Greetings,

The City of Coral Gables Division of Emergency Management is coordinating closely with Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Health, and community health partners to provide access to vaccination for our residents. For details, use this link: https://www.coralgables.com/COVID-19Testing

Turn the clocks forward on Sunday, March 14 at 2am for Daylight Savings Time.

Wednesday, March 17 will be Saint Patrick's Day.

Prepare for the upcoming Coral Gables General Biennial Election for Mayor and Commission seats in Group II and III on Tuesday, April 13. https://www.coralgables.com/2021-election-home

Make plans to enjoy the great outdoors in our little city. Walk down Miracle Mile, visit the parks. Stay safe, and enjoy the best of Coral Gables in the coming days.

Robert and Robin Burr

René Portocarrero (1912-1985) A Focus Exhibition
Cernuda Arte presents a retrospective of twenty-four works across five decades of creation by Cuban Vanguardia artist René Portocarrero. The presentation features a breadth of artwork including renditions on paper and canvas from the 1940s to the 1980s. Among the works displayed are his signature ornamented women, Havana landscapes and still lifes. On view now at the gallery -- or view photos of the exhibit and information on the works on the gallery website. https://secure.cernudaarte.com/exhibitions/rene-portocarrero-a-focus-exhibition/

Now Open on Restaurant Row
Luca Osteria + Bar
Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli (Eating House) has announced his new venture is specializing in classic Italian dishes such as fresh pasta and more with a modern twist, plus a bar featuring creative cocktails. Chef's contemporary approach to Italian classics highlights an assortment of antipasti including Local Stracciatella with Sicilian olive oil and black pepper; Patate Fritte with potato, black truffle salt, egg yolk and Parmigiano Reggiano; Crudo di Pesce with blood orange olive oil, celery and grapefruit; and Lardo di Colonatta with Sullivan Street bread, pistachio and fig balsamic, to name a few. 

Next up, a selection of freshly extruded pastas made in-house, such as Pasta al Limone with tagliatelle; Parmigiano Reggiano and whole lemon; Bucatini alla Vongole with Florida clams, white wine and pickled garlic butter; and Pappardelle with beef short rib Bolognese, mortadella butter and nutmeg, followed by bold new impressions including Grilled Monkfish with Bagna Cauda, grilled fennel, Castelvetrano olive; and Bistecca for Two consisting of a 28oz prime bone-in strip, Patate Fritte and smoked olive oil. 

Desserts include Vanilla Panna Cotta with Aperol caramel and blood orange; Anto’s Tiramisu with mascarpone, savoiardi, vanilla bean and marsala; and Italian Ice Cream Sandwich with pistachio and chocolate gelato.

Luca Osteria is located at 116 Giralda Ave. Call 305-381-5097. http://lucamiami.com/

Now Through March 14
Illuminate Coral Gables
A world-class art exhibition in downtown Coral Gables created for specific outdoor locations, Illuminate Coral Gables will be on view until March 14. Curated by Lance Fung, Catherine Cathers, Jennifer Easton and Rosie Gordon Wallace, the exhibition will feature eight projects incorporating video projections, sculpture and art installations by a stellar group of local, national, and international artists including Kiki Smith and Cai Guo-Qiang. http://illuminatecoralgables.org

Now Through March 14
Wizard Of Oz - Live On Stage
After a tornado whisks her away to the magical land of OZ, young Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale teams up with a Scarecrow, a Tin Woodsman and a Cowardly Lion to avoid the clutches of the Wicked Witch of the West to find the mighty Wizard who can send her home. Originally produced by the award-winning Prince Street Players, this funny and clever musical is sure to entertain both the largest and smallest of munchkins. https://www.actorsplayhouse.org/childrens-theatre/

Live In Theater - Held Over

Nomadland at Gables Cinema

Following the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. The third feature film from director Chloé Zhao (The Rider), Nomadland features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West. A sweeping panoramic portrait of the American nomadic spirit set on the trail of seasonal migratory labor, the film is a road movie for our times, now doubly relevant and resonant in this moment of redefinition and change. Winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and Best Picture at the Gotham Independent Film Awards. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/nomadland/

