Cultural Calendar

The following is a list of ongoing cultural events in Coral Gables. Event schedules are subject to change, so please call the organizations directly in advance of a show.

If you are an arts & culture organization holding events in Coral Gables and wish to be included in this listing, please send an e-mail message to e-news@coralgables.com. Please include complete event information such as time, date, place, name of performance or artist, ticket prices, and contact information.

Theatre

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Always wanted to be a chorus girl? Join the Almost Broadway classes at St. Philip's Church, 1142 Coral Way, from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Exercise while dancing easy routines from Broadway shows! No registration necessary, just drop in and it's free. All ages are welcomed. Straw hats will be provided. For more information call 305-445-8740 or St. Philip's Church at 305 444-6176.

• April 23 - May 31: Paint! Marc Chagall's Colorful Musical Adventure is about young Marc Chagall''s passion and persistence to follow his dream to become an artist. In the play Marc wants to be a painter more than anything, yet his parents strongly forbid it because of his religious cultural heritage. Respectful of his parent''s wishes, the musical relates how Marc strived to imagine a way to combine his love of art with the unique style of painting for which he is known worldwide today. Catch this inspiring play at the Actors'' Playhouse at Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, on Saturdays at 2 p.m. For more information, call 305-444-9293.

• Through May 25: See the dramatic play written by journalist Bernard Weinraub titled The Accomplices. GableStage describes the play as detailing how the American government, media, and even American Jewish officials abetted the World War II massacre of European Jews because they feared that too much outcry would lead to anti-Semitism at home. Watch the play at GableStage located at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost of admission ranges from $37.50 to $42.50. For more information, call 305-446-1116.

• May 16, 17, 23 & 24: Miami Childrens Theater Mainstage Production adapts Disney's Mulan for the stage and brings the performance to Coral Gables. All performances start at 8 p.m. at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. Tickets cost $12 for general admission and $10 for children. Call 305-274-3595 for more information.

• June 21 - July 20: Catch the Southeastern premier of Conor McPherson's play Shining City at GableStage. The plot of this thriller centers on a businessman who claims to have seen the ghost of his wife who was killed in a car crash and seeks help from a therapist dealing with his own demons. GableStage is located at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. Productions take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost of admission ranges from $37.50 to $42.50. For more information, call 305-446-1116.

• June 26 - August 2: The book "Free to Be…You and Me" was adapted for the stage and is playing at the Actors' Playhouse at Miracle Theatre. This is a tale about the journey to a land where “the horses run free” and “you and me are free to be, you and me!” This musical features such classic scenes and songs as: William Wants a Doll, It's Alright to Cry, Parent's are People and Glad to Have a Friend Like You. Performances begin at 2 p.m. every Saturday. The Actors' Playhouse at Miracle Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile. For more information, call 305-444-9293.

• July 9: The new musical revue Mid-Life is an entertaining look at the decades of the 40s and 50s from a humoristic perspective. The Crisis Musical strikes a chord with anyone regardless of age. It is lampooned with humor and bittersweet moments about the trails and tribulations of the unavoidable process of aging. Show starts at 8 p.m. but please plan to be there by 7:30 p.m. For more information including ticket prices, please call 305-460-5609. The Actors' Playhouse Theater is located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

• August 16 - September 14: Catch the Southeastern premier of John Patrick Shanley's play Defiance at GableStage. The play is set in a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina in 1971. That's where two officers find themselves on a collision course over race, women and the high cost of doing the right thing. Productions take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost of admission ranges from $37.50 to $42.50. For more information, call 305-446-1116.

Musical

• Thursdays: Thursdays are not ordinary weekdays anymore in the City of Coral Gables. The Biltmore Hotel proudly presents Live Jazz Concerts on the beautiful Cascade Poolside Bar and Grill, featuring during the month of March the performance of “The Zervigon Quartet” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information contact The Biltmore Hotel; 1200 Anastasia Avenue, or by phone at 305-445-1926.

• May 16: Seraphic Fire, the internationally acclaimed chamber choir, will take the stage with high school students from Miami-Dade country schools to present Mozart's majestic Coronation Mass and Handel's Coronation Anthems. This special concert will take place at First United Methodist Church, 536 Coral Way, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 305-476-0260.

