Greetings {name},

Monday, October 10 is Columbus Day, with special church services, parades and large gatherings and celebrations in the Italian-American community. It's also celebrated as Native American Day, an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the traditions, culture, and background of Native Americans.

Monday, October 31 is Halloween, a time for kids to dress up, go trick-or-treat and attend special events, after a weekend of theme parties.

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

historic Coral Gables Merrick House on Coral Way

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

This Weekend
October 7, 8, 9

Redland Orchid Festival at Fruit & Spice Park

Since 1997, the Redland International Orchid Festival has presented a plethora of local and international orchid growers, along with educational programs, during this three day event at the Fruit & Spice Park, a unique botanical treasure. Meet the growers from near and far. Attend lectures to learn how to grow your orchids or control insects. Purchase your favorite flowers to take home and enjoy for years to come. Tickets are available online, or pay at the entrance. https://redlandorchidfestival.com

October Special
12th Anniversary Special

Pay What You Can at Gables Cinema

Coral Gables Art Cinema will expand its mission-based offering of a “pay what you can” ticket price to include first-run feature films during the month of October, coinciding with the cinema’s 12th anniversary of serving the community. This initiative builds on the organization’s mission to inspire, engage, and enhance its community by making its offerings accessible to everyone regardless of income. Coral Gables Art Cinema is located at 260 Aragon. Call 786-385-9689. http://www.gablescinema.org

Save The Date
Starts October 29

Heisenberg by Simon Stephens

GableStage and Roz & Charles Stuzin present Heisenberg by Simon Stephens. Amidst the bustle of a crowded London train station, Georgie spots Alex, a much older man, and plants a kiss on his neck. This electric encounter thrusts these two strangers into a fascinating and life-changing game. Get details and purchase tickets online. $5 off with code: NOW5. https://bit.ly/3r9oCtl

Now Playing through Oct 13

See How They Run

In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril. Get details online.

October 6-12

Expect King Tide Flooding

A King Tide is a higher-than-normal tide that typically lasts about three hours. King Tides occur annually and predictably; in September through November in Miami, causing occasional sunny day floods in low-lying coastal areas. For details on flood-prone areas, see the NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer and Miami-Dade County Flood Map. 

First Friday

Coral Gables Gallery Night

Make plans to meet up with family and friends to enjoy the first Friday Gallery Night in Coral Gables. Among the best presentations, you'll find ArtSpace Virginia Miller Galleries at 169 Madeira Avenue; Cernuda Arte at 3155 Ponce de Leon Blvd; the Consulado de Colombia at 280 Aragon Avenue; Coral Gables Museum at 285 Aragon Avenue; Gally Art Collective at 2522 Ponce de Leon Blvd; H. Benitez Fine Art Gallery at 233 Aragon Avenue; Imago Art in Action at 150 Madeira Avenue; Jorge Cavelier at 130 Miracle Mile, Suite 230; and The Americas Collection at 4213 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Get details online.

Friday, October 7 at 6pm

Gallery Night at the Museum

Each first Friday of the month, the Coral Gables Museum opens its doors to the public for free from 6 to 10pm as part of Coral Gables Gallery Night. Enjoy live music, museum exhibitions and a cocktail bar -- before heading out to eat in the area for your Friday night plans. https://coralgablesmuseum.org/gallerynights/

Friday, October 7 at 6:30pm

Familia Kitchen Cookbook Launch Party

Enjoy a night of food and family at Book & Books as Familia Kitchen gathers, preserves and celebrates families' favorite recipes, with how to tips, and cooking techniques brought by Latinos to the U.S. from 20 Latin American and Caribbean Spanish-speaking homelands. Taste the dishes, meet the book’s homecooks and hear heart-warming food stories from The Dominical Republic, Cuba, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, in addition to Mexico, Puerto Rico. Meet Familia Kitchen Co-Founders Kim Caviness and Lisa Hunt Stevens and have your copy of the Familia Kitchen Cookbook signed. Get details and RSVP online.

Starts Friday, October 7th at 7pm

Italian Screens - Cinema Italy Preview Weekend

In collaboration with Cinecittà, Cinema Italy presents a series of five films that participated in the David di Donatello Awards (the Italian equivalent to the Academy Awards). This series opens with the film L’Arminuta and continues with the films Lovely Boy and Una Relazione, concluding with the films La Terra dei Figli and Welcome Venice. The full festival, which will take place in 2023, will be announced on the Cinema Italy website. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/italian-screens-2022/

Friday, October 7 at 7:30pm

Frost Vocal Ensemble - Choralcopia

Enjoy an evening of vocal ensemble music with Frost Choral Studies choirs, Jazz Vocal I, Frost Opera Theater, and other groups for a night of music from the Renaissance through the Modern period at Gusman Concert Hall. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Friday, October 7 at 8pm

Miami Book Fair Preview Night

For eight days in November, Miami Book Fair transforms downtown into a literary wonderland, hosting hundreds of critically acclaimed authors in three languages; talking politics, pop culture, and all manner of impactful prose. Get smart, buy books, meet authors, and bring the kids too. Attend the annual preview event at Books & Books. Enjoy a glass of wine and a bite with Miami Book Fair, sharing information about some of the authors you can expect to see, the books you should watch out for and what they are excited to see at this year’s Fair. Get details and RSVP online.

