Sam Robin, Iran Issa-Kahn, and Barbara Becker at Cafeina

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 Little Ditty, about Sam and Iran…

 …Two fabulous gals with a whole lot of fans…could have been the theme song at Wynwood hotspot Cafeina for the third installment of its “People We Love” party series on Thursday night, honoring longtime BFFs, acclaimed designer, Sam Robin and noted photographer, Iran Issa-Khan.  The party might as well have been named “People Who Made/Make Miami” as an old-school crowd and vibe permeated the chic, trendy space.  An incognito Sam (barely recognizable without her trademark Jackie O. glasses) and Iran were joined by an international jet-set crowd many of whom comprise their every-day entourage, including Barbara Becker, Tui Pranich, Wallid and Susie Wahab, Alvaro Cuadrado, Francesco Caracciolo de Marano, Cosima Preuss-Kuhne, Gary and Dana Shear, Daniela Swaebe and Michael Comras, Suzy Buckley, Lily Zanardi, Claudia Potamkin, Bruce and Kathryn Orosz, Criselda and Jonathan Breene, Terry and Rob Schecter, Alison Anthrobus and Adam Shepard, Heidi and Pierre Charalamdides, Eric Newill, Terry Cohen, Marnie Howard, Tara Solomon, Nick D’Annunzio and Sam’s son, (whom she calls “son of Sam”) Gregory Robin to name a few.  Burn Notice cast-mates Jeffrey Donovan and Navi Rawat, (Sam’s God daughter) added a sprinkle of TV stardust to the already fantastic group, who could barely stop dancing long enough to pose for photos, thanks to the creative sounds of DJ Joe Dert, who even threw in a little Neil Diamond to his already irresistible 80s mash-ups. Read the rest of this entry »

Set Up Thursdays at SET

This Thursday, May 6 the Opium Group’s SET nightclub is launching its newest weekly party “The Set Up.” The Spy vs. Spy (Mad Magazine’s famed comic strip) inspired party will take place in the nightclub’s intimate, clandestine upstairs room and is hosted by well-known local purveyors of fun: Zac Courtney, Javier Pacheco and George Coronado.  DJs Gil Montiel, Oren Nizri and Nando are set to take turns on the turntables (read- Mac Books) and provide partygoers with a night full of Electro-Indie and house music.  The Set Up begins at 10 p.m. SET is located at 320 Lincoln Road.  For more information, please call 305-531-2800 and/or visit www.setmiami.com

Heavy Petting

Florida’s own, The Heavy Pets (THP), are celebrating the release of their second full-length studio effort on Saturday, May 8 at the Culture Room, 3045 Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.  The eponymous album features 12 colorful tracks, a slew of special guest musicians and a distinctly bold new statement from THP. The party starts at 7 featuring a live performance at 9.  Tickets cost $10. No RSVP required.

Be a Friend

Treat your mom or that special someone in your life to the Miami Light Project’s annual Friends Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at their brand new 14,000 square foot Wynwood arts space, The Light Box at Goldman Warehouse, (404 N.W. 26th Street). The evening promises to be filled with “celebrated food, robust beverages, rousing entertainment and the most fascinating gathering of Miami glitterati, with its innovative location, and no-holds barred party atmosphere, you will find artists, power brokers, dowagers, hipsters, notables and socialites cheek to jowl, having the time of their lives!”

 This year’s Friends Dinner will honor visionary developer Tony Goldman.   Expect feature performances by Miami-based fusion band, ¡MAYDAY! and performance troupe Circ X. Dinner will be served by Thierry’s Catering with décor provided by Las Tias, the Wynwood vintage store. Other sponsors include Ocean Drive magazine, Heineken and Wish. Individual tickets cost $150, host levels range in price from $1,000-$10,000.  For tickets call 305.576.4350.

 Harley Dog Days

Lilac and Lilies Boutique is hosting a fashion show and pop-up boutique at the 9th Annual Harley Dog Days event benefitting PAWS (Pets Are worth Saving) and the Humane Society of Broward County.  The fundraiser dinner which takes place on Saturday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the waterfront estate home of PAWS’ honorary chairs, Ron Picou and Michelle DiMarco, celebrity stylist and owner of Lilac And Lilies will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a fashion show and intimate dinner with a live auction and tribute to the late Bruce Rossmeyer.  Dessert will be served along a dueling pianos act and tunes from Fifth Avenue Music. Doc Reno from Big 105 will serve as emcee.  A pop-up Lilac and Lilies Boutique will offer guests the chance to score some of their favorite designers with a portion of proceeds going to PAWS.  Tickets are $200 per person. Visit http://www.humanebroward.com/paws/HDD2010index.html for more information