It’s a Sweet, Sweet Life

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On March - 1 - 2011
Janice Lipton, Bonnie Clearwater, Alan and Diane Lieberman

Janice Lipton, Bonnie Clearwater, Alan and Diane Lieberman

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

If Everybody had an Ocean….

Then they might be lucky enough to have a beach BLAST such as the one we had on Saturday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MOCA) “Surf’s Up” bash.  Perhaps it was the fact that the entire museum was transformed into a beach town or maybe it was that the 800+ artsy guests donned their favorite beach attire in lieu of restrictive, stuffy black tie wear; or perchance it was that DJ Hottpants, who towered over the dance floor in a lifeguard stand, played some of the best dance mash-ups we’ve heard in some time- (probably all of the above)…but judging from the smiles, laughter, and non-stop dancing, this was one of best parties of the social season.  The celebration coincided (to the day) with MOCA’s 15th anniversary, kicking off a year-long string of events in honor of the museum’s cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative programs.

The Design Group, Quiksilver South Beach and All Access Video and Lighting created an atmosphere to resemble beaches along the South Pacific and throughout the Atlantic, complete with a photo booth with green screen where guests had the opportunity to pose and take home a photo in front of a giant wave, Great White sharks or surfboards.  To add to the “décor,” gorgeous boys wearing board shorts served delicious bites atop surfboards, which also hung from the ceiling throughout the museum. Nicole Soden-  one of the Madames Du Mischief, from burlesque club, La Fee Verte, clad in a 1950s-style bathing suit designed by Carol Adrianza, turned up the heat with her risqué moves to the delight of enthusiastic (understatement) partygoers.

Free flowing cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka, beer and wine and sophisticated tropical dishes from Adriana, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door Fish, China Grill, L.A. Café, Meat Market Adriana, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door Fish, China Grill, Bernie’s L.A. Café, Meat Market, Sushi Samba and Shiraz Events and Catering and scrumptious beach fare from Woody’s, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, and Stella’s Sweet Shoppe kept the partiers hydrated and fed throughout the night.

We tip our beach hats to Chairs: Barbara Herzberg, Alan and Diane Lieberman, Janice Lipton and Ray Ellen Yarkin and to sponsors Audi and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Barbara Herzberg , Alan and Diane Lieberman, Janice Lipton and Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin, all of whom attended the party along with beach chic, MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater, Surf’s Up Honorary Chair Belkys Nerey, artist Rita Ackermann,  MOCA Board Chair Michael Collins and wife Sandy, MOCA Trustees Carlos Arrizureta, Kira Flanzraich, Joanne Katz, Jan Lewis and husband Dan, Beena Nagpal and husband Naresh, Hal Philipps, Evan Reed and Peter Robbins and wife Jody, Merle and Danny Weiss, Haley and  Jason Binn, Aaron Glickman, Channing Norton, and Miami artists Kevin Arrow, Carol Adrianza, Bhakti Baxter,  Alvaro Ilizerbe and Jen Stark who added their own creative vibe to the evening.   Proceeds from the bash will benefit the museum’s exhibitions, education programs and permanent collection. 

  

 

 

 

Candy Queen Dylan Lauren

Candy Queen Dylan Lauren

Dylan Lauren: Unwrapped 

 

 

 On Thursday, February 17, Dylan Lauren, Founder & CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar and daughter of fashion designer, Ralph Lauren, was  at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa for the signing party for her new book Dylan’s Candy Bar – Unwrap Your Sweet Life hosted by Juan Arevalo, Jorge Arevalo and Lara Shriftman, who brought her beautiful son,  Lucas Bacardi Shriftman. The perfectly proportioned, pint-sized candy empress was as sweet as any one of the delectable confections displayed throughout the 10-foot candy bar as she discussed her life-long love of candy, inspiration for the book and plans to open up a Dylan’s Candy Bar in Lincoln Road in the near future.  Lucky guests, several of whom brought their children, (on a school night!)  sipped candy-inspired Grey Goose cocktails and could not keep their hands out of the candy jars, which were filled with just about every favorite sweet treat- even chocolate covered mini Oreos and pretzels.  In addition a sugar high, each guest received a signed copy of Lauren’s stunning 223-page homage to candy. 

Ian Schrager, Rita Schrager with daughters Sophia and Ava, Hernan Arriaga and Fabio Lopes, Bernice Barstein, Fernanda and Pedro Domit with children Pedro and Hannah, Sarah Harrelson with daughter Audrey, Sarah Lacharlotte, Monica Kalpakian, Susanne Birbragher, Lindsey and Matt Cooper, Laurie Kramer, Anne Owen, Yolanda Berkowitz and Andrea Greenberg were just a few of the many stylish guests who joined Lauren and the hosts for the party.

 

 Happy Birthday Cafeina!

 
  
 It is hard to believe that it’s been scarcely a year since Cafeina took Wynwood by storm and instantly became a MUST on our nightlife radar and a favorite place to celebrate just about anything.  On Thursday, February 17, Cafeina owner, Ivette Naranjo threw a private cocktail to toast the people who have proudly called Cafeina a (swank) home away from home, supporting the Wynwood lounge since its opening. Vice Mayor Michael Gongora presented Naranjo with a proclamation in honor of her efforts to pioneer Wynwood’s “SoHo reincarnation.” Musical stylings were provided by DJs Ess & Emm, Erick Paredes, and Pirate Stereo, in addition to a live performance in the garden by roots band Agape featuring Nadia Harris.  

That same weekend, the bright minds at SuperMarket Creative teamed up with Launch Arte NYC to kick-off “Brunch N’ Bazaar” in Cafeina’s gallery and garden. Hip guests wearing funky sunglasses at the first installment of the weekly series commented on how Cafeina is even more beautiful by day and enjoyed a delectable new breakfast menu by Chef Leo and way too many Mimosas, while dining in the pop-up restaurant, located in the art gallery, and shopped the 15 vendor open-air market for fab finds. 

In its short life, Cafeina has had its fair share of famous patrons, including:  Marissa Tomei, Ricky Martin, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jeffrey Donovan, Navy Rawat and Jordan Pundik; hosted famed famous musical acts:  Dangerous Muse, Marley Brothers, and Gypsy Kings; and honored people we love, such as:  Sam Robin and Iran Issa-Khan, Hello Campos, Lily Zanardi and Vice Mayor Michael Gongora. 

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