Saturday, October 8 from 10am to 5pm

First Annual Bacon and BBQ at Fairchild Gardens

Enjoy savory tastings, sip flights of bourbon and take in some live music as Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens presents the First Annual Bacon and BBQ family event featuring Live Band & DJ,  Bourbon Tastings, Beer Tastings, Bacon and BBQ Tastings, Lawn Games and lots of special activities for the kids. Those who dare can join the eating contest. Get details and purchase tickets online. https://fairchildgarden.org/events/bacon-bbq-classic/

Saturday and Sunday at 11am

The Last Unicorn

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of this cult favorite, a magical adventure with an all-star cast, including Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Lee, Alan Arkin, Tammy Grimes, Angela Lansbury, René Auberjonois and Robert Klein, and unforgettable songs from the rock band, America. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-last-unicorn/

Saturday, October 8 from 2 to 5pm

Museum Family Day On Aragon

The Coral Gables Museums presents Family Day On Aragon -- their monthly opportunity for engaging fun family activities, with arts and crafts, live performances, and more. Get details online.

Saturday/Sunday, October 8-9

Electrify Expo Electric Vehicle Showcase

At Regatta Park on the waterfront in Coconut Grove, Electrify Expo will take over nearly 1 million square feet of festival space to show off the world's leading brands of electric cars, e-motorcycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, e-surfboards, e-foils and more. Get behind the wheel, on the seat, or on the water of nearly everything that is electric. Plus, there is a fun kids zone for Miami's youth to experience the latest electric toys. Tickets are just $20 and kids under 5 are free. https://www.electrifyexpo.com/miami

Saturday, October 8 at 1:30pm

Florida Grand Opera Competition Finals

The 31st National Voice Competition Finals by the Florida Grand Opera will be presented at the Congregational Church. An invitation to a reception following the competition, hosted by Young Patronesses of the Opera, is included with your ticket. Gets details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, October 8 at 2pm

Miami Pioneer Gaston Drake

The Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade historical society invites one and all to attend a monthly meeting on Saturday, October 8 at the Pinecrest Branch Library at 2pm to hear guest speaker Daniel Patrick O’Connell give a presentation on an influential pioneer of South Florida — Gaston Drake. His Drake Produce company shipped fresh fruits and vegetables north. He raised money from his Princeton classmates and created Drake Lumber, based in Princeton —- the town in South Dade he named after his alma mater. Drake Lumber was a major supplier of timber for Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Extension to Key West and John Collins’ wooden bridge that connected Miami Beach with Miami. Daniel Patrick O’Connell is President of the Princeton Club of South Florida. The event takes place at the Pinecrest Library and also online via Zoom. Please RSVP online. Get details online. https://www.mpnod.org/events/mpnod-gaston-drake/

Saturday, October 8 at 10pm

Night of the Living Dead

Cinematic zombies began as mindless shamblers who lost control of their agency, sparked by fears of "Black Magic" left over from the Haitian Revolution. Older films like White Zombie (1932) and King of the Zombies (1941) followed this model -- and then came George R. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968). Romero's "ghouls," as he called them, are not the zombies of old -- they move slowly, but they use weapons, congregate in swarms, and eat human flesh. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/night-of-the-living-dead/

Sunday, October 9 at 8am

Birdwatching 101 in the Garden

Learn the basics of birdwatching in South Florida at Fairchild Garden. This class will first meet indoors to discuss technical details of birdwatching, from bird identification to bird migration. The group will then take a stroll around the garden and practice using birdwatching equipment and lay eyes on some birds. Bring a camera, binoculars, and field guides. https://fairchildgarden.org/eventon/birdwatching-101/

Monday Through Thursday

Jean-Luc Godard: A Tribute

Coral Gables Art Cinema presents seven films in honor of the late French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard including, Band of Outsiders, Breathless, Pierrot le Fou, Vivre Sa Vie, Masculin Féminin, Tout Va Bien, and Weekend. A series pass is available. https://www.gablescinema.com/programs/in-memoriam/

Monday, October 10 at 8pm

Gary Campbell and Mike Gerber Duo - Jazz Mondays

Every Monday, the Miami Jazz Coop presents great musicians representing a wide range of jazz with cabaret style seating to ensure an intimate jazz experience at the UU Congregation of Miami, 7701 SW 76 Avenue (Ira Sullivan Way). Enjoy the Gary Campbell and Mike Gerber Duo starting at 8pm. Get details and tickets online.

Tuesday, October 11 at 9am

City Commission Meeting

The City of Coral Gables will be holding its Regular Meeting at City Hall Commission Chambers at 9am. View the agenda online. Members of the public may participate in person but are also able to participate online via Zoom.

