Saturday’s Fashion Art Ball (FAB) hosted by Michelle and Tommy Pooch and Alan Roth was the hottest party of the week.  Perhaps it was the burlesque show, the gorgeous women’s fashions, or the stylishly dressed and dynamic Legends on the Runway.  But more likely, the fact that the air conditioning in the “newly remodeled” Gansevoort Hotel wasn’t working (insert snarky comment here!) added to the sweltering temperature. Whatever the exact reason may have been, it was a “sauna in there.”  The shvitzing, energetic crowd, didn’t seem to mind too much, though, keeping cool with abundant cocktails Read the rest of this entry »

The Villa by Barton G. was aglow in purple light on Saturday night for the Kids Hear Now Foundation’s second charity gala.  With six-foot centerpieces comprised of unique stone pots filled with roses, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms (leave it to Barton!) atop golden brocade tablecloths- we can honestly say we’ve never seen the former Versace manse look more beautiful.  The food wasn’t too shabby either:  shrimp as big as your head, bone-in filet and a dessert bar right out of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Among the highlights of the evening was the touching video of the foundation’s success stories, the soundtrack of which guests listened to via state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen headsets which they later got to take home (not bad for a parting gift, huh?). Lucky guests were also given an authentic, limited edition Versace plate.  Another highlight was a unique performance by a capella group, Naturally 7, which employs “vocal play,” in which instrumental sounds are made using only their voices- which sound exactly like a full band (remember the guy in the Police Academy movies?). In all, $750, 000 dollars was raised for the cochlear implant charity- which provides surgery to deaf children, enabling them to hear right away- hence the name: Kids Hear “NOW!”  This wonderful fundraising effort adds to the already generous 5 million dollar donation which the Barton G. Kids Hear Now Foundation has committed to establishing the Barton G. Kids Hear Now Cochlear Implant Family Resource Center.

More than two hundred guests braved a monsoon on Sunday to attend one of the premiere events of the year: the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party at Al and Nancy Malnik’s, oceanfront estate in Palm Beach. Not sure if the monsoon was in keeping with this year’s Asian theme- we wouldn’t put it past them. But despite the rain, guests were in good spirits, some joking about getting splashed by the mermaid in the fountain on the way in. The intimate gathering was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball, to be held Saturday, November 6, 2010.

Adding some “Hooo-aah!” to this year’s garden party was Burn Notice star, Gabrielle Anwar, who originally gained fame for her Tango scene alongside Al Pacino in the Golden Globe winning film, Scent of A Woman. Anwar was canoodling with Shareef Malnik and playing with her son and daughter and the clan of Malnik children throughout the afternoon. When the party was over, Anwar and Shareef left together, schlepping a car seat and stroller for Shareef’s 9 month-old grandson, whom Shareef kept on his hip the entire day. Talk about “doting”-very endearing indeed. (Incidentally, Shareef has six siblings ages 11 and under- among the world’s youngest “great aunts and uncles!”) The youngest Malnik was enthralled with the gorgeous Geisha girls at the party. That’s one fruit that’s fallen close to home.

Also adding flair to the party was a flamboyant (and frisky) Don King, who delightfully posed for photos with several female attendees. Other notable party guests included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Robert Hill, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental Miami, Rene Ruiz, Brad Rosenblatt, Jillian Jacobson, Erika Shriftman Koopman, Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio. Guests were treated to Rising Suns, a specialty cocktail designed by The Forge Restaurant & Wine Bar’s mixologist; hors d’oeuvres; beats by DJ Joe Dert and a performance by Japanese Taiko drummers Fushu Daiko. This year’s goal is to grant 525 wishes. You can help make that happen by contacting the Foundation at (888) 773-WISH or visiting:

Marisa Tomei

A very low-key Marisa Tomei hung out at Cafeina in Wynwood sipping hot tea on Friday night.  The Academy Award winning My Cousin Vinny actress, who was dressed down in a gray hoodie, sat outside with her friend, refusing any photos.  Maybe it was because she wasn’t wearing any make-up, perhaps she had a stomach ache. Who knows?  She slipped in and out virtually unnoticed.

