King Mango struts for the 35th time

It was another enjoyable Strut. The King Mango Strut took place Saturday on a bright, sunny day. We're starting with the last float because it was amazing. This the School of Rock and that is 12-year-old Arianna Viteri belting it out.


This funny roller coaster group explained the ups and downs of this year's election season.


And this souped-up VW did quite a few tricks.

Each year to start the Strut, someone special "drops a banana." I don't know why it's not a mango, but anyway, this year it was Bob Brennan's widow Eileen Brennan, who was a great sport and cheered on by the crowd.

Louis Del Borrello drove some of the Iko Iko group around - that's Graham Wood Drout in back and Roseanne, Graham's girlfriend.

Grand Marshal was Luke (Nasty as They Wanna Be) Campbell. 

Dwayne Crisp, one of the Strut organizers went as a shyster politician.

Tom Falco, editor of the Grapevine and Sylvano Bignon, owner of GreenStreet Cafe and Lulu.

Pam Rose Epstein morns life on Earth.

Trina Collins is one of those Nasty Women we've heard about.

And of course there had to be Obama and Trump as part of the festivities.

Rafael Gutierrez, Ellen, our town psychic and Erin Compton of The Last Carrot restaurant.

Liz Gibson and Karen Deilke on the Coconut Grove Drum Circle float.
For lots more photos, visit our Facebook gallery here.

King Mango Strut takes over the Grove on Saturday

The King Mango Strut is Saturday, December 31 at 2 pm. Right in the center of town. Be there!

Don't know what the Strut is? Check out last year's parade here.

This year's Grand Marshal is Luther Campbell. There's live music from three bands afterwards until 5 pm on Commodore Plaza, which remains closed until then.

Bike Coconut Grove will have a free bike valet for anyone who wants to ride to the Strut. Attendants will watch your bike between noon and 6 pm. The valet is at the Coconut Grove Playhouse lot.

AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and Rafael Gutierrez parody the Grapevine in a Strut from the past.

Bob Brennan was a friend to all

Thursday was a beautiful day for Bob Brennan's memorial at Fairchild Tropical Gardens where he was head arborist. About 300 people or so gathered at the Arboretum (which is sort of a museum of trees), under a perfect blue sky, folks that knew Bob, spoke. The old trees most likely were planted by David Fairchild himself. Bob would have loved the spot. It was lush and green and protected by large, mature trees.

Bob Brennan

It was enjoyable hearing about how gracious the whole Brennan family is, their door is open for anyone, day or night. People just come and go as they please. Bob was a friend, father, uncle, mentor and so much more to so many people.

At a few crucial times I and others felt that we heard from Bob during the event. At one point a flock of birds, many birds, swooped up from the ground and flew overhead, circling everyone, gracing the crowd, you could hear gasps from the crowd. Then more than once, a gentle wind came through, maybe three times at different points of the ceremony, and lots of big yellow leaves rained down each time. It was very noticeable and special.

It was a nice day for Bob, who was our friend, Santa, mentor, aborist, scout master, dad, husband, son, do-gooder, and so much more. He was everything to everyone.

There was talk of how Bob would stop to help stranded strangers change a tire, or he would stop and help push a stuck car out of traffic and of course he worshiped trees. After the ceremony, as I walked through Center Grove, a car was making a turn, and a bunch of tourists ran in front of the car, the driver stopped short and sat patiently, she just waited for the people to cross, even though she had the right of way. A friend who I was with recognized the driver as being someone she had seen at Bob's memorial. We both agreed that perhaps the driver learned something about patience and grace from Bob and she showed it by her actions, or in-actions. It's what Bob would have done.

Plans are being made to plant a tree in Bob's name, somewhere at Fairchild Gardens, most likely on his birthday, which is January 21.

Winter Sunset

Coconut Grove.

They play over 30 instruments

The Barnacle Under Moonlight concert features Four Shillings Short, performing Sunday, January 8 as The Barnacle's first event of the New Year.

