Spotlight 91-250404

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight

The Fight over Marjory’s 1926 Grove Cottage
A Film Fest Movie Shot in Coconut Grove
The Weekend’s Here: Where We’ll Be

Restoration of Historic Cottage Moves Ahead

Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board approved a new phase of restoration work this week at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas cottage on Stewart Avenue, despite the strong objections of nearby homeowners.

By Don Finefrock

The State of Florida can move forward with its restoration work at the former home of Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Coconut Grove after a contentious hearing this week before the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Protection Board.

The HEP board voted 7-0 on Tuesday to approve drainage improvements and a landscaping plan for the rustic 1926 cottage on Stewart Avenue where Douglas wrote “The Everglades: River of Grass.”

The decision represents a small victory for those who have embraced the ongoing restoration work as a way to honor Douglas and preserve her legacy.
But the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and its project manager – WGI Inc. of Fort Lauderdale – didn’t get everything they sought with the plan, after angry neighbors objected to the request and questioned the state’s motives.

Miami’s Neighborhoods the Backdrop for ‘Made in Miami’ Films

From Coconut Grove to the Everglades, this year’s Miami Film Festival showcases a lineup of homegrown films that capture the culture and spirit of the Magic City.

By Michelle F. Solomon

One of the highlights of the Miami Film Festival is the opportunity to see movies made in the 305 — and, in some cases, right here in Coconut Grove.

For the 42nd year of the festival, opening Thursday, April 3 and running through Sunday, April 13, there is an impressive array of narratives and documentaries that are produced in the MIA.

“I am just more and more proud of our community every single year,” says Lauren Cohen, director of programming at the Miami Film Festival.

Some of the homegrown films include the world premiere of the comedy “Ethan Bloom,” shot mostly in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, and directed by Herschel Faber, with a screenplay by Maylen Dominguez. The East Coast premiere of Sergio Vizuete’s stunning “Becoming Vera” uses much of downtown Miami as its backdrop, and Xander Robin’s “The Python Hunt” where the Florida Everglades frames the documentary feature, which won a special jury award in March at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

Where We’ll Be

Butterflies and Gardens

St. Stephen’s Coconut Grove Music Series returns with The Stamps String Quartet, outstanding students that will perform the music of Schulhoff and Beethoven. Admission is free, but reserve your spot. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Road. Friday 4/4 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free but please RSVP here.

Pinecrest Gardens presents the Chino Nunez Orchestra in their season finale. The 14-piece ensemble performs a wide range of award-winning numbers in the styles and rhythms of jazz, mambo, merengue, and cha-cha. The opportunity to enter Pinecrest Gardens at night is magical in its own right, and the Banyan Bowl venue is both intimate and historic. Friday 4/4 from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest. As the Spotlight went to press, some tickets were still available. Learn more and check here.

Today, Friday, is the last day to purchase entry to the Secret Garden Tour of Coconut Grove with this year’s seven specially-curated and inspirational gardens. This year the tour is totally walkable in a small North Grove neighborhood. Advanced ticket sales are required – no walk-ups – to respect the privacy of the gardeners that are allowing guests to see what lies behind their garden gates. As the Spotlight went to press, tickets still remained on the Friends of the Commodore Trail website. Secret North Grove location. Saturday 4/5 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 4/6 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Advanced ticket sales only.

Pie, anyone? The musical “Waitress”serves up a story of humor, resilience and joy in the face of serious challenges at Actor’s Playhouse through April 20. The show wrestles with serious adult themes, scenes and language. The producers advise parental discretion. Friday’s show (4/4) is followed by a Q&A session with the cast and director. Maybe they’ll share their recipes? Dates and showtimes vary, but can be found here. Actor’s Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Tickets.

First Friday in the Gables means Gallery Night as art venues through the City Beautiful open for your evening stroll. Venues often have live music and many have light food or drinks available. Miami’s free trolley down Coral Way or the Coral Gables trolley from either the Douglas Road Metrorail Station or Grand Avenue are great ways to make an adventure of the evening. Freebee on-demand vehicles make getting around even easier. Friday 4/4 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Locations throughout downtown Coral Gables. Free.

The butterflies of South Florida do more than simply amaze with their beauty. You can learn how to identify them, their habitats and document them at The Kampong’s Butterflies in your Backyard event. After attending this one-hour seminar, you can activate your new skills with a walk through the Kampong’s always-impressive grounds. Saturday 4/5 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. 4013 Douglas Road. Advanced tickets.

Families with special needs may opt to return to Pinecrest Gardens Saturday for “It Takes a Village,” an opportunity to connect with local organizations offering support and resources for families with special needs. The limited-admission Sensory Hour that begins the program from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. is designed especially for those seeking quiet time for cognitive-sensitive families. General admission to Pinecrest Gardens Family Day follows and includes the opportunity to relax in a Sensory Friendly Quiet Room – designed to provide a peaceful escape during the event. More information can be found here. Saturday 4/5. 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest. Modestly priced tickets.

Coconut Grove’s singular atmosphere serves as the setting for the locally-produced feature film “Ethan Bloom.” Thirteen-year-old Ethan and his father navigate a complicated life after the death of Ethan’s mother. Herschel Faber produced and directed the film starring Joshua Malina. The world premiere is part of the Miami Film Festival and its first showing is Sunday 4/6 at 8:00 p.m. Olympia Theater, 174 East Flagler St., Miami. Advanced tickets.

Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne is the exceptional venue for musicians from U-Miami’s Frost School of Music, as Devin Shaw & the Ghetto Space Band showcase Devin’s original compositions. You’ll find them inside the park at Pavillion D-18. Sunday 4/6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Included in the park’s admission fee.

Save Me a Seat

Siempre Flamenco performs at the Barnacle, Friday 4/11 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets.

Individuals and families with diverse sensory and accessibility needs can discover and explore the Frost Science Museum within the “Just for Me” program. During Just for Me hours, sound and lighting adjustments are made within the exhibitions to make them more sensory-friendly. There are also special tactile and interactive features within one exhibition so guests can engage with scientific concepts at their own pace and on their own terms. More information and access to limited free admissions can be found here. These special hours take place on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Boulevard. Museum admission is required.

Make plans now for New World Symphony’s last Wallcast of the season. New World Symphony, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Saturday 4/19 at 8:00 p.m. Free.