Friday, October 3

Candace Bushnell: One Fifth Avenue
Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City tapped into a zeitgeist about New York and its denizens. With each of her three subsequent novels she has continued to explore the lives of women as they navigated the city from their halcyon days through careers and family. Now she has broadened her canvas and conjured up men and women who are all part of the dazzling panoply of this famed address. One Fifth Avenue (Voice/Hyperion, $ 25.95) is a mordantly observed novel of manners seen through the lens -- or room with a view -- of New York's real estate anxiety. It's a story of old and new money, that same combustible mix that Edith Wharton chronicled in her novels about New York's Gilded Age. More than a century later, Bushnell's New Yorkers have changed in the details, but not the essentials: the thirst for power, social prominence, and successful marriages that matter, at least in public. Here, in Miami, where the desire for love, for success and its baubles, and for the right address, keeps pace with the Big Apple, Books and Books be hosting a luncheon to celebrate Candace and her new novel. The Women's Chamber of Miami-Dade, The Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the 20/30 Group of the Coral Gables Chamber, have joined forces to bring you this wonderful opportunity. Lunch at the Banker's Club with Candace Bushnell: The $60 ticket includes lecture, lunch and a signed copy of the book. Seating is limited and assigned on a first-come, first serve basis. Please RSVP to www.JBGevents.com Seating begins at 11:30am.

South Florida Arts Beat On WLRN
Tune in at 1pm to WLRN 91.3 FM to hear Ed Bell's South Florida Arts Beat program to stay abreast of cultural events in our community. You can also listen live on the internet. http://www.wlrn.org

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. Visit their Wine Seller, where you can choose from over 140 different wines by the bottle, and take advantage of 3-SUM: Their 3 bottle case, where you can save 15-20%. Call 305-444-WINE. http://www.yourgrape.com

Shakra Friday Specials
Shakra will come to your office or home to administer Chair Massages for a special rate of $70/hour. Visit their beautiful and serene Yoga Studio for Basic Yoga at beginners level from 5:30-6:45pm 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 305-774-1355. http://www.shakramiami.com

International Fridays at Uva Lounge
It's Happy Hour from 5 to 8pm at Uva Restaurant and Lounge, 2626 Ponce, with 2-for-1 drinks and world music by Eddie Alexander. Call 305-476-8111. http://www.uvanights.com

Ladies' Night At The Bar
Coral Gables' legacy pub presents drink specials: ladies can drink well drinks and Yuengling on draft for free from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Enjoy the selection of 48 bottled beers, 10 great brews on tap and the best comfort food at The Bar, 172 Giralda. Call 305-442-2730. http://www.gablesthebar.com

Grand Opening of the The Guayabera Lady's Storefront
Berta R. Bravo, better known as the "Guayabera Lady," is proud to announce the opening of The Guayabera Lady storefront, located at 485 Biltmore Way. A grand opening celebration will be held from 6 to 9pm during the monthly Gables Gallery night. Guests will be treated to mojitos, a full wine bar compliments of Cavia Wines, catering by A Matter of Taste, cigar rollers and music. They will also be able to see the new 1,500 square foot window storefront which features sleek modern lines and bright trendy colors and furniture. The store offers clients classic and traditional Guayaberas, custom-made designs, a children's section, cigar box handbags, handmade designer jewelry and even pieces from Bravo's upscale couture line. Call 305-443-9797. http://www.theguayaberalady.com

Art In The Park Music Concerts Return
The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana one again brings art and music to Coral Gables at Ponce Circle Park from 7 to 11pm, featuring David Fernandez, 8 Conjunto Progreso, 9 Nil Lara and at 10:30pm, Suenalo. Fox Sports en Español, together with the Kiwanis Club, presents exhibitions of paintings, photography and jewelry. Winn Dixie presents the Kids Art Village where little Picassos between 6 and 12 can express their artistic talents. Enjoy the Coors Cold Zone Lounge with cold beer. The Post Office will unveil the 42 cent Latin Jazz Stamp at 9pm. Admission is free. Call 305-644-8888. http://www.artintheparkconcerts.com

Cernuda Arte Presents Four Artists from Pinar
Cernuda Arte pays tribute to Pinar del Río artists Giosvany Echevarría, Irina Elén González, Juan Miguel Suárez and Ramón Vázquez with this group presentation of great talents, which at the same time is a showing of solidarity towards the impacted region of Pinar del Río, Cuba, damaged by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. You're invited to attend the opening reception from 7 to 10pm at Cernuda Art Gallery, 3155 Ponce. Call 305-461-1050. http://www.cernudaarte.com

Visual Fables, Interpreted by Humberto Castro
Humberto Castro, an artist from Cuba whose previous works often referred to flight, cages and voyages over water, has expanded his visual metaphors to the concept of fables and historic immigration as the foundation for contemporary society. Meet the artist at the opening reception from 7 to 10pm at Virginia Miller's ArtSpace Galleries, 169 Madeira. Contemporary Fables will be exhibited until October 31. Call 304-444-4493. http://www.virginiamiller.com.

