Spotlight Pulse 240927 Virrick Park

In your Spotlight

  • Green light for the Virrick Park Pool.
  • Grovites honored for leadership and service.
  • The King is back!  Full mango ahead!
  • Dances, concerts, plays fill our schedule.

Save Me a Seat.  The Spotlight introduces a new feature to shine a light on ticketed events that readers may want to investigate before they sell out.


The Florida Department of Health has approved a variance for the pool’s new, deeper design, allowing construction to go forward.

By Alexandra Howard

Commissioner Pardo appears at May 2024 meeting on Virrick Park Pool design. (Alexandra Howard/Caplin News for the Spotlight)

It’s a bright, sunny day in Miami. Toddlers are splashing around in swimsuits and floaties inside a newly-constructed play structure at Elizabeth Virrick Park’s pool. As parents sit nearby keeping a close eye, a water polo team is putting on headgear to practice for their upcoming game in the pool’s deep-end.

West Grove residents of all ages are happy – they can finally beat Miami’s scorching heat by cooling off in the community’s new pool.

This is the future that West Grove residents have been looking forward to since June 2022 when construction began on Virrick Park’s new pool.


Monty Trainer (center) surrounded by Miami city commissioners and well-wishers Thursday at the Miami City Commission meeting. (Photo courtesy of City of Miami Office of Communications)

Coconut Grove was front and center at the start of this week’s Miami City Commission meeting with Monty Trainer and the Coconut Grove Crisis Food Pantry singled out for special honors.

The City Commission recognized Trainer and his community work by naming a portion of Aviation Avenue between South Bayshore Drive and Biscayne Bay in honor of the man who opened Monty’s Raw Bar in 1969 and was a founding member of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District and chairman and president of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. The commission voted to co-designate the street as “Monty Trainer Way” in his honor. “I never thought I would see this day,” Trainer, 88, told commissioners. “Now I’m here (and) they’re naming a street after me.”


Get a jump on the 41st annual King Mango Strut by dropping by Barracuda Taphouse & Grill at 3035 Fuller Street on Wednesday October 2 at 6 p.m. when parade organizers will unveil the poster for the upcoming event. “Another wild, wacky, and yes, weird year is winding down, which can only mean one thing: it is time to make sure the NUT remains in Coconut Grove!” the invitation says. “Join us as we unveil the 41st annual King Mango Strut poster, imagined and designed by local Grove artist and owner of the Art Box Creative Workshop, Ms. Sofia del Rivero. Her colorful work is inspired by the strong yet natural and graceful beauty of beautiful, feminine power every woman carries within.” The 41st annual parade steps off on Sunday January 5 at 2 p.m.


Musical Chairs

Our platform shoes are laced up as we head to the Boogie Nights dance party fundraiser for the Coconut Grove Optimist Club’s youth programs.  Friday 9/27, 6:30 p.m. You can get tickets at the door or buy them in advance for a substantial discount. Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 S. Bayshore Dr.

The St. Hugh-Steinway Concert Series opens with songs, dance and castanets in Sounds of Spain: Echoes from Havana. Free parking and post-event reception.  Tickets available here. Friday 9/27, 8:00 p.m. St. Hugh Catholic Church, 2460 Royal Road at Main Highway.

At U-Miami’s Jerry Herman Ring Theater, how the residents of a Wyoming town respond to a murder is portrayed in the documentary-style play The Laramie Project.  This weekend, 9/27-29 with evening (8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday) and matinee (2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) performances.  Tickets linked here. On campus: 1312 Miller Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146. By Metrorail: University Station.

Area Stage moves its Las Marcas del Mar to Little Havana’s Tower Theater (1508 SW 8th St.) this weekend.  Saturday’s Spanish-language performance of this romance still had seats available as the Spotlight went to press.  9/28, 7:30 p.m.

Alhambra Orchestra’s Hispanic Heritage Concert includes dances with Latin musical classics, including guitar and soprano solos. Saturday, 9/28 7:30 p.m., Sunday 9/29 3:00 p.m. Coral Gables Sanctuary of the Arts.  410 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables, 33134.  Advanced tickets are found here.

We can’t sit out this dance.  We snapped up two free tickets to salsa lessons at the Coconut Grove Library. Advanced reservations are required.  Monday 9/30 7:30 p.m. McFarlane Road.

Why would Sweden end 200 years of neutrality by joining NATOSwedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin will discuss Sweden’s changing world role at the World Affairs Council Miami’s event.  Wednesday 10/2, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Complimentary tickets for those that RSVP. Free parking at Bldg. 7 Garage, 500 NE 2nd Ave. downtown Miami. Metromover: College North Station.

In a busy week, the Gotta-be-there event is the King Mango Strut Poster Reveal Party.  Grovites’ creativity peaks for the annual King Mango Strut parade (Sunday January 5) and Wednesday’s open street party gets the Mango rolling.  Fuller Street, in front of Barracuda Taphouse. Wednesday 10/2 6:00 p.m. Free RSVP here.

The insanely ambitious Area Stage opens Alice & The Mad Tea Party and promises a rowdy combination of script, improv and audience interaction. (Recommended ages 13+) Opening weekend dates: October 3, 4, 5 and 6, with evening and matinee performances.  Runs through 10/20.  Tickets online.  The Shops at Sunset Place.  Metrorail: South Miami Station.

Save Me a Seat

This new Spotlight feature identifies ticketed events that readers may want to investigate before they sell out.

Friends of the Commodore Trail’s History Tours resume Friday, 10/4.

Gables Congregational Church Candlelight Concerts: Latin Pop Hits Saturday, 10/5, 6:30 p.m. Followed later that same evening with the Candlelight Concert: Neo-Soul Favorites Saturday, 10/5, 8:30 p.m.

New World Symphony’s Chamber Music Series Sunday 10/13, 2:00 p.m.


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