By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The seventh annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup– the largest beach polo tournament in the world, brought a whole lot of riding, romping, kicking, rearing, and occasional biting to the sands behind the Setai hotel over the weekend- and we are not only referring to the horseplay. Thousands of polo enthusiasts, gussied in their polo finery, gathered in the VIP tent for four gorgeous days of socializing, sipping Grey Goose cocktails, dancing, and, cheering on their favorite players from around the globe. 

Mercedes-AMG performance brand returned for a second season as title sponsor of the world-class sporting event, which benefitted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children.  Alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses at the matches, Mercedes-AMG displayed its own brand of “horsepower”- high performance vehicles including the SLS AMG Supersports car and the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG, with engines designed for peak performance- built for speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability much like that of the polo pony.  Read the rest of this entry »

Miami Heat superstar, Lebron James, stopped by Burger & Beer Joint Brickell for lunch Tuesday accompanied by friends. Teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, are also B&B fans.

Producer, Russell Simmons, and Burn Notice actor, Jeffrey Donovan, hung out barefoot on the couches at the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup VIP suite. Simmons was reportedly rooting for the Hublot team, while Donovan said he was backing the AMG-Mercedes team, captained by John Walsh.

New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez was spotted at WALL last Friday, enjoying a guy’s night out with former team mate Jason Ciambi, and three of Ciambi’s team mates.  The group sat at a VIP table and downed three bottles of Grey Goose. Director Michael Bay sat at an adjacent table.

New World Symphony co-founders Michael Tilson Thomas and Lin Arison dined at Quattro on Friday night.

Rakontur’s Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman hosted a private viewing of their new “pot doc” Square Grouper at The Colony Theater. Spotted in the crowd, was Miami Mayoral candidate, Luther Campbell (aka Uncle Luke); UM-turned-NFL star Jeremy Shockey; the Black Tuna Gang’s Robert Platshorn, and the longest incarcerated marijuana prisoner in US history, investigative reporter Mark Potter..

Recent Hall of Famer inductee Dennis Rodman was spotted singing, dancing and feasting on All-U-Can-Eat-Lobster at Kitchen 305’s lobster night at the Newport Beachside Resort and Hotel.  Rodman feasted for 2 hours on lobster and was joined by a couple of friends. Rodman got the party started at the restaurant/lounge and reminded everyone that although there may be a new king of the court, he is still indeed king of the dance floor!

By: Maryanne Salvat

maryannesalvat@aol.com 

Angela Laino at Cafeina

Songstress Angela Laino will stop by Cafeina lounge on Thursday, April 28,  to perform a rendition of her newest soulful tracks. Miami-favorite DJ Contra will perform a closing set, keeping guests at the Wynwood hotspot partying into the early hours. Specials for the evening include $4 beers, tequila and burgers. Party begins at 9 p.m. For table reservations contact 305.438.0792 or visit www.cafeinamiami.com. 

 Lorie Lester Sets The Stage

Join Miami-based fashion designer Lorie Lester on Thursday, April 28, for the debut of her Spring/Summer 2011 Collection with The Beautiful Villains Fashion Show at The Stage Miami, located in the heart of the Design District. Entertainment will include live music by garage rockers Jacuzzi Boys, bites by food truck Ms. Cheezious, specialty cocktails by Zignum Mezcal and Coruba Rum. DJ Haitian Hillbilly will warm up the crowd for the fashion show, which will begin at 11:00 PM.   Doors open at 10:00 p.m. 

WALL Lounge Weekend

Stop by the exclusive WALL lounge this weekend for a healthy mix of decadent debauchery, models and one or more celebrity sightings. The sizzling Miami Heat’s DJ Irie will be in the house on Thursday, April 28, performing a signature mix of hip hop and R&B. DJ SKratchy will play house on Friday, April 29, with a closing set by resident DJ Triarchy. Saturday enjoy beats by DJ Stephan Luke and party until the early hours. For table reservations visit www.wallmiami.com or call 305.938.3130.

