Gifford Lane Art Stroll is this Sunday

Sunday, March 3, 2013, is Gifford Lane Art Stroll day. A day when friends come out to everyone's favorite block party.

Art, live music and friends, and the oh so delicious cucumber punch are on the agenda from noon to 5 pm.


This is the 15th annual Gifford Lane Art Stroll. As usually, it's one block long under the shady trees from Oak to Day Avenues. There really isn't parking so just walk on over.

Sixty artists are selling their art and crafts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Alban's Child Enrichment Center and St. Stephen's AIDS Ministry.

Yesterday's shooting in Village West

People keep asking me about the shooting yesterday in Coconut Grove. I don't know much other than a couple of guys were shooting around Elizabeth Street and Grand Avenue. All hell broke loose on a sleepy Wednesday when dozens of police cars zoomed through the Center Grove and a bunch of helicopters took to the sky -- tv and police helicopters.

But after all was said and done, it was a fast event, the police were in and out and the incident was over fast. The schools in the area were all locked down, but they soon opened and everything went back to normal.

That's all I know.

Chamber holds networker at Atchana's in Mutiny

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce had it's monthly networker at Atchana's East/West Kitchen, which is at the Mutiny Hotel, on Wednesday night. That's always a fun venue where you can flow out onto the patio and pool area and feel like you're on vacation. Above are Melissa Garsva of La Cava Wine Club and Christopher D. Hughes, WWF Insurance.

Pearl Meyer, owner of The Blonde Tulip florist shop at Mayfair and Lilia Garcia, curator of the new Dynamo Art Gallery at CocoWalk.

Vivian Calzadilla, iTrip with Luly Paz

Mary MacDonald, MACCI Design Studio and Liliana Dones, Creative Tools, Inc.

Don Kesler, Don Kesler famous photographer, Mary Stussenberger and Katherine Kesler, IDG Design Group. I spent a good amount of time with my friends, the Keslers at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival this year. They entertained me with stories of all their world travels. They need their own reality show!

Photos by Liliana Dones

Saturday night is Grove Gallery Walk night

The Coconut Grove Gallery Walk is Saturday, March 2, first Saturday of the month. While most of the rest of the country is freezing, we have beautiful weather. Come out and enjoy.

The Grove Gallery Walk is when the Coconut Grove galleries are open with refreshments, music and art, all over the village. Included this month is the Majo Grossi photography exhibit at The Design Bar (3094 Fuller Street). Majo Grossi has become a recognized photographer in Miami. She has had a fast and amazing trajectory, she moved into photography from her experience on TV and movie production, she has an even longer career going back to her native Argentina. Stop by from 7 to 10 pm on Saturday to meet the photojournalist.

The Via Gallery (2996 McFarlane Road) is celebrating 5 years! Stop by and check out their pop art and they always have live music right outside on the corner.


The Boswell Mourot Fine Art Gallery (3162 Commodore Plaza) is offering new works by Hans Feyerabend and Robin Hazard-Bishop, the show is called "Full Color," drop by and meet the artists at Saturday's reception, and see the new work in this great space, it's large, well lit and a great venue. Above, the piece on the left is by Hans and the right is by Robin.

Blu Moon Studio (3444 Main Highway), Frame Works (3196 Commodore Plaza), and the new Dynamo Art Gallery at CocoWalk are all open and ready to share new works with you.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery, at the Mayfair Atrium, has a cool new exhibit called,  "iPhoneography: the New Photography," its an exhibition of exciting and completely unique photographs created by, Shirley Drevich. Shirley is considered nationally as a pioneer in photography using an iPhone camera. Also, Richard Medlock's "Still Fountain Series," sculptural meditative works are on display.

And don't forget the Grove's Drum Circle. They will be at the corner of Grand and Commodore, you can't miss them. Join in -- drum, hula hoop, dance or play the tamborine!

Be a part of Bacardi's Miami Sailing Week

Bacardi Miami Sailing Week is coming to Coconut Grove from March 3 to 9. This is their 50th year! You'll probably see many of the sailors and their families around the village.

There is a hospitality village on our waterfront, which is the center of all things regatta, the sailors have food and drink there and they sign in there. There are lots of activities that keep them on site, but many of course visit the village to shop, dine and unwind. A trolley sure would help them get around, but that's another story.

Leading the sailing lineup are 2012 Star World Champions Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot (France), who are also the Bacardi Cup defending champions.  They will face, among others, 1992 Finn Silver medalist Brian Ledbetter (Medina, Wash.) who has teamed with Canadian 2012 Olympian Tyler Bjorn; 2009 Star World Champion George Szabo (San Diego) sailing with Miami’s Magnus Liljedahl, the 2000 world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist; two-time (’08, ’12) Olympian Peter O’Leary (Ireland) with Rodney Hagebols (Australia); Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Augie Diaz (Miami, Fla.); and two-time (’88, ’96) Tornado Olympic Medalist Lars Grael (Rio de Janeiro, BRA). 