End your weekend on the perfect note with an evening of live music. Bring a picnic, blanket and lawn chairs for a concert under the moonlit sky. No pets, please.

Four Shillings Short, the husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, perform Traditional and Original music from the Celtic lands, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, India and the Americas on a fantastic array of instruments (over 30) including Hammered and Mountain Dulcimer, Mandolin, Mandola, Bouzouki, Recorders, Tinwhistles, Medieval and Renaissance Woodwinds, North Indian Sitar, Charango, Bowed Psaltery, Banjo, Native American Flutes, Bodhran, Guitar, Ukelele, Doumbek & Darbuka, Spoons, vocals and even a Krumhorn.

The gate opens at 5:30 pm and music is from 6:30-8:30 pm.. Admission is $10 for future
members of The Barnacle Society, $8 for members, $3 for children ages 6-9, and free for
children 5 and under.

The Barnacle Historic State Park is located at 3485 Main Highway.

The park is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and events are sponsored by The Barnacle Society, Inc., a non-profit organization created for the preservation and financial support of this historic site. For additional information, please call 305-442-6866 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/The-Barnacle and www.TheBarnacle.org

Shakespeare in the Park features 'Merchant of Venice'

If it's January, that only means one thing in Coconut Grove - it's time for Shakespeare in the the Park!

Shakespeare Miami and The Barnacle Historic State Park will present William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, The Merchant of Venice with three free shows on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14 at 8 pm, and Sunday, January 15 at 6 pm.  

Featuring a full professional cast of actors, period costumes and original music, this production brings Shakespeare’s classic tale of love, betrayal and hate to life. In order to help his friend Bassanio win a wealthy beauty, Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, strikes a bargain with Shylock, using a pound of Antonio’s own flesh as guarantee for the contract.The bargain goes terribly wrong and Antonio battles for his life in Shakespeare’s famous courtroom scene.  

“People forget that this play is also a love story, said Colleen Stovall, artistic producing director of Shakespeare Miami. “Although Bassanio’s borrowing of money from Antonio to woo the wealthy heiress, Portia, sets the tale in motion, there are two other love stories entwined in the plot, which lend sweetness to the production and contrast the battle between Antonio and Shylock.”

Starring Seth Trucks as Shylock, Thiana Berrick as Portia, Daniel Capo as Bassanio, and Brent Gill as Antonio. Directed by Colleen Stovall.  Original music by Christian Cook. Sets by Louis Silva. 

The play is appropriate for families, and the questions of anti-Semitism and bullying in Shakespeare’s play are addressed with a pre-show curtain talk. Educational materials are included in the program and also on the Shakespeare Miami website at www.shakespearemiami.com. 

No tickets are required. Just show up!

Bring a blanket or a low-profile lawn chair. A limited number of pre-set chairs will be available on a first come, first served basis for $3 per chair. Pack a picnic. Limited snacks and beverages will be available on site.

Shakespeare Miami’s production of The Merchant of Venice will be presented over four weeks in January at four venues in South Florida: January 6, 7, and 8 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, January 13, 14, and 15 at The Barnacle Historic State Park, January 20, 21, and 22 at Pinecrest Gardens and on January 27 and 28 at the ArtsPark Amphitheater in Hollywood.  All shows are free. No ticket is required. Plan to arrive early as the parks fill up very quickly.  

For more information on dates, times and locations, the public may visit: www.shakespearemiami.com

The Barnacle Historic State Park is located at 3485 Main Highway in Coconut Grove.

Sunning himself near Sailboat Bay

A reader sent these pictures in. She saw this guy at Dinner Key Marina today. I recently read about a nine-foot python that a kayaker discovered in Biscayne Bay - a swimming snake.

The snake was probably an abandoned pet, This is a problem in the Everglades, but this croc (or alligator?) is maybe just reclaiming his home off the Grove shore.

