Greetings {name},

Wednesday, February 1 is National Freedom Day, a chance to reflect on and remember the importance of freedom as a basic tenet, a founding principle, a bedrock doctrine of our society.

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 -- including restaurant row in the 100 block of Giralda. 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

This Weekend

January 28-29

Coral Gables Festival of The Arts

On Alhambra, from Ponce to LeJeune, the city comes alive with a fantastic festival of the arts, including Fine Art, Craft, Kids Fest, Kids Talent Competition, Wearable Art/Fashion, And The Miami Beer, Wine and Spirits Fest Cocktails and Comedy. Get details and purchase tickets online.

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

The Gables Waterway passes through the Biltmore Golf Course.

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Now Playing through January 29

We Will Not Be Silent at GableStage

Risking everything to stand up for social justice, German college student Sophie Scholl courageously led a major act of civil disobedience against Hitler and his fascist regime. Scholl’s moral strength is tested while being interrogated for her crimes, leading her to question whether to save her own life or continue her righteous crusade. Based on true events, We Will Not Be Silent is a provocative and timely new work that examines the role of ordinary people in extraordinary times. https://www.gablestage.org/we-will-not-be-silent/

Thursday, January 26 12:30pm

Navy Week Lunch-Time Concert

The Navy Band Southeast will be in town with their Jazz Ensemble and Popular Music Group at the Coral Gables Museum Plaza for a lunchtime concert, courtesy of the Navy Band Southeast’s Jazz Ensemble. Bring your lunch and enjoy live music at 285 Aragon Avenue. Get details and RSVP online.

Starts Friday

Documentary - Turn Every Page

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Caro and legendary editor Robert Gottlieb, have worked and fought together for 50 years, forging one of publishing’s most iconic and productive partnerships. Caro’s The Power Broker, edited by Gottlieb continues to be a bestseller after 48 years. Now 87, Caro is working to complete the fifth and final volume of his masterwork, The Years of Lyndon Johnson; Gottlieb, 91, waits to edit it. The task of finishing their life’s work looms before them. Directed by Gottlieb’s daughter, Lizzie Gottlieb, Turn Every Page explores their remarkable creative collaboration, including the behind-the-scenes drama of the making of Caro’s The Power Broker and the LBJ series. With humor and insight, this unique double portrait reveals the work habits, peculiarities and professional joys of these two ferocious intellects. It arrives at the culmination of a journey that has consumed both their lives and impacted generations of politicians, activists, writers and readers, and furthered our understanding of power and democracy. https://www.gablescinema.com/events/turn-every-page/

Now On Exhibit Through April 9

Painting With Bronze - The Work of Freda Coffing Tschumy

This exhibition gathers a selection of abstract, experimental work in bronze and other materials by local artist Freda Coffing Tschumy -- who co-founded the program Art After Dark and taught Bronze Casting -- from the 1960s to today. With a broad education that includes painting, drawing, stone carving, and bronze casting, as well as art history, English, and religion, Tschumy has developed a strong teaching career alongside her studio practice. Get details online.

Now On Display

Museum Exhibit - The World Is A Handkerchief

The World is a Handkerchief is a traveling exhibition at the Coral Gables Museum through February 15. The project traces serendipitous encounters, moments of discovering personal connections in distant places or unexpected contexts. Handkerchiefs have accompanied people in celebrations and farewells in many cultures for centuries, offered bodily protection and coverage, and sustained expressions of political tenets and spiritual beliefs. In this project, handkerchiefs become vessels of memories and itinerant narratives; containers of emotions; translators of wounds, and signals of ideological resistance. Get details online.

