Happy Days are here again! With just days to the Big Game, and the requisite parties (60 and counting),  promotions, events, concerts, goodie bags, celebrity and athlete appearances and fan experiences, what’s not to love about the Super Bowl, whether or not  you are a football fan? While we have yet to see events in the line-up to top the Ocean Drive magazine/ Market America Super Bowl party, voted “Best Party” of 2007, which featured concerts by Fergie, JLo and Marc Anthony, music by the late, great, DJ AM and just about every A-list celeb you can imagine we’ve managed to put together a short list of this year’s best Bowl bets.

GQ Magazine wants You!

GQ Magazine invites those 21 and over to the Bud Light Hotel (a.k.a. The Surfcomber Hotel) for Patron cocktails and Bud Light at the Cool Water Pool Party all day Thursday, February 4, where you can expect to see a few of your favorite modeling agencies. Later that night, GQ hosts its VIP Big Pre Game Event starting at 9:00 p.m.  RSVPs are required by emailing: RSVP4@GQ.com for the pool party and RSVP1@gq.com for the evening party.

Eats, Beats and Cleats

No,  it’s not  a Dr. Seuss book, the Eats Beats Cleats Gridiron Festival presented by Comcast is actually an action-packed series of celebrity appearances, VIP events and fun experiences.  This “celebration of sports” will kick off on Thursday, February 4 on Lincoln Road, featuring more than 75 current and former NFL All Stars, fan experiences and VIP events throughout the weekend.   Expect to see NFL greats, who will be signing autographs, and national sports exhibits, including the Heisman, Super Bowl, World Series, IRL and NASCAR trophies, which will be in one place for the first time ever.

The four-day festival is set to dominate Lincoln Road the entire weekend. All proceeds benefit the Gridiron greats Assistance Fund.  Weekend and daily passports are available ($85-$350) by going to www.ebcmiami.com.  Day passes cost: $85; VIP, $350. Hours are as follows: Thurs., 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.; Sun., 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Sparks are Flying

American Idol winner and Grammy nominated recording artist, Jordin Sparks is hosting her 3rd annual Jordin Sparks Experience at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach (4525 Collins Avenue).  The fun filled week began on February 3^rd with the Sparkstown Teddy Bear Picnic by Jordin and David Archuleta, part of  a special service project involving teddy bears that David and Jordin will deliver to children at a local hospital and to SOS Children’s Villages in Florida and Haiti.   Other events included a Red Carpet VIP Reception with both live and silent auctions that raised additional funds for charity, which was capped off by a concert by: Sparks, Jason DeRulo, Sam Moore, Marcus Mitchell, and Ethan Bortnick.

The “Experience” will conclude with a red carpet, star studded, Red, White and Black after party on February 5^th. DJ Babey Drew (Chris Brown’s DJ) will be spinning the tunes all night and there will be a celebrity open mic. For a full schedule of events and to buy tickets, visit http://jordinsparksexperience.com/ or call 888.868.6157. Select tickets are still available.

Leather and Laces

The 7^th Annual Leather & Laces Super Bowl party will be THE sexiest party on Friday night. Bombshells Kim Kardashian, Holly Madison, & Roselyn Sanchez will be co-hosting the event that is being held at the Paris Theatre on Miami Beach. Tons of celebrities and athletes will be on hand to celebrate and dance the night away to music by Los Angeles Based DJ Tendaji Lathan, DJ AVI Tel Aviv and Dallas based and to watch Cirque USA performers executing awe inspiring feats.

Proof’s Haiti Relief Effort

On February 4, Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is hosting a “Haiti Relief Effort” event from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at his restaurant, Proof Ocean Drive, (1458 Ocean Drive) in the former Table 8 space. The Ricky Williams Foundation, a not-for-profit charity led by Ricky Williams supporting national and international communities in need, has joined forces with JBF Worldwide, NFL Players Association and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund to raise money and encourage relief efforts for the numerous victims suffering from the island’s recent and catastrophic earthquake. Guests will enjoy dinner prepared by Proof Ocean Drive’s executive chef Ivan Dorvil, cocktails and live music. Football fans will also be able to bid on items such as Super Bowl XLIV tickets, jerseys worn by their favorite players, genuine NFL memorabilia and a luxury time piece during the event’s silent and live auction. Guests are asked for a minimum donation of $100 to attend this event.

Hotel 944

Forget the Hotel California, 944 Magazine has taken over the Eden Roc (4525 Collins Avenue) for a weekend of festivities, starting on February 4 at 9:00 p.m., with the Official Super Skins Charity Party hosted by Jimmie Johnson and Nick Lachey and featuring a live performance by Snoop Dogg.   A portion of the funds from this year’s event will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, a charity working to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors in Haiti. General Admission tickets cost $250 and VIP tickets: go for $500.  After the party, Paul Oakenfold will be spinning in the penthouse.

Russell Simmons will host a celebrity charity poker tournament on at Hotel 944 on Friday, February 5 at 4:00 p.m. in the hotel’s Jose Cuervo Platino Penthouse. The tournament will benefit Athletes for Africa, a growing global network of people leveraging the positive behaviors and profile of sport to engage youth and educate them about issues facing the people of Africa. A Buy-In ticket costs $500.  To get the full schedule and to buy tickets, visit: www.hotel944.com.