A Royal Affair at the National Hotel 

On Friday, April 29, National Hotel Miami Beach will host a royal affair in honor of the much-anticipated marriage of England’s Prince William to fiancée Kate Middleton. Held at The Restaurant and Blues Bar from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., the broadcast viewing party will offer guests the opportunity to watch the festivities on a large projector screen while enjoying a traditional “Full English Breakfast” consisting of fried eggs, English-style sausage, rashers of crispy fried bacon, browned mushrooms, black pudding, a browned half tomato and fried bread. For those who miss the live viewing of the celebrated couple’s “I do’s,” Blues Bar, which will be decked out with floral designs provided by Blooming Design & Events, will continue to loop the footage throughout the day accompanied by Kir Royal cocktails for $6 each. Guests are invited to enjoy the breakfast for $24 (gratuity and cocktails not included), while those who don their best Kate Middleton hat will receive a complimentary Kir Royal. Even better, those who “Get on the List” on the hotel’s Facebook page by noon on Thursday, April 28, will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win the “The Royal Treatment” – a special package in honor of the nuptials consisting of a two-night stay in a luxury suite, complete with breakfast, one dinner and valet parking – to be announced at the viewing party. Valet parking will also be offered at a discounted rate of $10.  For more information, visit www.NationalHotel.com.

Surface Merchants at Cafeina Brunch N’ Bazaar

 The Wynwood Exhibition Center at Cafeina, along with the Michael Margulies Artist Agency, is pleased to announce its latest exhibition, “Lost and Found: freedom in post-graffism”. The show is an artistic debut by the Surface Merchants, comprised of Miami artists Raymond Adrian, Alex Yanes and Daniel Fila. The artists will be on-site for a special “meet & greet” during Cafeina’s Brunch N’ Bazaar on Sunday, May 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to close out the show.  For more information, visit www.marguliesagency.com.

9^th Annual Hats Off Luncheon

Join Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder and visionary of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, along with hundreds of women leaders, members, sponsors, mentors and volunteers as they come together for the 9th Annual “Hats Off” Luncheon on Tuesday, May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Jungle Island’s Lakeside Café & Treetop Ballroom. Ladies, grab your favorite hat and enjoy a reception, silent auction, luncheon, and the always- anticipated “Honey Bug” Showcase. Proceeds fund bi-monthly “Aspire to Shine” Workshops as well as Camp Honey Shine, a now six-week summer day camp for more than 120 girls enrolled in the program. The Honey Shine Mentoring Program encourages the balance of mind, body, and soul in girls and women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their future.Tickets cost $125 and Honey Shine memberships begin at $250. Parking is available at $4 per car. For more information, visit www.HoneyShine.org.

Last Thursday night, Chris Bosh hosted a 26 birthday dinner for fiancée Adrienne Williams at their home for 30 guests.  Invited guests included Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, LeBron James, Roy and Lea Black, and JR and Loren Ridinger to name a few.

Miami native, Pitbull stopped in the middle of his live broadcast with NRJ radio to serenade a crowd that had gathered around National Hotel Miami Beach’s infinity pool with a rendition of “Hey Baby.” The rapper enthusiastically proclaimed, “If it wasn’t for fans like you, I wouldn’t be here!” and then proceeded to walk over to greet and pose for photos with guests one by one.

Enrique Iglesias and girlfriend, Anna Kournikova dined and entertained a large group of friends at SUGARCANE raw bar grill on Saturday night.

Forbes magazine’s “Richest Man in the World”, Carlos Slim, was seen dining with a party of ten at Eden South Beach on Saturday night.  

Rakontur, the Miami-based media studio founded by Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman hosted an after party at Cafeina Wynwood Lounge celebrating the Miami premiere of Square Grouper: the Godfathers of Ganja, the duo’s latest documentary. Corben was on-hand for the festivities.

The 7th Annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The 7th Annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup presented by Nespresso returns to South Beach from April 21 through April 24 between 20th and 22nd streets on the sands behind the Setai Hotel, featuring South Florida native veteran Polo player and renowned presenter of America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh.  AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, returns for the second year as title sponsor and is displaying a stable of its own high performance vehicles alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses.  Guests will also enjoy specialty cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka. For this year’s AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, AMG-Mercedes has formed a unique partnership with designer La Martina for the creation of a special edition commemorative polo shirt for the tournament that will be on sale at the La Martina retail tent over the four days of the tournament.  All proceeds from the sales of the polo shirt as well as a portion of funds raised from this year’s ticket sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, the tournament’s official partnering charity organization. To purchase tickets and a complete listing of events visit or call www.miamipolo.com or 305-538-3809.

