewing Company Tap Room at 5pm. This event is sponsored by Dade Heritage Trust, now celebrating 50 years of preservation, education and advocacy. Get details and register your car team on the Redland Riot web site. https://www.redlandriot.com/Rallye.html

January 15 and 16 from 10am to 4pm

Fairchild Festival Of Chocolate

This year’s Festival of Chocolate is set to be a two-day celebration of all things chocolate in the garden. Taste your way through chocolate confections, decadent desserts and savory bites. Enjoy entertainment, activities, classes and demonstrations. Indulge in chocolate pairings with wine and spirits that will unlock flavors and delight your palate. Bring your family and friends to explore the Garden and discover one delicious chocolate adventure after another. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Call 305-667-1651. https://www.fairchildgarden.org

Saturday, February 5 from 11am to 3pm

7th Annual CGWC Children's Festival

Children and families will enjoy this free event at the Coral Gables Woman's Club with interactive activities -- as well as civic organizations providing useful information for children. The Coral Gables Fire and Police department will participate as will Miggy's Melanoma Awareness, Venetian Aquatic Club, Mindful Monkeys Yoga, the Coral Gables Museum, among others. Everyone gets free refreshments and popcorn. COVID Protocols will be enforced and masks will be required for all. The Woman's Club is located at 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Call 305-733-5290. https://www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/events

Moved Back Two Weeks

On Your Feet Musical Debuts February 9

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presentes its production of On Your Feet! -- the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The Miami engagement of the hit Broadway musical will run from February 9 to March 6 at the Miracle Theatre -- here in the couple’s hometown of Miami -- in an original production that celebrates its South Florida Regional Premiere. The Miracle Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile. Call 305-444-9293. http://www.actorsplayhouse.org

Many of our favorite eateries in the Gables are offering curbside takeout, as well as delivery services. Here's a handy list of choices for Gables residents and friends.

http://www.greatgables.com/CoralGables/ToGo.html