I remember about 10 years ago, there was an alligator that was seen quite often off the shore of Peacock Park. 

Saving animals in Miami

Celebrate the ASPCA's 150th anniversary at The Women's Club of Coconut Grove, fitting as the Woman's Club recently celebrated their 125th anniversary.

On Tuesday, January 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, learn about the ASPCA’s new $22 million program to help save and rescue animals in the City of Miami. This event is free, there will be refreshments and a cash bar.

Recognizing that Miami is an area in need, the ASPCA has committed to help those committed in the community in regards to animal welfare.

Over drinks and hors d’oeuvres there will be a short presentation highlighting the achievements of the ASPCA since its inception,
and they will share information about this new initiative in Miami.

Please RSVP by January 6 to 646-763-1429 or jami.vass@aspca.org.

The Woman's Club is at 2895 South Bayshore Drive.

Golden Coconut Awards to be held January 12

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce 47th Annual Golden Coconut Awards will take place on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, honoring businesses and individuals who make a positive forward difference in our Community. The event is from 6 to 8:30 pm.

Please attend the event, and consider sponsorship in one of our many levels. Through your generous sponsorships and loyal memberships, the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is able to offer valuable business benefits and networking opportunities to our members contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of our community.

You can purchase Tickets, Sponsorships or Corporate Tables from www.goldencoconutawards.com. Tickets start at $100. You can also nominate there.

Donations for the Silent Auction are also welcome. There is an open bar and gourmet bites. 

Looking forward to an evening of celebration as we move together into the Chamber's 71st year.

The Golden Coconut Award was established in 1965 as the annual recognition bestowed by the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce for considerable merit. It is presented to any individual, business or organization/group, which have significantly benefited Coconut Grove.

The Ritz Carlton is located at 3300 SW 27 Avenue.

Thursday memorial for Bob Brennan

There is a memorial for Bob Brennan, who passed away on Christmas Eve, on Thursday, December 29 at Fairchild Tropical Garden, in the Arboretum. The memorial starts at 1 pm.

Bob was Fairchild's arborist from 2009.

Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road.   

Coconut Grove Comedy Festival at St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is holding the Coconut Grove Comedy Festival on Saturday, January 21. The shows benefit the St. Stephen's AIDS Ministry. Cost is $25 per person online in advance and $35 at the door, also $65 for early bird foursome.


The event is put on by Comic Cure, which "uses the unifying power of laughter to engage the community and develop promising, local talent." They produce live comedic events showcasing this talent to raise awareness, funds and volunteers for local charities. 

The shows are at 7 and 9 pm.

On the program:

7:00 PM Show
Host: Mary Smith
Feature: Ben Zieper (Winner of the 2015 & 2016 Brickell Comedy Festival, 2015 Wynwood Comedy Festival)
Headliner: Freddy Stebbins (2016 Miami NewTimes Best Comedian)
Additional Performers (alpha order):
Amy Isherwood
Annette Gallagher
Cal Verduchi
Carlos Fernandez
Javi Carrion
Julie Baez
Khalil Phillips
Larry A
Luis Diaz
Marc Huppman
PauL P
Regina Castañeda
Shana Manuel

9:00 PM Show
Host: Alex Morizio 
Feature: Cristian Munarriz (Winner of the 2016 Latin American Comedy Festival, Brickell Comedy Festival, Coral Gables Comedy Festival)
Headliner: Jamal Hattar (Comedy Central)
Additional Performers (alpha order):
Ben Evans
Danette Rodriguez
Danny New
Desiree Cendan
Fasil Malik
Gabe Spain
Hanz Rivero
Jen Hellman
Jessica Fernandez
Jhovany Diaz
Joey Albano
Lindsay Glazer
See No Evil
Sherrani Glass
Tim Kirby

Get tickets here.

St. Stephen's is at 2750 McFarlane Road.

For info, Email Ben@ComicCure.com or call 786-564-2291.