A kick-off party with a Pro-Am reception is being held Saturday, March 2 and at the end of the week, the following Saturday, March 9, there is a party and events ceremony. In between it's a week of sailing competitions.

For the fourth year in a row Miami Sailing Week is offering competitors from a variety of different one-design classes the opportunity to compete during this fun and exciting event on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.

This will be the Star Class 86th consecutive year partnering with Bacardi, a tradition that begun in Cuba then in Miami since 1962 making it this year the 50th anniversary.
For the first time in Miami, there will be a Bacardi Cup & Miami Sailing Week Pro Am Regatta. You can join the sailing crew and help out great local causes at the same time.

Space is limited to 15 people to enjoy sailing with some of the most accomplished sailing captains in the world. Join the Kick-Off Party and Pro-Am Regatta Reception on Saturday, March 2,  from 6-9 pm. It’s a non-profit event benefiting Shake a Leg, Team Paradise, and Sailing Heals.

Tickets are $30.00 each, plus a $2.64. You can buy them here.

Thanks to our new advertisers

These are some new advertisers. Please visit their sites and patronize them if you can. They are the ones keeping the Grapevine going. Thank you.

Spring Beer Festival
John Seidel Realtor
Carole Smith Realtor
The Knight Foundation
The MCA Academy
Ditto Bee and Coconut Grove Pool service

For ad rates, please email us.

Grove venues part of Dade Heritage Days

The University of Florida has honored Dade Heritage Trust (DHT) with the Beinecke-Reeves Distinguished Achievement Award in Historic Preservation. The award was presented in Gainesville last month. 

From left: Morris Hylton, III, Director of Historic Preservation for the University of Florida's College of Design, Constructin and Planning; DHT Founder Dolly MacIntyre, DHT CEO Becky Roper Matkov and DHT former President Judy Pruitt.

Dade Heritage Days are coming up from March 1 through April 30 and it's nice to see that Coconut Grove is part of the agenda. Dade Heritage Trust is holding tours and special events during the whole period. This year they are celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s Landing in Florida. There's a special event at the Biltmore, the "Voyage of Dreams" gala and many ongoing events. Honorary Chair of the gala is Ambassador Cristina Barrios Consul General of Spain; Co-Chairs are Robin and Susan Shelley.

Coconut Grove events include:

Guided Tours of The Kampong
March 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and April 3, 6, 17, 20, 24, 27
The Kampong, 4013 S. Douglas Road, Coconut Grove
Explore The Kampong – the private home and gardens of plant explorer David Fairchild. With over 2000 varieties of tropical and subtropical fruits, palms and flowering trees, and vines, The Kampong is an 11-acre jewel in the middle of metropolitan Miami. Guided tours include both horticultural and historical information, a behind-the-scenes look at Fairchild’s original plantings, as well as the office where he wrote many of his books. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and the 2-hour tour begins at 10:30 a.m. Tour fee is $20 for adults, $15 for ages 62 and over and students with ID, $10 for ages 4-12 years, and free for children under 3. Reservations required. Visit Kampong.ntbg.org or call 305-442-7169 to reserve or for more info. 

Vizcaya Contemporary Arts Project (CAP)
Daily through March 18th during regular museum hours
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami
From painters John Singer Sargent and Gari Melchers, both extended houseguests of James Deering, to sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder, responsible for the Barge figures, Vizcaya has been a source of inspiration to artists. Through CAP, Vizcaya continues Deering’s patronage by inviting artists to create site-specific projects that provide visitors with new ways of seeing the estate. Vizcaya presents The Light Club of Vizcaya: A Women’s Picture, a project by Josiah McElheny. A New York-based artist and MacArthur Fellow, McElheny has created a 30-minute film referencing a little-known 1912 short story by German author Paul Scheerbart, “The Light Club of Batavia.” McElheny draws his characters from Vizcaya’s history and uses the estate as the ingenious setting for this narrative about the promise of modernity and utopia. The film combines footage of historical and archival documents along with current images of Vizcaya. Tickets: Regular museum admission. More info at 305-250-9133 or www.vizcaya.org.

Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert
Fridays, March 8 and April 12 at 7:00 p.m.
The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Enjoy a concert on the lawn of The Barnacle Historic State Park. Bring a picnic and blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the evening of music on the grounds of The Barnacle, built in 1891 by Commodore Ralph Munroe. Gates open 6:00 p.m. Music from 7:00-9:00 p.m. No pets. Admission: $7 per person for those age 10 and over, $3 for ages 6-9. More info at 305-442-6866, www.FloridaStateParks.org/TheBarnacle for more info.

