Share the Great Gables Guide events newsletter with a friend. Pass along this link to subscribe. https://www.gablesguide.com/subscribe/

Greetings {name},

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

designed by the architect Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott in 1923, the historic Coral Gables Congregational Church is regarded as a fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Friday, January 3 is Festival of Sleep Day, an opportunity to sleep in, snooze, doze, nap, and catch 40 winks, and host sleep-over parties.

Saturday, January 4 is Trivia Day, celebrating information of little value -- and the trivia fanatics that enjoy sharing these tidbits of knowledge with others.

Monday, January 6 is Feast of Epiphany, commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in Latin cultures.

Wednesday, January 10 is Peculiar People Day, a chance to recognize the strange and quirky people in our lives and to gain an appreciation for all unique and different people.

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

Thursday, January 2 at 4:55pm
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Aardman's four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. In this next installment, Gromit's concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a "smart" gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master... or Wallace may never be able to invent again. Get details online.

Thursday, January 2 at 7:30pm
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.

Thursday, January 2 at 7:30pm
Babygirl
A high-powered CEO (Nicole Kidman) puts her life's work on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern. Get details online.

Friday, January 3 at 4pm
Game On - Nintendo Switch Fridays
Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to gaming, this event is all about having fun and exploring the world of Nintendo Switch. Play your favorite games, discover new ones and connect with friends in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Consoles and games will be provided. Call the Coconut Grove Library at 305-442-8695 or email: hernandezje@mdpls.org. Ages 6 to 18 years are welcome. Get details online.

Friday, January 3 from 7 to 10pm
Giralda Live
Meet up with family and friends every first Friday of the month for Giralda Live, when the pedestrian street transforms into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and community with live music and a variety of activities and entertainment, surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Coral Gables. Get details online.

Saturday, January 4 at 10am
Historic Kayak Adventure on the Bay
Kayak through Biscayne Bay to explore the history of the surrounding area, guided by a Deering Estate Naturalist. All kayaks are two seat tandem kayaks. Purchase tickets in sets of two or, single-registered kayakers can be paired. Get details online.

Saturday, January 4 at noon
Documentary: Banned Together
Attend a private, pre-release screening of the new documentary -- Banned Together: The Fight Against Censorship. At once inspiring, illuminating, enraging, and terrifying, the film captures the true threats of book banning and the power of young people and authors in fighting for the freedom to read. A reception at Books & Books follows the screening at Coral Gables Art Cinema. Get details and RSVP online.

Saturday Jan 4 to Sunday, Jan 12
National Chopin Piano Competition Finals
Renowned as one of the premiere piano competitions in the world, the National Chopin Piano Competition of the United States is widely recognized as a pivotal stepping stone towards a thriving career in piano performance. Across five decades, over 500 young pianists have applied and more than 200 of America’s best pianists from 30 states were selected to compete in Miami during the first ten editions of the National Chopin Piano Competition. Hosted by the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Get details online.

Saturday, January 4 at 4pm
Se7en - IMAX Exclusive
Experience David Fincher's timeless thriller SE7EN in IMAX for the very first time. Two cops (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman) track a brilliant and elusive killer who orchestrates a string of horrific murders, each kill targeting a practitioner of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Gwyneth Paltrow also stars in this acclaimed thriller set in a dour, drizzly city sick with pain and blight. Get details online.

Final Weekend
Saturday, January 4 at 8pm
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.

Saturday, January 4 at 10pm
Dark Habits
Following her lover’s fatal drug overdose, a bolero singer seeks refuge in a convent for women with a history of drugs, prostitution, and murder. Get details online.

Sunday, January 5 from 9am to 2pm
Farmers Market at Pinecrest Gardens
Visit your neighbors and socialize with friends while supporting local food, drinks, produce and other products from small businesses and farmers at Pinecrest’s award-winning Farmers Market. Enjoy a free community Vinyasa Yoga class sponsored by Baptist Health at 8:30am. Get details online.

