Greetings,

You probably remembered to change your clocks ahead Sunday morning, but did you also remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms? They provide a vital early warning signal in the event of a fire in your home. Be smart, be safe.

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/

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

Mangroves at the Shore at Matheson Hammock

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

The Gramercy on Miracle Mile

Roman Jones took over the old Tarpon Bend location with The Gramercy, a beautifully decorated venue featuring a creative and lively menu representing American Brasserie cuisine with a wide range. The combination of indoor and outdoor dining is an asset. 

The elaborate bar is first class, with a competent staff that knows how to make classic and trendy cocktails. Some of the best original creations include Jazz Connection, Vintage Java, and Potion Number 9.

For lunch, consider the express menu including soup of the day, sushi or sandwich and coffee for $24. 

Readers recommend starters like truffle fries, escargot, mac 'n cheese, truffle caviar deviled eggs, crispy brussel sprouts, and Tuna Tartare. 

Chef Sylvio rules the sushi station, with fabulous creations like the Gram Roll, the Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll and the Wagyu Surf and Turf Roll. 

Standout entrees include the Wagyu Bolognese, seared tuna, pappardelle pasta with ricotta cheese, prime rib and the porterhouse steak for two. 

Finish the meal with a rich créme brûlée, or chocolate lava soufflé cake with vanilla ice cream.

The Gramercy is located at 65 Miracle Mile. Call 786-747-4854. http://thegramercymiami.com

Starting March 19 

The Courier at Gables Cinema

The true story of an unassuming British businessman, The Courier --Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) -- is recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK’s MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with ​Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merhab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis. Official Selection of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Coral Gables Art Cinema is located at 260 Aragon. Call 786-385-9689 or visit the web site for details. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-courier/

Friday, March 19 at 7pm

Connor Munroe Quartet - Live at The Barnacle

Eightteen-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. 

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/

Saturday & Sunday, March 20, 21

Fairchild Garden - Orchids in Bloom

Enjoy Orchids in Bloom with your family and friends in a tropical oasis. This year's special event covers multiple days of orchids with tours, live plant demos, orchid vendors, music and more, from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Special features and programs include National Orchid Garden Walking Tour; How to pollinate and breed orchids; The Million Orchid Project Walking Tour; How to attach orchids to trees; National Orchid Garden Walking Tour; and General Collection Walking Tour. The best local and international Orchid growers are back with a wide variety of orchids for sale. Enjoy the artisan market, as well as some amazing sweet and savory food trucks. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Call 305-667-1651. https://fairchildgarden.org/events/orchids-in-bloom/

Saturday, March 20 from 2 to 5pm

Virtual Historic Hunt - The ‘20s that Roared

Step into the Roaring ‘20s and the Miami of 100 years past, at The Villagers’ Virtual Historic Hunt: The Roaring Twenties, The Era of Change on Saturday from 2 to 5pm from anywhere, virtually. All you need are your wits, a sense of adventure, and an internet-connected device. The Hunt is fun for all ages and a great activity for families and friends. The $20 per person entry fee is your ticket to fascinating clues, intriguing history, and a chance to win a $300 cash prize. For more details and to register, visit: https://thevillagersinc.org/the-hunt/

Saturday, March 20 from 4 to 10pm

Frost Music Fest 2021 - Soprano Renée Fleming

Tune in for a free live stream event on YouTube as Frost Music Festival presents Superstar Soprano Renée Fleming, with Maestro Gerard Schwarz conducting the all-student Frost Symphony Orchestra. One of the most honored singers of our time -- a U.S. National Medal of the Arts recipient and four-time GRAMMY winner -- her appearance is the highlight of the Frost Music Festival line-up, which features talented Frost School students performing in various music ensembles of jazz, pop, classical, Latin music, and more, led by the school's award-winning faculty. Singer-songwriter and Frost alumnus John Splithoff closes out the festival with the American Music Ensemble. Splithoff’s series of hit singles have racked up more than 100 million streams, cracked the Top 10 at AC radio, and earned Splithoff festival slots everywhere. https://events.miami.edu/event/frost_music_fest_simulcast

Saturday, March 20

Great American Cleanup - Keep Coral Gables Beautiful

Coral Gables presents the Plogging At Matheson Event, a combination of jogging and plocka upp (Swedish for to pick up), plogging entails jogging and quickly stopping to pick up trash while you go. This event is at your own pace, whether that is walking, jogging or running from 8 to 10am at Matheson Hammock Park. Keep Coral Gables Beautiful is a local affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful and Keep Florida Beautiful organizations. Pre-register online.