Old Time Dance
Sundays, March 24 and April 28, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The Barnacle Historic State Park
3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Kick up your heels as Southern Atlantic Muse plays traditional American music while Lou Dow calls the dance steps in the Micco Pavilion on the grounds of The Barnacle, built by Ralph Munroe in 1891. Dance instruction for these traditional American folk dances is included. Dances such as circles, squares, contras and waltzes were all the rage in the 1800s, so come on out and dance like it’s 1891! Admission: $10 per person. Gate opens at 6 p.m. Dance instruction at 6:30 with dancing from 7:00-10:00 p.m. For more info call 305-442-6866 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org/TheBarnacle.


Moonlight Garden Tours
March 27 & 28, April 24 & 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 S. Miami Ave, Miami
If you think Vizcaya’s bayfront gardens are breathtaking by day, don’t miss the chance to see them transformed by the glow of a bright Miami moon. With live music in the Courtyard, the allure of Italian-inspired gardens and delicious temptations available for purchase in the Café & Shop, it’s no wonder Moonlight Garden Tours are a visitor favorite! Not all areas of the garden are wheelchair accessible and decorated rooms will not be open. Optional guided tours begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue at intervals throughout the evening. Tickets: $10 for Vizcaya members, seniors, and students with ID; $15 for non-members. Tickets are available onsite only from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the evening of the program. Call 305-250-9133 or visit www.vizcaya.org for more info.

A PDF brochure of all of the Dade Heritage Trust events may be obtained here.

A case of dirty dining

On the Saturday of the Arts Festival, I was buying food at a vendor's booth and at the food booth next door, the Health Department was closing the guy down because he was not storing the food correctly. The vendor said he would comply with the correct procedures and I guess he opened back up again. He was acting weird towards me and I guess that was why, he didn't want me to hear what was being said, but I couldn't help but overhear it. I never said anything to the vendor, I just acted like usual.

The next day, a friend and I got food from that said "dirty" vendor and a short while later I found myself having to leave the Festival because I was feeling sick. I felt better after some Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol, but I felt bad having to leave early feeling ill.

It's funny how we have short memories. Where was Jeff Weinsier from Channel 10 when you needed him?

I just thought it was funny how with all the vendors they have at the festivals, I happened to gravitate right to the one that had food issues. 

They want to stay in District 2

Redistricting of City of Miami District 2, which Coconut Grove is part of, could eliminate the upper east side, which is also now part of District 2. Many are concerned since the upper east side is more similar to Coconut Grove than the center area (downtown, Midtown, Wynwood and Brickell).  District 2 goes along the bay from South Grove up to about NE 87 Street.

I tend to think we have more in common with midtown and Wynwood.

The Shorecrest, Belle Meade and Palm Grove neighborhoods are set to move from District 2 to District 5. The upper eastside neighbors are unhappy and don't want the change. They have asked for additiona meetings so they can give more input. The map above shows the neighborhoods circled in red. They would be part of District 5, which is to the west of them.

There was was a meeting this past week and the next one is at Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) at 6 pm, on Monday, March 4.

There was talk a few years ago of making another district, but I think it was all talk. It would have started at the Miami River and ended in South Grove and would have consisted of just Coconut Grove and Brickell, but that would have given us six City Commissioners, and committees need to consist of an odd number (which most think the Commission does already) but we're not talking about the people now, we're talking about the number count.

The City is required by law to redraw the district every decade to account for shifts in population numbers, it evens out the population count. May is the deadline for the change.

"Beats of Life" concert at A&M School

"Beats of Life" is being presented Thursday, February 28 at the Academy of Arts and Minds (3138 Commodore Plaza). 

The percussion show was created and directed by Izaskun Cruz with special participation by Yolanda Mayor.

Showtime is from 8 to 10 pm

Order of presentation: 
TableSet
Brooms Line
Storm Colors
Heart Beating
Drum Line

Tickets may be purchased at the door. For more info:
Phone: 305-448-1100
Email: lr@aandm.net or icruz@aandm.net

Sprung! beer festival is just a few weeks away

Sprung! is coming, that's the Spring and Summer craft beer festival by the same guys who brought you Grovetoberfest. On March 9, Peacock Park will be the place for  South Florida craft beer enthusiasts.

“Our inboxes were flooded with requests for a spring festival. This event is by the people and for the people, and it’s because of them that we sprung into action to create it,” said event director Tony Albelo. “We’re going to continue focusing on our mission of expanding craft beer in South Florida, while adding seasonal beers and sprinkling a little more fun into the mix,” he continued.


Because Sprung! takes place in March, beer fans will have the opportunity to sample over 150 Spring and Summer craft beers, which are considered to be some of the best seasonal beers of the year. Breweries like Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Brewery, Kona, Magic Hat, Shiner, Shipyard, Harpoon, Blue Moon and many more will be showcasing their spring and summer offerings.