Final Day
Sunday, January 5 from 10am to 5pm
A Very Merry Garden at Fairchild
Enjoy the celebration of Fairchild’s Very Merry Garden this holiday season. Spend the holiday season rounding up reindeer, writing official letters to Santa, and listening to thrilling tales told by Mrs. Claus. Get details online.

Sunday, January 5 at noon
Grand Illusion
Directed by Jean Renoir. Man-of-the-people Lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin) teams up with Jewish aristocrat Lieutenant Rosenthal (Marcel Dalio) to escape a World War I German POW camp run by Captain von Rauffenstein (Erich von Stroheim). Get details online.

Sunday, January 5 at 2pm
King Mango Strut
With early beginnings as a parody of the King Orange Jamboree Parade, The King Mango Strut has evolved into a beloved community tradition attracting more than 10,000 attendees that never lost touch with its eccentric, bohemian roots. All are welcome to watch or participate in this free event to poke fun at the year’s notable current events. Get details online.

Sunday, January 5 at 2:45pm
The Room Next Door
Cinema Members Preview: In Pedro Almodóvar's first English-language film, former friends Ingrid (Julianne Moore), now a novelist, and Martha (Tilda Swinton), a war reporter, reconnect after years apart under bittersweet circumstances. Based on Sigrid Nunez's novel "What Are You Going Through." Get details online.

Monday, January 6 at 9am
Community CPR Class
Learn important safety skills or get your updated CPR certification by completing the Community CPR class taught by Coral Gables Fire department instructors at the War Memorial Youth Center 2nd floor classroom located at 405 University Drive. Call 305-460-5600. Get details online.

Monday, January 6 at 6pm
Code/Art Creative Coding Club
Get creative with computer programming at the Pinecrest Library. Join this 25-week course where you'll learn 3D modeling, game and website design, mobile app development and how to code your own art pieces. By the end of the course, you'll will have a portfolio of innovative coding projects and mastered a variety of programming languages like Scratch, JavaScript, Python, and HTML/CSS. Registration required. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 8-14 years old. Get details online.

Monday, January 6 at 7pm
Lisa Jewell - None of This Is True
The Books & Books Literary Foundation is proud to present an evening with Lisa Jewell discussing None of This Is True (Atria Books, $18.99), now with a thrilling new bonus chapter. She will be in conversation with Rochelle B. Weinstein. This unputdownable psychological thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell follows a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast. Get details online.

Monday, January 6 at 7pm
Shapeshifters: Cycads as peyote, teosinte, and maize
This fascinating talk will focus on connections between cycads and maize domestication, as well as some recent work on psychoactive properties of cycads. Dr. Mark Bonta has been gathering ecological data on the cycads for the past two decades, interviewing people who reside within or near cycad populations to gather various ethnobotanical information, resulting in a comprehensive treatise on tiusinte (Cycad Dioon mejiae). Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s cycad collection includes representations of many of the world’s 315 species and is one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections with more than 700 accessioned plants. The seminar takes place at Corbin Room A, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. The public is welcome to attend. Get details online.

Tuesday, January 7 at 8:30am
The State Of The Arts in Coral Gables
The Coral Gables Community Foundation invites Coral Gables-based arts organizations, business, and civic leaders to meet at Sanctuary Of The Arts for an open conversation to build upon last year’s successes. Heed the call to share your skills and experiences, as the City Beautiful begins to outline and draft a strategic plan, including an integrated focus on the performing and physical arts. The goal of State of the Arts is to further elevate the cultural profile of Coral Gables, and encourage innovations in public-private partnerships aimed at increasing consumer and audience engagement. Admission is free and breakfast is provided. Get details online.

Tuesday, January 7 at 7pm
Chris Whitaker - All the Colors of the Dark
Books & Books is proud to present an evening with Chris Whitaker discussing All the Colors of the Dark. From the author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that hits like a sledgehammer. Get details online.

Tuesday, January 7 at 7pm
Tuesday Tomahawk Experience at Beauty And The Butcher
The ultimate steakhouse experience -- the 44oz Wagyu Tomahawk for the Table includes Truffle Mac N' Cheese, French Onion Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Asparagus, Watercress Chimichurri, Rosemary Demi-Glace, Creamy Cognac Green Peppercorn Sauce, and Classic Béarnaise for three to four people. Get details online.

