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Greetings {name},
We hope you'll appreciate our curated list of community events and cultural opportunities in the coming days. |
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The elegant one acre open-air courtyard beneath The Plaza's two office towers displays world-renowned sculptures with an inviting ambiance amidst a collection of specialty shops, dining options and a luxury hotel |
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click on the image to see enlargement.
Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr. |
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Saturday, August 1 is National Girlfriend Day, a time to celebrate relationships and appreciate companionship.
Saturday, August 1, the first Saturday in August, is National Jamaican Patty Day, celebrating the delicious turnover-style pastry associated with spicy Jamaican cuisine.
Sunday, August 2, is Sisters Day, honoring the strong bond that people share with their sisters, celebrated on the first Sunday in August.
Tuesday, August 4 is the birthday of the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard traces its roots to the small fleet of vessels maintained by the United States Department of the Treasury beginning in the 1790s to enforce tariffs. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton lobbied Congress to fund the construction of ten cutters, which it did on August 4, 1790.
Tuesday, August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, so make your favorite chocolate chip cookies, and throw some extra chocolate chips into the mix to share with family and friends.
Friday, August 7, the first Friday in August, is National Beer day, celebrating the art and science of brewing beer and encouraging people to discover new varieties of beer.
Friday, August 7 is Purple Heart Day, a solemn occasion to pay respects to wounded and fallen soldiers, to listen to the stories of soldiers and veterans, and to thank them for their service to the nation.
Friday, August 7 is the anniversary of the infamous attack on Indian Key by Seminole Chief Chekika in 1840 in which Dr. Henry Perrine, among others on the island, was killed. His legacy as the leading proponent of tropical agricultural experimentation in South Florida lives on. |
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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 |
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Thursday, July 30 at 3pm Tea Among the Witches - An Author Talk with C.V. Shaw Attend the Local Author Series at Pinecrest Library and experience an enchanting afternoon of tea, tales and magic as author C.V. Shaw presents her fantasy novel, The Spell. Discover the medieval-inspired world behind the story, hear about the inspiration for the novel, ask questions, and meet the author during a book signing. Come for the tea. Stay for the magic. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 14 years and older. Get details online. |
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Thursday, July 30 at 7pm Leica Store - Wanderlust Gallery Reception Attend the opening of Wanderlust, a new exhibition at Leica Store Miami on Miracle Mile celebrating the work of Leica Store Miami photography workshop alumni. Since they opened the doors in 2013, these destination workshops and tours have taken photographers to Japan, Norway, Patagonia, Namibia, Bolivia, the Faroe Islands, Lisbon, Greenland and beyond. Wanderlust brings that journey to the walls of the gallery, with images made in the field by 33 photographers who were there. This informal evening with the artists, tour leaders, and instructors behind these adventures is an opportunity to hear the stories behind the images and celebrate a community built one destination at a time. Get details online. |
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Friday, July 31 at 2pm or 7pm Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition) The talented students of On Broadway Advanced Camp perform a dazzling 60-minute adaptation of the Broadway hit inspired by the beloved Twentieth Century Fox film. When a brave young woman named Anya sets out to uncover the truth about her past, she is swept into an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, romance, and self-discovery. Joined by a charming con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat -- and pursued by a determined Soviet officer -- Anya embarks on an epic quest to find where she truly belongs. Get details online. |
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Friday, July 31 at 2pm Cauldrons & Chaos: Potions with the Professor Celebrate Harry Potter's Birthday with an enchanting class led by Professor Mark and his Hogwarts apprentice, Jacob. Whether you are a first-year student or a seasoned graduate of Hogwarts, this magical program is perfect for witches, wizards and muggles who love the series. Wear your best Hogwarts attire and prepare for a spellbinding adventure at the Pinecrest Library. At 3pm, Magician David Frost presents a fun-filled magical adventure inspired by the Wizarding World. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 6 years and older. Get details online. |
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Friday, July 31 from 7 to 10:30pm Sip & Stroll: Moonlight at Fairchild Experience Fairchild Garden after dark with Sip & Stroll: Moonlight at Fairchild, offering the Moonlight Garden Walk, Astronomy Field, Telescope Viewing, Wellness Terrace and the Lower Cycad Vista Lounge. A number of add-on experiences offer fantastic options for adventurous souls in this evening paradise. Get details online. |
