Thursday is Paella Night at Focaccia Bistro

Focaccia Bistro is starting something new this week, Thursday night is Paella Night.

There will be a tent outside with seating. For $35 per person, receive the delicious seafood Paella with a glass of wine, and Manchego cheese and chorizo.

Ferro (below) will be performing that night. You can hear his sound at his Myspace page here: http://www.myspace.com/ferro

Focaccia is at 3111 Grand Ave. Reservations are a must for Thursday, you may reach them at 305-476-8292.

The painting is by Jeff Passage, whose work (mostly Grove, but many Miami scenes) may be seen and purchased at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue).

Fundraiser Happy Hour for Leukemia Society

The Mutiny Hotel may be called "Charity Central" pretty soon. Each month up pops another charity event put on by Atchana and Siri at Atchana's East/West Kitchen, the Thai restaurant in the Mutiny lobby.

The great part is that this is a beautiful venue, each event is put on without a flaw and the events draw a very large and diverse crowd, which is great for the hotel, the Grove and of course the charity of the month. The restaurant, which flows out to the pool and patio deck just works.
This Thursday, June 3, they are having a fundraising Happy Hour for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For a $10 donation at the door, you'll receive delicious Thai hors d'oeuvres and lots of drink specials. And as usual, at every event, there is a silent auction with super prizes.

The San Diego Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is Sunday, the Team in Training for the past five months is trying to raise lots more money to take with them for the cause.

The event is 6:30 to 10 pm, The Mutiny is at 2951 S. Bayshore Drive).

Grove to be alive with movie-goers again

The countdown is starting -- the new Paragon Grove 13 movie theater is almost open for business. Construction workers are winding down and the Grove is all abuzz, excited to have one of the newest concepts in movie theaters right here at CocoWalk. Friday, June 4 is the sneak-peak opening day, movies will start showing at 4 pm.

This morning the press had a special walk-through. Above, Mike Whalen, one of the owners took questions from the reporters, as Becky Manuel, marketing director, looked on.


The first phase of the movie complex will be a 1,500 seat luxury movie theater featuring reserved stadium seating, the only all high-definition digital projection in Miami (SONY4K), three 3D screens, valet parking, deluxe concessions (with specials named after local places and people, ask for the Full Monty, named after Monty Trainer, the largest item on the menu consisting of hot dogs and popcorn and soda and such), there's also an exclusive “Diamond Row” program coming soon with at-your-seat bar service with beer and wine.

Validated parking is just $2.00 at CocoWalk for up to five hours. Nighttime movies will be $11.00, seniors pay $7.00, students pay $9.00 and 3-D movies are just $4.00 more. The discounts fall on various days of the week and not just one day at a special time, like many other theaters around town do. The movies will be discounted during matinees.

Tuesdays will be Grove Day for adults with a Code 33 card. If you live or work in the Grove email mcconnell28@msn.com to obtain a card to receive $2.00 off ticket prices on Tuesdays.

Seating will be assigned, you may choose your seat at time of purchase on line or at the box office, or at machines set up on site. You can see how the luxury seating above is numbered. The seats feel like airplane seats, and they literally rock. The center arm rests raise up, just in case you want to get closer to that special someone. Mike calls that a "loveseat."


Five new movies will be showing the first week, including Sex and the City 2, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Killers and a full schedule will begin the weekend of June 11. The lit up posters along the wall announce the new movies coming this summer. The location, the former AMC theatre, was fully renovated to include all new seating, flooring, lighting, projection, screens, and décor. We have been in and out throughout the past few weeks and it is an incredible place.


We saw a preview of the new Spider-man movie. The image just pops out at you.

Future plans for the project include luxury bowling (possibly Splitsville, which is a big hit in their Virginia theater), a private screening room, alternative content such as sporting events and concerts, and the opening of a trendy bar/lounge with dining, dancing, karaoke and more, tentatively called the U-bar. This is planned for a fall opening.


Coming up are innovative packages with local restaurants, which will include a dinner or brunch and a movie. They should be rolled out in about a month. Right now, the paint is still a bit wet (I know because I got some on my hand) and the windows and floors are being cleaned and all the last minute details are being taken care of in anticipation of opening day.

Coconut Grove flower power

The BID has finally started placing hanging flowers on the light poles. The first couple went up today in front of CocoWalk.

The green baskets that hold the flowers will be taken over by flowers as they grow and it will just appear as hanging flowers (no basket). They will be changed out in the winter with a different variety for the season.

The decorative arms came from New Orleans, or rather, they were designed for New Orleans light poles, but Hurricane Katrina hit and unfortunately New Orleans had other priorities, so they were available and we got them. Let's hope they bring us luck this mean season and we have a beautiful summer.

Take your pick of juicy fruit at Rodez Gallery

The RODEZart.com Gallery at CocoWalk is premiering Fruit and Passion: A colorful and tasty palette on Saturday night, June 5, during the Gallery Walk.

Artist Mari Sanchez's fresh fruit, like this mango at left, will be on display through June 30. The fresh tropical fruit adds to the colorful nature of the gallery.

Gallery hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm. Stop by this Saturday during the art stroll (7 to 10 pm) and enjoy the artistic fruit as well as wine and hors d'ouvres.

The Rodez Gallery is on the second floor at CocoWalk, next to Crazy Pianos.

Solar Dogs performing at "Answer to Cancer"

"The Answer to Cancer" fundraiser for the Boston-based Jimmy Fund, is Friday, June 4 at The Grove Spot (3324 Virginia Street).

Donate $20 at the door and receive two drink tickets. The Grove's own Solar Dogs (a boy's best friend) will be performing.

For researchers and treatment specialists the Jimmy Fund is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which made history with the first remissions in childhood leukemia more than 58 years ago and today continues to make advances against this dreaded disease. Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic remains one of the world’s premier centers for pediatric cancer research and treatment and is part of a medical complex that has made innumerable inroads in the treatment of adult cancers as well.

The Grove Spot is the locals' hangout on Friday nights, add the Solar Dogs and you have a real party. The fundraiser is from 5 to 10 pm, the Solar Dogs start at 7 pm.

And every first Thursday, the next one is tomorrow, June 3, The Grove Spot hosts the Neighborhood Pro-Am Jam. This is a laid-back local musicians' showcase and gathering, a place for singers and players to stand up and showcase their original work or sit-in and show off their favorite cover tunes, or both.

Even if you sing, but don't play, or play but don't sing, you might just leave here as the Next Big Thing. Come out to play your own music for the masses, then stick around to goof off with others who share your noisy habits.

Pre-Registration for Artists starts at 7:00 pm.
Show is from 8:00 to 11 pm.
Hosted by "Robby Robb" and Mike "Sir Nasty."

Students' art to be presented during Gallery Walk

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery (3390 Mary Street, suite 128) is presenting the art of 16 young artists from county magnet schools. The opening reception is Saturday, June 5 from 7 to 9 pm, during the Gallery Walk.

Schools represented are New World School of the Arts, Design and Architecture Senior High, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High, Coral Reef Senior High, Miami Northwestern Senior High and the Academy of Arts and Minds.


Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The mask here is called "Cultural Deterioration," done by Sophia Schiano, senior at New World School of the Arts. It's on display and for sale.

For info, please call 305-447-0401.