Greetings {name},

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

Heron on Coral Gables Waterway

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. Order tickets online.

Deadline March 18

Junior Orange Bowl Creative Writing Contest

Calling all eighth graders -- students in eighth grade are invited to submit an original prose essay of up to 500 words during the Junior Orange Bowl's 34th Annual Creative Writing Contest for a chance to win cash prizes. Teachers of the winning students will also receive a prize. Schools with more than five submissions will be entered into a raffle. This year's theme is "How Can Art and Music Change Our Lives?" Essays will be judged on criteria that includes attention to theme, originality and depth of meaning. The top 10 finalists and teachers will be invited to attend an awards ceremony. Get details online.

New Venue On Restaurant Row

Cebada Rooftop Restaurant And Bar Opens

Check out this new venue serving delectable dishes and spirit-forward, classic Cuban cocktails atop a one story building on beautiful Giralda Avenue — Restaurant Row. Oysters and Spanish cheeses start the menu, with farm fresh delights, seafood and ranch specialties, pastas and large plates to share. The highlight of the drinks menu is a playful take on cocktails and a full spirits list, plus a fine selection of craft beers and draft wines by the glass. The 5 to 7pm Happy Hour menu offers draft cocktails and frozen cocktails for $10, canned beer specials for $5 and wines by the glass for $8. Cibada is located at 124 Giralda Avenue. Call 786-409-2287. https://www.cebadarooftop.com

Saturday and Sunday at 2pm

Alice The Musical

Take a wild, thrilling ride into a world of imagination and wonder in Paul Boyd’s musical version of the classic Lewis Carroll books. Curious Alice, the heroine of our story, tumbles down a magic rabbit hole and into an enchanted world full of whimsical and wacky characters including the always late White Rabbit, the absent-minded Mad Hatter, the mysterious Cheshire Cat, the hilarious duo of Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and of course the menacing Queen of Hearts. Follow Alice through this mysterious land as she tries to make her way back home. https://www.actorsplayhouse.org/

Friday, January 21 from 11am to 3pm

Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck at UM

Enjoy a special treat as the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck presents delectable seafood delights, parked under the Metrorail across from University of Miami Friday from 11am to 3pm at 5225 Ponce. The classic Maine Lobster Roll is served with a touch of mayo on a New England roll. Or, choose the Connecticut with warm butter and lemon. The North Atlantic Crab, the Lobster Grilled Cheese and the Lobster Tacos are also wonderful. Try the Cape Cod Chips and the Maine Root Soda. https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/locations/miami/

Friday, January 21 at 7pm

The Avengers - Movies Under Moonlight

Bring the family to the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center for another event in the "Movies Under the Gables Moonlight" series with The Avengers. When Thor's evil brother Loki gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a superhero recruitment effort to defeat the unprecedented threat to Earth. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/movies-under-the-gables-moonlight/

Friday, January 21 at 7pm

Starlight Movie Classics - Gigi

Enjoy a classic movie under the stars at The Barnacle -- Gigi, the timeless 1958 romantic musical. Gaston (Louis Jourdan) is a restless Parisian playboy who moves from one mistress to another, while also spending time with Gigi (Leslie Caron), a precocious younger friend learning the ways of high society. The platonic relationship between Gaston and Gigi changes when she matures, but the possibility of something lasting seems unlikely. Gigi refuses to be anyone's mistress, however, and Gaston must choose between her and his carefree lifestyle. https://thebarnacle.org

Saturdays from 8am to 2pm

Farmers' Market At City Hall

Enjoy Coral Gables' iconic farmers market from 8am to 2pm every Saturday through March 26 featuring fresh fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers and plants, free tai chi classes, gardening workshops, cooking demos, and activities for children. https://www.coralgables.com/farmers-market-at-merrick-park

Saturday, January 22 at 9am

Native Plants Seminar at Farmers Market

Stacey Matrazzo, Executive Director, Florida Wildflower Foundation, will be sharing ideas about how to use native plants in our gardens in a special free seminar at the Coral Gables Farmers Market at 9am. Find seed mixes, get how-to instructions for a small wildflower meadow and find out about webinars and events on the Florida Wildflower Foundation web site. Under the support tab, you can buy the State wildflower license plate for $15 which supports good works like those wildflower meadows along highways. Kelly's Tropical Nursery will also be there selling native plants — along with great breads, pastries, BBQ, veggies and seafood at the market. Email Parks & Recreation.

Saturday, January 22 at 12:30pm

Art Class For Kids at the Museum

Bring the kids to the Coral Gables Museum for art classes on Saturday. The arts impact young lives in many different ways. Creative endeavors can improve education through student performance, such as attendance, academic achievement, and graduation rate. Art also plays an increasing role in health and well-being. And... art is just plain fun. $30 per class, or $25 for museum members. Call 305-603-8067. https://coralgablesmuseum.org/portfolio-item/art-for-kids/

Saturday, January 22 at 11am

Butterfly Gardening With The Miami Seed Share

Learn all about inviting butterflies into our habitat with pollinator friendly and host plants at this Fairchild Garden seminar. Understand the butterfly lifecycle from egg to adult, take home seeds, and propagate plants during the event to satisfy all the butterflies needs. Welcome your favorite butterfly species and all their friends to your home. Members $25; Non-members $35. Get details online.