Thursday, March 4 at 5:30pm
Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Vince Lago
Commissioner and Mayoral Candidate Vince Lago invites residents to join his town hall meeting online to discuss matters of interest to voters, including General City Updates, Public Safety Updates and City-wide Improvement Projects. Vince also invites residents to call him any time at 305-569-1833 or email him at vlago@corlagables.com. The link to the Thursday online Zoom meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/92873202225

Friday, March 5 at 7am
Bike To Work Day
Grab your bike and helmet, and leave your car keys at home for Bike to Work Day on Friday, March 5. Join a 7.6-mile police-escorted bike ride from the University Metrorail Station to Downtown Miami. The bike ride begins at 8:15am, though riders are encouraged to arrive early to receive free gifts: a Bike305 shirt, a bike helmet and a free one-way Metrorail pass. Assembly begins at 7am. The station is located at 5400 Ponce, at Douglas Road and US1. https://www.themiamibikescene.com/2021/02/bike-to-work-day-2021.html

In Theater - Opens March 5

Stray at Gables Cinema
An intimate portrait of the life of a city and its people told through the eyes and ears of a trio of canine outcasts roaming the streets of Istanbul. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/stray/

Friday, March 5 at 5pm
Rap and Redemption on Death Row
UM Frost Music - Join Dr. Mark Katz, John P. Barker Distinguished Professor of Music at UNC, as he xplores the life and work of Alim Braxton, aka Rrome Alone, a rapper on North Carolina’s Death Row. For Braxton, music is the key to self-therapy. Using the prison telephone as his microphone, he collaborates with producers on the outside who record his vocals and provide beats for his rhymes. The purpose of this talk is twofold: to introduce a musician who seeks both redemption and justice through his music, and to offer reflections on the ethics of a white, privileged scholar working with a Black man awaiting execution. This talk will be given with Braxton’s knowledge and with his permission. https://events.miami.edu/event/Rap-and-Redemption-on-Death-Row

Friday & Saturday, March 5 & 6 at 7:30pm
Masquerade 2021! — Frost Opera Theater Performance
Enjoy seven short operatic masterworks performed live by Frost Opera Theater, including Les Malheurs d'Orphée, Hin und Zurück, A Hand of Bridge, and more. Alan Johnson, program and music director; Jeffrey Buchman, stage director. Live on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvQCdhZBgjw

Friday & Saturday, March 5 & 6 at 9pm

Rosemary's Baby at Gables Cinema

Roman Polanski's iconic horror film begins with Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse (John Cassavetes, Mia Farrow) moving into an unsettling apartment building in NYC. Strange events and peculiar neighbors plant seeds of concern in Rosemary’s mind. Then, after having a terrible dream in which a frightening creature attacks her, Rosemary becomes pregnant. With Guy becoming more and more distant, the young and naïve Rosemary alone must worry for the safety and the soul of her baby. Although there is no excessive violence and gore, as was the trend at the time, Rosemary's Baby is intense in content and truly one of the great horror films of the 60s. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/rosemarys-baby/

Saturday, from 8am to 2pm
Coral Gables Farmers' Market
Every Saturday through March 27 the community Farmers Market presents fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers and workshops for all ages from 8am to 2pm at City Hall. Be safe. Wear a mask. https://www.coralgables.com/farmers-market-at-merrick-park

Free Orchids For Residents
Fairchild Gardens Million Orchid Project

The City of Coral Gables has been working with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on the Million Orchid Project, with plans to reintroduce a select group of natives orchids back into the trees of Coral Gables. Since 2016, more than 47,000 orchids have been planted throughout the City. The program has been extended with the goal of planting 250,000 orchids within the next 10 years. To encourage resident participation, Fairchild is distributing orchids free of charge during the weekly Farmers Market. https://fairchildgarden.org/science-and-education/science/million-orchid-project/

Saturdays at 11:15am

Latin Dance Workout at Fred Astaire

Experience the ultimate Latin Dance Workout on Saturday mornings at Fred Astaire, 45 Alhambra Plaza. Limit ten people in house, or join on Zoom. Call 305-443-0085. https://www.fredastaire.com/coral-gables/

Sunday, March 7 at 3pm

Free Virtual Concert Premiere

South Florida’s Got Talent -- Members of the Alhambra Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Andai, have recorded a lively performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins and Cello, spotlighting rising local stars Sophia Molina (violin), Ian Barnett (violin) and Jonathan Entenza (cello) -- the winners of the orchestra’s annual Concerto competition for young musicians. The featured soloists are all top students at local high schools. This video is inspirational for audiences of all ages. https://www.alhambraorchestra.org/youtube