Sprung! will also host a complete lineup of Florida beers from Schnebley, Cigar City, Tequesta Brewing and Florida Beer, to name a few. Local breweries like Wynwood Brewing, Most Wanted, Opus Ales and others are now also springing up in South Florida, so they'll be there too. In addition, the lineup includes a complete list of ciders including Crispin Cider, Magner’s and Woodchuck. As an added bonus, event goers will be treated to a selection of beer not available in South Florida from Sweetwater Brewing from Atlanta and Fat Cat Beer from Wisconsin. Sprung! will also offer a homebrew section featuring brews created by local beer lovers.


“The atmosphere at Sprung! is meant to be fun and free-spirited. There’s no event like it in the area, and much like Grovetoberfest, Sprung! will become a staple of the South Florida scene,” said Tony. Sprung! will feature a dedicated section for games including Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Beer Pong, Mega Twister and Human Bowling -- complete with large, plastic balls big enough to hurl a person for strikes! Music will be provided by the hip hop ensemble, ArtOficial, offering their blend of jazz and funk influences. In addition, there will be plenty of food vendors offering a wide variety of tasty treats.

Tickets are currently on sale at IgotSprung.com, including a limited number of VIP tickets, which will give ticket holders a one-hour head start and access to the VIP tent where food and a special selection of beer will be available only to those ticket holders. The tickets range in price from $39 for general admission, $69 for Beer Socialite and $89 for VIP.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.IgotSprung.com, or call 305-461-2700. To stay on top of the latest news “Like” their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/IgotSprung.

Modern, avant-garde art?

The most photographed thing at last week's Coconut Grove Arts Festival was the partly dismantled Grand Bay Hotel! You could see the structure for most areas once you got onto the north section of South Bayshore Drive and it was so odd just standing out there in the distance.

For all three days of the Festival, this was the scene.

The hotel is almost gone now, so if you want to see it, you should get out there today. It's at the point where you can see through it now and it may just end up collapsing in on itself at any moment.

Great Taste of the Grove is back April 13 and 14

Miami’s original family-friendly food festival, the Great Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival, is back celebrating its 23rd year with a weekend of food, wine, music and fun for the whole family. On Saturday April 13 and Sunday 14, from noon to 7 pm, Coconut Grove’s picturesque Peacock Park will host the lively event, showcasing samplings from South Florida's best restaurants. 

Unlike many food festivals that charge large entrance fees at the door, the Great Taste of the Grove remains budget-friendly for families. Admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 (free for children under 3). Once inside, you can sample small tastes from more than 20 restaurants in the three giant “Great Tasting Tents” for only $1-$8 per small plate.  

Featuring some of South Florida’s best local talent, thousands will be dancing and jamming throughout the weekend with live performances and shows. The Kids Fun Zone will keep the kiddos entertained too.

Meeting planned to discuss Playhouse's fate

There is a meeting to discuss the Coconut Grove Playhouse next week. It's a private dinner meeting of the Dade Heritage Trust where they will try to save the structure from developers who have their eyes on the place. The public is not invited as this is a private group. They are basically strategizing on how to save the Playhouse structure.

County Commissioner Xavier Suarez will be in attendance. RJ Heisenbottle Architects, of Coral Gables, were invited where they will be making a presentation revealing the design they have come up with to restore the Playhouse. The question is: is the building going to remain intact, will some of it be destroyed, will all of it be destroyed?

$20.5 million dollars is still available for the restoration.

Aries Development, who owns the property, has filed a lawsuit against the Playhouse. It's believed that Aries, which owns Calamari and the restaurants that are part of that complex are moving in to take over a lot of the land in the area so that they can develop the large swath. They also own the old Stirrup House on Charles Avenue, which was to be turned into a Bed & Breakfast. It backs up to the Taurus bar, part of the Calamari complex.

Now that the Playhouse has been put up for grabs, everyone wants a piece -- those who want to preserve it and those who want to develop it and make it condos and a multi-use complex.

The die has been cast in the Grove as far as that is concerned. The Coconut Grove Bank lot will soon be condos, as well as the old Grand Bay Hotel and the land at 3444 Main Highway was also slated to be condos, but that plan has been put on hold.

It's really not far-fetched to see Coconut Grove as another Brickell in a number of years and that's sad because the only thing left in Coconut Grove then will be the waterfront, which apparently is all that these new residents are willing to buy condos for at this point. And of course the waterfront is being eyed for development, so really, nothing of Coconut Grove will be left in the end.

Again, this is a private dinner and it was only brought to my attention by a Facebook page and by friends of the Playhouse. Future meetings will most likely be held on the subject that will be set up for the public.