“GreenRaiser” by ECOMB on Earth Day

The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB) will host its annual “GreenRaiser” on Thursday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. As the preeminent environmental organization leading sustainable initiatives for the community, ECOMB, along with NBC’s Jeff Burnside, will present not only the most “eco-chic” event of the season, but also serve as the biggest fundraising effort for the preservation, protection and restoration of our community’s local ecosystem.  After arriving in SWOOP electric transport or receiving a discount to valet park hybrid cars, guests will be welcomed at the Sagamore Hotel by eco-fashion presentations by Art of Shade and Elite Models.  Hosts include: Audie Apple, Michael Capponi, Michael Gongora, Tony Cho, Ali Codina, Karla Dascal, Claudio Faria, Jeff Feldman, Stacey Glassman, Eric Hecht M.D., Lisa Liotta, Jonathan Marcoschamer, Nikki Novo, Chad Oppenheim, Brian Scheinblum, Ashley Turchin, John Turchin and Liza Walton.  Tickets are priced as follows: VIP reception $150 (VIP Couple $250); Sustainable Celebration $75, ECOMB Members $50 in advance and $100 at the door. Tickets are available through ecomb@ecomb.org or by calling 305-534-3825.

Race to Nowhere

First United Methodist Church (536 Coral Way) will be hosting two screenings of the educational documentary, Race to Nowhere, a film by Vicki Abeles on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  The film is about America’s achievement culture in education. Following the film, a panel of professionals will engage in discussion with the audience.  Tickets can be purchased at www.fumccg.org for $10.  Contact Julie Hoyt for more information at Hoytjulie@aol.com.

Dining Out For Life

Care Resource is proud to host its sixth year of Dining Out for Life (DOFL) in South Florida on Thursday, April 28, with spokesperson, Executive Chef Paula DaSilva of 1500°, the farm-to-table eatery located in Miami Beach’s Eden Roc Renaissance. DOFL is a one-day international fundraiser, co-hosted by The Miami New Times, benefiting non-profit service agencies in over 55 metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. On April 28, thousands of supporters will dine together with friends, family members and coworkers in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Participating restaurants will donate a portion of their sales that night to HIV/AIDS organizations allowing for continued services and programs to families and individuals infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. For a full list of participating restaurants in South Florida, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/miami/participating.

A Night at the Museum

The Bass Museum of Art (2100 Collins Avenue) will host its annual fundraiser, “A Night at the Museum,” on Thursday, April 28 from 7-10 p.m. No word on whether fans of the movies by the same name will be treated to sightings of Amelia Earhart or Teddy Roosevelt, but they will definitely get to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, Grey Goose vodka cocktails and beats by ESS & EMM.  In addition, attendees will have the chance to explore the museum’s new exhibit, “An Invitation to LOOK/Selections from the Permanent Collection of the Bass Museum of Art,” featuring more than 40 works from its permanent collection, including portraits spanning 300 years, painted in varying styles by English, American, Dutch, French and German artists. Admission costs $125 for two and includes a Sustaining Membership to the Bass Museum of Art for one year. To RSVP email rsvp@bassmuseum.org, visit www.bassmuseum.org, call 786.800.6302 or visit the museum.

Rally for a Cure

JR and Loren Ridinger will join forces again this year with honorary chair Eva Longoria and a multitude of celebrities to co-chair the second annual Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup in Miami, hosted by Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach to benefit the Rally for Kids with Cancer Foundation, with the goal of raising much needed funds for fiscally responsible pediatric cancer organizations within the Miami area.

Here’s how it works.  Each participating team must raise a minimum of $25,000 online to enter a personal car in the rally.  Next, each team gets to draft a “Celebrity Navigator” from a star-studded pool during the Qualifiers Celebrity Draft Party on Friday, April 29.  Each team’s fundraising total determines its draft position.  Sounds like fun, huh?  This year’s pool includes:  Eva Longoria, Sofia Milos, Bai Ling, Bridget Marquardt, Christina Milian, Eric Roberts, Greg Vaughn, Ivan Sergei, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jessie Camacho, John Salley, Michael Yo, Winsor Harmon, Matt Goss, Eric Roberts, Dr. Bill Dorfman, Jaime Camil, Joanna Krupa and Maria Conchita Alonso,and several yet-to-be named stars. The day of the actual Scavenger Cup Rally will begin with the “Start Your Engines” brunch on Saturday, April 30, where participants will receive a Driver’s Manual filled with maps, tips and their first clue, as well as all-access passes to the worlds of sports, food, media, entertainment, travel and fashion in up to seven unique pit stops throughout the Miami area.

Later that night, The Winner’s Circle gala dinner, “Jeans & Jewels,” will feature a live auction, extravagant dinner and world class entertainment. For more information visit www.rallyforkids.com http://www.rallyforkids.com/ and click on “Miami.”