Greetings {name},

Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving, is known as Black Friday, a public holiday in more than 20 states, and traditionally the day when Christmas shopping retail sales begin with steep discounts.

Saturday, November 26 is Small Business Saturday, a time to consider supporting small neighborhood businesses when planning holiday shopping. 

Monday, November 28 is known as Cyber Monday, a newfound tradition that anticipates many Americans using online purchasing sites to order holiday presents on sale.

Monday, December 5 is National Repeal Day, a celebration of the end of prohibition in 1933 and the repeal of the 18th Amendment, which banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Cheers to that!

Wednesday, December 7 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii, during World War II -- a day to honor the service members who lost their lives and those that worked gallantly to save so many others.

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 impressive edifice of Coral Gables Elementary School presents a stoic and eudaimonic element along Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Now Playing

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents the Ultimate Holiday Party with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. Sun Records, now festively decorated with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe, rings with sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made the "Million Dollar Quartet" famous. Jam-packed with unforgettable performances of classic holiday hits and favorite chart-toppers such as "Jingle Bell Rock," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Don't Be Cruel," "Blue Christmas," "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town," "Ring of Fire," "Santa Baby," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Run Run Rudolph" and more. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Daily through December 18

Soccer Watch Party at The Bierhaus

Met up with friends at Fritz And Franz Bierhaus to catch the excitement of the 22nd running of the FIFA World Cup competition, the quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the senior national teams of the member associations of FIFA, live from Qatar from November 20 to December 18. The Bierhaus Plaza will be alive with soccer fans and international visitors, featuring a delightful menu and plenty of great beer and other refreshments. Make plans now for these special events. Call 305-774-1883. https://bierhaus.cc

Available Through November 30

3 Concert FirePasses

Seraphic Fire Fans -- build your custom three Concert FirePass Subscription package and include A Seraphic Fire Christmas at our regular three concert price, saving $25 per Christmas ticket. Choose from any of the five remaining concert programs to round out your subscription package. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday at noon

National Theatre Live -- The Seagull

A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-seagull-ntl/

Starts Friday, November 25

Memories of My Father

This is Fernando Trueba’s thirteenth film in the director’s chair. Acclaimed by critics as "tenderly funny," "a beautiful story," and "genuinely moving," Memories of My Father is a sympathetic and deeply felt portrait of a Colombian family during an era of great upheaval starring multi-award winning actor, Javier Cámara, Whit Stillman, Patricia Tamayo and Juan Pablo Urrego.

https://www.gablescinema.com/events/memories-of-my-father/

Saturday, November 26 at 11am

Architectural Walking Tour

Enjoy a 90-minute walking tour highlighting Coral Gables’ most notable historic buildings, starting at 225 Miracle Mile. The tour will be led by docent Sarah Nesbitt Artecona, a past chair of the chamber and fourth generation Gableite. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, November 26 at 7pm

Audubon Members Gratitude Concert

Folk Artist DeBlois Milledge performs at a special event for Tropical Audubon members and friends at the 2.2-acre Steinberg Nature Center campus on Sunset Drive. The Coral Gables native and Tropical Audubon Society board member is critically acclaimed for her repertoire of Folk-inspired originals infused with her authentic "soul meets song" storytelling that also reflects her conservation ethos. Attendees can order Toasted Sandwiches (Healthy Gourmet) Food Truck Fare on site, or pack a picnic with Thanksgiving leftovers. Wash it all down with wine and brew at the RNDC Donation Bird Bar. Get details, RSVP and join TAS online. https://support.tropicalaudubon.org/a/members-gratitude-concert-2022

Saturday, November 26 at 9pm

The Nice Guys

Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Ryan Gosling stars as a down-on-his-luck private eye, Holland March, and Russell Crowe as hired leg-breaker Jackson Healy, who must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star. During their investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that reaches up to the highest circles of power. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/the-nice-guys/

Monday, November 28 at 8pm

Jazz Mondays - Guitar Summit IV

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 twelve great guitarists -- Alvaro Bermudez; Lindsey Blair; Greg Diamond; Randall Dollahon; John Hart; Tim Jago; Aaron Lebos; Tom Lippincott; Ramatis Moraes; Richard Padron; Russ Spiegel; and Fernando Ulibarri starting at 8pm. Get details and tickets online.