• May 18: Clarinetist and two-time Grammy Award winner Richard Stoltzman is coming to Coral Gables with his son pianist Peter Stoltzman in this rare performance. The concert will take place at Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at 4 p.m. Tickets for adults cost $40, seniors pay $32 and students pay $10. For more information, call 305-271-7150.

• June 8: Sunday Afternoons of Music ends its 2007 – 2008 season with a concert by dynamic violinist Vadim Gluzman. Gluzman has established himself as an international artist of great depth and technical brilliance. His performance will take place at 4 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at the University of Miami campus. The cost of admission is $40 for adults, $32 for seniors and $10 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-271-7150.

Senior Activities

• Wednesdays: Wednesdays: Starting in January, spend Wednesday afternoons at the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center for Social Hour. Meet at the chapel of University Baptist Church, 624 Anastasia Avenue, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to catch up with your friends, play a few games or just relax

• Mondays and Wednesdays: Exercising was never easier than this!!! Now seniors can enjoy their aerobic routine while combining dancing in the 60 minute Dancercise class. Instructed by senior volunteer Belkis Frangente, the class features stretching, light aerobics and easy to follow dancing movements with music from across the globe. Senior residents pay $4 per month and non-residents $5 per month. Classes begin at 10 a.m. in the Adult Activity Center located at University Baptist Church, 624 Anastasia Avenue. For more information call 305-460-5500.

• Mondays: Come and start your day early with a group of friends and a cup of coffee at the Morning Coffee Club. Catch up on the latest news and chat with friends to energize your week. Morning Coffee Club takes place every Monday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Coral Gables Adult Center - University Baptist Church 624 Anastasia Avenue. No fee or registration required.

• Wednesdays: Join old friends and meet new ones during a pleasant, sociable lunch. Let's Do Lunch! is held every Wednesday at 12 noon at the Chapel of University Baptist Church located at 624 Anastasia Avenue. Fee is $5 per person. For more details on how to register please call 305-460-5609.

• Second Monday of Month: The Coral Gables Fire Department is offering free monthly blood pressure screening for individuals 55 and older. Just pass by the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

• May 22: The Adult Activity Center of Coral Gables invites you to the flagship Glassbottom Boat Tour. Enjoy a unique glimpse into the serene undersea world in style and comfort in a 65 feet high speed catamaran traveling throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Price is $45 per person and includes tour, admission to the park, transportation and lunch. Excursion bus will depart from the Adult Activity Center located at 624 Anastasia Avenue at 7 a.m. and will return at 3 p.m. Please register before May 8th by calling 305-460-5609.

• June 26: Visit the lush subtropical forest of Vizcaya Museum and approach the main house along a walkway lined with fountains and foliage. Discover this historic mansion like never before. Learn about unique and collectible items inside the fantastic residence, spectacular views of the Biscayne Bay and a garden of orchids. Tour is $23 per person and includes museum entrance and transportation from the Adult Activity Center, located at 624 Anastasia Avenue. Excursion bus will depart at 9 a.m. and will return at 12:30 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, please call 305 460-5609.

• July 24: Seniors are invited to join the City for a competitive game of bowling at the Bird Bowl lanes. Come bowl from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Bird Bowl, 9574 Bird Road. Please register by July 17th at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center. The cost to bowl is $11. Senior must meet at the bowling alley. For more information, call 305-460-5609.

• August 28: Take a unique back-stage tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Carnival Center for Performing Arts). Seniors are will have the opportunity to tour the second largest theatre in the U.S. See and learn about the various commissioned original works of art, the state-of-the-art facility and the historical Art Deco Tower. A bus leaves the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center at 10 a.m. This is a walking tour. The cost of the trip is $29 which includes the tour, light box lunch and transportation. Register by August 14th by calling 305-460-5609.

Other

• Tuesdays: Learn everything about acrylic and oil painting in these fun classes that welcome beginners and experienced artist. This is a great opportunity to explore your talent and develop new techniques. Classes start from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High School, Adult Education Center, 450 Bird Road. For further information, call 305-443-4871 after 3 p.m.