Saturday at 8am

Farmers' Market at City Hall

Every Saturday through March 25, from 8am to 2pm, bring the family out to Merrick Park across from City Hall for the Coral Gables Farmers Market. Local vendors bring fresh Florida produce, prepared foods, baked goods, flowers and plants, plus activities for children. https://www.coralgables.com/events/farmers-market-merrick-park

Saturday, January 28 at 9am

Garden Talk - Connect to Protect Program

Daniela Champney, Program Manager of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Connect to Protect Network (CTPN), will discuss this important program, and how residents can participate. Learn how you can attract butterflies and other pollinators to your yard and also help an endangered ecosystem -- the Pine Rocklands -- and how many different Pine Rockland plants, from groundcovers to shrubs to trees, can be used in your yard.  https://fairchildgarden.org/CTPN

Saturdays at 2pm

Junie B. Jones, The Musical

It’s Junie B.’s first day of school, and suddenly a lot of things are changing for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore, but on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. In class, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting. Featuring a tremendously loveable character and fun-filled songs, Junie B. Jones will capture your hearts just as the books captivated an entire generation of students. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, January 28 at 2pm

Online - Composting 101 at Pinecrest Library

Join the University of Florida Master Gardeners as they teach the step-by-step process of turning leaves, branches, paper plates, and other recyclable materials into rich organic soil called compost. Presented in collaboration with the Pinecrest Branch Public Library and the Department of Solid Waste Management. Space is limited for this online event. Registration is required. The zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. Ages 12+. https://mdpls.org/event/7359367

Saturday, January 28 from 7 to 10pm

Tropical Audubon Conservation Concert

The Tropical Audubon Society presents the live music of Take Sixx to kick off the much-anticipated 13th annual Conservation Concert series. Their volunteerism has set the tempo for other local bands to follow in their footsteps on the storied Doc Thomas House Keystone Stage. Enjoy fresh bites from the Birrieria Tijuana Taco Food Truck, plus wines and brews at the RNDC Donation Bird Bar.  $10 donation requested; children 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit capital improvements to the Steinberg Nature Center grounds and historic buildings. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Sunday, January 29th at 11am

Morning Coffee with Tracy Kidder - Rough Sleepers

The powerful story of an inspiring doctor who made a difference, by helping to create a program to care for Boston’s homeless community, by Tracy Kidder, the Pulitzer Prize–winning, New York Times bestselling author of Mountains Beyond Mountains. Kidder explores how a small but dedicated group of people have changed countless lives by facing one of American society’s difficult problems instead of looking away. Get details and RSVP online.

Sunday, January 29 at noon

2001: A Space Odyssey

4K Restoration supervised by Christopher Nolan. Stanley Kubrick redefined the limits of filmmaking in his classic science fiction masterpiece, a contemplation on the nature of humanity, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Stone Age Earth: In the presence of a mysterious black obelisk, pre-humans discover the use of tools -- and weapons -- violently taking first steps toward intelligence. 1999: On Earth's moon astronauts uncover another mysterious black obelisk. 2001: Between Earth and Jupiter, the spacecraft's intelligent computer makes a mistake that kills most of the human crew -- then continues to kill to hide its error. Beyond Time: The sole survivor of the journey to Jupiter ascends to the next level of humanity. Based on the short story The Sentinel by Arthur C. Clarke. Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan, a longtime admirer of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the restoration process, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

https://www.gablescinema.com/events/space-odyssey/

Monday, January 30 at 8pm

Jazz Monday - Rose Max and Ramatis Mores Quartet

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 Rose Max and Ramatis Mores Quartet starting at 8pm. Get details and tickets online.

January 31 through February 28

Los Trompos Art Exhibition - The Shops at Merrick Park

This interactive vibrant outdoor display by world-famous LosTrompos art exhibition, created by Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena, will make its South Florida debut at the Shops at Merrick Park. Their traveling exhibit has been displayed in cities around the world, including Mexico City, Paris, and New York. The lively installation features eight larger-than-life, three-dimensional colorful spinning tops in a variety of colors and shapes that invite visitors to play and engage with the art. The art draws its inspiration from a toy that has been popular with children around the world since the dawn of time. Get details online.