Look, Ma! Bottom billing!

This is funny, as we were walking through the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, a friend pointed out my logo on the sponsors banner. Every year, I am one of the media sponsors. This year, I wasn't publishing the Grapevine at the time, so I had asked the Arts Festival guys if I could be a media sponsor as Tomversation.com, my comic strip and I would publish the stories in various media outlets, other than the Grapevine. 

I had forgotten about it and at the last minute they asked me for the logo, just as they were going to print, so they managed to fit me in, but it's the very bottom of the batch.

But of course, it's much appreciated, especially since it's promoting my comic strip and not really a media publication! But it was so funny walking along the festival route and seeing me as bottom billing, since the thing is to get top billing.

Should the BID continue to help fund the Strut?

The subject of the King Mango Strut came up at the last BID marketing meeting. The BID gave $12,500 to the Strut committee to help fund the parade. The total cost is around $30,000 to put on the event, most of that goes to city services, which is a real killer for most events. That's where the majority of expenses go -- street closures, police, signage, etc.

The BID is cutting down on funding most events, their advertising budget has been cut and so has their budget for funding events. Manny Gonzalez, BID director, explained that the money for events should be "seed money," meaning money to help fund events, not to support them indefinitely.

In the past, before there was a BID, event committees would go to the city to ask for money, they would or would not receive the funding depending on their pitch. When the BIC and then the BID become an entity, all of a sudden, all funding for Grove events was shifted to them.

My thought was that the BID should be a last resort for funding events, in other words, the event committees should raise money for their events and then go to the BID for what I think is a handout, for the remainder of the funding, you know, to ask for what they are lacking. The way it is now, people go to the BID first and ask for funds and then they make up the difference of what the BID gave them.

I was told by some that the whole purpose of the BID is to fund events, that is what the BID is about. I was also told by others that that is not the case and that the funding needs to stop.

At the last BID meeting, it appears as if the days of funding the King Mango Strut may be over, but then again, probably not. H. Bredemeier  of H&H Jewels, chair of the BID's marketing committee, called the Strut, "Brand Unique," for the Grove, yet he feels they need to fund themselves since they don't make any money. H. says that the BID is not seeing a return on the money they give to the Strut. He said it's not a "normal event" in that they are not "selling something." But neither are other events like the Mad Hatter Festival or Great Grove Bed Race or Gallery Walks, which the BID helps fund. The purpose of these events is to bring people, lots of people, to Coconut Grove, which the Strut does.

The Strut brings people and the people spend money in bars, restaurants and stores. You cannot deny that. That's what the Great Grove Bed Race and other events do, they bring hordes and the hordes spend money around the village. I would say that maybe then the merchants and restaurants should then fund the events, but they do, through the BID, to which they pay a special assessment tax.

So the bottom line is, should the BID continue to fund events? Not whether each individual event is selling a product to bring return on the BID's investment.

Next Grove Chamber event is at Atchana's

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is having the next networking cocktail event at Atchana's East/West Kitchen on Wednesday, February 27 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Atchana's is in the lobby of the Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive).

Admission is $10 for Grove Chamber members, $15 for future members.
Includes welcome drink and hors d'oeuvres. Happy Hour prices until 8 pm. 

They have lots of great raffle prizes, too.

Discounted valet parking is only $5, provided with validation.

After the event, stay and dine. Enjoy a delicious post-networker dinner at Atchana's and save 15% off your check plus get free valet parking.

RSVP: 305-444-7270 or GroveChamber@coconutgrove.com. 

Lucky friends

My friend Ty was one of the lucky winners at the CocoWalk booth at this year's Arts Festival. He won a $50 gift certificate for the Cheesecake Factory. That's Stephanie Gonzalez and Cindee Tabares from CocoWalk with Ty. 

Speaking of CocoWalk and luck, my friend M. Peggy Quattro (left) ran into a long lost friend, Eva Walko (right), not too long ago at an event in town. They were besties in the 1970s! Now that they have found each other again, they keep in close touch. They spent a lot of time this weekend together at the Arts Festival.

It's avant-garde, exciting and new for the Grove

Everyone came out Saturday night to celebrate the grand opening of something new and special in Coconut Grove, The Dynamo Art Gallery at CocoWalk. At left are Ellie Rusinova and Brandon Styles from Colorado, Ellie was showing at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and at right are Carl Templer and Flavio Correa.

A couple of hundred people came out for the Dynamo premier party to enjoy the modern art exhibits at Dynamo. At left R. Jackson and Yolande Clark-Jackson, flank Lilia Garcia, curator of the new gallery. At right are Alfonso and Vivian Corona, partners with Lilia in the new venture.