Saturday, March 20 from 10am to 2pm

Blood Drive and Acupuncture at Woman's Club

Coral Gables Women's Club is holding a community participation day at the club house, presenting an opportunity to contribute to the annual blood drive, and presenting an acupuncture service for those interested in learning the benefits of these unique procedures. Proceeds and donations benefit the Coral Gables Children's Dental Clinic. Coral Gables Women's Club is located at 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Contact info@itmblood.org for an appointment to donate blood. Call 305-812-1844 for an acupuncture appointment. https://acupuncturemiamiflorida.com

Sunday, March 21 from 10am to 2pm

Annual Gables Bike Day

All cyclists, skaters, parents and children are invited to this free event for a day of promoting health, physical activity and bike safety in the community. Meet at Merrick Park in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way before 10am. https://bikewalkcoralgables.org

Sunday, March 21 at 3:30pm

Seraphic Fire - Eternal Fire

Be captivated by the genius of the music in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 34, O, Ewiges Feuer. Then, your heart will be touched by David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning the little match girl passion. This broadcast will include a pre-concert conversation with Conductor Patrick Quigley and Seraphic Fire artists beginning at 3:30pm followed immediately by the performance at 4pm. https://www.seraphicfire.org/performances/tickets/eternal-fire/

Tuesday, March 23 at 9am

City Commission Meeting

The City of Coral Gables will be holding its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, commencing at 9am. Link to the agenda. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/3054466800

Friday, March 26 at 7:30pm

Piazzolla at 100 with Maria Schneider

Frost School’s HMI Celebrates Piazzolla at 100 with Maria Schneider to celebrate Astor Piazzolla's unique contributions -- along with works of Golijov, a world premiere by Stephen Guerra, and 3 world-premiere arrangements by Frost Music' talented HMI Composition Fellows. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-FYxsahK8

Sunday, March 28 at 3pm

Orchestra Miami - The Purple Palace

What happens when Princess Purple banishes all the other colors from the Land of Chromatica? Will diversity and tolerance triumph? Find out in The Purple Palace, a musical tale composed by Bruce Adolphe with the story written by Louise Gikow. The 14-piece orchestra will be led by Orchestra Miami Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi and performed with a special guest narrator Neil Nelson. Perfect for children ages 3 and up. Also on the program is A Treeful of Monkeys by Daniel Dorff. This delightful story is based on a traditional African Folk Tale about a hat seller who takes a nap under a tree, and wakes to find that the monkeys have taken all his hats and are wearing them up in the trees. Watch the performance live in-person at Pinecrest Gardens, or catch the livestream broadcast at home. Pinecrest Gardens’ Banyan Bowl is located at 11000 SW 57 Avenue. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, $5 for children, and a Family Pack (2 Adults & 2 Children) are available for $36. Livestream tickets are available for just $10 per household. Call 305-274-2103. Get in-person tickets or livestream tickets.

March 29 to April 2

Actors' Playhouse Spring Break Camp for kids

Spring Break Mini-Camp offers students five days of concentrated study of theatre, including warm-up and audition techniques, theatre games, improvisation, music and dance. In addition, students will have an opportunity to perform at the end of the week for family and friends. https://www.actorsplayhouse.org/theatre-classes/

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

Friday to Sunday - April 2 to 4

Celebrate Easter At Morton's

Bring the family to Morton's The Steakhouse for Easter Weekend, featuring the famous slow-roasted prime rib dinner. Experience the signature "Chicago Cut" with house made au jus and fresh whipped horseradish cream for $49. Ask about the Easter-To-Go package for home. https://www.mortons.com/featuring/easter-menu

Saturday, April 11 at 4pm

Miami Premiere of Lost and Found Dance Performance

Karen Peterson and Dancers, Florida's leading physically integrated company, returns to onstage performance with the Miami premiere of their full-length program Lost And Found at Pinecrest Gardens. The group, which includes professional dancers with and without disabilities, will address this past pandemic year in a series of duets that push the envelope on what dance can be and how we face a global crisis. The afternoon features all seven company members, with choreography by Artistic Director Karen Peterson in collaboration with the dancers. $20 general admission, or $10 for those under 18. Pinecrest Gardens is located at 11000 SW 57th Ave. Call 305-298-5879.  Order tickets online from EventBrite. 

Now Available For Streaming

Seraphic Fire Podcast - Episode 10

The 10th episode of the Seraphic Saturday Podcast is available now on Spotify, Apple, Google, and the Seraphic Fire Blog. This episode features Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley previewing their next Season S production, Eternal Fire. https://www.seraphicfire.org/seraphic-saturday-podcast-episode-10/

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