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Friday, July 31 at 7pm Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Digital 3D It's a Brand New Day for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him -- and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him -- sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves -- a powerful villain no one can even see. The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 1 at 10am Toddler Family Jam with Mr. J Families with 1-year-olds are invited to attend a fun-filled morning designed just for little ones -- an interactive Family Jam with musician Mr. J. exploring engaging sensory activities. Discover the Key Point Academy pre-school learning experience through music, movement, and hands-on play, meet the team, and explore the school campus at Key Point Academy, 3066 Southwest 38th Avenue, just south of Bird Road. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 1 at 10:30am South Florida Writer's Association "Author's Voice" Engage in lively discussions with fellow writers and guest speakers to acquire valuable writing tips, either at the library or online via Zoom. Register to receive a Zoom link by visiting the web site. Call the Pinecrest Library at 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 19 years and older. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 1 at 2pm Merrick House - Weekend Guided Tours Step back in time to the Roaring 20s to take a guided tour of this landmark house museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. View original paintings and furnishings in 14 rooms of the family home of George Edgar Merrick, who was founder of the City Beautiful of Coral Gables. Merrick House docent-guided tours occur at 1, 2 and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The fee is $5. Free parking is located behind the house, at 907 Coral Way. Call 305-774-0155. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 1 at 8pm The Shark Is Broken The first summer blockbuster is being filmed -- but no one on set knows it yet. The Shark is Broken dives deep into the chaotic behind-the-scenes drama of Jaws, where testy, feuding co-stars, unpredictable weather and a constantly malfunctioning mechanical shark threaten the movie’s success. Co-written by Ian Shaw (son of Jaws star Robert Shaw) and Joseph Nixon, this sharp-witted comedy captures the tension, camaraderie and hilarity between Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider as they bicker, drink, gamble and pray for the shoot to end -- unaware they are making cinematic history. The play continues through August 9. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 1 starting at 8pm Vinyl and Cocktails - Soul & Funk at The Burrow Some records are impossible to sit still through. From the unmistakable groove of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, to the infectious rhythms of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan, Parliament, and Sly & The Family Stone, this Vinyl Evening at The Burrow celebrates the artists who transformed rhythm into something timeless. An evening of soulful vocals, irresistible grooves, exceptional cocktails, and records that remind us why some music is meant to be shared—on vinyl, in good company. Get details online. |
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Sunday, August 2 at noon Days Of Heaven - New 4K Restoration One of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time, Days of Heaven is a screen poem about life in America at the turn of the century; a moving story about two men who love the same woman. Richard Gere, a fugitive from the slums of Chicago, finds himself pitted against a shy, rich Texan (Sam Shepard) for the love of Abby (Brooke Adams). An extraordinary cinematic achievement of sight and sound by writer/director Terrence Malick. Get details online. |
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Sunday, August 2 from 1 to 4pm Fuku x Mahjong If you’ve ever wanted to learn mahjong but didn’t know where to start, come to Fuku. Attend this a community-driven mahjong experience celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month through culture, connection, and community, while satisfying your craving for sandos, tenders, waffle fries, and unbelievable sides. Play Chinese Mahjong, Hong Kong style, in a way that’s authentic, beginner-friendly, and built for community. Receive a special 20% discount on food and beverages for registering. Get details online. |
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Sunday, August 2 at 2:15pm Letters From Baghdad - 10th Anniversary Stay for the post-film Q&A with directors Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum. Gertrude Lowthian Bell, sometimes called the female Lawrence of Arabia, was a British adventurer, archaeologist, and political powerhouse who helped shape the modern Middle East after World War I. Her work helped to shape the Arab nation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, including establishment of the Kingdom of Iraq. Voiced and executive-produced by Tilda Swinton, the documentary chronicles Bell’s journey into the uncharted Arabian desert and the all-male halls of colonial power with never-seen-before archival footage of the region shot a century ago that transports the viewer into a past that is eerily current. Get details online. |
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Monday, August 3 at 6pm Fight Like a Girl Lessons The Coral Gables Police Department presents Fight Like A Girl self-defense course at the police station, 2151 Salzedo Street. This free course teaches female participants invaluable self-defense tactics over six sessions. Get details online. |
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Monday, August 3 at 7pm South Florida Palm Society The SFPS meets on the first Monday of every even-numbered month at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. Admission is free and open to the general public. Doors to the Corbin Building open at 7pm. Light refreshments, water, and soft drinks will be provided. The program will start at 7:30pm and you are encouraged to bring your favorite potluck dish for the food table and any labeled plant donations for the auction table. Get details online. |