This is something really exciting for Coconut Grove. The exciting thing is the huge space (two floors at CocoWalk) will bring back lots of artistic endeavors reminding me of AnnaMaria and the Windisch-Hunt Gallery from a few years ago. If you're new in town, do a search at the top for the Windisch-Hunt Gallery and you'll be amazed at all the things that went on there.

This new Dynamo Art Gallery will feature art installations, art workshops, live music performances, fashion shows and diverse lifestyle workshops. Dynamo is going to feature the most avant-garde design based forms and trends in art, music, fashion and healthy living.

This is Heather Lane and Chris Graham and that's Kaia crawling back on the bar, which was turned into an art installation. Heather and Chris are featuring the Ground Up Boutique and Ombu Lifestyle shoes. Heather is wearing a Shade of Earth dress. And the whole installation is for sale, one piece at at time. The Ground Up items were all repainted and recrafted. The great thing about Ombu Lifestyle shoes is that when you buy one pair of the eco friendly shoes, they will plant one seed.

The gallery is an ongoing and evolving project. The non-profit organization will change out the art frequently. The Inauguration Show, "Breaking Ground," will be on display through April 1, 2013. The pop up gallery is open Saturdays from 7 pm to midnight, on the top floor of CocoWalk. Please feel free to call them at 305 812 1283 or e-mail: Lilia_Garcia@Bellsouth.net.

At left are Carl Templer and Peggy Quattro, marketing manager of CocoWalk. At right is a very cool display made of old headphones.

Saturday night's party was exciting, it brought out real art lovers and lots of Grovites. It looks like the start of something new and unique and something we have needed her for a long time. Monty Trainer and his crew announced the winners of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival at the party. It really was the perfect night to end a great day of at the Arts Festival. You can see the Arts Festival winners listed at their website at www.cgaf.com. 

Italian restaurant planned for Commodore Plaza

Looks like we may have a new upscale Italian restaurant planned for Coconut Grove. The former Cita's place at 3176 Commodore Plaza has been purchased.

The 1965 free-standing structure needs a lot of rehab, it's been abandoned for two years now. MMA Real Estate is getting busy on the refurb and hopefully we'll  have a new restaurant in town soon. They have an incredible back patio space which feels very old-Florida and Key West-like.

“MAA Real Estate’s decision to purchase in Coconut Grove is a further testament to the continued rebounding commercial real estate market happening all over South Florida,” said RESF Commercial's Gabriel Gonzalez. “I am excited to see this property converted from an abandoned shell to a jewel of a restaurant in the ever popular Commodore Plaza. I can’t think of a better group of restaurant operators who understand what the Grove means to Miami and long-time locals”

RESF Commercial's Director of Commercial Real Estate, Gabriel Gonzalez represented 3176 Commodore Plaza seller(s) in the transaction. Ricardo Dupond of Cervera Real Estate represented the buyers, MAA Real Estate.

Also coming to the Grove is the new place on Main Highway next to Greenstreets called Bar Nickle sort of named after the Barnacle across the street "Bar Nickle," get it? It was going to be called Hoops, but they changed the concept and the name. Stay tuned.

A special evening at Out of Africa

The Out of Africa store is having a clothing drive for the families of Burkina Faso, Africa, on Saturday, February 23, from 7 to 11 pm.

2013 is Year of Community, a time to give back and help to heal those who suffer from poverty. Many of those children and families, thousands of miles away to the villages of Africa and beyond can appreciate your caring heart. The staff thought of a way to involve everyone in "helping to heal these beautiful children of the sun, by donating unwanted clothes to put on their backs, and shoes to protect their precious feet."

There is a need for men's, women's and children's sizes in shoes, socks, clothing, blankets, etc. to send to the village of Burkina Faso, Africa. In the meantime, live music and drums, complimentary appetizers, store discounts and more will be part of the special evening.  Be apart of something great, open your heart, share your gifts, join the unity.

Admission is free with Clothes/Shoes donation.

~ Complimentary Apetizers & Beverages
~ Live Music & Drums
~ Store Discounts
~ RSVP Online and Win a Gift From The Store
www.outofafricadrive.evenbtrite.com

Out of Africa is at 2911 Grand Avenue, #402, across from The Improv at the Mayfair Promenade.

For more information:
Fabienne Claude
Event Coordinator
fabconline@hotmail.com
786-340-2671

Barnacle hosting Washington's Birthday Regatta

Classic Grove Look-alike Contest. Come dressed as your favorite 19th century Grovite 

The Barnacle Historic State Park and The Barnacle Society welcome you to the 18th annual revival of the Washington's Birthday Regatta. First organized in 1887 by Ralph Middleton Munroe, this year’s boat races are the highlight of a whole weekend of nautical-themed fun.

