Where is everybody on weekends?
Every time we have an event in Coconut Grove from the Arts Festival to the King Mango Strut, I am amazed at all the people who attend. People complain about parking all the time, but when there is an event they wish to attend, they manage to find parking.
At the King Mango Strut, one of the best parts is the after party which this year included four terrific bands on flatbed trucks performing all around the village. The crowds loved it. They were out drinking in the streets, dancing and really enjoying the whole vibe and I wonder why this can't be all the time. Why don't the big crowds come back after that? Or do we not want big crowds anymore?
We tried block parties one time; in the summer of 2009. But that was a lot of work, there was so much planning by the BID and a stage had to be set up and lights and it was a real project. But what if we just used a flatbed truck during the day? No stage, no lights, just the band, their sound equipment on a flatbed truck and a street closure - probably Commodore Plaza.
Whether it's the 18 Wheelers, Bobby Ingram or the fantastic kids of the School of Rock, the performances will draw people to the Grove, I am assuming.
Maybe we don't need so many people here anymore, like in the past, but there is a a great feeling of seeing so many people on the streets after the Strut, just enjoying the village, peacefully, happily and it's really what the Grove is all about.
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11 Comments:
The answer is simple: There are plenty of other places in greater Miami where one can stroll, shop, and eat and drink at mediocre restaurants. Most Miamians live closer to those other places.
There's really no entertainment in the Grove, except for the movie theater.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the previous comment is right. Aside from the theater (moviplex or whatever its called now), there is very little entertainment here. There are a handful of good places to eat (more and more each month which is great), but there is rarely live music, no performances (grove playhouse...),
Grove has competition from so many areas. Coral Gables has the miracle theater, and smaller venues too. Wynwood has stuff going on all the time. The beach, well thats always activity. Brickell has dinner theater now + tons of bars and restaurants.
What is the BID doing? Who is even running it nowadays?
Scotty's, now Grove Bay Grill has Live Music every Fri, Sat & Sun.
Grove Spot has Live Music.
Vinos' does on Weds.
Mr. Moe's is renovating, we'll see when they reopen.
All of these things are like insider secret knowledge.
Outside promotion is slim
There was a clear message sent by CG over the last 8 years or so - STAY AWAY, GET OF MY LAWN, SHHHHH, AND MY SOUP IS COLD.
I think the grove needs to decide what it wants to be..I attended the seafood festival a cpl months ago it was great..and packed..and Rashid and l were saying the exact same thing. .This how the grove should look every weekend. .or perhaps at least once a month..The flatbed concert sounds like a terrific idea..great live music was always a staple for the grove. .I think the grove is in the transition stage..new restaurants starting to emerge. .west grove is in redevelopment and there will be a commercial component in the new development. .it's never gonna be like the old coconut grove. .but I believe it will be just as good..With some really cool residential and restaurants and art galleries. .that make the grove a cool..place to hang out. .again. .
the Grove has lots of things to do if you look. BID and Grapevine post events and programs available for free or minimal admissions all the time.
Mark, I've lived across the Street from Scotty's for 11 years. I'm pretty sure they've been playing the same exact 20 songs, over and over, every freaking year. They kicked out for some reason the Grove's Solar Dogs, and have 2 or 3 below-mediocre bands, or just a guy with a guitar and a boom box. It's boring and beyond pathetic. Hopefully the new owners will read this. Say it ain't true..
As for live music in the Grove, it's a Sham. Most weekends you have close to nothing anywhere.
It's funny, but there's no live music anywhere in Dade County regularly. It's odd, like the town in Footloose, but as soon as you cross the border into Broward - Hollywood has multiple live music venues- bands near every night - downtown FTL - many bars with live bands all over, FTL beach, Laudy by the sea, Deerfield, etc. etc.
The grove would do well to embrace live music the way it once scratched the surface of doing. No competition in own.
4:05 - False. Churchill's Pub has live music. Heck, even World of Beer in Kendall has live music. Surely there's more places that I missed.
My apology for forgetting Churchill's Pub. I haven't been there for too long I guess. I also haven't had a Tetanus shot for so long... coincidence?
Kidding, love that place, but haven't been since it was sold. Is it still the same?
Also, it's not exactly competition, which is the point I made.
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