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Tuesday, August 4 at 7pm Charles Salzberg - The Beginning of Everything Former journalist and author Charles Salzberg will be at Books & Books for the release of his latest novel, The Beginning of Everything. In this gripping mystery, protagonist Josh has made peace with ignoring his extraordinary gift of a sixth-sense perception, that is, until a dear friend comes asking for help. When Tony's college-age step-daughter goes missing, Josh has unwittingly fallen down a rabbit hole of intrigue, secrets, and complicated dynamics. The question now is no longer, 'Where is she?' but instead, what will he do with the uncovered information? Following a trail that unravels familial secrets, Josh finds himself in the middle of a very complicated web. Get details online. |
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Tuesday, August 4 at 9pm Trivia Night at Books & Books Flex your mental muscles and embark on an exhilarating journey of knowledge and friendly competition on Tuesday evening with Trivia Night at Books & Books. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 at 11:45am Chamber of Commerce Re-Connect Luncheon The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce meets once a month at the Re-Connect Luncheon for great food, great company and great connections. Seating at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 2320 Salzedo Street, is limited. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 at 2pm Revolutionary Reads Book Club Explore American history through literature. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) present a monthly historical book club featuring titles that reflect themes of patriotism, sacrifice and the ideals that helped shape the nation. The book of the month is Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions, a nonfiction book co-authored by bestselling writer John Grisham and Jim McCloskey, the founder of Centurion Ministries. It exposes the flaws in the American legal system through ten true, heartbreaking cases of innocent people wrongly imprisoned for decades. The book details how investigative tunnel vision, falsified evidence, coerced confessions, and junk science lead to wrongful convictions. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 from 6 to 8pm Monthly Wednesday Wine Tasting at Beauty and the Butcher Meet up with friends for the Wine Tasting first Wednesday of every month at Beauty And The Butcher. The cost is $20 per person, featuring 15 wines, live music, plus 10% discount on dining. Add the Iberico Ham Experience with Manchego cheese by Paquito Jamon plate. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30pm Persecuted - Artists Censored by Communist Cuba The Coral Gables Museum presents a a two-part documentary series by Cuban filmmaker Ernesto Fundora Hernández examining the lives of two of Cuba’s most influential cultural figures whose work became the target of state censorship in different eras. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, founder of the San Isidro Movement, will be present. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 at 7pm Annie Jacobsen - Biological War Author Annie Jacobsen offers a thought-provoking discussion about her new book, Biological War, featuring compelling, illuminating interviews with dozens of political, medical, and military experts to elucidate the inevitable societal collapse when faced with global pandemics and bio-attacks. Following the gripping narrative style that launched Nuclear War to the New York Times bestseller list, Jacobsen looks deeply at a situation that is in some ways the opposite of a nuclear bomb: There is no mushroom cloud, no shock wave or blast. Instead, the scenario that could end the world as we know it begins with something so small, and something so malicious, that when used for evil, only evil can result. Get details online. |
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Wednesday, August 5 from 8pm to midnight Karaoke Wednesday at Taurus The City of Miami’s longest-running liquor license belongs to The Taurus, a Coconut Grove bar institution if there ever was one. Your local hub for live comedy and sports announced a pair of upgrades in the form of Masa Craft’s Cuban and Filipino-American style food menu along with Silver Dragon’s Karaoke That Cares! You'll find the host Rob The Rum Guy there every Wednesday night tweaking the vocals from 9pm to 1am, with specials just for karaoke night that include your first shot free when you sing, plus $10 Old Fashioned, $9 Gin or Vodka Gimlet, $9 Tommy-Style Margarita, and $8 Modelo beer at 3540 Main Highway. Call 305-529-6523. Get details online. |
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Thursday, August 6 at 4pm Pinecrest Gardens Avian Initiative Briefing Pinecrest Gardens is advancing avian-focused programming and infrastructure through the Avian Initiative, highlighted by the Avian Oasis art exhibition, historical heritage projects, and proposals to return historic birds to the property. This special informational session will detail the opportunity to re-home a small number of parrots that were hatched at Pinecrest Gardens when it was the original Parrot Jungle. Call 305-669-6990. Get details online. |
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Thursday, August 6 at 6pm A Good Book Book Club - First Thursdays Connect with fellow readers at the Pinecrest library or on Zoom for a lively discussion of this month's book -- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, a historical mystery novel based on the life and writings of the eighteenth-century midwife and healer Martha Ballard, specifically Ballard's role in the trial of Judge Joseph North. Get details online. |
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Thursday, August 6 at 7pm One Night Only Two strangers crash into each other in an ever-so-slightly fictionalized New York on the one night when single people are allowed to have sex. Recently dumped Owen and hopeful romantic Allie may be the only two singles in the city looking for more than a quick encounter. They both feel a spark when they meet, but a series of missteps and side quests will complicate their night. From Will Gluck, the writer-director of Anyone But You and Friends with Benefits, comes a fresh, funny, swoony original romantic comedy about searching for love on the least romantic night of the year. Get details online. |