Tuesday, March 9 at 1pm
Coral Gables Commission Meeting

While the City is back to live in-person meetings for the city council at City Hall Commission Chambers, members of the public are still required to participate via the Zoom platform. The agenda is published on line. The Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/3054466800

Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30pm
Frost Concert Jazz Band — Music from Home
This concert features some spectacular music from UM Frost School of Music's very own faculty, such as professors John Daversa and Dafnis Prieto. Very special guest, Roxana Amed sings a beautiful arrangement of Cucurrucucú Paloma by Frost arranger and composer, Alberto De La Reguera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u9C2tBabWI

Tuesday, March 9 at 7pm
Hemingway, the Sea and Cuba
Presented by South Florida PBS, The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, and FIU’s Casa Cuba, join an hour-long discussion with the filmmakers and special guests, featuring clips from the new PBS three-part series, Hemingway, a film by Ken Burns. With Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, Cristina Garcia, Brin-Jonathan Butler and Ann Bocock. Hemingway premieres on PBS stations April 5 to 7, 2021. Webinar Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rp7ljKjLS5uMzUg-dQ-8hQ

Thursday, March 11 at 6pm
Candidates Forum at University of Miami
The Coral Gables Chamber Of Commerce and League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County present an open forum of discussion and debate with candidates for elected office in Coral Gables. In person attendance is by invitation only and limited to the candidates, their guests, Chamber leadership, UM hosts and City officials. Please submit your questions for the candidates to: events@coralgableschamber.org. To view the event live on Zoom from 6 to 9pm, you must register online in advance.

Friday, March 12 at 7pm

Connor Munroe Quartet - Live at The Barnacle

-year-old Connor Munroe is a Miami native and a senior at Ransom Everglades School, but don't let his youth fool you. This soulful saxophonist has been performing jazz for half his life, has won numerous awards, and has been selected for twelve All-American and All-State jazz bands. His debut album "Then + Now" consists of classic jazz ballads that Munroe orchestrated and features his signature, expressive sound behind a lush orchestra that includes a jazz big band, strings, and backup vocalists. The gate opens one hour before show time. Outdoors and socially-distanced. Seating is limited to 50 people. Prices are $20 per person and $18 for Members of The Barnacle Society. Tickets are available online. 

Friday, March 12 at 7:30pm
Jazz Roots on the Plaza: Big Band Jazz
Directed by Steve Guerra, The Frost Studio Jazz Band presents a chronological history of big band music in the United States. Starting with music from the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, the Frost Studio Jazz Band will lead you on a journey through big band’s rich history, featuring music made popular by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, the Count Basie Orchestra, Henry Mancini, Thad Jones, Mary Lou Williams, Frank Sinatra, and many others. https://www.arshtcenter.org/en/Tickets/Calendar/2020-2021-Season/Jazz-Roots-on-the-Plaza/Jazz-Roots-on-the-Plaza-Big-Band-Jazz/

Streaming April 2 to 6
The Belle of Amherst - Emily Dickinson
Palm Beach Dramaworks Producing Artistic Director William Hayes and Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco are pleased to announce a virtual coproduction of The Belle of Amherst, William Luce’s one-woman play based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson from 1830 to 1886, and set in her Amherst, Massachusetts home. The 1976 play makes use of her work, diaries, and letters to recollect her encounters with the significant people in her life -- family, close friends, and acquaintances. It balances the agony of her seclusion with the brief bright moments when she was able to experience some joy. Margery Lowe portrays the enigmatic poet and Hayes directs. Tickets are $30 and all proceeds will benefit PBD and Actors' Playhouse, supplying much-needed revenue at a time when the theatres are earning no income. Once a ticket is purchased, the play can be viewed at the ticket holder’s convenience any time from April 2nd through April 6th. https://www.palmbeachdramaworks.org/program/artaffair

Seraphic Saturday Podcast - Episode 9
The 9th episode of the Seraphic Saturday Podcast features features Associate Conductor James K. Bass taking us behind the scenes of Seraphic Fire’s Professional Choral Institute, a partnership with the Aspen Music Festival and School, for which Dr. Bass serves as Program Director. https://www.seraphicfire.org/Blog/