Greetings ,

Thursday, November 24 is Thanksgiving Day, a federal holiday, a time for considering all our blessings, a day of parades and gatherings, and a long weekend of family gatherings and feasting.

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

Founded in 1926 and designed in the Spanish Renaissance style, the Church of the Little Flower is a splendid example of the Mediterranean Revival architecture for which Coral Gables is noted.

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Now Playing

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents the Ultimate Holiday Party with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. Sun Records, now festively decorated with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe, rings with sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made the "Million Dollar Quartet" famous. Jam-packed with unforgettable performances of classic holiday hits and favorite chart-toppers such as "Jingle Bell Rock," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Don't Be Cruel," "Blue Christmas," "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town," "Ring of Fire," "Santa Baby," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Run Run Rudolph" and more. Get details and purchase tickets online.

November 17 to 20

Miami Children's Film Festival

Enjoy culturally rich, educational, and entertaining, the Miami Children's Film Festival with showings at the Coral Gables Art Cinema. This film series offers a unique opportunity to cultivate critical appreciation for intelligent films among younger people. Bring the family to watch highly acclaimed films from all over the world, learn with hands-on workshops, and enjoy outdoor fun for all ages. https://www.gablescinema.com/programs/mcff-2022/

Thursday, November 17 at 6pm

Shops At Merrick Park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony

Shops at Merrick Parkpresents “Back to Tradition,” its 19th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Belmont Village Senior Living. One of the largest tree lighting ceremonies and holiday celebrations in South Florida, the event includes the 50-foot tree-lighting and a live performance by South Florida’s own Camie Liz. Attendees can enjoy a variety of interactive activities, entertainment and a highly anticipated appearance by Santa Claus, who will kick-off the festive season.

https://www.shopsatmerrickpark.com/en.html

Thursday November 17 at 7:30pm

Bop and Beyond — Frost Studio Jazz Band

Dive into the exciting world of Bebop, Hard Bop, Re-bop, and beyond at UM's Gusman Concert Hall. Bebop came at a pivotal time in world history and changed the trajectory of jazz forever. Virtuosic Melodies, blazing tempos, and flourishes of chords make it one of the most engaging styles of music. Come see the Frost Studio Jazz Band as they feature some of Bebop’s, Hard Bop’s, and re-bop’s finest composers including Tadd Dameron, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, and more. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Friday, November 18 at 11:30am

JohnMartin's Irish Pub and Restaurant Re-opens

The most iconic, legendary watering hole and meeting place on the mile, JohnMartin's Irish Pub and Restaurant is once again open to the public at 253 Miracle Mile. Childhood friends John Clarke and Martin Lynch from Killinkere parish in northwest Dublin changed the stuffy reputation of eateries and bars in Coral Gables when they opened in 1989, ushering in the modern era of lively activity on the mile and dramatic economic growth among local businesses. Improvements by new proprietors include a refurbished exterior and interior, an updated menu and a private event space. Call 305-209-0609. https://johnmartinsmiami.com

Friday, November 18 at 6pm

Last Flight Home

Attend a reception with food and wine, followed at 7pm by a special screening and Q&A with the film's writer/director/producer Ondi Timoner. Behind a white picket fence, on an unremarkable suburban street, we find 92-year-old Eli Timoner, who founded Air Florida, the fastest growing airline in the world in the 1970s. During his final days, we discover his extraordinary life filled with incredible success and devastating setbacks, and most importantly, the innate goodness that won him the enduring love and support of his family. Through stunning verité footage recorded by his middle child, Last Flight Home takes audiences on a heart-wrenching ride through Timoner’s life, illustrating a modern day success story built on the power of human connection. Get details and purchase tikets online. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/last-flight-home/

