Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour played host to an exclusive, invitation-only, luncheon in honor of Miami City Ballet and its dancers on Thursday, November 17^th . The event began with an intimate cocktail reception as guests mingled amongst the beautiful couture on the 2^nd floor of the store. Guests enjoyed a delicious gourmet lunch as they viewed a stunning fashion presentation highlighting the latest Fall and Holiday 2011 collections from various designers that can be found at Neiman Marcus. Miami City Ballet supporters including Francinelee Hand, Bobi Eroncig, Darla Karlton, Dr. Amy Buchman and Lynne Steinfurth took part in a behind the scenes Q & A discussion hosted byPlum TV personality Gerard Bush and three of the Miami City Ballet’s dancers: Principal Dancer Tricia Albertson, Principal Soloist Didier Bramaz and Corps Dancer Adrienne Carter. The dancers shared secrets about their careers at the Miami City Ballet. They gave an exciting account of their experiences this past July when the company made its debut in Paris, France at the famed 2500 seat Théâtre du Châtelet, performing to standing ovations and sold-out houses. Miami City Ballet’s next presentation is their spectacular holiday production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ December 15-18 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami and December 21-24 at the Broward Center, Au-Rene Theater in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets range in price from $20 to $68 and are available by calling the Miami City Ballet Box Office at (305) 929-7010, toll-free (877) 929-7010 or visit www.miamicityballet.org. Group Discounts (10 or more) are available by calling (305) 929-7001 or toll-free (877) 929-7001. You can join Miami City Ballet on Facebook, follow the Company on Twitter or subscribe to the MCB Blog.

 On Thursday night, following Wayne Boich’s stellar cocktail party at his three story Murano Grande penthouse, LIV hosted a slew of celebrities as TIESTO spun at his sold out event.  Notables included: Adrien Brody, Vanessa Hudgens, and Michael Bay.  

Miami’s Zuma was a hot bed for celebrity sightings. On Friday night, Rosie O’Donnell and her fiancée Michelle were spotted enjoying the Alaskan king crab and the Yuzu Keylime Pie. Real Housewife of Atlanta, Nene Leakes and Real Housewife of Miami, Marysol Patton were also seen enjoying their evening telling jokes the entire night – the two ate together at Prime 112 the night before. Shakira was also spotted on Friday, as well as 90210’s Jessica Lowndes. Star Jones and Vivica A. Fox dined together on Sunday night.

Rosci, host of 106 & Park and Terrell Owens hosted the “Hennessy Takeover” event at Cameo where hip hop heavyweight Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Mike Epps, Maybach Music Group artist Stalley and FloRida were all in attendance. The Boss, Rick Ross, counted down to 2012, while the crowd toasted with glasses of Hennessy.  After the toast, Ross performed his hits “Imma Boss” and “On One”.  That night, 2012’s most expensive VIP table, costing a whopping $100,000 was purchased by a British businessman who wishes to remain anonymous.  The table was hosted by The Boss and came complete with 50 bottles of Moet Rose.

More than 1,000 guests joined Univision’s El Gordo y La Flaca co-host Lili Estefan, gathered to ring in 2012 at the fourth-annual Vitamin C Communications’ New Year’s Forever event at the historic Bath Club.

Saturday night’s sold out New Year’s Eve event at Bâoli-Vita was a fabulous way to ring in 2012.  The evening, fueled with champagne poured by “Crazy Angels” dressed in white, had a special guest performance by R&B artist Nelly.

Up and Coming artist Jake Miller, Jason Derulo, NeYo & DJ Irie performed at the Orange Drive Miami Beach Music Festival.

At The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, Chris Tucker dined with Al and Nancy Malnik, Shareef Malnik, Gabrielle Anwar and friends in the private wine cellar on New Year’s Eve.

Nikki Beach Saint Barth rang in the New Year with a performance by Wyclef Jean. 

CeeLo Green dined at Philippe Chow Miami over the weekend. He came in just before closing at 1 a.m. and Chef Philippe Chow personally cooked for him and his guests; Christopher Brian Bridges, also known as, Ludacris, was dining nearby with a large group including Marco Andretti.

Philippe Chow Miami’s signature satays were a hit at Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ house for his private soiree on New Year’s Eve. Rihanna was seen noshing on the tasty treats.

NeYo and Jeniya Penrod

NeYo was at Nikki Beach Miami on Sunday, January 1, with his fiancée Tishawn along with a group of friends including “Cheetah Girl” Adrienne Bailon.

Our spy in L.A., fellow Miami Socialholic™ Maryanne Salvat, reports:  Maroone 5 front man Adam Levine was spotted with girlfriend, Victoria’s Secret Angel, Anne Vyalitsyna having lunch at Chateau Marmont.  Entourage’s Jerry Ferrara was seen at the JW Marriott LA, looking lean and fit after shedding 60 pounds.

