RA Sushi (5829 SW 73^rd St.) and Yelp.com invite all levels of competitive eaters to enter its Maki Madness sushi-eating contest on Wednesday, March 31, from 6-9 p.m. to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital’s Radio Lollipop.®.  The grand prize winner will receive free sushi for a year, and bragging rights as the RA Sushi MAKI MADNESS champion.  Second place gets a $100 gift certificate and third place gets a $50 gift certificate.  All participants will receive a RA Sushi sweatband or t-shirt and participants (21 years and older) who do not advance to the final three will receive Penny Drink and/or Appetizer Cards for use during their next visit.

Maki Madness is limited to the first 30 entries. Applications are available at RA Sushi in South Miami.  The deadline to register is Monday, March 29 and all eaters must be at least 18 years old to participate. Registration to compete includes a $10 entry fee (cash only), which will be donated to Radio Lollipop® of the Miami Children’s Hospital along with donations from guests at the door. Round 1 starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Championship Maki Madness is at 8:30 p.m.  For more information call 305.341.0092.

Fenom Absinthe and the Big Bounce

 Absinthe will be the liquor of choice during the Big Bounce album release after party on Friday, March 19, following their concert which takes place at the Colony Theater at 8:00 p.m.  The after party, sponsored by Fenom Modern Absinthe will be held at The Florida Room.

 Exhale

 Exhale Spa at the EPIC Hotel is celebrating its grand opening on Tuesday, March 23 with an exclusive event hosted by Ocean Drive Magazine’s Suzy Buckley and exhale’s Danielle Terranova. Guests will be treated to light bites by Executive Chef John Critchley of Area 31, fresh juice and raw treats by Blueprint Cleanse and have the opportunity to experience Exhale’s active and multi-disciplinary approach that combines fitness and movement with spa and healing therapies in a modern, tranquil day spa setting. To score an invite or to RSVP, contact exhale at 305.423.3900.

Eat your Wheaties and take your Geritol this week because the Winter Music Conference is coming to town for the 25^th year in a row, starting on Tuesday.  For those of you remember Wheaties and Geritol commercials, and, well, pretty much anyone actually legally old enough to get into these events:  YOU ARE TOO OLD TO GO! Consider yourselves warned.  But for those of us who continue to attempt to defy gravity and time, this year’s line-up promises one heck of a ride.  The event roster is massive so check back next week for updates.

The Opium Group has a winning lineup featuring Axwell, Benny Benassi, Bob Sinclar, Boys Noize, Calvin Harris, Dim Mak Records, Dirty Dutch, Dubfire, Fedde Le Grand, F*** Me I’m Famous, Joris Voorn, Kaskade, MSTRKRFT, Nic Fancuilli, Pryda, Roger Sanchez, Sasha & John Digweed, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Strictly Defected and more of the best events you will find during the WMC at their venues Mansion, SET, Louis Bar-Lounge, and Cameo Theatre starting Tuesday, March 23. For more information and to buy tickets, visit: www.theopiumgroup.com/wmc2010.

Starting Monday, Club 50 at the Viceroy will host a series of pool parties, events and great talent including:  David Vendetta & Micah the Violinist, Ruben Moran (Saxo), Ron Carroll, John Shelvin, Grasshopper, Lou Flores, Tom Novy, Funkerman, Massimo Martinelli, Julian Ingrosso, resident DJ’s Nano & JP Candela from Pacha Madrid & Ibiza For more information and to buy tickets contact:  305 503 4400 ext 7138 or club50@viceroymiami.com.

The Florida Room at Delano brings an extremely strong and talented lineup as well, starting Tuesday, March 23, including the legendary Paul Oakenfold and Victor Calderone. The Florida Room will kick of the week on Tuesday with a night of true hip-hop curated by Dj Muggs featuring DJ Cash Money and Mateo Difontaine. On Wednesday guests will be entertained by the sounds of  M.O.S and live performances by Tabi Bonney and Niki Jean of the Crybabieees. On Thursday, producer and DJ Victor Calderone and Nicolas Matar will bring a night of house music to be remember. On Friday, the legendary Paul Oakenfold and special guests will be spinning in a true house Fashion.  Giant step Magazine presents Questlove, Yamen Allworld and Giles Peterson on Saturday night.  The Florida Room will end the week in style with its “Unofficial Closing” starring Ruckus, DJ Berry and other special guests that you won’t want to miss. Table reservations are strongly recommended. For reservations please call 305 674 6152.  Doors open at 10 p.m.

Skybar at the Shore Club and Aquabooty have teamed up for WMC this year. On Wednesday night, Aquabooty presents Compostblack Label and G-Stone DJ’s. On Thursday, Detroit Premiere Artist and The Loud Minority take over featuring artists such as Carl Craig, Juan Atkins, Theo Parrish, Kevin Dixon Jr. (Aka Moody Man), Kevin Saunderson, Kenny Larkin *Live, Stacy Pullen, Kyle Hall, Monty Luke. On Friday night, we party all night long for a good cause with Aquabooty Presents Beats Build Hope, a benefit for Next Aid, Soil and Green Waves. On Saturday, Aquabooty presents the Beats In Space edition featuring Dubtribe Soudsystem  Live!, Dj Harvey, Crazy P, Aeroplane,Metro Area Dj Set, Jazznova, Rich Medina, Tim Sweeney, Alex From Tokyo, Citizen Kane, Djini Brown, And Dj Kemit.   For the grand finale on Sunday, Hard Rock’s Rehab invades Miami for an all day all night Party at Shore Club’s Pool. There’s a $25 entry fee for all events.   For Table Reservations please call (786) 276-6772

America’s number one selling DJ Louis Devito will showcase his famed ‘New York City’ energy with a performance at Kitchen 305, located inside the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, on Friday March 26th.  Before Devito takes to the turntables, Exodus, Miss Shawna and Ilgin, Turkey’s favorite DJ, will spin their most popular tracks starting at 9:00 p.m.  Admission is $20 or free with a Winter Music Conference badge.