Wednesday, February 1 at 10am

Chapter K - P.E.O. Annual Book Review

Attend a wonderful historical book review event hosted by Chapter K of the Philanthropic Educational Organization with noted author Les Standiford, author of Palm Beach, Mar-A-Lago and the Rise of America's Xanadu, starting with refreshments at 10am at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, followed by the book review at 11am. A donation of $15 is requested. For tickets, please call 305-606-5555.

Starting Wednesday, February 1

Jimmy Buffett's Escape To Margaritaville

Escape to Margaritaville is a musical comedy that features both original songs and the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” and many more. With a book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley, this engaging fun-loving show is all about the choices we make -- and the people we become -- once we’ve had a change in latitude. https://www.actorsplayhouse.org/mainstage/

Saturday, February 4 from 11am to 3pm

8th Annual Woman's Club Children's Festival

Bring the kids out for the free Children's Festival at the Coral Gables Woman's Club with a host of fun activities for children 4 to 12 years old. Everyone is invited to meet representatives from the Coral Gables Fire and Police departments, The Coral Gables Museum, Deering Estate, Zoo Miami, Miami History Museum, Venetian Aquatic Club, Kiddos Magazine and Miggy's Melanoma. A local author, Carolina Isaias, will read her book "Amelia's Adventures: Find the Clues with Me!" Mindful Monkeys will have a yoga session for the children; the museum will have a printing project; our environmental chairwoman will be helping children make birdhouses out of recycled materials -- among other activities. The Woman's Club is located at 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Call 305-733-5290. https://www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/events

Monday, February 6 at 7pm

A Photo Tour of Neotropical Palms in Situ

Broward County resident and nurseryman Rory Antolak will present a Photo Tour of Neotropical Palms in Situ at the South Florida Palm Society monthly meeting. Born and raised in South Florida, Rory has been growing palms and other tropicals for just over a decade. Having traveled extensively through the neotropics in search of new and interesting species, he has encountered and photographed a number of seldom-seen plants, including palms. This meeting's presentation will focus on selected favorite palm species from some of those trips. The group meets at Fairchild's South Entrance, in Corbin or Nell’s Garden House at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Get details online.

Valentine's Day Special

MKT Kitchen's "Takeout & Chill" Dinner for Two

For those opting for a hassle-free romantic night in, MKT Kitchen is offering a special takeout dinner for two for $149 featuring two pounds of medium stone crabs; a house salad for two; choice of one side for two: creamed spinach or Pasta Arrabiata; choice of one dessert for two: 2 slices of key lime pie or 2 cookies; choice of red or white bottle of wine. Upgrade to large stone crabs for an additional $40. Please Pre-order in-person at 305-882-2600, or email info@mktkitchen.com before February 14. https://mktkitchen.com

Save The Date

February 18-20

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

The legacy of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival continues with a long weekend of fabulous artists and artworks on display throughout the street of Coconut Grove. Proceeds help fund year-round arts programs. Since its inception in 1963, the association has awarded hundreds of scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools.

https://cgaf.com

Save The Date
Sunday, February 19 from noon to 3pm

Woman's Club Centennial Fashion Show and Brunch

The Coral Gables Woman's Club will be celebrating 100 years of community service with a  Fashion Show and Brunch spectacular featuring clothing from designer Nathalie Moya and Bloom Boutique, modeled with jewelry accessories from Lele Reis Boutique. This is the premier event of their Centennial Year -- focusing on women-owned businesses and services. Invite all the women in your circle to attend, see the show, nibble on brunch bites made by R Catering, and drink some bubbly... with more surprises for attendees. The Coral Gables Woman's Club, founded in 1923, appreciates your support as it strives to better serve our community in a variety of ways -- but most importantly, since 1939 -- their free Children's Dental Clinic, providing free dental services to low income children in Miami Dade county. Your participation helps to bring beautiful smiles to their faces. The Woman's Club is located at 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. Call 305-733-5290. https://www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/events