Maybe it’s too late to pick up your room for Mother’s Day, but you can still impress her by picking up trash in a unique marine debris recycling event. SeaCycle’s innovative program will take the materials you help collect and reform them into usable products like park benches. Totally cool if you decide that qualifies as a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, but that’s on you. Saturday 5/10 from 12:45 to 3:00 p.m. in Kenneth Myers Park, at the bottom of the hill on McFarlane Road, just in front of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Pre-registration is encouraged here.
Walk a few steps up the hill and set a more relaxed mood for Mother’s Day with the rich sounds of Spanish guitar. In a live performance, local musician Joe Fredd showcases traditional rhythms and melodies from Spain, Venezuela, Cuba, and Argentina. Coconut Grove Branch Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Saturday 5/10 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Free. All ages.
Get a super-early start on Mother’s Day by inviting a mother out dancing late night Saturday. Salsa Night starts with free beginner and intermediate lessons at 10:00 p.m. followed by dancing until 2:00 a.m. Just a few doors up from the library’s Spanish guitar event, at the Oasis Lounge. Saturday 5/10 with a 10:00 p.m. start. Free.
After a late night dancing, Mom may need to hydrate. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden could provide the perfect opportunity for recovery with mimosas and herbal teas. The Mother’s Day at the Garden event features local singer/songwriter Victoria Blue as well as several ticketed events and offerings. Please check the availability of specific Mother’s Day events, as some had sold out as the Spotlight went to press. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. Sunday 5/11 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets required.
You’ll be able to tell the story of your mother’s incredible salsa style with flair after you join Grove-Gables Toastmasters at their regular meeting. With the positive and supportive environment of this experienced group, all your forms of communication – in the office, during interviews, around the dinner table, or on stage – will improve. Oh, how your mother will love to hear your stories (don’t forget to call her). For more information, email [email protected]. Virrick Park Branch Library, 3255 Plaza Street. Monday, 5/12 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Adults. Free.
With your improved eloquence, join your Shenandoah neighbors at their monthly neighborhood association meeting and catch up on local developments. The agenda will feature discussion of the Stronger Miami charter initiative to make commission districts more neighborhood-focused, and an update on the planned reconstruction of US-1 at 17th Avenue. Miami Shenandoah Neighborhood Association. Shenandoah Park, 1800 SW 21st Avenue. Monday 5/12 at 7:00 p.m. You can’t afford to miss it.
Are you one of those special people that can’t get enough of Miami’s traffic? Then join Miami Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they return once again to take on the dangers of Miami’s streets with their unique brand of law enforcement. Bad Boys: Ride or Die (R) is featured in Cinema & Chill, Coconut Grove Library’s free movie offering. 2875 McFarlane Road. Thursday 05/15 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Adults only. Free popcorn is included.
Rainy season starts soon and you can prepare at a Rain Barrel Workshop at the International Center for Tropical Botany at The Kampong. You’ll receive a $50 rebate for rain barrel purchases. 3959 South Douglas Road. Saturday 5/10 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Register here.
Save Me a Seat
Curious about some of the development projects announced for the West Grove, or have an issue you want to talk about with City of Miami staff? Come to the Little Bahamas Expo and Community Meeting on Saturday 5/17, where local developers and city staff will be on hand to answer questions. Virrick Park Gymnasium, 3255 Plaza Street from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free. For more information, call 305-250-5333.
Join former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick as he leads a leisurely walking tour of the downtown hub of Coral Gables. This is the place where it all began 100-years ago and many of the iconic historical buildings still exist. Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables. Sunday 5/18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Modestly priced advanced tickets here.