Denis Rodman, threw a party at Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beach Hotel on Friday. Reality star Brittanya Ocampo (Rock of Love, Charm School) and Elaine Lancaster joined in the fun, with tunes provided by Joshua Thomas, aka DJ Zeke (Isaiah Thomas’ son). Rodman spent the better part of the weekend hanging out  poolside at the Newport.

Entourage’s ‘Lloyd!,’ also known as Rex Lee, got Lasik surgery on Thursday (can the guy not even have surgery in private!? Good Grief!).  Our guess is that he’s working on his image, now that he will be playing an agent on the show.  Over the weekend, Lee had dinner at STK Miami Beach.  According to our source, “The pair was having so much fun dancing to 80s hits in their booths; Rex snapped pictures with fans who yelled ‘Lloyd!’ a la Ari Gold and at one point bounced from table to table mingling with other restaurant guests.”

Rex Lee at STK Miami

On Thursday, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade dined at Mr. Chow.   Roger Federer and Victoria Silvstadt were spotted there on Saturday.

After tearing up the dance floor at the Women of Tomorrow Gala, Victoria’s Secret model, Selita Ebanks and tennis star, Serena Williams partied at WALL at the W South beach until about 2 am.

On Saturday, Creed front man singer/songwriter Scott Stapp and his wife Jaclyn Stapp, winner of Mrs. Florida America, dined at Casa Tua with Allison & Chip Brady of Florida Dental Benefits, Inc. celebrating Jaclyn’s recent modeling cover of the March issue of Palm Beach Young Society Magazine.

Miami-based GREY GOOSE Vodka headed north to accept a “Besties Award” at The Academy Awards VIP viewing party held on Sunday, March 7, at The Manor in Wilton Manors. Prior to the show and during commercial breaks, Joan Rivers Impersonator, Joe Posa, greeted guests on the Blue Carpet and presented “Besties” awards to community members in the audience.

Nikki Adamkova, George Wallner, and Ximena Gonzalez

The first annual Hearts and Stars Gala took place Saturday evening at Casa Malinka, the waterfront estate of Russian super-model, Malinka Max and George Wallner to benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation and Ronald McDonald Charities of South Florida. This “un-gala” seemed like a “pretty people convention” with over 600 well-heeled, great looking guests in attendance.  Instead of assigned seating, drawn out speeches, or banquet food (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) the Hearts and Stars gala featured an informal gathering, wherein guests roamed the expansive property, danced, mingled, bid on terrific auction items, enjoyed gourmet food from food stations provided by Devito South Beach, the Chop House, The  Ivy and GREY GOOSE cocktails a-go-go and were treated to a fashion show and two incredible musical performances, one by up-and-coming superstar, charismatic, NIR (who we tout as a young, Israeli Justin Timberlake, except even more gorgeous) and another  live performance by the legendary Pras Michel, founder and former member of the multi Grammy award winning group, The Fugees.  NIR showed off his terrific vocals, which are rivaled only by his dance moves, performing his debut single “Here I Come” along with dancers from the Strip.  Can we say “HOT?!”  After a brilliantly colorful fashion show by designer Rosita Hurtado, Pras Michel and his new band AXIXS wowed the crowd with a concert which included their new single “Hipstar”, along with other classics mixed in with the requisite Gaga, and the multi-platinum selling single “Ghetto Superstar,” (mashed-up with Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream”- who knew both songs have the same melody?) which was even better than the original, complete with a fireworks display in the background.  Read the rest of this entry »

Jorge and Irene Korge

More than 1,200 party animals, the human kind, united at the Zoological Society of Florida’s Annual Fundraiser, Feast with the Beasts at Miami’s Metro Zoo, where diners feasted on great food from over 40 top restaurants, (Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Gotham Steak, Kitchen 305, Town Kitchen and Bar) and open bars serving premium liquors keeping guests warm during the cool evening.  Belly dancers, fire dancers, and wild animal encounters delighted partygoers at every turn throughout the night.  The Miami Heat Dancers kicked off Ron Magill’s Spectacular Dance Party that got everyone in the mood to burn off some calories and dance the night away.

 Special dignitaries at the wild fundraiser included Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Sally Heyman, Katy Sorenson and County Manager George Burgess.  Broadcast news anchors: Dan Le Batard, Lissette Gonzalez, and Bob Mayer.

 For more information on future events visit www.miamimetrozoo.com.