Christmas lights

The Sailing Club used to have a sailboat in the shape of a sail boat, made from Christmas lights. I remember they had this for years. It faced the turn on McFarlane and South Bayshore Drive and as you came down that block, just as you were making the turn, you would see the colorful sailboat made of lights.

They don't have that anymore, it seems so dark and bare in that area now. I used to love seeing that when I came home from my family's house on Christmas Eve and Christmas night. 

People have patience during this long, holiday season

My sister-in-law was complaining about the unfriendliness of South Floridians on Facebook the other day. Not sure why, but she had her panties in a wad. She said it's not like up in Ohio where she is from (35 years ago, mind you). I told her it's friendly in the Grove and I've always lived in friendly areas here in Miami. I feel it's like that here in Coconut Grove.

A day later, I was leaving my neighborhood, driving my car. I have to exit onto South Bayshore Drive to get anywhere. A car in front of me was exiting and he turned South on South Bayshore. As he turned, his hatchback opened and everything in the car fell out. It was almost in slow motion as it happened; as he drove one thing at a time plopped out onto the middle of South Bayshore Drive. It looked like a few instruments, guitars or violins in cases, and boxes and other things. All right out in the center of the road. 

What happened next? All cars stopped. I was already stopped, trying to get out of the neighborhood and the cars going north and south on South Bayshore stopped. They could have maneuvered around the things strewn on the road, but they didn't. They stopped. And two or three people and I all got out of our cars, without prompting, and proceeded to help pick up the items one by one and put them in the back of the car, which was down the road a little bit.  It was three ladies and me. We just calmly did it and the traffic in either direction that was backing up to maybe 15 or 20 cars going in either direction, north and south, just calmly waited as the few of us picked up the fallen items and brought them back to the man's car.

The amazing thing is not so much that we jumped out of our cars to help without even thinking about it, but that the long line of cars sat patiently. No one beeped, no one yelled or tried to get around the mess.

When we got everything back in the car, people who were helping went back to their cars, I was the last. I had to cross South Bayshore to get back to my car. And know what happened? People waited. After all that happened, people were not in a mad rush to be off. They waited as I crossed the street and got into my car. And they let me cross and turn onto South Bayshore Drive and then both lines of cars, one going south and one going north, proceeded.

The man who we helped was so happy, he was yelling out, "Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!" I think he was just as surprised as I was at how everyone just jumped in to help. I was amazed at the patience of the drivers who waited, and know that most people driving by were probably not Grovites but fellow South Floridians, hopefully not just in the Christmas spirit, but in that nice goodwill spirit all year long. It was on Festivus, actually. So maybe we can all be in a Festivus mode all year long. It was a nice experience and I'm glad I took it all in as it was happening.

Merry Christmas; Happy Hanukkah!

Bob Brennan passed away today

Tonight I learned of our friend Bob Brennan's death. He passed away earlier today, December 24. The last time I saw Bob was at his special day at city hall on November 17, when the day was named Bob Brennan day. I love this photo I took of him before the event, his son Bob, Jr., putting on Bob's tie. Glenn terry has a nice tribute here.

It's almost fitting that he left us on Christmas, as he was our own personal Santa Claus.

Snow has not temporarily closed the Grapevine

Saw this headline in the news today.

Fear not. They don't mean this Grapevine. :)

Here's the LA Times story if you're interested.

A Call to All Nasty, Enlightened Women!

Got the following in the mail:

Now is the time for all good women to come to the aid of their country (again!).

O the election this year was frightful,
But us girls are so delightful,
And since we have no place to go,
Let’s hit the streets, and march with King Mango!

Dear Women: 

The election results seemed as bad as things could get, but each new day since that horrific moment has brought even worse nightmares.   

On the first day of this new 2017 year in the early afternoon, we have a public opportunity to both be seen and heard!  

Please join us to march in the King Mango Strut in Coconut Grove on Saturday, December 31.

