April is National Poetry Month, and local poets and their fans are taking full advantage, with a crowded calendar of events in the weeks ahead. Local filmmakers, playwrights and actors get a chance to shine this month as well, with the return of the Miami Film Festival (43rd edition) and the Coconut Grove Theatre Festival, now in its second year. There’s lots to see and do this month, much of it featuring Miami’s homegrown talent…
Saturday April 4
Electronics Recycling Day. Electronics piling up at home? Here’s where they go. Old cords, dead batteries, and that drawer of “maybe useful someday” devices finally get a proper exit at this easy drive-through drop-off, sponsored by the City of Miami. Regatta Park, 3500 Pan American Drive, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
Easter Saturday Block Party. St. James Baptist Church in Coconut Grove celebrates Easter Saturday with a block party featuring food, music, and fun. 3500 Charles Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Zip Code Poetry. Books & Books celebrates the 10th anniversary of the ZipOde – short poems shaped by Miami’s local zip codes – at “Literally Everyone’s Invited: An Ode to South Florida” with a reception, a panel discussion and a photo exhibit. Books & Books Coral Gables, 265 Aragon Ave. at 7:30 p.m. Free.
Sunday April 5
Resurrection Service. The Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance invites you to celebrate Easter Sunday at an early morning Resurrection Service at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Coconut Grove. 3515 Douglas Road at 6 a.m. Free.
The Bunny Hoppening. Fairchild’s Easter celebration mixes egg hunts, garden wandering and a quick ride on the Cottontail Express with plenty of activities to keep small hands busy. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets required.
Tuesday April 7
Book Talk. Join author Jessika Grewe Glover at Books & Books Coconut Grove for a discussion about “Bromeliad House,” a novel that combines intrigue, ghosts, and magical foresight. 3409 Main Highway at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Thursday April 9
Miami Film Festival. The 43rd edition of the Miami Film Festival opens at the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami on April 9 and then continues over the next 10 days with a full schedule of festival favorites and international features. Of note this year: the festival’s Made in MIA lineup of homegrown talent, including three local filmmakers who finished their films with festival support. Festival films screen at multiple venues through April 19. Find a complete schedule and tickets here.
Friday April 10
Native Gardening at Fairchild. Native Plant Network’s starter kit pickup offers five native plants for eligible members — invite required, with details sent ahead. Not a member yet? Email [email protected]. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (nursery location details shared by email only) from 3 to 5 p.m. Free.
Flamenco at the Barnacle. Siempre Flamenco’s Paco and Celia Fonta present an authentic flamenco show in a fresh, engaging and high-energy performance at The Barnacle Historic State Park. 3485 Main Highway. Gates open at 6 p.m.; performance at 7 p.m. Tickets from $10.
Seraphic Fire in Coral Gables. South Florida’s vocal ensemble brings its signature immersive style, drawn from Venice’s Basilica of San Marco, with voices coming from every corner of the room and the audience at the center of it. Church of the Little Flower, 2711 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables, at 8 p.m. Tickets required.
Saturday April 11
Baynanza. The annual Biscayne Bay volunteer cleanup event returns with 33 locations countywide for volunteers to pitch in and help out. For the first time, volunteer sites are planned for all 13 County Commission districts, from Hialeah to Homestead. For a map of volunteer location, visit miamidade.gov/baynanza. 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Free. Deadline to sign up: Friday April 3.
Freedom: A Community Conversation. Miami Herald journalist Bea Hines and civil rights advocate Marvin Dunn meet for a public conversation about freedom and justice in America, sponsored by We the People of 305. Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. 3515 Douglas Road in Coconut Grove at 10 a.m. Free. Register to Attend.
Sunday April 12
Family Poetry Day at Vizcaya. Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market with a playful, hands-on family activation during Family Poetry Day, in collaboration with O, Miami. Vizcaya Village, 3250 South Miami Avenue from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Free.
Poetry Night at the Barnacle. The 3rd Annual Poetry Night at the Barnacle features select poems written and read by local high school students. The Barnacle Historic State Park. 3485 Main Highway from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission with RSVP.
Monday April 13
Anniversary Screening of “Princess Diaries.” The Miami Film Festival and Miami Book Fair host a screening of “The Princess Diaries” at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in celebration of the movie’s 25th anniversary. 3250 South Miami Avenue at 7 p.m. Tickets and Details here.
Thursday April 16
Coconut Grove Theatre Festival. The Coconut Grove Theater Festival returns with a new repertoire of original plays presented in staged readings from Thursday to Sunday. New this year: a Children’s Matinee on Saturday, featuring two original plays with music and puppetry. Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove. Complete Schedule and Tickets.
Save Me a Seat
All Aboard for the M-history Tour! The Villagers mark 60 years by looping through the places they helped keep standing, then circling back for a 60s-style party that may cause some flashbacks. Pick the ride, the party, or a new friend—it’ll be that kind of night. Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, 3010 De Soto Boulevard. Saturday April 18, bus tour check-in 3:30 p.m., party 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets $60 each.
The Ladies of Legacy Scholarship Fundraiser brings together past scholarship recipients and the women backing them, with Leigh Cooper Willis stepping in to talk about where that path can lead. Thursday April 23 at the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 South Bayshore Drive from 6 to 8 p.m. Light bites and a cash bar. Suggested donation: $20.
It’s Alive!!—and apparently singing. Young Frankenstein lands at the Ring Theatre with all the familiar chaos intact: mad science, questionable decisions, and a lab that’s far from under control. If “Puttin’ on the Ritz” means anything, you already know where this is headed. Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, 1312 Miller Drive. Friday 4/17 through Saturday April 25, times vary. Tickets required.
