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Greetings {name},

We hope you'll appreciate our curated list of community events and cultural opportunities in the coming days.

condominium residences rise high above Biltmore Way looking west from the Segovia traffic circle

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Wednesday, December 25 is Christmas Day, the pinnacle of the holiday season for many Americans and a traditional time for festive gatherings and the exchange of gifts within families.

Wednesday Evening, December 25 is the beginning of Chanukah on the Jewish calendar, a celebration lasting eight days.

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

Now through December 23
Soroa Orchids December Sale
The gift that keeps on giving -- at Soroa Orchids, the entire inventory of Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Vandas, rare and unique species, Oncidiums and more at 20% off. Enter the free raffle to win a $300 orchid arrangement at 25750 SW 177 Avenue. Call 305-247-2566. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 at 5pm
Oh, Canada
Richard Gere reunites with Paul Schrader in Oh, Canada, portraying legendary filmmaker Leonard Fife as he reflects on his storied career and hidden past in a candid, deeply personal interview, intertwining his younger self (Jacob Elordi), his wife Emma (Uma Thurman), and the truths behind his artistic legacy. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 from 5 to 7pm
Ladies Night at Beauty And The Butcher
Ladies drink complimentary bubbles at the bar from 5 to 7pm at Beauty And The Butcher, 6901 Red Road. Call 305-665-9661. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 at 7pm
Mufasa: The Lion King
"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka -- the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny -- their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 at 7:40pm
The Six Triple Eight
Inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. Despite facing racism and sexism -- and grueling working conditions -- the Six Triple Eight were committed to serving their country with honor and distinction. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film stars Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 at 9pm
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (35mm)
Absolute power corrupts in Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, an extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle. Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather (Peter O’Toole) and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia (Helen Mirren) before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness. Get details online.

Thursday, December 19 at 9pm
Candlelight: A Tribute to Ed Sheeran
Discover the music of Ed Sheeran at Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables under the gentle glow of candlelight. Get details online.

Friday, December 20 at 2pm
Journey to Your Inner Child
This event is about unlocking memories and unveiling hidden rules. Join online or in person to explore the power of inner child healing meditation at Pinecrest Library. Take a transformative journey into your past and reconnect with your younger self, unearthing the memories and rules that shape your present, presented by certified coach and hypnotherapist Sahar Eini. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 19 years and older. Get details online.

Friday, December 20 from 5 to 11pm
Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park
South Florida’s holiday theme park is back and ready to spread the magic at Tropical Park. Christmas Wonderland is officially open, bringing festive fun, sparkling lights, and holiday joy to all. Get details online.

Friday, December 20 at 6pm
Movies Under the Gables Moonlight - Ponce Circle
Enjoy a free family friendly Christmas-themed movie -- Elf -- at Fred Hartnett Ponce Circle Park. Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results. Get details online.

Now Playing through January 5
Both Sides Now - Regional Premiere
This intimate theatrical cabaret, developed at Washington D.C’s Signature Theatre, weaves together the lives and iconic music of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Featuring thirteen songs that soundtracked generations of collective yearning including A Case of You, Hallelujah, Big Yellow Taxi, Suzanne and Who By Fire, Both Sides Now examines the messiness of being human and the struggle to stay connected. Starring and written by Frost School of Music alum and award-winning jazz vocalist, Danielle Wertz and rock-folk musician Robbie Schaefer. Get details online.

Friday, December 20 at 8pm
Winter Solstice Premiere with Syncopate Collective
Syncopate Collective presents Winter Solstice Premiere at Sanctuary Of The Arts, a dynamic collage of contemporary dance exploring themes of togetherness, spirituality, and humanity. Step into a world of color, energy, and absurdity, as the Collective offers a fresh perspective on the festive season through the work of five visionary choreographers. Get details online.

Friday, December 20 from 8:30 to 11:30pm
Live Music In The Biltmore Bar
Enjoy live music with classic and creative cocktails, fine wine and imported beer and ale selections within the inimitable atmosphere of The Biltmore Bar. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 11am
Pancakes and Pajamas at the Country Club
Make your holiday season memorable with an enchanting family breakfast in the Coral Grand ballroom at the Coral Gables Golf & Country Club featuring pancake and buffet breakfast stations, cookie decorating activities and more. Plus, a special guest appearance by Santa bringing each child a special gift, with memorable photo opportunities. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 3:30pm
Movie Matinee - Home Alone
Experience a classic holiday movie at the Coral Gables library. When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home. Call 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 from 6 to 10pm
Night Garden Magical Light Spectacular
Experience the magic as Fairchild transforms into an enchanting fairyland, glowing with vibrant, rainbow-lit pathways. Meet Archie, the beloved, wise old tree who’s always ready for a chat, embark on a thrilling Fairy Quest, and discover countless other wonders. This dazzling light show is a fantastical holiday celebration for families. Get details online.