 New York City mega club Pacha NYC returns to Miami  kicking things off on Wednesday night with DJ heavyweight Danny Tenaglia and special guest Paco Osuna at Parkwest. Thursday, March 25^th brings the renowned Nervous Records‘ top DJ’s including Austin Leeds, Starkillers, Behrouz, Chus & Ceballos, and Oscar G to the club and on Friday, March 26^th Pacha NYC and Mixmag will present the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am with Boyz Noize and D. Ramirez. Then on Saturday, house prodigies The Martinez Brothers will get things going while Jonathan Peters spins a special late night session.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.pachanyc.com/miami2010.

Bill Rancic

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 sat outside with her friend, refusing any photos.

Entourage’s Lloyd!, also known as Rex Lee, got Lasik surgery on Thursday (can the guy not even have surgery in private!? My goodness!).  Our guess is that he’s working on his image, now that he will be playing an agent on the show.

Apprentice winner, Bill Rancic attended the Support Squad event at the National hotel on Monday.

On Monday night, Manu Ginobli of the San Antonio Spurs and Grammy Award-nominated pop singer Diego Torres were spotted dining at Café Prima Pasta with owner, Gerry Cea. The trio discussed the upcoming launch of Diego Torres’ album over bottles of Luigi Bosca Malbec.

On Sunday, Kim Kardashian was seen front row at the Heat vs. Sixers game enjoying some delicious blue cotton candy.  The crowd went wild when she appeared on the jumbo tron.

Celebrities and athletes showed up at Cameo Theatre last Saturday night to see Juelz Santana perform live. Ballers Chad Johnson and new “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson joined Bryant McKinnie who bought 30 bottles of Moet Chandon champagne for his 30 person entourage, as fans looked on, including Bow Wow.

 Forbes magazine owners, Kip Forbes and Moira Forbes Mumma attended a fundraiser for The Community Coalition in West Palm Beach last weekend at the home of philanthropist Tom Quick.

Donald and Lisa Pliner

Renowned designer, Donald J. Pliner, celebrated 20 years of groundbreaking success in the luxury footwear industry hosting a meet and greet event at his flagship store, Donald J. Pliner, in Aventura, on March 13, alongside his creative director, muse, and wife Lisa Pliner.  Pliner has established a global cult following among men and women with his fashionably chic and comfortable shoes.  His success stems from his passion for the craft.  Designing shoes for over 43 years, Pliner has been committed creating beautiful pieces that are comfortable and inspired by the world that surrounds him.  Glass beads, snake skins, suede, and elastics are the instruments he uses to interpret his inspirations.  The secret to his success lies in the mantra that is central to his fashionable, comfortable shoes:  “When the feet are uncomfortable, so is the mind, so is the body, so is the soul.”

The stylish Lisa Pliner, known as “the lady with the green-soled shoes,” debuted her 2010 spring collection “LISA” for Donald J. Pliner during the 20 year celebration.  Inspired by Starr, the Pliners’ five year old daughter, the fashionable collection incorporates a traction platform that gives height and stability for women on-the-go, who need a little extra support, especially for those chasing down toddlers at a mall or at the grocery store, to which Lisa is no stranger.

Staunch philanthropists and humanitarians, the Pliners started the PEACE for the Children Foundation, which provides safe playgrounds for children of underprivileged families.  The organization provides charitable funds in support of non-profit organizations that foster peace in the lives of children.  Proceeds from the 20 year celebratory event benefitted Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options, Inc.

Donald J. Pliner, the man and the brand, known for quintessential elegance and perfection, puts his heart and soul into all of his “soles.”  The result:  shoes you will love to live in.

In a tent to rival those formerly in Bryant Park, Fashion Miami, presented by Chrysler, kicked off its inaugural season with over 30 designers who showcased their fall/winter 2010 collections throughout four nights of runway shows.  With an average of over 1000 guests per show (multiply that by 30 shows!) this was a fashion aficionado’s dream come true.   Celebrities such as Whitney Port (who showed her new line Whitney Eve, during Gen Art’s opening night), Jon Secada (singer), Romero Britto (artist), Ana Cristina (singer), Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar, Roxy Olin (MTV STAR-The City), soap star, Khotan with girlfriend Candela Ferro, Alejandro Sanz and Rony Seikaly attended Fashion Miami, some sitting front row at multiple shows.  These VIPs just added to the list of celebrity designers who were all present throughout Fashion Miami, including Custo Barcelona, Craig Signer, Red Carter, Silvia Tcherassi, Julian Chang, and Gustavo Cadile to name a few.   On opening Night MTV filmed an upcoming episode of “The City” and closing night was filmed by the Bravo Channel.   For those of us who missed NY and Paris Fashion Weeks, we were lucky to get a little taste of the excitement thanks to Fashion Miami. Read the rest of this entry »