Tuesday, October 11 at 7pm

Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger

The monthly Coral Gables Woman's Club Gringo Bingo benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The price is $30 and includes 12 bingo game cards and one coverall for grand prize. Please RSVP to Gloria via email at Gloria@cnews.net. Clutch Burger is located at 146 Giralda Ave. Call 305-400-8242. https://www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/events

Wednesday, October 12 at 7pm

Candlelight Concerts: A Tribute to Coldplay

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience at the Congregational Church. This solo pianist tribute to the band Cold Play features Clocks; Don't Panic; Speed of Sound; Trouble; Fix You; Paradise; In My Place; Adventure of a Lifetime; Hymn for the Weekend; Yellow; The Scientist; Sky Full of Stars and more. Get details and purchase $60 tickets online.

Thursday, October 13 at 6pm

An Evening With Dade Heritage Trust

Join architects, planners, historians, photographers and governmental officials for complimentary bubbly, Books & Books delicious goodies, and a townhall discussion about architecture, historic preservation and the evolution of Miami. Raise a glass and toast Miami and the survival of these two great institutions. Get details and RSVP online.

Friday, October 14 at 8pm

In The Mouth Of Madness

Inspired by the work of H.P. Lovecraft, John Carpenter’s In The Mouth Of Madness stars Sam Neill as insurance investigator John Trent, who visits a small New England town while looking into the disappearance of a successful author of horror novels, whose stories have the power to drive readers mad. Soon, Trent begins questioning his sanity as the lines between reality and fiction blur. Cosford Cinema is located on the second floor of the Memorial Classroom building on UM campus. Call 305-284-4861. http://www.cosfordcinema.com

Starting Saturday, October 15

Fresh Stone Crabs at MKT Kitchen

Holy Crab Delivery is thrilled to return for its third season with the freshest stone crabs Miami has to offer. In conjunction with the start of the stone crab season, Holy Crab will offer takeout and dine-in at its headquarters in MKT Kitchen, located at 1831 Ponce. On the menu are medium, large, jumbo, and colossal stone crabs claws caught daily from the Florida Keys to be dipped in their homemade mustard sauce. By popular demand, Holy Crab is excited to announce the expansion of their surf and turf options to include Alaskan King Crab, Snow Crab and American Wagyu steak and patties. Get details online. https://holycrabdelivery.com

Saturday and Sunday, Oct 15-16

Fairchild Orchids in October

Enjoy Orchids in October at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Saturday and Sunday. You'll find something for everyone, with exotic and tropical orchids for purchase along with lectures by noted orchid experts and scientists, plus food vendors as well as the artisan and plant essentials companies. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, October 15 from 2 to 6pm

Pumpkin Day at Ponce Circle Park

Celebrate fall in the City Beautiful when hundreds of pumpkins in all sizes take over Ponce Circle Park at 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Enjoy live music, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a mini harvest market, food and beverages for purchase, and picture-perfect fall portrait areas. For details, contact parks@coralgables.com

Friday, October 21 at 7:30pm

The Road to Rio, A Gala from Ipanema

The Coral Gables Community Foundation event chairs Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Lauren Harrison Brown present The Road to Rio, A Gala from Ipanema -- a celebration of all things Brazilian and Carnaval at the Biltmore Hotel. Patrons of The Road to Rio will enjoy a dazzling gastronomic experience, live music and special performances, as well as have the opportunity to bid on silent and live auctions featuring travel experiences and luxury goods and services, with all proceeds benefitting the important mission of the Foundation. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, October 29 at 7pm

Halloween Haunted Mansion Party

Get spooked for charity at the Coral Gables Woman's Club annual Halloween fundraiser with open bar, food, costumes, and music by international celebrity DJ Germain. Get details and purchase $100 tickets online.

Sunday, October 30 from 1 to 5pm

Chili Chillin' Cook-Off

Rotary Club of Coral Gables presents the Fifth Annual Chili Cook-off at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, with more chili contestants than ever, plus refreshing craft beers from Bay 13 Brewery, and great live music by Funk Pedal. Admission is free. https://chilichillin.com/

Sunday, Nov 13 - Miami Rum Festival

Rum Renaissance Tasting Event

Save the dates for the upcoming Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in Coral Gables on the weekend of November 12-13, 2022. Saturday begins with a series of seminars -- Cane To Glass -- featuring a complete review of the production process from cane culture and fermentation to distillation, wood management and blending. Sunday is the grand tasting event with more than 150 rums from around the world, plus a collection of vintage, limited edition and rare rums to taste. Get tickets online in advance before they sell out. https://www.rumrenaissance.com

Saturday, November 12 from 4 to 7pm

Bluegrass and BBQ at Anderson's Corner

Dade Heritage Trust celebrates 50 years of preservation at the historic Anderson’s Corner -- perhaps the oldest building still standing from the pioneer era of the Redland countryside. Check in on the new restoration with a fun afternoon in South Dade. Enjoy great BlueGrass Music from the Rambling String Band and tasty BBQ from Smoke and Spice. RSVP and get $75 tickets online. https://dadeheritagetrust.org/event/andersons-corner-bluegrass-and-bbq-to-benefit-dht/