Saturday December 21 at 6pm
The Santa Clause - Barnacle Movie Night
Bring the family to the Barnacle on Biscayne Bay for a delightful movie night. Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he's dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn't a dream after all -- and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 7pm
Blue Christmas at First United Methodist
The holiday season can be a challenging time for many, bringing to light feelings of loneliness, grief, or loss. This Blue Christmas contemplative service is designed to provide a safe and sacred space for anyone who may be struggling with sorrow or hardship. Through prayer, music, and candlelight, you're invited to seek comfort, find hope, love and peace — even in the darkest hours. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are, and find a moment of peace amidst the hustle of the season. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 7:15pm
All We Imagine As Light
The light, the lives, and the textures of contemporary, working-class Mumbai are explored and celebrated by writer/director Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Centering on two roommates who also work together in a city hospital -- head nurse Prabha and recent hire Anu -- plus their coworker, cook Parvaty, Kapadia’s film alights on moments of connection and heartache, hope and disappointment to create a soulful study of the transformative power of friendship and sisterhood, in all its complexities and richness. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 7:30pm
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - Area Stage
After two sold out runs at the Arsht Center, Area Stage is proud to bring back the critically acclaimed production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast for a final run in South Miami. You'll find yourself right in the middle of the action, which takes place throughout the theatre space. Beauty and the Beast earned four Carbonell Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical out of 14 Carbonell nominations. Get details online.

Saturday December 21 at 8pm
Dance NOW! Miami presents Clara
Spice up your holiday season with Dance NOW!’s saucy adult contemporary dance interpretation of the Nutcracker -- Clara. This contemporary dance charts the journey of a young woman, questioning, discovering, exploring and experiencing the exotic, the unknown and the forbidden, in search of love, identity and self determination. Get details online.

Saturday, December 21 at 10pm
Let The Right One In
A lonely boy befriends his new next door neighbor, who he discovers is not a young girl but rather a centuries-old vampire. Get details online.

Sunday, December 22 at 10:30am
Introduction to Bee Keeping at Fairchild Gardens
Begin your journey into the world of beekeeping and learn what is required to start your own apiary and what plants are best to use in the garden to provide habitat for all pollinators. This class will cover everything you need to start. The basic woodenware beehive boxes, tools, and protective gear will be displayed and explained. Get details online.

Sunday, December 22 at 1pm
Perugino: Eternal Renaissance
This documentary pays tribute to Pietro Perugino, one of the most revered Italian Renaissance painters of the fifteenth century, and commemorates the 500th anniversary of his death. It takes viewers on a journey to explore the life and legacy of this influential artist, who inspired great painters, including Raphael, his most famous pupil. Get details online.

Sunday, December 22 at 2:45pm
The Shop Around The Corner
An American Movie Classic... Two bickering co-workers unknowingly share a tender bond as anonymous pen pals, leading to a surprising revelation that could turn their rivalry into romance in The Shop Around the Corner. Get details online.

Sunday, December 22 at 6pm
Merry Sounds of the Season
Sponsored by The Symphonettes, The Greater Miami Symphonic Band performs the merry sounds of Christmas at Pinecrest Gardens Banyan Bowl, with Robert Longfield conducting a joyous holiday celebration. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 24
Mañana Buena Brunch at Eating House
Eating House's annual Mañana Buena Brunch experience presents a selection of Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli's classics like Passionfruit Mimosas; Ropa Vieja Tots; Croqueta Preparada; Cachap'n Crunch Pancakes; and Café Con Leche French Toast, along with full craft bar and wines. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 24 at 2pm
White Christmas 70th Anniversary Sing-Along
Two talented song and dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter they join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen) and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. The result is stuff dreams are made of. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 24 at 3, 5 and 7pm
Christmas Eve Celebration
The First United Methodist Church behind city hall will present three Christmas Eve services. At 3pm, a Traditional Christmas Worship; at 5pm, a Children's Christmas Service; and at 7pm, a Traditional Candelit Christmas. Be sure to visit the life-size Nativity, a famous Coral Gables annual display. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 24 at 5pm
Florida Native Plant Society
Attend the monthly meeting of the Florida Native Plant Society very fourth Tuesday of the month. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 24 at 8pm
A Complete Unknown
In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide. Get details online.

Thursday, December 26 from 1 to 3pm
Traditional Thursday Afternoon Tea
Enjoy a delightful Traditional Afternoon Tea service featuring sweet and savory treats as well as an assortment of tea. Get details online.

Thursday, December 26 at 8pm
A Complete Unknown
Set in New York’s Greenwich Village in 1961, A Complete Unknown chronicles the transformative journey of a 19-year-old Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet), whose revolutionary talent reshaped American music. Get details online.