Rise up with like-minded women.  The Strut is funny, so if you can say something funny, do it.  If not, if it is way past humor for you, just bring your strutting self and march with other women.  

You cannot just grab women by the crotch, brag about it, and become President as if that is great again. 

From its very first moment, women have carried this country.  It is our time again.  Join us with your smile and your firm resolve.

Sincerely Nasty,
Trina Collins

Let me know you will join us; email me at husband David’s email: davidbarrycollins@gmail.com
Or phone me at 305-445-9698

P.S. Have a lovely holiday, ladies. I will circulate details by email of a quick planning meeting that will take place in the Grove on December 26 or 27.  Bring ideas. If you cannot attend the planning meeting it is still ok to march.  MORE INFO TO FOLLOW.  We’ll send you details.

P.P.S.  Looking ahead: on Saturday, December 31, we will convene at 1:00 pm at Kirk Munroe Park under the Mammoth Banyan Tree (you can’t miss it, it is the biggest tree in the Grove).  Kirk Munroe Park (the tennis court park) is located at the corner of Oak and Matilda in the Grove.  See you there!

Final Strut meeting of the year

The King Mango Strut is Saturday, December 31, 2 pm in Center Grove, but before that, there is one final meeting of Mangoheads on Tuesday, December 27.

If you would like to be part of the Strut, stop by the meeting at 7 pm, and give or get ideas. They still need people to play Fidel Castro, John Glenn or how about Mohammed Ali or Arnold Palmer? I have a friend who looks like Bernie Sanders, I've been trying to push him to play that part. 

Volunteers are also need to sell t-shirts, help with the line-up and other things. 

The meeting is at Berries in the Grove, 2884 SW 27 Avenue. For more info: 305-585-0955 or kingmangostrut@gmail.com 

Happy Festivus!

Regatta season is upon us

Regatta season has started in Coconut Grove. The Orange Bowl Regatta, based at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, always comes around during the holidays. That's when you start to see sailors up and down South Bayshore Drive on the days between Christmas and New Years's. I already saw some sailors shopping and getting ready for the regatta which runs from December 26 to 30 this year.

Along with sailing, events are heldo like College Sailing Forum (college night) and an Opti Competitor's Dinner, there is a raffle and more.

Boat trailers will be taking over Regatta Park again, not pleasant for residents but part of the program.

The M32 Class is kicking off the New Year with Act One of the M32 Miami Winter Series which runs from January 6 to 8; February 10 to 12 and March 9 to 12, the March event is part of Bacardi Sailing Week. They too will be setting up camp at Regatta Park.

Three new teams will be joining the Winter fleet: Pieter Taselaar and Team Bliksem; Rick DeVos on Team REV; and Ryan DeVos on XS Energy. For Team Bronco, Convexity, Escape Velocity and Liftoff this will be the return for the third year.

“After a successful five event M32 Series North America this summer we are very excited to be back in Miami. The conditions for racing are fantastic and the venue in Coconut Grove fits our needs. We have a close partnership with the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and we look forward to getting lots of winter racing,” according to James Pleasance, Director North America - Aston Harald Sports | M32 World. “The interest around the class is continuing to grow and we will have up to nine teams join us in later events.”

A night of Christmas caroling at The Mutiny

Grovites Juan-Carlos and Cristina Digon, along with St. Kieran’s Catholic Church hosted a night of Christmas carols at the Mutiny Hotel on Tuesday night. Bishop Peter Bladaccino, Pastor at St. Kieran Catholic Church leads the singing. St. Kieran is located back, near Mercy Hospital.

Above, from left: Raisa Fleitas, Associate Director of Sales Mutiny Hotel; Juan-Carlos (JC) Digon and Cristina Digon the hosts; Didi Lopez, General Manager Mutiny Hotel; Bishop Peter Baldacchino; Sister Elizabeth from Mercy Hospital; Vivian Greer-Digon, Manager at Miami Dade County Woman's Park; Wendy Zane, Senior sales Manger Mutiny Hotel

Sister Elizabeth from Mercy Hospital; Bishop Peter Baldacchino, Atchana Capellini owner of the new Atchanas Homegrown Thai restaurant in the Grove, and Atchanas East/West restaurant inside the Mutiny Hotel. Atchana's provided the refreshments and cookies for the evening.


