Greetings {name},

Friday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, a day to celebrate the culture, achievements and experiences of people with a Mexican background.

Saturday, May 6 is Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, sometimes known as the "Fastest Two Minutes in Sports," inaugurating the Triple Crown, a series of three horse races.

Discover 48 New Construction Residences

The Village at Coral Gables

Situated within a luxurious residential enclave, The Village at Coral Gables is a new boutique collection of only forty-eight distinctive homes: Sophisticated Flats, Glamorous Townhomes, Expansive Lofts, and Private Villas. Developed by MG Developer and designed by De La Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists, The Village at Coral Gables is a once-in-a-generation offering of residences in Miami's most coveted neighborhood. To schedule a private preview, contact 786.833.6398. https://live.thevillageatcoralgables.com

The Plaza at Ponce Circle features an inviting ambience accented with public artworks.

Coral Gables Woman's Club Centennial Year: celebrating one hundred years of volunteer service to the community — and highlighting the significant contributions of women in the first century of Coral Gables. gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org/

Now Energized

Miami-Dade 2023 Solar Co-op

Residents and small businesses of Miami-Dade County are eligible to join this co-op to understand the fine details and get the best prices for clean green solar energy installations. Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national nonprofit helping people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights. SUN provides unbiased, installer-neutral support through each stage of the process of going solar. There is no obligation to install, and no cost to join. For details, send email to: flteam@solarunitedneighbors.org or visit the web page online.

Playing Through May 14

El Huracán at GableStage

As Hurricane Andrew threatens Miami, a mother and daughter ready themselves for the storm, but Abuela takes shelter in a world of memory, music and magic. A powerful tale of family and forgiveness, El Huracán, written by Miami native and recent Academy Award winner Charise Castro Smith (Disney’s Encanto), reveals what can be rebuilt in the aftermath of life’s most devastating tempests and what can never be replaced. A Florida Premiere inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Starring Barbara Bonilla, Gabriell Salgado, Adriana Sevan, James Puig, Emma Garcia Seeger and Thais Menendez. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Now through May 14

Enchanted Fairies at Fairchild Gardens

Embark on a magical quest at Fairchild -- enchanted fairy doors have magically appeared throughout the Garden, with each one holding a clue leading to a charming Fairy Village. As you wander through the Garden, keep your eyes peeled for the Spring Fairy and her fairy friends. With a map in hand, you will explore the beauty of the Garden, and adventure to find twelve whimsical fairy doors. Each door holds a clue that will bring you one step closer to unraveling the mystery of the Fairy Villages. Tickets includes general admission to explore the Garden. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Friday, May 5 from 6 to 9pm

Humberto Benitez Gallery - Big Blue

Humberto's latest acrylic on canvas is a stunning display of his blue era and surrealism. See this cosmic work in person on Coral Gables Gallery Night at Humberto Benitez Gallery, 233 Aragon Avenue. https://humbertobenitez.com/

Saturday, May 6 at 3pm

Strategies for Writing Family History

If you struggle with procrastination, perfectionism, or paralysis when you sit down to write up your hard-won family history research, this is the session for you. We'll explore why we need to keep good research notes, how to accomplish it without becoming overwhelmed, and strategies for getting from a blank page to the first rough draft. Join the meeting in person at the Pinecrest Library, or via Zoom online. https://www.gsgmfl.org

Sunday, May 7 at 4:30pm

100 Voices: A Woman of Substance: Julia Ward Howe

Visit Coral Gables Merrick House for Yesteryear Stories of Coral Gables this Sunday for a special Mothers' Day historical theme presentation. Known for writing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” author and poet Julia Ward Howe penned the original 1870 pacifist Mother's Day Proclamation in which she called on mothers to demand world peace and envisioned a Mother’s Day for that purpose. Ward Howe descendant Lawrence “Monk” Terry will describe the writings, social activism and legacy of this dynamo, who co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Women. Get details online.

Tuesday, May 9 at 10am

Musicale - Jasmine Williams Performs at Congregational Church

The Coral Gables Music Club's musicale will feature Jasmine Williams, a multi talented Soprano who has a Vocal Performance music degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She released her first single, “The Voice Words” in 2018 under the name of The Jas Sound. It showcases her musical background in gospel, opera, jazz and contemporary music. The performance takes place at the Coral Gables Congregational Church. Meet in Fellowship Hall for refreshments at 10am then move to the Sanctuary for a short meeting to vote on the bylaws changes before the musical performance. Annual dues can be paid at the event. Please RSVP to Margaret (mseroppian@comcast.net) or Ann (goodmanhomes@aol.com).

Tuesday, May 9 at 8pm

Miami Music Makers

The Greater Miami Symphonic Band presents the Twenty-Third Annual May “Pops” Concert, a delightful program featuring music of or about Miami, with guest conductor J. Steven Moore, at Gusman Hall. Moore is Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies at the Frost School of Music at UM. The program includes: "The Music Makers" (Alfred Reed); "The Sun Still Shines" (Robert Tindle); "KC and the Sunshine Band (Medley), featuring Eugene Timmons on alto sax (Mike Lewis); "Exultant Visions" (Robert Longfield); "Symphonic Dance No.3 (Clifton Williams); "Miami March" (Henry Fillmore); Michele Fernández's U'nidad en Ritmo: A Tribute to Cultural Unity;" and much more. Get details and purchase tickets online.

Saturday, May 13 at 4pm

Mainly Mozart Festival

The Miami Chamber Music Society is excited to announce the 30th Anniversary of the Mainly Mozart Festival, a must-see event featuring a breathtaking lineup of classical music performances. Running from May 13 to June 11, the Festival will take place at multiple venues in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. This year’s festival is dedicated to a composer whose exceptional talent, hard work, and enduring influence transformed the course of western classical music. The event will showcase performances by some of the world’s most esteemed artists and ensembles, debuting the Miami Chamber Music Society’s ensemble-in-residence and highlighting the exceptional Fellows from the fellowship program. This is an exceptional opportunity to experience the beauty and artistry of classical music while celebrating this momentous anniversary. Tickets are $10 to $30. Call 786-556-1715. Get details and order tickets online.

Saturday, May 13 at 7:30pm

Maria João Pires

Hailed by The New York Times as “an elegant technician and probing interpreter” and acclaimed for her recordings of music by Mozart, Chopin, and Schubert, Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires makes a rare Miami appearance at Gusman Concert Hall, made possible through the generosity of the Patrick Park Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Park.

Get details and purchase tickets online.

Wednesday, May 17 at 6pm

Free Solar 101 Info Session

The Miami-Dade 2023 co-op sponsored by non-profit Solar United Neighbors is presenting a free Solar 101 Information Session online. Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business. Join your fellow Floridians harvesting sunshine to lower their electric bills and build a clean, equitable energy system in the community. Get details online.

Weekend of May 19-21

Redland International Orchid Festival

Located at the idyllic Redland Fruit and Spice Park in South Dade, the Redland International Orchid Festival is world renowned as a bucket list event for orchid lovers. Join the best orchid growers in the world along with fellow avid orchid fans for three and a half days of pure orchid mania at the Fruit & Spice Park. Get details and purchase discount tickets online. https://redlandorchidfestival.com