Pinecrest Gardens - February Events!

February Events are in Full Bloom!
Valentine's Day is Around the Corner
And Love is in the Air Featured This MonthJazz at Pinecrest Gardens; Chili Cook-Off; Karen Peterson Dancers; Chick Flick Friday; Family Friday; Garden Soirée; Horticulture Lecture Series; Orchestra Miami; Greater Miami Symphonic Band; Civic Chorale of Greater Miami; Gardens Gallery; Botanical Arts & Crafts; Farmers Market
BEGINNING THIS MONTH ALL PUBLIC FESTIVALS ARE FREE TO MEMBERS

FEATURED MUSIC EVENT Mad Romance Saturday, February 9, 8:00 p.m.

Click on image for full season Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens presents the incomparable Mad Romance in a Valentine’s Celebration, Saturday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m. You'll fall in love with these Miami-based superstars performing your favorite songs in exquisite four-part-harmony that include classic jazz, lush ballads, bebop, swing and more. The Washington Post calls them “exuberant and exhilarating”. WLRN's Ed Bell hails them as "One of the most exciting jazz vocal groups in America". Celebrate Valentine’s Day a few days early while enjoying a night of fabulous music, cocktails and a lovely supper under the stars with Mad Romance. For tickets click here.

FEATURED FESTIVAL Chili Cook-Off at the Gardens Sunday, February 10, 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

Click the image for details Come to compete, or come to eat! The Gardens is pleased to announce the return of the popular Chili Cook-Off. Prepare your taste buds for an encounter with some of the most delicious chili in Miami-Dade County. Restaurants, caterers and novices compete for the title of "Best Chili in Town". Enjoy country music provided by Kiss Country Radio 99.9 FM, chili sampling, a good brew, line dancing, children’s activities, mechanical bull rides and even a "man cave". This is an amateur-friendly cook-off, so dust off your apron, grab your spices, and let's get cookin'! General admission $5. All proceeds to benefit the Pinecrest Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Historical Pinecrest Gardens. For information on participation, click here. This is a sanctioned event by the International Chili Society.

FEATURED NIGHT ON THE TOWN Garden SoiréeSaturday, February 23rd, 7:00 p.m.

The Garden Fund invites you to their 7th Annual Garden Soirée where you can dine on fine food, dance the night away to the music of Live Bait (a Tribute to Jimmy Buffett and summertime fun), enjoy appetizers and cocktails on Lakeview Terrace while listening to the mesmerizing sounds of steel drums and bid on something wonderful at our spectacular silent auction. Tickets for the evening (dinner, cocktails and entertainment included) are $125. Tables available at a discounted ticket price. For more information and reservations click here.

Chick Flick Friday Something's Gotta Give Friday, February 1, 8:00 p.m.

Click image for information “Keaton and Nicholson nail every laugh and nuance in this tart, terrific romantic comedy.” Peter Traver, Rolling StoneIt’s a perfect, relaxing evening of live jazz guitar, while sipping a glass of wine, enjoying a tasty snack and watching a movie under the stars. This month we’re featuring Something's Gotta Give starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Still sexy at 60, Harry Sanborn (Nicholson) is having the time of his life, wining, dining and bedding women half his age. But when he agrees to go to the Hamptons with his girlfriend, their getaway goes awry after her playwright mother (Keaton) stops in unannounced. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for music and refreshments, and our film begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission $5.

“Classical Music Meets Contemporary Dance” Performed by Karen Peterson and Dancers Saturday, February 2 at 8:00 p.m. & Sunday, February 3 at 3:00 p.m.

Click on image for information The Karen Peterson and Dancer's program features adult dancers with and without disabilities who create and perform "mixed ability" dance as an inclusive art form. Join us for this spiritual and stunning dance and live music concert featuring the Cross Town String Quartet and Karen Peterson & Dancers. Tickets $15 (Adults) & $10 (Students & Seniors over 65). To purchase tickets for this "not to be missed" dance concert, click here.

Gardens Gallery presents: ERNESTO KUNDE SPECTRUM Opening Reception, Thursday, February 7th, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Ernesto Kunde is a self-taught artist from Paraiso de Sul, Brazil. He paints Miami as he sees it: colorful architecture, silhouette beach scenes, and abstract mangroves. He also paints scenes of war and suffering. Together they make up a picture of the present that is both resplendent and provocative. Ernesto’s work can be found in private collections in Brazil, Sweden, and throughout the USA. He is currently an artist in residence at Miami’s Bakehouse Art Complex. His work was exhibited at the Miami’s Scope Art Fair 2012 and will be part of the new Perez Art Museum collection.

Elaine Alvarez, Soprano In Recital With Elaine Rinaldi, Pianist Friday, February 8, 8:00 p.m.

One of America's most exciting young sopranos, Miami native Elaine Alvarez is known for her gripping performances in La Bohème, La Rondine, Carmen and many others on the international stage. Headlines blared, "Another Star is Born" after her debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Don't miss this exciting performer as she appears in her only South Florida Recital, accompanied by Elaine Rinaldi, Artistic Director of Orchestra Miami, at the piano, performing music by Strauss, Obradors, Rachmaninov and others, Friday, February 8th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 & $30, to purchase them in advance, click here. For further information, call (305) 274-2103.

Greater Miami Symphonic BandSousa Style Family Concert Sunday, February 17, 3:00 p.m.