November 18/19 at 8pm

Dancing with Dictators

Multi-Emmy-Award-winning writer, Luis Santeiro, returns to Miami's Sanctuary Of The Arts  for two nights with his latest show, Dancing with Dictators. In cabaret-style, the show explores his past through songs and stories adapted from his recent memoir, Dancing with Dictators: A family's journey from pre-Castro Cuba to exile in the turbulent sixties. Sanctuary of the Arts is an artist-led institution created for the purpose of healing, empowering, and uplifting our community. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday/Sunday, Nov 19–20 from 10am to 4pm

Crandon Park 75th Jubilee Celebration

Join the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department for the Crandon Park 75th Jubilee Celebration featuring an eco-festival at Crandon Gardens, 6747 Crandon Blvd. on Key Biscayne. This two-day eco-festival will highlight Parks’ involvement in creating a sustainable and resilient future. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy a day out with family and friends and see a historic Miami-Dade County landmark. The jubilee commemorates Miami-Dade County’s Crandon Park’s 75 years of serving the community’s 2.8 million residents. Event admission is free. Metered parking is available for guests. Get details online.

Saturday, November 19 at 11am

Mark Potter's Sunrise: A Photographic Journey

It is the unvarnished truth that all of Mark Potter’s bright and colorful sunrise photographs began from tragedy and grief, and were taken in memory of his wife who died from cancer. But as miracles sometimes have it, the images turned out to be the exact opposite of the way they began. They are upbeat and exciting, but also comforting and calming while capturing the natural world of Florida as it awakens to each new day with not only sunrises, but also seascapes, wildlife, marine life, flora, and fauna. Mark Potter's Sunrise: A Photographic Journey of Comfort, Healing, and Inspiration is available at Books & Books. Meet Mark at Miami Book Fair on Saturday, November 19 at 11am in Room 8102.

Saturday, November 19 at 2pm

Online Event: Composting at Home 101

Join University of Florida Master Gardeners as they teach a step-by-step process of turning leaves, branches, paper plates and other recyclable materials into rich organic soil called compost. Presented by UF/Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. Ages 12 and up. Get details and register online.

Saturday, November 19 from 5 to 7pm

Wine Amongst The Pines

Societa' Dante Alighieri Miami presents "Vin tra i pini," an Italian Wine tasting in celebration of "Settimana dell cucina itialina" -- Italian Cuisine Week, at 422 Aragon Avenue. https://www.dantemiami.org

Saturday, November 19 at 7:30pm

Bergonzi Piano Trio at Gusman

Enjoy two masterpieces of the Bergonzi Piano Trio repertoire: Shostakovitch’s tragic trio no. 2 and Dvorak’s epic F minor trio. This concert is an unusual opportunity to hear two outstanding trios that are rarely performed. The Bergonzi Trio will record both of these in December. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, November 19 at 9pm

Shoplifters

On the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders are united by fierce loyalty, a penchant for petty theft and playful grifting. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous, below-the-radar existence and test their quietly radical belief that it is love -- not blood -- that defines a family. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/shoplifters/

November 20 to December 18

Soccer Watch Party at The Bierhaus

Met up with friends at Fritz And Franz Bierhaus to catch the excitement of the 22nd running of the FIFA World Cup competition, the quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the senior national teams of the member associations of FIFA, live from Qatar from November 20 to December 18. The Bierhaus Plaza will be alive with soccer fans and international visitors, featuring a delightful menu and plenty of great beer and other refreshments. Make plans now for these special events. Call 305-774-1883. https://bierhaus.cc

Sunday, November 20 from 10am to 1pm

Art In The City Bike Tour

Enjoy a fun, educational bicycle tour through The City Beautiful. The Coral Gables Art in Public Places Program commissions, acquires and exhibits new art throughout the city. This tour will visit some of the best pieces from this important program. Bike tours are presented by Bike Walk Coral Gables in partnership with the Coral Gables Museum. You will need to bring your own bike. Helmets are required for children under 16. Get details and RSVP online.

Sunday, November 20 at 3pm

Music Concert: Children for Peace

Attend the museum's special event and enjoy a repertoire of Ukrainian and classical music interpreted by children 7 to 16 years old to celebrate Ukrainian culture, as they say No to war. Entrance is free, but donations are encouraged. All proceeds will go to relief efforts in Ukraine through RAZOM for Ukraine. Get details and RSVP online.