• Wednesdays and Sundays: Come and enjoy, Celebrate -curated by Arva Moore Parks- an exhibition featuring artifacts from the early Coral Gables. This is a beautiful opportunity to learn about the unique history of our community and to preview a timeline exhibition to be housed in the new Coral Gables Museum. The event is free and open to the public from 1:00 to 4:00pm, at the sales office for the Old Spanish Village located at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. For more information, please contact 305-910-3996.

• Sundays: Learn everything about one of the most magnificent constructions in our City Beautiful during The Biltmore Hotel Historic Tours. The Dade Heritage proudly presents one of the most complete and interesting tours about the “Crowning Jewel” as George Merrick used to call it. Visit the Al Capone's suite, the world's largest outdoor pool, its old casino and much more. Every Sunday at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Register at the concierge desk or call at 306-667-5222.

• Thursdays: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is offering Movie Nights on the main lawn every Thursday night during the month of April. Visitors will be able to enjoy a movie among the illuminated sculptures of artists Fernando Botero, Roy Lichtenstein and Dale Chihuly. The screening presentations include: The Bee Movie on April 10th, Juno on April 17, and Madagascar on April 24. Movies start at 8 p.m. and they are included with the admission price. For admission information, call 305-667-1651 or click here. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables.

• Through May 31: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is transformed into an open air art gallery as the monumental pop art sculptures of Roy Lichtenstein grace the garden. The exhibit runs in conjunction with Dale Chihuly''s A Garden of Glass exhibition located in the Windows to the Tropics Conservatory. Admission to the garden costs $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for children ages 6 – 17. Experience these amazing works of art at night every Thursday night. Poppin' Tropical Nights takes place from 6 – 9 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. Admission is $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 6 – 17. For more information, call 305-667-1651 or click here.

• Through July 20: GMI Art Gallery at Greater Miami Investments is currently exhibiting the art of Philippe Dodard. The artworks are representative of the evolution of a stellar artist and internationally acclaimed figure in the world of art. GMI is located at 60 Aragon Avenue. For more information or for viewing hours, call 305-444-9979.

• Now through May 18: Join the Miami Children's Chorus opportunity to win a brand new Mini Cooper vehicle by purchasing tickets to enter in an Exciting Raffle. All funds collected will be destined to promote their Mid Year 2008 season. Only 600 tickets will be sold. The raffle will take place May 18th at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables located at 536 Coral Way, to purchase tickets or for more information call the Miami Children' Chorus at 305-662-7494.

• April 11 - July 29: Coral Gables Senior High School, Adult Community Education Center wants you to express your creativity through art. Join the Acrylic and Oil Painting Classes being offered at the center. Beginners and experienced artists are welcomed. This is a great opportunity to explore your talent and develop new techniques. The Adult Community Education Center is located at 450 Bird Road. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. For more information, call Mike Lowman at 305-443-4871 after 3 p.m.

• April 22 - May 27: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden wants you to capture the beauty of nature through art. The garden is offering art classes taught by artist Marcelle Zanetti. During the 6 week course on oil painting, students will explore composition, color shading, paint application and much more. The classes will take place at the garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at a cost of $200 for non-members. For more information, call 305-667-1651.

• May 16: Get ready to enjoy the largest outdoor party in Coral Gables during the Fifth Annual Cuba Libre Block Party, a free open-air concert and festival. The party which begins at 4 p.m. will stretch along the entire 300 block of Alhambra circle between Le Jeune Road and Salzedo Avenue. This year's block party will feature the live performances from Rey Ruiz, Los Tres de la Habana and Los Herederos, as well as a huge domino tournament, a raffle, a hand made cigars kiosk, delicious food, and much more. The Cuba Libre party is expected to gather an audience of over 15 thousand people including many South Florida celebrities. For more information, call the Globe Café at 305-445-3555.

• May 15: The Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department and the Anti Defamation League, invite the community to attend a workshop about Cyberbullying. This interactive program is designed for parents, teachers, teenagers and community leaders. Participants will increase awareness of cyberbulling and learn strategies to respond and protect your loved ones. The workshop will be held at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Admission is free but reservations are required. Minors under 16 years of age without supervision will not be admitted. For more information, call 305-460-5600.

