Greetings {name},

Thursday, November 25 is Thanksgiving Day, a time for people in the US to give thanks for what they have. It's an American tradition for families to gather for a celebratory meal centered around a roast turkey. Enjoy the long holiday weekend.

Friday, November 26 is known as Black Friday, a traditional time to take trips and visit with family, friends and neighbors, but in the past few decades, it's become a day of heavily discounted shopping and the beginning of holiday season sales events.

It's also American Indian Heritage Day, or Native American Heritage Day, celebrated with activities, programs, and ceremonies that promote the historical and present day status of Native Americans and the Native American tribal governments.

On Sunday, November 28, Christians observe the First Sunday of Advent with special prayers and contributing to ideas on enhancing peace, and the first day of the traditional advent calendar.

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

The enduring beauty of historic Venetian Pool

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

50 Year Celebration

Miami-Dade Public Libraries' Golden Anniversary

The Miami-Dade Public Library System is celebrating 50 years of providing library resources and services to the community. This yearlong celebration which began November 1 includes a variety of special exhibitions, events, activities, recommended reads and more that highlight the Library's history and evolution over the decades to serve the needs of Miami-Dade County residents. https://www.mdpls.org/50years

Now Through January 2

Experience NightGarden at Fairchild

NightGarden 2021 returns to Fairchild Garden until January 2. Walk through Miami’s most gorgeous Garden at night and find it brought to life with stunning illumination, spectacular special effects, and unbelievable surprises for the whole family. Suspend reality for a few hours and enjoy enchanted activities, such as talking to the wise tree, interacting with our light and sound experiences, and the FairyScope augmented reality app. Plus, dine with some of Miami’s most popular food trucks featuring first-rate food and drink options. https://www.thenightgarden.com

Now Through December  12

GabeStage - Arthur Miller's The Price

The legacy theatre program at GableStage begins their new season with a classic American drama -- Arthur Miller's The Price, a two-act play exploring family dynamics, the price of furniture, and the price of one's own decisions. After the Great Depression, Victor Franz gave up going to college to support his father. His brother did not. After 30 years, they return to sell their parents’ estate. GableStage is located at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Wednesdays at 2 and 7pm. Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm. Saturdays at 2 and 8pm. Sundays at 2pm. Call 305-445-1119. http://www.gablestage.org

Starts November 17 

Middletown at Miracle Theatre

Actors’ Playhouse, together with GFour Productions presents Middletown from November 17 to December 12, 2021 at the Miracle Theatre featuing a star-studded lineup of great talent. An exhilarating and universal depiction of love and friendship, Middletown follows the story of two couples who endure the roller coaster of life together, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Staged without a set or props, the stars read directly from scripts, as if reading from the book of their own lives -- and ours. Tickets start at $55 and may be purchased at the theatre or in advance online. Call 305-444-9293 x1. https://www.actorsplayhouse.org

Starts November 18

Critical Thinking

John Leguizamo directs and stars in an inspirational drama based on the true story of a Cuban American teacher and his national championship-winning chess team from Miami Jackson High School. Red Carpet Reception and Q&A on opening night, Thursday, 11/18 at 7:30pm. This film is presented in partnership with Miami Film Lab. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/critical-thinking/

Thursday, November 18 at 6pm

Shops Of Merrick Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

Attend one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies and holiday celebrations in South Florida as the Shops of Merrick Park light the 50-foot tree with a live performance by South Florida’s own Preston Howell, a contestant on NBC’s The Voice. Attendees will also enjoy a variety of interactive activities, entertainment, and retailer pop-up stations. A highly anticipated appearance by Santa Claus will kick-off the festive season. Details online.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday at noon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

National Theatre Live returns to the Gables Cinema. Ingenious set design and a captivating point of view propelled this production to win a whopping seven Olivier Awards. Friday screenings in this program feature English subtitles as part of the accessibility initiative. Details online.