Contexto: Language As Art
miArte Gallery, 85 Merrick Way, proudly presents their newest exhibition, Contexto. When a work of art contains text as a predominant element is it read or viewed first? Is it the text or is it the forms that draw the viewer in? The exhibition Contexto examines the contemporary use of text as art. The works presented develop a visual inquest using written language to augment the artist's message and the viewers interpretation. The public is invited to the opening reception from 7 to 10pm. Off-street metered parking is available and a municipal covered parking garage is located directly across the street from miArte gallery. Contexto will be on exhibit through November 22. Call 305-445-2783. http://www.miartegallery.com

GMI Art Gallery at Greater Miami Investments
The GMI art gallery is housed in the real estate boutique at 60 Aragon, providing gallery space to emerging and established contemporary artists. The gallery is currently exhibiting the art of Cuban artist Abel Quintero Fuentes through January 2009. The exhibition is hosted in collaboration with Art Millennium 2000. Call 305-444-9979 http://www.gmiartgallery.com

Sugar Babies Exhibit At Books And Books
Enjoy an exhibit of behind-the-scenes field portraits from the award-winning film, The Sugar Babies: The Plight of Children of Agricultural Workers in the Sugar Industry of the Dominican Republic at Books and Books at 7pm, featuring still photographs by Tico Pujals and Cynthia Hernandez-Cassano, music in courtyard by film's composer, Bill Cruz. Also present, Amy Serrano, director, writer, cinematographer and Salvador Longoria, Associate Producer. Meet the photographer at Books And Books, 265 Aragon. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Mariposa Latin Nights At Neiman Marcus
Meet up with friends at the Village Of Merrick Park from 7 to 11pm as Mariposa Restaurant and Lounge kicks off the new season with a celebration featuring delectable cuisine and live entertainment. Enjoy a night of Latin flair featuring traditional foods and drink specials. Salsa, samba, or conga to the sounds of Cuba with music group Son Cubano, as your whisked away for a night of scrumptious treats, dancing, and mingling. For reservations call 786-999-1018.

Live Jazz And Fresh Crepes
CrepeMaker on the Mile presents an evening with jazz performers Goran Rista and Max Farber from 7 to 10pm at 76 Miracle Mile. Goran is a Serbian-born drummer/artist based in Miami. He will be featuring tunes from his self-produced, newly released debut album Rista World. Goran will be laying down some cool deep grooves accompanied by Max Farber on keyboards. Max hails from Argentina, and has become a much sought after pianist in Miami. His tasteful playing can be heard throughout Rista World. Goran & Max will take you on a musical journey over jazzy soundscapes with a heartbeat of drums. Come share wine, crepes and enjoy some eclectic musical vibes. Call 305-807-3522. http://www.crepemaker.com

First Fridays Architecture and Design Lecture Series
The Coral Gables Museum announces First Fridays Architecture and Design Lecture Series at 7pm on the First Friday of each month at the Old Spanish Village Sales Gallery, 2901 Ponce, followed by a wine and cheese reception and tour of the Coral Gables Museum's Celebrate exhibit. This month: The Fabulous Four: H. George Fink, Walter DeGarmo, Richard Kiehnel and Phineas Paist. Historian, author and Museum Board member Arva Moore Parks explores the works of the most influential architects in the early development of Coral Gables. Lectures are free and donations are greatly appreciated. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. To reserve a seat, call 305-910-3996 or e-mail info@coralgablesmuseum.org

Oktoberfest Continues
Meet up with friends to celebrate the annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest celebration at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way, continuing through Monday, October 13. The festivities include live music, special Oktoberfest beer from Bavaria and a holiday menu. Call 305-774-1883. http://www.bierhaus.cc

Friday Night Wine Tasting Series at Christabelle's Quarter
Meet up with friends for a special tasting event hosted by wine educator Barry Alberts at the La Boheme Patio located on the third floor of the gorgeous Christabelle's Quarter, 3157 Commodore Plaza from 7 to 9:30pm featuring international wine selections. The cost is $15 per person and there is no need to RSVP. Call 305-793-3120.

Live Music In The B&B Courtyard
Enjoy live music in the beautiful Mediterranean courtyard Friday night from 7 to 11pm at Books and Books, 265 Aragon. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Miami Bach Society Presents Chamber Music
Enjoy Baroque chamber music inspired by the architecture of Vizcaya and sacred artifacts in the Deering Collection displayed at the Museum. Featured composers include Uccellini, Biber, Bach and Telemann. David Dolata, lute; Scott Flavin, violin; Hector Hernandez, violin; Ross Harbaugh, cello; Robert Heath, harpsichord. The event begins at 7:30pm at the Vizcaya Museum enclosed courtyard, 3251 South Miami Avenue. Light refreshments are available prior to performance and during intermission for a fee. General Admission: $30. Members of the Vizcayans, the Vizcayan volunteer guides, and members of the Miami Bach Society: $20. Call 305-669-1376. http://www.miamibachsociety.org

Eduardo del Valle and Mirta Gomez
In Witness Number 4 ($40), Eduardo del Valle and Mirta Gómez present photographs taken in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico where for over twenty years they have focused on the metamorphosis of the vernacular domestic architecture of the region. The husband and wife team's selection for this volume is comprised of "Sections of Time," a voluminous on-going project where the same dwellings are photographed from the same spot over a number of years, bearing witness to how the structures are affected by seasonal changes and the passage of time. The fascination that del Valle and Gómez have with these houses has come to epitomize their own transformation as first generation immigrants, and like the houses they photograph, they, too, have had to adapt, change and evolve in order to survive. Meet the photographers at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 8pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Rock And Roll at JohnMartin's
Friday evening is Rock 'n' Roll night at JohnMartin's, with the best local bands. Meet up with friends, enjoy some good pub food and refreshments and dance to your favorite tunes all night at 253 Miracle Mile. Call 305-445-3777. http://www.johnmartins.com

Live Music At Titanic
Enjoy great live music, good food and drinks, featuring well-brewed beer on tap at Titanic Restaurant and Bar, 5813 Ponce. The music stars at 10pm. Call 305-667-ALES. http://www.TitanicBrewery.com

Oktoberfest At The Bar
Enjoy an outdoor biergarten with full liquor, a DJ and giveaways from 9pm to close at The Bar, 172 Giralda. Call 305-442-2730. http://www.gablesthebar.com