Artist Erika King, Manny Estrella, Musician; Wendy Zane, Senior sales Manger Mutiny Hotel

The caroling went on for two hours. The hotel staff loved it so much they already made plans to repeat the event next year.

"My wife and I are trying to bring together our community for the Holidays. This is the first time we do this and are currently working on Ideas for next year to have a larger event in the hopes of making this a new Christmas tradition in the Grove for all to attend," says Juan-Carlos, shown here with his wife Cristina

Parade of parades - the Grinchmas Parade

The King Mango Strut is coming up, it's Saturday, December 31, the last day of the year - 2 pm in the Center Grove. I noticed that up in Lake Worth, they had their Grinchmas Parade this weekend. Anna Maria Windisch-Hunt, you all remember her, calls it "the longest and only nighttime parade in paradise." I remember a time when the Orange Bowl Parade had that honor.

Lake Worth is what Coconut Grove used to be. I don't visit often enough, but enjoy it whenever I'm up there - sort of a mix between old Grove and Key West. I'll go up in February for their annual chalk painting festival, when the whole town closes its streets for chalk art. Worth the drive (1.5 hours) for a look.

Here are a bunch of photos that Anna Maria posted on her award-winning "Lake Worth Every Minute" blog.

Photos courtesy Lake Worth Every Minute

Decisions, decisions, about the Grove Playhouse

I've been reading different articles about the Coconut Grove Playhouse and the different reasoning for having 300 and/or 700 seat theaters as part of the plan. Some make sense, some don't. My feeling is that if you have more seats, you will draw larger productions, but people who are in the business claim it's hard to fill those seats, no matter what the production is.

Others are concerned about traffic, the more seats, the more traffic. Here are the current plans and ideas.

In the early days of the Arscht Center, I ordered 15 tickets for "Wicked." I have a big family and in one fell swoop, I got all my Christmas shopping done.  I had seen the play twice in New York and once at the Broward Performing Arts Center and thought the tickets would make excellent Christmas gifts. At that period, around 2005-2008, I think, I was giving play and musical tickets as gifts often, and "Wicked" seemed to be the cream of the crop. I was obsessed with "Wicked." For a few years I was Elphaba for Halloween.

The problem with "Wicked" in the Arscht Center though, was that even though I spared no expense, the seats were terrible. They were the last row before the top back row. The row behind us had built-in binoculars! I was mortified. But what I realized that the theater was not meant for plays. Having seen the play before, I knew what was missing - the top of the proscenium blocked so much of the scenery. Not good. And when Elphaba flies, we were unable to enjoy that effect because our seats were so high that it didn't appear as if she was lifting.

Since 2003, The Gershwin Theater in New York, has been the home of "Wicked." It has 1933 seats. 

So I do know that seating is crucial. Maybe less is more, although 700 seats is nothing in comparison with the Gershwin Theater and the Arsht Center seats, which I looked up on their website.

There are three main venues at the Arsht Center:

Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House which seats 2,400

John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
The concert hall seats 2,200. Its stage extends into the audience and there is seating behind the stage for 200 additional spectators or for a chorus. The orchestra level can be transformed into a "Grand Ballroom" with a festival floor configuration for dining and dancing for up to 850 people. The floor is installed over the seats.

Carnival Studio Theater
A flexible black-box space designed for up to 300 seats.

In addition, there are two smaller multi-purpose venues:
Peacock Rehearsal Studio holds 270 people.

Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, an outdoor social and performance space linking the two main houses across Biscayne Blvd.