Weekend of December 2-4

Parish Fair

The annual Parish Fair at Church Of The Little Flower and Saint Teresa School is a three-day event open to the community at large. This annual tradition brings together families for a weekend full of family thrill and fun for everyone at the St. Theresa Catholic School grounds with fun games, exciting rides, and delicious food in a great family friendly atmosphere. Dunk a teacher or a priest. The address is 2701 Indian Mound Trail. Get details online. https://parishfair.org

Friday, December 2 from 6 to 10pm

Holiday Tree Lighting at City Hall

Bring the family to City Hall's Merrick Park for the annual tree lighting event and the opening of Holiday Park. Santa arrives on a firetruck and lights the tree at 7pm. Coral Gables residents have access to VIP family tickets with early access, additional amenities, and seating for a family of four for $30. General admission is free of charge. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Sunday, December 4 at 7pm

Holiday Concert - FIU School of Music

The German Consulate General, together with the Societá Dante Alighieri, cordially invite you and a guest for a Holiday Concert in the Loggia of the Coral Gables Museum, with wine and sweet holiday delights to enjoy a wonderful performance by a Holiday Ensemble from the FIU School of Music lead by Professor of Voice and Soprano Dr. Vindhya Khare. You must RSVP via email to: pr-100@miam.diplo.de

Tuesday, December 6 at 9pm

CGWC Gringo Bingo

Enjoy night of bingo, music and fun for a cause at Clutch Burger. CGWC will share proceeds with Alzheimer's Association. Price: $30 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

Friday, December 9 at 7:30pm

A Seraphic Fire Christmas

Within a serene candle-lit setting, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season will quiet and the a capella voices of Seraphic Fire will fill the room with musical peace and joy. Audiences will be captivated by familiar favorites such as the hauntingly simple Jesus Christ the Apple Tree and the enchanting Silent Night. This intimate musical experience features 19 carols and songs that span from 16th-century works to African American spirituals to In Dulci Jubilo, one of the oldest and most famous "macaronic" songs, a mixture of Latin and German. Associate Conductor James K. Bass and the ensemble are pleased to present seasonal carols and heart-warming music in the 20th season of A Seraphic Fire Christmas at Saint Philip's Church, 1121 Andalusia Ave. Get details and purchase advance tickets online. https://seraphicfire.org/tickets/event/2022/12/18/a-seraphic-fire-christmas/395440

Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 4pm

Villagers’ Annual Holiday House Tour

Coral Gables’ Villages and Homes of the Roaring ‘20s will be center-stage during the Villagers’ Annual Holiday House Tour -- offering guests a peek inside a few of George Merrick’s iconic themed Villages as well as homes built in the Mediterranean Revival style. Members of The Villagers will be on-hand explaining each home’s distinctive history and features as well as the unique story of Gables’ thematic Villages. Curated vendors, hand-made Angels, and food trucks will also be available at homes along the route. These historic properties cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers, and homeowners request no high heels or photography. Participants drive their own vehicles between the properties and will receive tour directions with their ticket purchase. $50 tickets are available online. https://thevillagersinc.org/house-tour-3/

Saturday, December 10 at 7pm

Mayor's Black Tie Ball at Lowe's Hotel

A fantastical holiday event takes place at the new Loews Coral Gables Hotel at the Plaza -- Mayor Vince Lago's Black Tie Ball benefiting Coral Gables nonprofits and the League Against Cancer. The Loews Coral Gables Hotel is located at 2950 Coconut Grove Drive across from Ponce Circle Park.

December 11 and 13

GMSB Spectacular Holiday Concerts

The Greater Miami Symphonic Band presents a pair of spectacular Holiday concerts. On Sunday, December 11 at 4pm in Pinecrest Gardens, Robert Longfield conducts the Pinecrest Gardens Family Concert "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year." On Tuesday, December 13 at 8pm at UM Gusman Concert Hall, Robert Longfield and Guest Conductor Gary Green present Music of the Holidays and the Season "Tis the Season" featuring The Bells of St. Andrews. Get details and order tickets online. https://www.gmsb.org

Behold Light Transformed

The Hunter Douglas Gallery at Biscayne Décor

Offering a complete shopping experience, The Hunter Douglas Gallery at Biscayne Décor presents premium displays and a full line of window treatment products and services to enhance and elevate your home, delivering 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/

New Age Agriculture

South Tip Hemp Tours

Described as a hemp-based CBD company, the team at South Tip Hemp consists of farmers, entrepreneurs and canabis specialists, using the latest technology with tried and true methods to produce the finest quality hemp plants. A myriad of products are derived from the crop, from medicinal tinctures and balms, to pain relievers, gummies, relaxants and consumables. Visitors are welcome to stop by the shop to learn more about South Tip Hemp’s unique products, take a tour of the facility and discover state-of-the-art farming and processing techniques. https://southtip.com/shop