Thursday, August 14

Miracle Mile Toastmasters Thursday Lunch
With a shared interest in public speaking, members of the Miracle Mile Toastmasters meet every Thursday at 12:15pm at JohnMartin's Irish Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile. Enjoy the opportunity to network, gain confidence and become an effective public speaker. The cost of lunch is $19. Call 786-399-9609. http://miraclemile.freetoasthost.us

Shakra Thursday Specials
Visit Shakra's beautiful and serene Yoga Studio for Yoga for Lunch al all levels from 12:15 to 1pm, for Body Sculpting at all levels from 5:15 to 6:15pm, and for Pilates at all levels from 6:15 to 7:15pm to stretch and tone your lower back and abdominal area. Enjoy their Zen and fully equipped locker rooms as well as class props for free. The first class for new students (Florida Residents) is always free at Shakra Relaxation Oasis, 271 Alhambra Circle. Call 305 to 774-1355. http://www.shakramiami.com

Free Drinks At Uva Happy Hour
UVA Restaurant and Lounge at 2626 Ponce presents free well drinks and half price premium drinks from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Call 305-476-8111.

Live Music At The Grape
Stop in to your favorite wine bar at the Village Of Merrick Park for a great assortment of wines by the glass or the bottle, plus great food and live music to round out the experience. Now, from 5 to 7pm Monday through Friday, enjoy 2 for 1 glasses of wines in the 1 to 6 category. Meet up with friends at The Grape for a great time every time. Call 305-444-WINE. http://www.yourgrape.com

Live At The Biltmore
This month's band is PALO!, an Afro-Cuban funk band that intertwines Latin beats with an urban sound as the series Live At The Biltmore continues poolside every Thursday night at the Biltmore Hotel's Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill. In addition, Don Julio and Belvedere Vodka cocktails will be half off every Thursday this summer at Cascade Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill is perched on the edge of the resort's famous 700,000-gallon swimming pool, the continent's largest resort pool. Call 305-445-1926. http://www.biltmorehotel.com

Thursday Bierhaus Specials
It's home-made Goulash Night at the Bierhaus, with choice of two side dishes at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way. Call 305-774-1883. http://www.bierhaus.cc

End Of Summer Special With Live Music At Vinisimo
Enjoy three delicious tapas of your choice and one bottle of wine at Vinisimo, 2960 Coral Way each Thursday evening at 6pm to midnight for $40 with live music: Salsa, Rumba and Merenge all night long with Marlon & Barby. Call 305 648-2964. http://www.vinisimo.us

Thirsty Thursday Wine Tastings
Join your hosts, Lalo Durazo, owner of Jaguar, and wine educator Barry Alberts of Berries to Wine for a weekly sampling of fine wines and great food at Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grill, 3067 Grand Avenue from 7 to 9pm each Thursday. The cost is $15 per person for food and wine. RSVP is not required.

Ellis Marsalis In Concert
Coral Gables Congregational Church Community Arts Program 2008 Summer Concert Series presents Ellis Marsalis in concert at 8pm. Ellis Marsalis is the brilliant pianist, composer and educator who spawned both a family of jazz giants and -- through his mentoring and his teaching -- several generations of young and influential jazz artists. If it took the emergence of Branford and Wynton, and then Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis to bring attention Ellis' way, there is no question that the father's example set the sons on the path of international influence and distinction. Meet the Marsalis family patriarch in a spellbinding evening of solo jazz piano, with repertoire from his newest CD, An Open Letter to Thelonious Monk, and other stellar jazz standards, at 3010 DeSoto Blvd. Call 305-448-7241 x33. http://www.communityartsprogram.org

Shakespeare's As You Like It
Under the artistic leadership of Ricky J. Martinez, New Theatre has refined its focus on new work by producing a "Nouveau Classic" blend of classics and new works for the upcoming season, beginning with one of the Bard's most accessible romantic comedies, As You Like It, through September 14, which follows Shakespeare's gorgeous heroine, Rosalind, into a forest of possibilities. The nature of true love versus romantic love are put to the test amidst hilarious misunderstandings, gender confusions, and mistaken identities. Performances are 8pm Thursday through Saturday, plus 5:30pm on select Sundays. Call 305-443-5909. http://www.new-theatre.org

Bryan Christy: The Lizard King
When Bryan Christy began investigating the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by an alligator, sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula, and ejaculated on by a Bengal tiger. But perhaps most challenging was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. The Lizard King (Twelve, $24.99) is Christy's evocative tour through the wild subculture of hunters, enthusiasts, and collectors willing to pay $175,000 for a rare African snake. It is the story of virtually every reptile for sale in America, and it is Christy's personal story of his attraction to life's underbelly, borne from his experiences in his family of morticians. Best of all, it is a tale of reptile smugglers, a family business, and a cat-and-mouse game with a federal agent determined to expose their cold-blooded crime. Meet the author at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 8pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Comedy Night At JohnMartin's
Enjoy Laughs On The Mile at JohnMartin's (253 Miracle Mile), every Thursday starting at 9pm as local comedian Freddie Stebbins and friends host a night of fun and frivolity at JohnMartin's Irish Pub. Call 305-445-3777. http://www.johnmartins.com

DJ Boe Spins At The Bar
Coral Gables' legacy pub presents the music of DJ Boe each Thursday evening, with drink specials: It's Super Size It Night for an extra ounce of liquor for free. Enjoy the selection of 48 bottled beers, 10 great brews on tap and the best comfort food every Thursday at The Bar, 172 Giralda. Call 305-442-2730. http://www.gablesthebar.com