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Thursday, August 6 at 7pm Pub 52 Gastropub Karaoke Silver Dragon Entertainment presents Karaoke That Cares every Thursday night from 7-11pm at Pub 52 Gastropub + Kitchen. Try amazing starters or entrees like Stone Oven Flatbreads which are on special for only $8.99. Quench your thirst with $5 drafts or $6 house drinks. Check it out on instagram. |
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Thursday, August 6 at 7:30pm CAP Summer Concert - pianist Clayton Stephenson Clayton Stephenson is the first Black finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Growing up in New York City, Clayton started piano lessons at age 7, and the next year was accepted into The Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program -- a full scholarship program for under-represented students -- where he lingered to watch student recitals and fell in love with music. Dazzling brilliance awaits from this Gilmore Young Artist and Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Get details online. |
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Friday, August 7 from 6 to 10pm The Americas Collection Gallery Night The Americas Collection open their doors to the public every first Friday of the month to enjoy complimentary drinks and music while you discover new art. Gallery Night is Coral Gables’ initiative to support its local art scene and institutions. Get details online. |
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Friday, August 7 at 6:15pm Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles Discover the music of The Beatles at Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables under the gentle glow of candlelight. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 8 at 9:30am Container Gardening at The Kampong Attend a workshop with the Master Gardeners from the UF/IFAS Extension office and learn how to grow your own food or ornamental plants at home -- even if you’ve killed a cactus before. They will cover everything you need to start your own container garden in South Florida: where to put it, what to plant, and how to keep it thriving. The Kampong is located at 4013 S Douglas Road. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 8 at 11am Dye Workshop - Native Pigments Attend the Dye Workshop Series with AIRs Aida Tejada & Debora Rosental at the Deering Estate. Explore the art of dyeing and painting with pigments derived from Florida’s native plants. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of natural color making through a guided demonstration on preparing plant based paints, mixing formulas, and understanding the unique variations that emerge from different species. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 8 at 11am Beginner's Photography: Tabletop Studio Workshop Discover the fundamentals of still life studio photography in this Fairchild Garden hands-on beginner workshop with Carlos Causo. Learn camera settings, basic lighting techniques (both flash and continuous lighting), composition, and how to work with studio equipment in a professional environment. Get details online. |
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Saturday, August 8 starting at 8pm Vincent Hsu Trio at The Burrow The Burrow presents Vincent Hsu Trio featuring Dafnis Prieto and Martin Bejerano. Award-winning Taiwanese bassist and composer Vincent Hsu has built an international career by weaving together jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and the musical traditions of his homeland. A graduate of New York University and a protégé of jazz masters including Andy González and Cecil McBee, Hsu has performed at some of the world’s most respected festivals and venues, from Havana’s Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza and the Madrid International Jazz Festival to Blue Note New York and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Get details online. |
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Thur/Fri, August 20–21 Gables Chamber Annual Conference at the Biltmore Attend a dynamic program with two days of impactful conversations designed to deliver valuable insights and practical strategies for professionals across every industry. Inspired by this year’s theme, The Place Where It Happens, attendees will hear from industry leaders and experts on the topics shaping our region’s future, including property taxes, healthcare, hospitality, tourism, banking and finance, and much more. Get details online. |
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Thursday, August 20 at 7:30pm CAP Summer Concert Series - Kate Kortum 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner Kate Kortum is turning the heads of millions. One of the most compelling new artists in jazz today, Kate is known for her distinctive sound that blends bebop, blues, Broadway, and musical theater. Her 2023 debut album, Good Woman, reimagines jazz standards written by men from a female perspective. Her 2025 follow-up, Wild Woman, includes an orchestral version of her breakout single, You Are There. Get details online. |
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Starting Friday, September 25 Weather Girl GableStage presents Weather Girl. Reporting live from Fresno! Ella Olesen stars as a California weather girl who struggles to deliver forecasts about our climate-stricken planet with unflinching optimism. Beneath her sunshiny veneer lurks something fantastically primal, something that may be the key to saving us all. This blistering dark comedy by Brian Watkins was named one of The New York Times’ Best Plays of 2025. The play continues through October 18. Get details online. |
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Thanks to our generous sponsors who bring you the weekly Great Gables Events newsletter. And thanks to our readers who subscribe to the newsletter. We hope you find it a useful resource for discovering cultural opportunities in the community.
Robert and Robin Burr |
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