Bring the entire family to a Sousa Style Family Concert, Sunday, February 17th at 3:00 p.m. As in the day of John Philip Sousa's fabled bands, this concert will have music for everyone to enjoy including show tunes, overtures, and of course, Marches!!! The whole family will enjoy an afternoon concert in the beautiful Banyan Bowl right here at the Gardens. The Greater Miami Symphonic Band began in 1979, and has grown to 85 members strong. The Band performs publicly on a regular basis at various indoor and outdoor locations, giving Miami audiences an opportunity to hear all the beauty and diversity of the symphonic band repertoire. Get in the spirit and join us at this wonderful Sunday afternoon concert; a guaranteed crowd pleaser! Adults $15, students $5, for tickets click here.

The Village of Pinecrest & Pinecrest Gardens presents: Bully Sunday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people in this country experience. BULLY is the first professionally produced feature documentary film showing how we've all been affected by bullying, whether we've been victims, perpetrators or stood silent witness. Join us for this compelling PG 13 rated movie, join in on the discussion immediately following and find out how your school is dealing with bullying and how you can become part of the solution. Free admission and snacks will be served. For further information call 305-669-6990.

Family Friday at the Gardens Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Friday, February 22, 8:00 p.m.

For information click the image Following up on the success of 2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Imagine Entertainment presents The Cat in the Hat, their second live-action adaptation of a classic Dr. Seuss book. Starring Mike Myers, the film follows the adventures of Conrad (Spencer Breslin) and Sally Walden (Dakota Fanning), a young brother and sister who find themselves visited by the titular mischievous cat (Meyers) and his entourage when their mother (Kelly Preston) leaves them home alone. Flashlight tours at 7:00 & 7:30 p.m., the movie begins about 8:00 p.m. and we serve the best hotdogs and popcorn in town. General admission is $5, children under 2 enter free.

Civic Chorale of Greater Miami Sunday, February 24, 5:00 p.m.

Since its inception in 1970, the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami has grown to approximately 100 singers. They are comprised of both Miami Dade College students and community singers from all walks of life. Their ranks represent numerous professions and range in age from the young to the very young at heart! They all however, share a common love for the singing of great choral music. Their repertoire is as diverse as their membership - they sing it all: from Bach to Rogers and Hammerstein. The Civic Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Boos, Artistic Director, Dr. Robert Gower and John Guarente, Associate Conductors. The Chorale is accompanied by Dr. William James and their program on February 24th at 5:00 p.m. entitled, “A Bridge of Love”. For ticket information call 305-237-2394.

From the Ground Up...A Garden Re-Imagined "Landscape Bromeliad Culture 101" Gardens Gallery, Hibiscus Room

Click on image for information "Landscape Bromeliad Culture 101" is the topic for this month’s horticultural lecture. Join Horticulturist Craig Morell for a discussion on selecting and caring for Landscape Bromeliads. Our subtropical climate and diverse nursery industry allow our residents to grow an amazing array of landscape plants. Bromeliads are a staple item in the tropical landscape palette, and the variety available to us has never been better. Learn how to make your garden, no matter what size, a tropical paradise with these amazing and durable plants. Caring for these plants is easier than most people think! Lectures are held February 13th from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and February 28th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., in the Hibiscus Room/Gardens Gallery and the $5 admission fee includes refreshments.

Learning Made Fun Botanical Arts and Crafts United States Presidents

Click image for full schedule Join us on Saturday, February 9th or Saturday, February 23rd, 2:00-3:30 p.m. for Krafts 4 Kids; our wonderfully creative and educational arts and crafts class. It’s all about learning and it’s all about fun. Children ages 6-11 will learn about how several of our Presidents were farmers in their early lives. They will be studying some of the Presidents who gardened, specifically Washington, Jefferson and Carter. There will also be a discussion about wives of Presidents with gardening missions including Mamie Eisenhower's White House Rose Garden, Lady Bird Johnson's wild flower planting throughout the dust bowl areas of the Southwest, and Michele Obama's programs promoting exercise for children, healthy choices for school lunches and the White House vegetable garden. They will talk about the important work of George Washington Carver and participants in the class will plant peanuts to take home. Classes are limited to 20 children and the cost is $5 with all materials included in the price. Call for reservations in advance at 305-669-6990.

Farmers Market: Fresh Produce & More Sundays 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Click on image for information Enjoy the fresh air while selecting your fresh produce, spices, home-baked breads, hand-made pastas, organic products and much more at Pinecrest Gardens' Farmers Market, every Sunday. The market is open from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and admission is Free. Relax, take a stroll, savor the selections and while you are there, enjoy the purchases you have made at one of our many picnic areas in the Gardens, or overlooking the magnificent view on Lakeview Terrace.

COMING NEXT MONTH Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show Saturday & Sunday, March 9 & 10

Click the image for information The inaugural Miami Fine Chocolate & Food Show is a unique culinary event that will feature the gourmet talents of Miami’s top chefs as well as fine artisanal chocolate from around the world. The event showcases local chefs and world class chocolatiers while presenting a selection of fine food products and beverages. You’ll experience scores of vendors offering samples for you to taste as well as specialty items for purchase. The show will also feature live cooking demonstrations by popular chefs, pairing seminars highlighting fine foods and chocolates alongside crafted beer, wine & spirits, live music and entertainment for the entire family at an affordable price. For more information about this wonderful new event click here...and when you do--if you happen to purchase your tickets before midnight on January 31st with the promo-code mia234 you will receive an extra $5 off an adult ticket.