By: Maryanne Salvat
Diego Jacobson
Abstract Expressionist painter Diego Jacobson will host an invitation-only preview featuring 70 paintings including some never-before-seen artwork at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 11, at LMNT Arts Gallery, in Miami’s Wynwood District. For the first time, Jacobson’s works will be featured in a major retrospective show, which opens to the general public at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, and will be exhibited through February 7. Titled “Everything is Perfect,” the exhibition is based on Jacobson’s philosophy on life, which is simply: “If everything is perfect, you can’t judge anything.” For Jacobson, every brushstroke is painful, but that didn’t stop the Miami resident from conquering dystonia, a crippling neurological disorder, to become one of the most celebrated Latino artists of his generation. Jacobson has been exhibited around the world, including leading Manhattan galleries and international shows in galleries and museums in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
An Affair of the Arts
On Saturday, January 12, An Affair of the Arts performance and gala is the culmination of YoungArts Week and the YoungArts signature program, which provides 150 of the nation’s most outstanding young talents in the visual, literary and performing arts with life-changing experiences, including master classes, workshops, performances and exhibitions. The evening will consist of an awards ceremony honoring director and choreographer Debbie Allen, Violinist Joshua Bell, and Actor Adrian Grenier for their artistic achievement and leadership in the arts, followed by a special performance by YoungArts Alumni beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact www.gala@youngarts.org.
62nd Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art
The 62nd Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art will bring more than 230 fine artists to the grounds of the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami campus during the weekend of January 19 and 20. Widely recognized as one of the region’s most popular outdoor art exhibitions and a South Florida tradition, the festival attracts thousands of visitors annually and offers works in 10 mediums for a variety of budgets. This year, artists hail from 30 states and abroad. Admission and parking are free. Proceeds benefit the Lowe Art Museum, which will be open to the public all weekend, and support bringing children from low-income schools on cultural field trips to the museum. For more sponsorship and general information, visit www.BeauxArtsMiami.org.
Skinny Pairing at RA Sushi
As January kicks off and New Year’s resolutions are in full-force, RA Sushi’s newest Skinny Pairing offer is the perfect meal for anyone counting calories. For just $18, guests can fill up on a Hitokuchi Sashimi and Shrimp Plate and a choice of one of three new low-calorie cocktails – Colada-teenie, Skinny Cucumberita or Blueberry Fizz.
2nd Annual Splendor in the Garden
Fashion will flourish at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Thursday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. for the 2nd Annual Splendor in the Garden fashion show and luncheon. In partnership with luxury specialty store Neiman Marcus Coral Gables and co-chaired by Swanee DiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, the garden will blossom into a fashion hotspot as models stroll the runway in the latest spring trends. Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus’s senior vice president and fashion director, will present “The Best of Spring 2013,” an exclusive preview of the season’s newest styles. In addition to the fashion show, the 2013 Fairchild Philanthropy Honorees will be recognized: Maria Alonso, Anne Baddour, Bunny Bastian, Paula Brockway, Terry Buoniconti, Martha Clinton and Jan Risi Field. Tickets for Splendor in the Garden are $250 for preferred seating and $300 for runway seating. The tickets include a champagne reception, seated luncheon, fashion show and awards presentation. Complimentary garden tours are available during the reception. All proceeds benefit Fairchild’s conservation, science, education, and research programs. To purchase tickets, contact Susannah Shubin at sshubin@fairchildgarden.org or call 305.667.1651, extension 3375. For more information on Splendor in the Garden, visit www.fairchildgarden.org.
Pawpurrazzi
Pawpurrazzi, now in its fifth year as a major gala, will be held at Jungle Island on January 25 at 7:00 p.m. More than 500 luminaries with their dogs are expected to attend, dressed to the nines. Chairpersons of the event, Pat and Milton Wallace and Bunny Bastian, are putting together a spectacular event, not to be missed. The highlight of the event is the “Great Pets Who Walk In Front of Great People” show where more than 30 exclusive guests and their furry friend(s) are featured on the runway. Tickets are $550, $750 and $1000 per person. There is an exciting raffle where guests have an opportunity to win a two year lease on a 2013 MINI Cooper; MSC Poesia Seven Nights Caribbean Cruise; or a Champagne and Wine Surprise Package. One raffle ticket costs $250; three are $500; and seven are $1,000. For further information call Laurie Hoffman at 305.749.1815 or email at laurie@humanesocietymiami.org.
2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge
On January 26, Jon Jay, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and Miami native, will host his 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to support its many positive programs for 10,000 area youth. Along with other Major League Baseball stars, Jay will bowl with attendees during the fun-filled fundraising event. The evening will include red carpet arrivals, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, exciting bowling matches and more. Sponsorships are available. Individual tickets: $450 per bowling team (five guests will be matched with a celebrity) and $100 per person (singles will be randomly matched with other single entries/celebrities.) World Series Sponsorship ($5,000): Corporate/logo recognition on all marketing materials, corporate signage and the opportunity to include corporate products and/or literature during the event, 12 autographed baseballs by Jay and all MLB players in attendance, two bowling teams (10 people total).Extra Innings Lane Sponsorship ($1,500): Corporate/logo recognition on all marketing materials, the opportunity to include corporate products and/or literature during the event, one bowling team (five people). For sponsorship or additional event information, call Tom Hagan at CAA Sports at 212.277.9000 or thagan@caa.com. To purchase individual tickets and more information: visit www.jonjaychallenge.com.
Barton G. Weiss is well known for his extravagant events and over-the-top creations and the newest additions to the menu at Barton G. The Restaurant do not fall short- adding elements of surprise as well as fanciful treats to your palate. On our recent visit, Chef Jeff O’Neill – the Executive Chef at The Villa and Barton G. – delighted us with brand new menu items including: Zen Scallops served alongside a Buddha; a very Tipsy Tuna; The Upper Crustacean (popcorn shrimp served with gourmet popcorn); Lobster Pop-Tarts brought to your table in a retro toaster; Lobster Apicius served with a Roman Soldier’s helmet, and The Great American Filet (served with a 3-foot fork); we can’t make this up, you have to see it to believe it! More of an experience than a dinner, the entertaining madness surrounds you as plates are served to resounding reactions by other diners, (gawking and “oohs and aahhs” are encouraged), and everyone in the restaurant seems to participate in the party. Also be sure to enjoy the famous nitro cocktails, both beautiful and delicious and served with as much whimsy as the food. Our dessert experience was quite extraordinary, we were treated to the “Purebred” Pudding in a stainless steel doggy dish with French bulldog creamers, filled with chocolate and vanilla crème anglaise and the Chocolate Indulgence (Valrhona Chocolate brownies) served in a treasure chest with an actual shovel and map of Barton G.’s other dining endeavors. As with the food, the service was impeccable. Leo, our server was well versed and enthusiastic about our dishes as he explained every fabulous detail. Expanding to the Los Angeles area, Barton G. The Restaurant is a Miami destination that will fill your evening with a magical atmosphere that you will never forget. 