Adding Thursday Evenings December 1

New QP Tapas Extending Happy Hour

MKT Kitchen's restaurant in residence, QP Tapas, offers happy hour every Friday and Saturday from 5 to 6pm. Sip on $6 wines, $5 beers, or $7 frozen sangria with option to add a $3 sake or sherry topper, and $9 tapas by Chef Josh Elliot like yucca bravas, pan con tomate and boquerones. Starting December 1, QP Tapas will be open three evenings a week and welcome guests on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. https://www.qptapas.com

Weekend of December 2-4

Parish Fair

The annual Parish Fair at Church Of The Little Flower and Saint Teresa School is a three-day event open to the community at large. This annual tradition brings together families in the community for a weekend full of family thrill and fun for everyone at the St. Theresa Catholic School grounds with fun games, exciting rides, and delicious food in a great family friendly atmosphere. Dunk a teacher or a priest. The address is 2701 Indian Mound Trail. Get details online. https://parishfair.org

Friday, December 9 at 7:30pm

A Seraphic Fire Christmas

Within a serene candle-lit setting, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season will quiet and the a capella voices of Seraphic Fire will fill the room with musical peace and joy. Audiences will be captivated by familiar favorites such as the hauntingly simple Jesus Christ the Apple Tree and the enchanting Silent Night. This intimate musical experience features 19 carols and songs that span from 16th-century works to African American spirituals to In Dulci Jubilo, one of the oldest and most famous "macaronic" songs, a mixture of Latin and German. Associate Conductor James K. Bass and the ensemble are pleased to present seasonal carols and heart-warming music in the 20th season of A Seraphic Fire Christmas at Saint Philip's Church, 1121 Andalusia Ave. Get details and purchase advance tickets online. https://seraphicfire.org/tickets/event/2022/12/18/a-seraphic-fire-christmas/395440

Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 4pm

Villagers’ Annual Holiday House Tour

Coral Gables’ Villages and Homes of the Roaring ‘20s will be center-stage during the Villagers’ Annual Holiday House Tour -- offering guests a peek inside a few of George Merrick’s iconic themed Villages as well as homes built in the Mediterranean Revival style. Members of The Villagers will be on-hand explaining each home’s distinctive history and features as well as the unique story of Gables’ thematic Villages. Curated vendors, hand-made Angels, and food trucks will also be available at homes along the route. These historic properties cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers, and homeowners request no high heels or photography. Participants drive their own vehicles between the properties and will receive tour directions with their ticket purchase. $50 tickets are available online. https://thevillagersinc.org/house-tour-3/

December 11 and 13

GMSB Spectacular Holiday Concerts

The Greater Miami Symphonic Band presents a pair of spectacular Holiday concerts. On Sunday, December 11 at 4pm in Pinecrest Gardens, Robert Longfield conducts the Pinecrest Gardens Family Concert "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year." On Tuesday, December 13 at 8pm at UM Gusman Concert Hall, Robert Longfield and Guest Conductor Gary Green present Music of the Holidays and the Season "Tis the Season" featuring The Bells of St. Andrews. Get details and order tickets online. https://www.gmsb.org

Dependable Friendly Service

Two Computer Guys

Since 1998, the team at Two Computer Guys has been available for safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service -- for small businesses, families, students and anyone that needs computer help. They solve problems and get computers up and running at top speed quickly. Serving more than a thousand clients in South Florida over the past three decades. Just call when you need a little help. 305-444-1984. https://www.twocomputerguys.com

A Wild Adventure

Everglades Swamp Tours

Reserve space with Everglades Swamp Tours for an amazing adventure in the wild Everglades -- with your own custom tour of these vast open spaces. Experience wildlife up close while appreciating the serene nature of this pristine environment. Call 305-849-0135 for details. https://www.evergladesswamptours.com