Friday, November 19 at 6:30pm

Barkyard Theatre - The Nightmare Before Christmas

Enjoy a night out with your well-behaved pups at The Barnacle Historic State Park to enjoy Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Gates open at 6:30pm for pre-movie activities including a Halloween costume contest for prizes, before the movie starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 for children under 10, and each person may bring a maximum of two dogs with them. https://thebarnacle.org/events/

Saturday, November 20 from 10:30am to 12:30pm

Family Cooking Class: Thanksgiving Dinner Prep 

Kids - enjoy a fun practice run making delicious holiday recipes at Fairchild Garden. Under the guidance of Short Chef, children and guardians will learn how to make professional-quality Thanksgiving recipes that you can recreate at home. All supplies will be provided. Get details online.

Saturday, November 20 from 5 to 8pm

After Market @ THesis

As the sun sets in Coral Gables, gather to enjoy signature cocktails from Mamey at the THesis Hotel with live music while you peruse some of the best artisans in Miami. This family and pet friendly event featuring shopping with your favorite local vendors is free and open to the community at 1350 South Dixie Highway. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/after-market-thesis-tickets-196167852327

Saturday, November 20 at 9pm

The Thing - After Hours

A team of scientists confront a blood-thirsty, shape-shifting alien in the deepest reaches of Antarctica. Based on John Campbell’s chilling novella Who Goes There?, John Carpenter’s The Thing is a sci-fi horror cult classic whose claustrophobic and paranoid atmosphere terrifies to this day. While it features a who’s who cast of macho men led by Kurt Russell, the true star is the bloody disgusting special effects by Rob Bottin, who spent 10% of the film’s $15 million creating wildly inventive and sickening creatures. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-thing/

Monday, November 22 from 6 to 10pm

Maia's Wine Pairing Dinner Sponsored by Gerard Bertrand

Taste of Maia is a unique monthly dinner series. Chef Hillary Fernandez features a four-course menu -- every dish paired with a variety of wines. Tickets are $115. Maia Restaurant is located at 2524 South Le Jeune Road. Get details online.

Tuesday, November 23 at 7:30pm

Guys and Dolls

Screen legends Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando croon and dance their way into the hearts of Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine - and audiences - in this rousing 1950s musical. Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra), the fixer of New York's longest established floating crap game, is feeling the heat on all sides. The cops are bearing down on him, his clientele have full wallets and itchy dice fingers, and his fiancée is demanding a wedding that's been 14 years in the making. Desperate for cash to arrange his next game, Nathan makes a sucker bet with travelling high-roller Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando): woo the leader of the local save-a-soul mission, or lose $1000. Both gambler and fixer get more than they bargained for when love and the law start to close in on their games and the stakes start to rise heavenward. Guys and Dolls is a grand old time at the movies featuring two of the hunkiest leading men to grace the silver screen. Free for members and $10 for everyone else. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/guys-and-dolls/

Starts Wednesday, November 24

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog

In 1920s Montana, charismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. Jane Campion, the second woman to ever receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, returns to the silver screen after twelve years with this fascinating exploration of masculinity set against a Western backdrop. As Campion toys with cinematic myths and the male gaze, she is aided by four stellar performances, stunning widescreen cinematography by Ari Wenger, and a haunting score by Johnny Greenwood. Winner, Silver Lion for Best Direction at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and Official Selection of the Toronto, New York, Telluride, and San Sebastián Film Festivals. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-power-of-the-dog/

Saturday, November 27 at 6pm

Home In Florida: A Virtual Panel

Books & Books and Miami Book Fair present a virtual gathering for Home in Florida: Latinx Writers and the Literature of Uprootedness -- a conversation with Chantel Acevedo, Jaquira Díaz, Caridad Moro, and Carlos Pintado. Get details online.

December 3 at 6:30pm

Cosford Cinema Returns - The Hand Of God

The Hand of God is an autobiographical drama about a teenage boy growing up in Naples, Italy in the tumultuous 1980s, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino. The movie is Italy’s official entry for the 2022 Academy Awards. The screening marks the reopening of the Bill Cosford Cinema, hosted by Rene Rodriguez.

http://cosfordcinema.com/event/the-hand-of-god/

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