Best Bets for June

Here are the Best Bets for June

Sanctuary of the Arts: Mainly Mozart Concert Series 

You probably know it only as the historic First Church of Christ Scientist, the stately building across from City Hall. But it is now the Sanctuary of the Arts, the new home to preforming arts in downtown Gables. From now until June 18, the Mainly Mozart Concert Series will take place in the old church auditorium, in collaboration with the Miami Chamber Music Society. Performances take place every Saturday at 4 pm. Admission is free. Visit www.sanctuaryofthearts.org for more information. 410 Andalusia Ave. 

GableStage: “The Year of Magical Thinking”

Showing at GableStage from June 3 to June 26 is “The Year of Magical Thinking.” Based on Joan Didion’s award-winning, best-selling memoir, this one-woman performance transforms the sudden, unexpected loss of her husband into a stunning and powerful play. Directed by Bari Newport. Performances Fri. & Sat. 8 pm; Wed. & Thurs. 7 pm; Sat., Sun., & Wed. 2 pm. Tickets $35-$65 online at www.gablestage.org. At the historic Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. 

Adrienne Arsht Center: Summer Shorts 

Okay, so you’ll have to venture outside the Gables for this, but the trip is worth it. It’s the 25th anniversary of City Theatre’s short play festival Summer Shorts, which returns to the Arsht Center June 2 to July 2. Fast paced and full of short new comedies, dramas, and mini musicals, it’s perfect for today’s short attention span audiences. Fresh revivals of festival favorites will also be featured, written by some of the country’s best playwrights and performed by a talented ensemble of South Florida all-stars. Purchase tickets online at www.arshtcenter.org for $60 to $75. 1300 Biscayne Blvd., downtown Miami. 

Frost Live! Frost Chopin Festival 

Beginning June 19, and concluding on June 26, Frost’s Chopin Festival will host a series of performances at UM’s Gusman Concert Hall, featuring 21 of the most celebrated young pianists and world renowned Chopin specialists. Concerts are free to the public. View full schedule at frost-music-live.miami.edu. 1314 Miller Drive. 

Tropical Audubon Society: Bird Friendly Gardening Day

Sign up to help the Tropical Audubon Society maintain its near-native Steinberg Nature Center grounds on June 18 from 9 am to 12 pm. The grounds, which include Pine Rockland, Hardwood Hammock demonstration forests, and bird-friendly pollinator gardens, are located behind the historic Tropical Audubon headquarters building at 5530 Sunset Drive. You’ll get hands-on experience creating a wildlife habitat and weeding invasive plants under the guidance of resident Master Gardeners. Register in advance at www.tropicalaudubon.org. Group size is limited. 

Coral Gables Museum

Three new exhibits are on display at the Coral Gables Museum this month. “MECHANICS: Recent Paintings by Jefreid Lotti” (showing until Aug. 23) is an exhibition that captures daily life at the mechanic shop where Lotti works, where labor in an industrial setting carried on despite the pandemic (above). “Internal Knot: The World of Zammy Migdal” (showing until July 20) is an exhibit of radical sculpture that portrays the poetry and subtlety of forms that resemble movement in dance. “Painting in Excess: Kyiv’s Art Revival” (showing until Oct. 30) documents the diverse artistic histories and newly found freedoms during the collapse of the Soviet empire. Visit www.coralgablesmuseum.com for more information. 285 Aragon Ave. 

Last Chances 

Early June is your last chance to catch a couple of important cultural offerings. At the Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre (280 Miracle Mile) it’s your last chance to see “Murder on the Orient Express,” which runs through June 5. Tickets are $40 for this excellent adaptation of Agatha Christie’s mystery masterpiece at www.actors playhouse.org. At the Lowe Art Museum (1301 Stanford Drive, UM campus) it’s your last chance to view the Radical Conventions exhibition, on display until June 12, a collection of contemporary Cuban-American art. For more information visit www.lowe.miami.edu. Tickets are complimentary.