Saturday, January 22 at 9pm

All About My Mother - Pedro Almódovar

Manuela (Cecilia Roth) works in a Madrid hospital. One night she takes her teenaged son Esteban to see a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire, with tragic results. Grief-stricken, she travels to Barcelona to look for Esteban’s father, now a transsexual prostitute named Lola (Toni Canto). She runs into another transsexual friend, Agrado (Antonia San Juan), and a pregnant young nun named Sister Rosa (Penélope Cruz). Each woman will provide comfort to one another in this deeply felt portrait of sisterhood and compassion. The film won several major international awards, including an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/all-about-my-mother/

Sunday, January 23 at 2pm

John Mangonon, Masters Tuba Recital - Livestream

Enjoy a livestream video presentation of the Masters Tuba Recital of John Mangonon from the Weeks Center's Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall. John often performs with the Frost Wind Ensemble and is a graduate teaching assistant for the Frost Band Of The Hour and a Henry Mancini Institute Fellow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X7LLmyzJMc

Monday, January 24 at 7pm

Tim Dorsey - Mermaid Confidential

Books & Books is excited to partner with William Morrow for this special, free conversation with Tim Dorsey. Tickets can be bundled with purchase of the book or free. Serge A. Storms gives condo living a try in this latest acid-splashed Florida crime caper from the humorist Tim Dorsey. Get details online.

Tuesday, January 25 at 9am

City Commission Meeting

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

Tuesday, January 25 from 1 to 2pm

The Art of Mindfulness At Lowe

Recharge, refresh, and cultivate greater present moment awareness with our two guided mindfulness practices. Mindful Looking, offered three times a month, invites participants to focus attention in different ways on a work of art from the Lowe’s collection. Mindful Sitting, offered the first Tuesday of the month features a traditional guided mindfulness sitting practice. https://events.miami.edu/event/the_art_of_mindfulness_9307

Tuesday, January 25 at 7:30pm

Bad Education - Pedro Almódovar 

Enrique (Fele Martínez) is a young, talented film director. Actor Ignacio (Gael García Bernal) turns up in his office to look for work and identifies himself as a childhood friend. He hands Enrique a story he has written and asks him to consider turning it into a film -- and casting him in the leading role. The story is based on their childhood in a Catholic boarding school, where they fell in love but were pulled apart by Father Manolo (Daniel Giménez Cacho), who had other designs on Ignacio. Facts, fiction, fantasy, and identity keep shifting as the picture unfolds between past and present. Bad Education is a film noir -- a melodrama hybrid layered with unexpected twists.

https://www.gablescinema.com/events/bad-education/

Thursday, January 27 at 7

Thrity Umrigar - Honor: A Novel

In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time. Get details online for this virtual zoom event.

Friday, January 28

Barkyard Theatre - Shrek

Bring your well-behaved pups to watch the coolest ogre in the land: Shrek! Join Equipaws Pet Services at The Barnacle Historic State Park for Barkyard Theatre. Enjoy tasty goodies from Formaggie Vino, Dulce Dough Cookie Co., and Bullie Bites Dog Treats. Then, snuggle up with your furkids to watch Shrek on the big outdoor screen. The park opens at 6:30 and the movie starts at 7:30pm. https://thebarnacle.org

Sunday, February 6 at 2pm

MPNOD - National Park Service Museum and Archive

Enjoy an interactive program by Bonnie Ciolino, archivist for the South Florida Collections Management Center in Everglades National Park with "Opening the Closed Doors: National Park Service Museum and Archival Collections in South Florida." Presented by the Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade historical society.  https://www.mpnod.org/events/mpnod-national-park-service-museum-and-archive/

February 9 to March 6

On Your Feet Musical Debuts February 9

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents 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

Saturday, February 12 from 1 to 5pm

Commodore Trail Secret Garden Bike Tour

Spend an afternoon with friends and family enjoying this self-guided tour that gives you access to explore six of the most beautiful gardens in Coconut Grove. You can take the tour on bikes, scooters, or by car (but limited driving tickets are available due to limited street parking). End the day on a high-note at an intimate Garden After Party. Just 40 tickets offered for this special finale, raising funds for Friends Of The Commodore Trail. Get details online.

Saturday, February 12 at 6:30pm

Daddy and Daughter Dance

Put on your dancing shoes as you head to the 24th annual Daddy Daughter Dance at the University of Miami Alumni Center. This event is open to all ages and includes dinner, dancing, photos, special activities, and lots of fun. The event takes place at 6200 San Amaro Drive. Advance registration required. For more information, contact 305-460-5600. https://www.coralgables.com/special-events

February 19-21

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is three-day outdoor art festival with a focus on world-class art, with culinary displays, live performances, and family areas. Held every Presidents’ Day Weekend, the Arts Festival is one of the nation’s premier arts festivals with more than 360 internationally-recognized and jury-selected artists. On-site general admission tickets are $25 on-site and $20 online per person per day. Discount tickets and packages are available in advance online. https://cgaf.com

Starts February 25

The White Card at GableStage

The Florida premiere of Award-winning poet/playwright Claudia Rankine's first published play, The White Card comes to GableStage, posing the essential question: Can American society progress if whiteness remains invisible? https://www.gablestage.org/production/

The Season Is Here

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 the natural wildlife up close and appreciate the serene nature of this pristine environment. https://www.evergladesswamptours.com

Safe Service

Two Computer Guys Help

Since 1998, the team at Two Computer Guys has been available for reliable, efficient and friendly service -- from soccer moms and students to small business. They solve problems and get your computer up and running at top speed quickly with personal service. Just call when you need a little help. 305-444-1984. https://www.twocomputerguys.com

Behold Light Transformed

The Hunter Douglas Gallery at Biscayne Décor

Offering a complete shopping experience, with premium displays and a full line of window treatment products and services to enhance and elevate your home. The Hunter Douglas Gallery at Biscayne Décor delivers the utmost in both sophistication and quality. These shades are designed and custom-assembled in the USA, built to your specifications and guaranteed to last. Explore different materials, styles, operating systems, fabrics and colors and choose your perfect window-treatment solution. Behold light transformed. Biscayne Décor is located at 1404 Ponce. Call 305-569-0505. https://www.biscaynedecor.com/

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