Nereyda Gonzalez, Lawrence Binder, Peter Maxymych, Hadley Henriette, Marcella Novela, Mary Jo and Michael Shore, and Matthew Almeida

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

It’s like we always say:  “Wherever you go, there YOU are.” So it makes perfect sense that on the biggest party night of the year, while out-of-towners flocked to the big clubs and the hottest hotels on South Beach, many seasoned partygoers opted for more intimate private affairs rather than the high-priced, big-ticket parties (not that there’s anything wrong with those), choosing to check out hotspots like the revamped, sizzling, Shelborne; party palace, LIV; and our “home away from home” Soho Beach House on any night BUT New Year’s Eve. This is not to say that we didn’t make a pit-stop at the above on our NYE Party Patrol escapade- to bring you the inside info. But we were fortunate to ring in 2012 among two of our favorite ladies, Iran Issa-Khan and Marcella Novela, who hosted concurrent, exclusive, NYE soirees, filled with guests and surprises as special as the hostesses themselves. Regardless of how you chose to celebrate, one thing’s for sure, we hope you have a terrific year wherever and whoever you are.  It has definitely gotten off to a great start.  Here’s the lowdown on what went down.  Read the rest of this entry »

By: Maryanne Salvat

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge Grand Opening

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge hosts its grand opening celebration, becoming South Beach’s first and only sanctuary to these time-honored games on Thursday, January 5. Managing partners Robert Chalk, Sayra Moto and Joseph Blount will be joined by Miami Beach Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora, who will present them with a certificate of recognition and preside over the lounge’s inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony. Local street artists Jessy Nite, George Sanchez Calderon, Pest 131, Pucho, Typoe, JillBird, and She Kills He of Primary Flight will also be on hand to unveil a custom paddle wall art installation. Along with complimentary ping-pong and billiards, guests at the event will enjoy cocktails by Absolut Vodka and Jose Cuervo Tequila, as well as music by DJs Keen One and Chris Oh of Primary Flight. The private grand opening begins at 9:00 p.m. and is by invitation only. Doors open to the public at 10:00 p.m., RSVP to RSVP@chalkmiami.com.

Inventive Art Class at the Bass Museum of Art

The Bass Museum of Art will host an Inventive Art Class on Sunday, January 8, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., as part of its successful IDEA@thebass program. Students ages 5 to 11 will work as a team with a parent or guardian to solve a design challenge. This month’s challenge will be to teach students how to create their own flipbook and Zoetropes. Class begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. and has a series of planned activities until 4:00 p.m.  IDEA@thebass is an interactive program that was developed to promote design-thinking skills, support creativity, and personal expression. The Inventive Art Classes are held on the second Sunday of every month and feature various design challenges meant for children and their parents or guardians to complete as a team. Inventive Art Classes are limited to 30 students and advance registration is required. Admission to the classes is free for dual/family members and $10 per child for non-members.

Kreiss and Alonzo Mourning Celebrate Launch of Design District Showroom

Kreiss, the internationally acclaimed home furnishings and design powerhouse along with retired NBA All-Star and philanthropist Alonzo Mourning, will celebrate the arrival of its Design District showroom on Tuesday, January 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Guests will welcome the luxury brand’s new Miami location, which will offer the company’s casual yet elegant handmade furniture, fabrics, finishes, fine linens, accessories and exclusive design services, with eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV, hors d’oeuvres and a sneak peak of three new collections. In honor of the grand opening, The Norman and Eileen Kreiss Foundation has designated the Honey Shine Mentoring Program as the event’s beneficiary. Handcrafted from natural materials, including hand-carved woods, organic patterns and textures, and earth-inspired colors and hues, Kreiss furnishings serve as a warm, inviting backdrop for those who enjoy the privileged, active and free-spirited lifestyle of the quintessential Californian. For more information or to rsvp contact Kreiss@taraink.com or call 305.864.3434 ext. 199.

Come Together and Feed South Florida

Members of the South Florida community are invited to join the fight against hunger and attend Feeding South Florida’s (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) “Come Together” evening event on Thursday, January 12. Celebrating its 30^th anniversary, Feeding South Florida is hosting a soiree at the Margulies Collection Warehouse, which will feature food, spirits, incredible artwork, live entertainment, some of South Florida’s top chefs, and more. Proceeds/sponsorships will benefit Feeding South Florida; a not-for-profit organization that feeds South Florida’s hungry in order to improve their lives. Attendees should dress for the “Come Together” event however they feel comfortable – from jeans to tuxedos. “Come Together” event chairs are Maria R. Millares, president of the Board of Directors for Feeding South Florida; Chef Allen Susser, one of South Florida’s top chefs; and Terry Zarikian of China Grill Management and New York’s City Harvest. Current event sponsors are JM Family and Millares & Company; in-kind sponsors are The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, VSBrooks Advertising, Panache Party Rentals, Le Basque, Bacardi, Southern Wine & Spirits, Shutter Box Photo Booth, VOSS Water and Neiman Marcus.Also participating in “Come Together” are some of the South Florida’s top restaurants including China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Egg & Dart, City Hall, Mercadito, Ortanique on the Mile, Chef Allen, D Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean, Scarpetta, The Forge, La Palme D’Or Restaurant at the Biltmore, Makoto, 1500° at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach and Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering.Feeding South Florida’s mission is to feed South Florida’s hungry in order to improve their lives. It does this by distributing food and groceries through its network of not-for-profit organizations, educating the public about the issue, and engaging our community in the fight to end hunger. Event is from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.; individual tickets are $125. To RSVP and/or for sponsorship information, contact Jessica Diaz at 954.518.1839 or Jdiaz@feedingsouthflorida.org, or visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org.

Mommy & Me Tea at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will hold a special Mommy & Me Tea on the veranda and in the ballroom of the Jean Ellen Dupont Shehan Visitor Center on Sunday, January 15. Mothers, daughters and grandmothers will all delight in the ambiance of Afternoon Tea served at beautifully set tables, complete with fine china, by the delightful Fairchild volunteers. The menu includes scones, mini tea sandwiches, cookies and petit fours. Live music by local guitarist Rob Friedman is sure to enhance the guests’ experience. Tea service begins at 3:00 p.m. Cost per person is $27 for members, $37 for non-members and $17 for children 12 and under. For more information and reservations, please call Marnie Valent at 305.667.1651 ext. 3359.