The event runs from Thursday, February 21 through Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Events include:

Thursday, February 21 
• Reception and Dedication of the Marine Railway 5-7 pm. Free.
• Movie - Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story. Documentary about the construction of a 50 foot gaff-rigged schooner at a Marine Railway in Martha’s Vineyard 7-9 pm. Free.

Friday, February 22 
• Moonlight Concert with Three Sheets to the Wind. Gate opens at 6 pm. Music plays from 7-9 pm. $7 ages 6+; $3 ages 6-9; under 6 free.

Saturday, February 23 
• Regatta. Open to all vessels of traditional design. $25 donation to enter. Registration starts at 10 am. Races start at noon 
• Awards Ceremony and Chowder Party 5:30 pm. Free for registered sailors. $10 per additional non-sailing guest.

Sunday, February 24 
• The Mail Run - a fun sail commemorating Munroe’s frequent trips to Fowey Rocks to pick up the “news packet” from passing schooners 
• Classic Grove Look-alike Contest. Come dressed as your favorite 19th century Grovite 
• The Old Time Dance. Gate opens at 6 pm. Music and dancing from 6:30-10 pm. $10 ages 10+; under 10 free.

These events are sponsored by The Barnacle Society, Inc., a volunteer non-profit, citizen-supported organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of The Barnacle Historic State Park. The Barnacle, located at 3485 Main Hwy, is a Florida State Park administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. For additional information call 305-442-6866 or visit www.TheBarnacle.org.

It's one of our favorite things during arts weekend

We did one of our favorite things this past weekend. We attended the art breakfast at Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors. Every year during the Arts Festival weekend, the gallery does something special. Last year it was working artists including chalk art outside in the parking lot. This year artist Maria Paulina Troncoso was on hand with her amazing art exhibit. Here Maria stands in front of "Yellow Sails," one of her favorite pieces.

Of course the great breakfast buffet is also part of the draw, and the free shuttle service back and forth from the gallery to the Arts Festival.

Executive Chef Monica Bloise of My Cantina, ran the buffet and she prepared excellent specialties right on the spot. From omelets to waffles, she did it all, there was even fresh homemade whipped cream to put on the large selection of fruit. The coffee was incredible. I asked Monica to "surprise me" with an omelet and I heard someone else ask the same thing and the surprise was a delicious omelet made with a special secret hot sauce ingredient. Monica described her omelets as "Heat with a hug." I loved that! It really fit the food.

We hung out for awhile, enjoyed the company, art and food and of course a couple of Mimosas and then we hit the art show. The Gallery really makes it a special event. They are open daily, located at 2884 Bird Avenue.

Winding down the weekend art shows

Yesterday was an amazing day at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and St. Stephen's Art Show. It was wall-to-wall people. The incredible winter weather brought out thousands. Today, Monday, is the final day of the shows and there usually is less of a crowd, it's more of a "local day." The shows run from 10 am to 6 pm today. Then they are gone for another year.

Something I noticed this year, which I don't really remember from previous years was a lot of art in the making, right on the spot. Lots of artists actually painted and sculpted right there, which I know people really love.

If you have today off, stop by and enjoy the last day of this year's Grove arts shows.

Grand opening party at First Flight Out

First Flight Out by Palm Produce the Pan Am museum and resort wear store, held their grand opening party Sunday night. The fun part were the vintage flight attendants, rather flight attendants in vintage uniforms. 

There were refreshments, gifts and prize drawings. The museum/store has been open for awhile now, but this was a proper party to welcome them to the Grove. First Flight Out is on the second floor at CocoWalk, they are open daily.

Rain cleared away just in time for art festivals

After a weird, rainy morning, the clouds disappeared and Saturday turned out to be a good first day for the Coconut Grove and St. Stephen's Art Festivals. 

The crowds weren't as large as usual, but today is expected to be a banner day, the weather is just perfect, after the cold front moved through last night, everyone is sure to be out in the jackets and furs.

New artists joined a lot of the regulars and there was a lot of art being sold.

Ingrid Hunter, Chris Loves and Linda Levy Goldberg enjoyed the day, I ran into them all over the place, from one end of the festival to the other.

Emerging Coconut Grove artist Rafael Gutierrez had his art set up at CocoWalk. The image to the right is clled "Navigating the Webb, it's also known as "Surfing the Webb."

Young and old came out, on bikes, skateboards, rollerblades and plain old feet. 

Both shows are open today from 10 am to 6 pm and the same Monday.

I loved this quirky work by Justine Ferreri, from Wilmington, NC. She has a booth set up at St. Stephen's.

My buddies from Fast Signs, who supply all the signage for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, kept me well lubricated. I was drinking gin and club. From left, Roger Chai-onn , Alan Araya and Gregory Frye, were nice enough to wait on line for me and get me the drinks. 

I had posted a funny saying on Facebook earlier in the day: "I don't expect everything handed to me. Just set it down wherever," so it sort of was like that.  