The W Hotel Gets in on the Action

The W South Beach has got a few hot parties going on, including:  Yellow Fever presents All-American Rejects on Thursday, February 4 at 10:00 p.m. at WET and WALL; the private Tide Sport Launch with Venus Williams on Friday, February 5^th, and the TAO Super Bowl Party, also on February 5, from 10:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.

 NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards Dinner

The Player of the Year Awards Dinner, will take place at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa (3555 South Ocean Drive) on Friday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m. Ten NFL current stars will be honored, joining an impressive roster of current and former players, including Drew Brees (Saints), Chris Johnson (Titans), Andre Johnson (Texans), Dallas Clark (Colts), Steve Hutchinson (Vikings), Jared Allen (Vikings), Elvis Dumervil (Broncos), Patrick Willis (49ers), Charles Woodson (Packers), Joshua Cribbs (Browns), and Coach Sean Payton (Saints). Awards will be presented to each honoree by a Hall of Famers who once played the same position. Don Shula will present the Coach of the Year Award. Tickets are $10,000 for a table of eight, shared by NFL legend and guest. Proceeds benefit youth oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, a charity organization with a motto and mission of “Caring for Kids.” For more information, contact: 800-878-5437, Ext. 212.

Big Names Give Big

Famed Transformers and Pearl Harbor director, Michael Bay, will open up his home for the 2nd annual “Big Game Big Give” cocktail and dinner benefiting The Giving Back Fund on Saturday, February 6, from 8:00 p.m.-midnight. For merely $1, 000 a head, guests can enjoy Dewars Signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres created by Jonathan Eismann of Pacific Time and mingle with celebs including: Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford, Kristin Cavallari, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ken Dorsey, Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville Jaguars), LaMarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers), Michael Boley (NY Giants), Akin Ayodele (Miami Dolphins), Kim Kardashian, Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars), Chris Johnston (Tennessee Titans), Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) and Mike Sims-Walker(Jacksonville Jaguars).    For  more information and to buy tickets, call David Wilson (Miami Marketing Group) at 305.534.7101.

Carrey and McCarthy’s Saturday Night Spectacular

Award-winning actor and comedian, Jim Carrey and actress, activist and best-selling author Jenny McCarthy, are bringing the star power to the fourth annual Saturday Night Spectacular, presented by American Airlines and Texas Energy Holdings on February 5 at the Bank of America Tower at International Place (100 SE Second Street) to benefit the power couple’s foundation:  Generation Rescue.  Michael and Eva Chow of Mr. Chow restaurant will serve as event ambassadors and entertainment will be provided by Cirque USA performers.

Carrey, McCarthy and a slew of celebs will participate in a charity poker mini-tournament starting at midnight, with blinds every ten minutes, to benefit Generation Rescue. A total of 30 contestants (15 celebrities and 15 regular folks) will vie for the “1st Annual Big Kahuna Poker Title”. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip for two including roundtrip air on American Airlines, accommodations at Hotel Zaza, Game Tickets and Ground Transportation to the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas. A $10,000 donation to Generation Rescue will also be made in the winner’s name. Tickets cost $1, 000 for the party, which includes premium open bar, sponsored by Grey Goose vodka, sushi bar, hors d’oeuvres and buffet stations provided by III Forks.  Entrance into the poker tourney costs $2, 500 ($7, 500 for VIP poker entry).  All tickets can be purchased by calling: (214) 244-5001 or (214) 922-7005.   For more information, visit http://saturdaynightspectacular.com.

Nobu Weekend at ONE Bal Harbour

The ultra-chic oceanfront ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa and Japanese cuisine empire, Nobu, kicks off “Nobu Weekend at ONE Bal Harbour” on February 4^th through February 7^th — just in time for Super Bowl! Reservations will be available at the pop-up beginning Thursday, February 4^th. A limited menu will be offered including select items such as Rock Shrimp Tempura,  Black Cod with Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeno, Toro Tartare and much more. Bento Boxes and Nobu cocktails will also be available at the ONE Bal Harbour pool. For reservations, please call 786-515-6006. 10295 Collins Avenue. Nobu Weekend at ONE Bal Harbour will serve a pre-fixe $55 lunch menu from 12:00-4:00 PM and a $120 dinner menu from 6:00-11:30 PM. Menu items are also available a la carte.

Hennessy Black

Hennessy is celebrating Black History month with the release the Historic Limited edition V.S. bottle with proceeds from sales going toward the National Urban league. In order to localize this effort, on Wednesday February 3rd, Hennessy made a $5,000 donation to the Greater Miami Urban League in an effort to help continue the crusade for economic empowerment in the Miami community. The donation took place at private seated dinner held at the Hennessy Black Penthouse. The dinner also served as a sneak peak look at the Hennessy Black Penthouse which will host numerous exclusive events during Superbowl weekend. Nestled in the heart of South Beach on Ocean Drive, the Hennessy Black Penthouse will serve as the unmatched retreat where 150 invite-only VIP guests will enjoy exquisite cocktails, delectable fare and sultry beats provided by Miami’s finest DJ Irie and his roster of talent.

Ready, SET, Go!

SET invites you to celebrate three years, during three nights, with three unforgettable events during Super Bowl weekend.  The fun is sponsored by Dom Perignon, Belvedere, Grey Goose and Moet & Chandon.  On Friday, February 5^th, Eric Milon and Michael Capponi host the official kick-off party, along with Haute Living Magazine for the Rolls Royce Super Bowl after party. Saturday and Sunday nights, expect guest DJs, Sebastian Ingrosso alongside Chicco Secci and Steve Angello.