I'm not sure which theater we were in for "Wicked," I'm guessing the 2200 seat Knight Concert Hall. I looked at the seating charts and that looks like the theater. I don't think a concert hall is the proper place for a play or musical. Perhaps a smaller theater would have made the experience better since so many were crammed into a theater not made for plays. And to this day, I have never been back to the Arsht due to that bad experience.

I've been to many plays in New York. I recently saw "Fully Committed" with Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the Lyceum Theatre which is oldest continually operating legitimate theater, built in 1903. The interior is incredible. It has 922 seats total. Perfect. I Instagrammed this picture of the stage before the performance. It felt intimate and yet held many. Jesse sort of interacted with people in the front rows and when a guy's phone rang who was seated in the audience, he heard it and sort of "interacted" with that guy. What I'm trying to say is that it was intimate, even though there were over 900 seats.

Oddly enough, I get premonitions sometimes, and before the play started, I told my cousin who was seated next to me, that the guy next to her would have his phone ring during the performance. I just felt that for some reason. And I also told her that people in the front rows would get spat on by Jesse. We were in the third row, I think. For some reason, I saw him (in my head) spitting as he talked. And later, during the performance, both things happened! He made a joke of both - the phone ringing and the spitting - when they happened.


At that same period, maybe a week later, on July 3, I saw Melissa Etheridge in a one woman show at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, which reminded me so much of the Grove Playhouse, at it was a small, local theater in the center of the village on Main Street in this small Long Island, NY town. In 1996, local residents saved the theater from being demolished. They raised the money to buy the old movie house, built in 1932, and then, raised the money to renovate it. The venue has 425 seats and was intimate, yet did not feel cramped. The concert was sold out and I dare say that if it was a larger venue, they would have filled that up. I think it's the quality of the performance that brings people in. Melissa could easily fill a 700 seat Coconut Grove Playhouse.

A bunch of us shopped and ate on Main Street, hung out at local bars, and then walked down the block and watched fireworks, which brings out most of the Hamptons communities and then on the same street, went to see Melissa at the Performing Arts Center. So much of what the Grove could be. We spent all this time (and money) there in the village, because we had tickets for Melissa that night, and I can easily see people doing that here in the Grove.

By the way, I didn't really want to go to the Melissa Etheridge concert. I wasn't not a fan, but I wasn't a big fan either. I was given a ticket as a gift and there were a bunch of us including some cousins and also friends, so I was sort of forced into going. But I am so glad I went. The fact that it was a one-woman show was incredible. She interacted with the audience the whole time, she played about 10 different guitars along with other instruments and the 425 seats felt like 50 seats, like it was just a performance for a few of us. So I think the feeling of intimacy is what you make it to be.  Her voice was on fleek (I always wanted to say that) and I stalked her at the backstage door after the performance because I was so impressed, but didn't get to see her. I did get a picture with Jesse though after "Fully Committed." 

Old fashioned holiday evening at Vizcaya

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens presented an old fashioned holiday evening at Vizcaya, celebrating and honoring the inauguration of the grand estate as well as Vizcaya's centennial.  James Deering came to Vizcaya on Christmas Day 1916, so the grand house celebrated this 100th year in a grand way.

It was a trip back in time, decorated for the holidays, as it would have been in the time of its heyday. Live music, hot chocolate and wreath-making were part of the evening.

Xiomara Rivero and Robbie Christian

Caroling was a big part of the event. 

Wreath-making was very popular.

Brianna Vargas, Kiko Vargas

The Hockeys, Paloma, Michael, Jiana, Faviana

Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in United States history, when the nation's most successful entrepreneurs built lavish estates inspired by the stately homes of Europe.

Natalia Boonery, Bruins Corso, Cielo Vine in the Living Room.

Vizcaya features a Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, the Vizcaya Café and Shop presented by A Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events, and a historic village that will be restored for additional venues for programs and community outreach. 

Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, between Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, Vizcaya is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org. 

Photos by Rafael Gutierrez