• May 16: The American Heart Association invites all women to the 2008 Go Red for Women Luncheon, an event which brings attention to the threat of heart disease to women while raising awareness to the need for a heart-healthy lifestyle. During the reception, all guests will have the opportunity to participate in health screenings and interact with healthcare professionals on topics such as blood pressure, cholesterol, fitness, nutrition, hormone replacement therapy and stoke prevention. The event will be held at the Biltmore Hotel located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 305-856-1449.

• May 17: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting a 5K walk to raise funds for a cure. The Great Strides Walk starts at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, and continues around the Granada Golf Course. Registration starts at 8 a.m. For more information, call 305-947-4243.

• May 17: Come to Books & Books dressed in your favorite camping outfit. Author Laurie Friedman will read from her new book Campfire Mallory and show children ages 8 through 12 how to make friendship bracelets and teach them camp songs. The event starts at 11 a.m. Books& Books is located at 265 Aragon Avenue.

• May 20: Arguably the most important woman in the history of broadcast journalism is coming to Coral Gables. Barbara Walters is visiting Temple Judea as part of a nationwide book tour for her new memoir Audition. An Evening with Barbara Walters will include a book signing and her candid interview conducted by Local 10 News anchor Laurie Jennings. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the temple located at 5500 Granada Boulevard. Tickets for this event can be purchased at any Books & Books location. For more information, call 305-442-4408.

• May 22: Enjoy a spectacular night of food, music and fashion at the 3rd Annual American Cancer Society Coral Gables Relay For Life, Silent Auction & Fashion Show. The event will take place at the beautiful Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Boulevard, starting at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50 which includes food, fashion show and open bar. All proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information or to purchase tickets call 305-551-2444 or click here.

• May 28: Two chefs with restaurants in Coral Gables will be battling against each other during the latest Battle of the Chefs competition. The event takes place at La Cuisine Gourmet, 50 Aragon Avenue, at 7 p.m. The chefs will be handed a bag of mystery ingredients and instructed to create a dish with those ingredients. The event is free. For more information, call 305-662-7152, ext. 103.

• June 1: The Miami City Ballet Dancers will be performing at the last event scheduled for the 2007 – 2008 season of Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children. The interactive performance features professional dancers guiding the young audience through the journey of preparing a ballet, rehearsing and finally the polished performance. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at the University of Miami. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-284-4940 or 305-271-7150.

• June 9 through August 1: Summer Swimming Classes are to start at the Venetian Pool. For a minimal fee, come and learn life saving techniques and other aquatic skills. Classes are offered 3 days of the week for 45 minutes every morning. For registration, schedule and pricing information please call, 305-460-5306 The Venetian Pool is located at 2701 DeSoto Boulevard.

• September 2 - November 11: Teens wanting to learn a new craft are invited to give ceramics a try. The City's Parks & Recreation Department is offering kids ages 13 through 17 Pottery classes. Learn how to use a potter's wheel and create special pieces by learning some basic techniques. The classes take place on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center. The cost for members is $82, residents pay $110 and non-residents pay $138. All glazes, clay and firings are included. For more information or to sign up, call 305-460-5600 or click here.

• October 15 - 19: The Society of American Registered Architects is holding its 52nd National Convention in Coral Gables at the Westin Colonnade Hotel. The convention will include continuing education seminars for architects, historic tours of Coral Gables and President's banquet. For more information, contact Executive Director Cathie Moscato at 1-888-385-7272.

