An Historic Coconut Grove Landmark Is Due For Revival

A big reason Ugo Di Roma is so proud to be a Coconut Grove Hair Salon is the local community’s rich cultural scene, which rich reflects a long and proud heritage. One of the most iconic and enduring legacies of this history is the Coconut Grove Playhouse, one of the area’s more recognizable landmarks.

Built in 1927, the theatre was long one of Miami’s main cultural centers, hosting a variety of plays, musicals, and other performances. Since closing in 2007, it has fallen into disrepair and neglect, with many fearing it will never recover.

Now, a team led by Coconut Gove-based Arquitectonica has won a competition to design a master plan for reviving the venerable playhouse. As The Miami Herald reported:

The recommendation by the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, which must be ratified by the county commission, marks a major step in a long-running effort to reopen the theater, a major cultural and architectural landmark as well as an economic linchpin for Coconut Grove.

But it could also lay the groundwork for contention over the future of the historic but deteriorated Mediterranean-style building, which is a designated city of Miami landmark and is legally protected from demolition. Some Grove activists and preservationists are demanding the theater be renovated and reused, but fear the county process would result in a recommendation that it be entirely or partly demolished.

The design team, which also includes architect Jorge Hernandez, a prominent preservationist, would make a recommendation on what to do with the theater. The county, which has $20 million set aside for the theater’s renovation or reconstruction, wants the consultants to determine whether the publicly owned site can accommodate a small, 300-seat theater and a second, larger theater as well as a parking garage.

Arquitectonica’s team includes acclaimed theatrical consultant Fisher Dachs Associates, while the revitalization efforts are being led by the county government and Florida International University, which currently owns the property. GableStage, which currently operates at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, is slated to run the playhouse.

Given the major role in plays in Coconut Grove’s history and identity, expect a lot of attention and debate to follow this decision. Ugo Di Roma looks forward to seeing this signature landmark returned to its former glory.

If you would like to pay a visit to our Hair Salon Coconut Grove, contact 305.444.4661 or info@ugodiroma.com.

Get Ready For The Coconut Grove Arts Festival!

As a locally-oriented Coconut Grove Hair Salon, Ugo Di Roma has always taken an interest in the vibrant culture and lifestyle of our beautiful neighborhood. That is why we are excited about the coming Coconut Grove Arts Festival (Feb. 14-16), one of South Florida’s biggest and most exciting annual events.

This lively celebration of the arts offers nearly one mile of artworks, crafts, food, and entertainment, running along the streets of McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive. The event runs from 10am and to 6pm. General admission is $15 per person per day; children 12 and under, and holders of Patriot Passports or Metrorail Golden Passports, can enter for free.

More than 360 artists from our community and around the world will showcase and sell their works, representing a variety of genres and mediums; these include mixed media, painting, photography, digital art, printmaking & drawing, watercolor, claywork, glass, fiber, jewelry & metalwork, sculpture and wood. There is something for every taste and interest, and the weather is predicted to be beautiful to boot! 

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, a non-profit community organization that also maintains the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery and the Hunter Gallery, which each exhibit art throughout the year.

Proceeds from the festival help fund year-round art programs for Miami-Dade youth seeking an art education. Since the very first festival in 1963, over $100,000 has been awarded to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools. Additionally, the festival also stimulates the local economy by attracting tourists and providing a spillover of visitors to Coconut Grove’s commercial venues, such as those on CocoWalk.

In short, this is an excellent time to enjoy a rich cultural excursion while supporting your local community. Events like this are why Ugo Di Roma is proud to be a Hair Salon Coconut Grove. Feel free to pay us a visit at our nearby location on 2801 Florida Ave, or contact us at 305-444-4661 or info@ugodiroma.com.

Tiki Horror Nights in the Grove's Blue Starlite Drive-In Theater

Coconut Grove is a historical lush community that offers luxury and quirkiness at the same time, that's why it is so fitting that the Starlite Drive-In movie theater be located at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. And now the Startlite Drive-In will be presenting quite a unique series with Tiki Horror Nights, described as a live version of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

This series is the creation of Robert V. Burr from Rob's Rum Guide and the Rum Renaissance Festival, and Andre Lazo, who both have a special place in their hearts for B-movies that have ninjas, massive spiders, and killer botany from outer space, all of which are filmed with the lowest budget possible.

Every movie played for the series will be paired with two tiki drinks, which will be expertly curated by Robert Burr, each drink made to match the film of the night with the drink being made by the Grove's Taurus bar. In the future, there will also be guest bartenders that will be able to come up with their own takes on tiki drinks.

Another aspect of the series is that, Burr and Lazo will be providing commentary onto the soundtrack, since sometimes most of the fun of watching these type of films is commentating on the expertly ridiculous going-ons of the films. Though, one also has the option to watch the film without the commentary.

The event started on January 14, with a special invite-only performance and the first event that will be open to the public will be on January 22 at 7 p.m.  with a showing of Strange Brew, a classic beer comedy.

This series is sure to bring fun to the community and as always, it's great to see the very unique events that go on in the Grove.

If you need services from a Hair Salon in Coconut Grove, contact Ugo Di Roma at (305)444-4461.

A Historical Coconut Grove Home is Saved from Demolition

Coconut Grove is a community with quite a history, and presently there are some historical architectural gems that fill this area. Such was the case for a 3,000 square foot home in the Grove. The home that features a Spanish-tiled roof is located at 3529 Saint Garden Rd. The home features the lushness that Cocount Grove is famous for and recently, this historical home has been the focus on some disputes in the community.

The Saint Gardens house was designed by Kiehnel & Elliot, a Pittsburgh-based architectural firm, while the home itself was built by architect Albert W. Frantz.

The home is thought by some to be a landmark of Kiehnel's style, as the architect is known to introduce the popular Mediterranean Aesthetic to Miami. This firm was also responsible for the structures for Carrolton School for the Sacred Heart, which has similarities to the Garden Road's home. 

The home, which was built in the 1920s, was recently bought by Eduardo Goudie, a real estate developer, who bought the home for almost 1.6 million. Though, when the developer stated that his plans were to demolish the house to redevelop the land, the community was resistant to the decision and as soon as Goudie's plans were made public, some of the residents of the Grove put together a campaign to preserve this historical home

The campaign was led by Save the Grove which is an organization made up of neighboring homeowners. Save the Grove was able to nominate the home to the Historic Designation with the City of Miami, since if a structure becomes a historic designation, it would not be able to be drastically altered or torn down.

Thus far, Save the Grove won the first round and succeeded in temporarily halting the demolition plans for the home.

We at Ugo Di Roma are very proud of the history and the historical structures that fill the beautiful Coconut Grove community. For services from a Hair Salon at Coconut Grove, contact us at (305)444-4461.