
Gingi Beltran and Alicia Cervera at Wolfsonian Quince
By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Wolfsonian Quinces
Nothing marks a coming of age like a good old fashioned Cuban Quinces. On Friday, November 12, the Wolfsonian Visionaries celebrated the museum’s milestone with a fantastic Quinceañera-themed party at the Fontainebleau- the most glamorous and fun Quinces we’ve ever attended, and by all accounts, one of the best parties of the year. From top to bottom, the elegant event was sensational, featuring gorgeous décor; an A-list crowd, who dressed to the nines for the occasion; fantastic food and “put on your red shoes and dance!” music by Grammy-nominated Conjunto Progreso led by Johnny Aguiló, who performed one of a kind traditional Cuban Son music and DJ Jody McDonald, a twenty year veteran of the turntables, who played all of our Old School favorites: (think roller skating circa 1980- in fact several guests “pretend skated” on the dance floor.) The chic crowd of 320 all but ignored the decadent dessert bar-as the music was too good to fully enjoy sitting down and broke curfew by dancing way past any respectable hour of guests typically found at Quinceañera celebrations.
Spotted, in a blur, tearing up the dance floor: event chairs, Gingi Beltran, Adrian De Brasi, Jaime Odabachian; Wolfsonian Director, Cathy Leff (who donned butterfly wings) along with VIPs: Criselda and Jonathon Breene, Iran Issa Khan, Sam Robin, Alvaro Cuadrado, Dr. Julio Gallo, Susanne Birbragher, Jilian Sanz, Mario Vergel, Marysol Patton, Philipe Pautesta, Lauren Gnazzo, Tito Gaudenzi, Frank Amadeo, Frederic Dechnik, Laure Heriard Dubreuil, John Joseph Lin, Jillian Jacobson Altit, Louis Aguirre, Robert Chambers, Peter L. Corsell, Neil and Kira Flanzraich, Marvin Ross Friedman and Adrienne bon Haes, Frederick and Carole Guest, Shulamit Katzman, Shari Liu and Alejandro Grimaldi,Luis Pons,Tui Pranich, Alan Randolph,Susan Bell Richard, Sandy and Tony Tamer, and Jeri L. Waxenberg Wolfson, Louis Wolfson III and Ellen Wolfson.
Gingi Beltran, co-chair of the Wolfsonian Visionairies, a group of community leaders, predominantly from the art and design worlds, shared the following: “It is a privilege to be a part of the Wolfsonian Visionaries and to help produce the Quinceañera. As Visionaries, our goal is to help strengthen community ties and raise funds to support the museum’s exhibitions and activities. So many extraordinary people came to support and celebrate the museum’s 15th birthday. We are all extremely proud of the Wolfsonian’s accomplishments and of the many people who have helped make it all possible.”
Townhouse Hotel Turns 10!

Amir Ben Zion and Craig Robins
On Thursday, November 11, Miami’s social set joined Jonathan Morr and Amir Ben-Zion for the 10th anniversary of the Townhouse Hotel and the official grand opening of the Rooftop Lounge. VIPs in attendance included: Iran Issa Khan, Craig Robins, Paul Bacardi, Ingrid Hoffman, Frederic Dechnik, Susanne Birbragher, John Lin, Sam Robin, and City of Miami Beach Vice Mayor, Michael Gongora. Guests were welcomed to the lobby level of the landmark hotel by contemporary beats from Ess & Emm before making their way upstairs to the dimly lit Rooftop Lounge for signature cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka and a wide variety of delectable sushi from long-standing favorite, Bond Street Lounge.
JW Marriott Marquis Miami Makes It’s Mark
JW Marriott Marquis Miami, the first Marquis in the JW Marriott portfolio, celebrated its grand opening event with a spectacular star studded event on Thursday, November 4. The evening kicked off with an exclusive cocktail party at db Bistro Moderne, the latest outpost of world renowned French chef extraordinaire, Daniel Boloud, who was on-hand for the opening. Guests were treated to savory bites as canapé trays were passed throughout the evening with samplings of the three-time James Beard Award winning chef’s signature dishes. The famed db Original Burger hit the floor sending the crowd’s taste buds into a frenzy, as did the overflowing food stations surrounding the restaurant’s private dining rooms serving whole roasted suckling pig stuffed with house-made sausage, Swiss chard and olives; a raw bar, including cracked stone crab claws, jumbo shrimp, oysters and mussels; and varieties of cheeses, fruits, and pates. To accompany the scrumptious cuisine and keep the party going, Grey Goose cocktails were free-flowing.
Just before the food coma set in, we noticed scantily dressed models holding signs urging us to head to the hotel’s 19th floor- an entertainment and lifestyle complex, which includes a basketball arena. The arena was buzzing with excitement, including a live media interactive painting performance by renowned artist, David Lebatard (a.k.a. LEBO) and tunes by celebrity DJ, Irie. Miami Heat’s Tim Hardaway hosted a basketball challenge where celebrities and party-goers such as Alex Rodriguez, Helio Castroneves, Stephanie Sayfie Aagard, Rick Leventhal and Dan Lebatard competed for a grand prize of $10,000 to be donated to the charity of their choice. Alex Rodriguez came in first place and donated the $10,000 to the Boys and Girls’ Club of Miami-Dade.
Celebrities, athletes and local-influencers enjoyed the rest of the evening sipping cocktails, and taking advantage of the various entertainment suites on the 19th floor, such as the Jim McLean Golf School, virtual bowling alley, billiard rooms and expansive pool deck.
In addition to those previously mentioned, celebs spotted throughout the evening included: Brooke Shields, Angie Harmon, Venus Williams, Anna Kournikova, Tim Hardaway, Helio Castroneves, Jim McLean and Alexis Thompson. Additional guests included Michelle Bernstein, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, Jorge Perez, Ingrid Casares, Alicia Cervera, Dr. Julio Gallo, Monica Kalpakian, Belkys Nerey, Gary and Dana Shear, Tommy and Michelle Pooch, Dan and Tina Carlo, Hernan Arriaga and Fabio Lopez, Bonnie Clearwater, Louis Aguirre, Alan and Diane Lieberman, James Wark and John Lin.
Hearing Voices at D. Rodriguez
Also on Thursday, November 4, the Florida chapter of Voices Against Brain Cancer (VABC) gathered at D. Rodriguez Cuba at the Astor for a kick-off for the upcoming Sounding Off For A Cure Concert, taking place at the Fillmore Miami Beach on February 10. Supporters joined VABC founder, Mario Lichtenstein as they toasted the organization’s achievements. Conjunto Progreso provided the night’s entertainment as guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by Atlántico Rum. Dr. Joseph Rosenblatt, Alexia and Herman Echevarria, Brian Elias, Pedro and Carolina Martinez, Frank Amadeo, Oscar and Carole Seikaly, Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz, Leslie Munsell, Mari Alarcon-Grimalt , H.I.H. Pincess Thi-Nga of Vietnam and Laura Buccellati were among the VABC supporters who came out to support the organization.