Arts & Culture in Coral Gables

Theater/Musical:

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theater
280 Miracle Mile
305-444-9293
www.actorsplayhouse.org

Bill Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami
Memorial Building, 2nd Floor
1111 Memorial Dr.
305-284-4861
http://com.miami.edu/Our_School/Facilities.htm#CosfordCinema

GableStage
The Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Ave.
305-446-1116
www.gablestage.org

Jerry Herman Ring Theatre at the University of Miami
1312 Miller Drive
305-284-3355
http://www.miami.edu/tha/ring/rwelcome.htm

Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami
"Sunday Afternoons of Music"
1314 Miller Dr.
305-271-7150
http://www.music.miami.edu/facility/gusman/
http://www.sundaymusicals.org/gusman.htm

Miami Children’s Theater
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Theater
405 University Dr.
305-233-2206
www.miamichildrenstheater.com

New Theatre
4120 Laguna St.
305-443-5909
http://www.new-theatre.org/

Museums:

Casa Bacardi
1531 Brescia Ave.
305-284-2822 (305-284-CUBA)
http://casabacardi.iccas.miami.edu

Coral Gables Merrick House and Gardens
907 Coral Way
305-460-5361

Coral Gables Museum
Coming soon to 285 Aragon Ave.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Rd.
305-667-1651
www.fairchildgarden.org

Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami
1301 Stanford Dr.
305-284-3535
http://www.miami.edu/lowe/

PIAG - Museum & Gallery
2724 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
305-443-0770
www.piagmuseum.org

Antiques/Home Furnishings:

Alhambra Antiques / European Fine Art
2850 Salzedo St.
305-446-1688
www.alhambraantiques.com

The Gilded Hand
165 Aragon Ave.
305-442-1445
www.thegildedhand.com

Modernism Gallery
800 Douglas Rd., Suite 101
305-442-8743
www.modernism.com

Literary Events:

Barnes and Noble
152 Miracle Mile
305-446-4152

Books & Books
265 Aragon Ave.
305-442-4408
http://www.booksandbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Fifteenth Street Books
296 Aragon Ave.
305-442-2344

2007-2008 Coral Gables Cultural Grant Recipients

2007-08 Coral Gables Cultural Grant Recipients: A total of $166,250 in grant funds has been awarded to these organizations to support festivals and cultural and community events in Coral Gables. The City is proud to support the cultural community for its invaluable contributions to the Coral Gables way of life.

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre - www.actorsplayhouse.org

Bascomb Memorial Broadcasting Foundation - www.wdna.org

Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education - www.caje-miami.org

Centro Cultural Español de Cooperación Iberoamericana – www.ccemiami.org

Chopin Foundation of the United States - www.chopin.org

City Theatre – www.citytheatre.com

Civic Chorale of Greater Miami – www.civicchoraleofgreatermiami.org

Coral Gables Community Foundation – www.gablesfoundation.org

Coral Gables Congregational Church - www.communityartsprogram.org

The Dance Now! Ensemble - www.dancenowmiami.org

Environmental Education Providers of Miami-Dade County (EEP) – www.eepmiami.org

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - www.fairchildgarden.org

Friends of Chamber Music of Miami – www.MiamiChamberMusic.org

Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library - www.mdpls.org

GableStage - www.GableStage.org

Greater Miami Youth Symphony of Dade County – www.gmys.org

Kiwanis Club of Little Havana – www.carnavalmiami.com

Lowe Art Museum - http://www.miami.edu/lowe/

Merrick Festival - http://www.merrickfestival.org

Miami Children’s Chorus - www.miamichildrenschorus.org

Miami Hispanic Ballet Corp. – www.miamihispanicballet.com

Miami Momentum Dance Company - www.momentumdance.com

Murray Dranoff Foundation - www.dranoff2piano.org

New Theatre - www.new-theatre.org

Seraphic Fire - www.seraphicfire.org

South Florida Youth Symphony - www.sfys.net

St. Patrick’s Day Committee - www.emeraldsocietysfl.com

Sunday Afternoons of Music - www.sundaymusicals.org

Tigertail Productions - www.tigertail.org

Young Patronesses of the Opera - www.ypo-miami.org

Arts & Culture Around South Florida

Visit these web sites for more cultural events happening in South Florida:

The Miami Bach Society
305-669-1376
http://www.miamibachsociety.org/

Arts & Culture for Kids

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
"Theatre for Young Audiences"
280 Miracle Mile
305-444-9293
http://www.actorsplayhouse.org

Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami
"Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children"
1314 Miller Dr.
305-271-7150
http://www.sundaymusicals.org/gusman.htm

Miami Children’s Theater
305-233-2206
www.miamichildrenstheater.com
Two locations:
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Theater
405 University Dr., Coral Gables