It's Arts Festival time! Be calm and get out there!

I went out and about to check out the arts festivals -- Coconut Grove Arts Festival and St. Stephen's Art Fair. I love Friday afternoon when they are setting up, but the torrential rains put a damper on that. Literally.

Above is the sign crew admiring their work, I always feel that the art festival weekend has begun once the big sign is high above McFarlane Road. There is a large number 50, there, too, to commemorate this year's 50th anniversary.

I hung out at the Arts Festival office for awhile during the rain. I visited with Monty Trainer, Arts Festival director. He joked about the other events that are in South Florida this weekend, he brought them up, I didn't, but he was in a good mood about the competition. After all, to us Grovites, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival is the only thing in town this weekend and he knows that.

The rest of the Arts Festival office was very calm considering this is the start of their big event. Donna Sweeney was there, I chatted with her and loved listening to her calming voice on the phone as she assured an artist who was calling in, that she would be able to bring her art at the last minute, as she had a problem with it being lost or something like that. Vickie was calmly directing volunteers who came by the office and Katherine and Katrina were both out in the field, on golf carts, which they seem to be glued to all weekend as they hustle around the show grounds making sure it all works seamlessly. Which it always does.

Daisy Lewis Salazar and her crew were doing the same thing as St. Stephen's. I couldn't get over how calm Daisy was as I walked around with her. People were coming at her from all directions and she calmly gave them the answers they needed. Guess it all comes with practice.

We'll see you around all weekend, hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. I know I hear grumblings about different things -- traffic, the cost, the artists, etc. But know what? It's here and in the end it's always an enjoyable weekend.

Yielding to the signs

I wasn't sure if the Yield sign referred to the artist, telling me not to take pictures of the art, or if it was a message to the rain to yield and hold off; or maybe it was for the traffic, as it's at a stand still in the Center Grove right now as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and St. Stephen's Art Fair take over Coconut Grove for the weekend!

Art is all around us this weekend

Not to be left out of Arts Festival weekend, is the Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors (2884 Bird Avenue). They have the premier of Award Winning Chilean Artist Paulina Troncoso's work tonight, February 15, with a party from 6 to 8 pm. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served. This is a piece from the collection.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, as is their yearly tradition, the gallery is offering a free Brunch with the Artist from 10 am to noon. It's a great place to see new art, have breakfast and they will even allow you to park in their lot and transport you to and from the Arts Festival in Center Grove.

Back at Center Grove, the Manolo Grove Salon is showing art from locals of all ages. Stop in for some wine and enjoy their exhibit all weekend from 11 am to 9 pm. They also have salon specials. All weekend they are offering 20% off everything in a retail boutique and $30 blow dry's. People can feel free to call and make an appointment or just drop in and they will accommodate you. Mention the Grapevine for priority booking privileges and additional discounts on their services.

Manolo Grove is at 3334 Virginia Street, upstairs. There's an elevator if you don't want to take the stairs. You can reach them at 305-444-3334 / 917-841-7491.

There's an Arts Party for kids at the Festival

There is a lot planned for the kids this weekend at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. The Children’s Trust Kids Express At The Fest will present a Kids Grove Arts Party. From February 16 through the 18, the kids' zone is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm for children ages 5 to 12.

The Party will take shape with the international award winning visual arts education franchise Abrakadoodle, voted “Best Art Class to Bring Out Your Child’s Inner Picasso”, and in Grove lifestyle, reinvent the world in their own terms through art expression. 

Each day the staff will present Art in Our World Curriculum, which are one hour sessions where children will draw, paint, sculpt, design mosaics and collages, as well as create in the styles of multicultural master artists from Picasso to  Matisse.

Abrakadoodle has partnered with the Grove-based Florida Arts Therapy Association to help children understand the importance of expressing thoughts, feelings, reactions, and needs through color that are healthy and relationship-building, and teach them to communicate non-verbally. What better example of expressive color than to have children create in the art style of world-renowned Brazilian artist, who began his life as an artist in the Grove, Romero Britto, the official poster artist for the 2013 festival.

“Our support of the arts goes beyond developing talent," said Modesto E. Abety, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust. “Our goal is to give children the confidence and self-esteem that will help them to succeed in life. By exercising their imagination, the arts help students make new connections, transcend previous limitations, and think outside the box.”

Other highlights include a 10 am show each day, the musical "Party with Picasso and Friends” presented by Sugar and Spice Puppet theater and  at 11:00 am, The Dean of Green, an eco-children’s theater musical that teaches youth the importance of Growing up Green, healthy living, and protecting the earth, directed by Corky Dozier, Event creator, and Founder and Director of the Coconut Grove Children’s Theater, who celebrates her 50th year in Children’s Theater.