Wednesday, January 8 at 3pm
Family Storytime at Gables Library
Enjoy stories, songs, and activities for children and their families at the Coral Gables Library. Call 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Wednesday, January 8 at 6pm
South Florida National Parks Camera Club
Empowering photographers of all skill levels to grow, learn, and inspire others, members of The South Florida National Parks Camera Club share their passion for photography in a supportive environment. Open to anyone with an interest in the art, the club also gives back by using photography to support national parks. Registration at Pinecrest Library is required. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 19 years and older. Get details online.

Wednesday, January 8 at 7pm
Night Hike & Campfire at Deering
Explore the woods and it’s wildlife as it comes to life at night. After the guided hike, gather around a campfire. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight and s’mores. Check-in is at the main gate. Get details online.

Wednesday, January 8 at 7pm
Kirsten Hines - Birds of Florida
Books & Books is proud to present an evening with Kirsten Hines discussing Birds of Florida, in partnership with Tropical Audubon Society. Get details online.

Wednesday, January 8 at 8:30pm
Blues Jam Spectacular on Wednesdays
For 25 years, Titanic's Wednesday Blues Jam has become legendary, with a core group of great musicians -- and special guests invited to jump in for a song or two. Simply the best blues jam around. Get details online.

Thursday, January 9 from 1 to 3pm
Traditional Afternoon Tea – Thursdays
Enjoy a delightful Traditional Afternoon Tea service at the Biltmore Hotel's upper level Alhambra Lobby, featuring sweet and savory treats as well as an assortment of tea. Get details online.

Thursday, January 9 at 4pm
Vinya Oyster House Thursdays
Meet up at the bar for $2 West Coast oysters (by the Lazy Oyster) and special pours starting at 4pm. No catch, just fresh oysters and good vibes at 266 Miracle Mile. Get details online.

Thursday, January 9 from 5:30 to 7:30pm
Music at McBride Plaza
Enjoy free outdoor concerts every other Thursday of the month from January through March, featuring a different and talented ensemble at McBride Plaza, 150 Miracle Mile. Experience Puddley -- this funk, soul, and R&B band, formed by talented students from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, promises a night of passionate, grooving music you won't want to miss. Get details online.

Thursday, January 9 at 8pm
Abigail Hing Wen - Kisses, Codes and Conspiracies
Books & Books is proud to present an evening with Abigail Hing Wen discussing Kisses, Codes and Conspiracies. She will be in conversation with Florence Simmons. Now an instant national bestseller and an Amazon Book of the Month, from the author of the Netflix hit, "Love in Taipei." Tan Lee finds himself embroiled in an unusual love triangle, all while trying to defuse a heist. Get details online.

Thursday, January 9 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.

Saturday, January 18 at 10am
Rob's Redland Riot Road Rallye
Gather your car team for another whimsical adventure through the Redland region for a fruity tropical history scavenger hunt. Start at Cauley Square to get your map and clues to solve along the way, then head out for a great time in the countryside. The rallye concludes at Schnebly Winery and Miami Brewing Company's Tap Room, with the awarding of prizes worth less than a million dollars! Register your car team online to save time at the starting line, or just show up ready to have fun. The cost is $10 per car team. Get details online.

Starts January 31
Appropriate
Straight from Broadway, this darkly comic American drama by Pulitzer Finalist and Obie Award winner, Jacobs-Jenkins, invites audiences to one helluva family reunion! It’s summer in Arkansas and the cicadas are singing. When the Lafayette family returns to their late patriarch’s home to manage the remains of his estate, things take a turn. When an estranged brother appears late one night and mysterious objects are discovered among the clutter, long-hidden secrets and buried resentments can no longer be contained and the family is forced to face the ghosts of their past. Starring Rachel Burttram (A Doll’s House, Pt. 2) and Mark H. Dold (The Lehman Trilogy). Get details online.