By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Hermès promised, and delivered to Miami, “A Journey into the Extraordinary” for its third A Man’s World  event – following Beijing and Paris – an art-fashion happening on May 30 – a party, like none the Magic City has ever seen, filled with multi-sensory experiences and illusions designed to deeply penetrate, and somewhat overwhelm one’s senses.  Over 600 guests were in town for the unprecedented event that took place at the iconic Moore Building, the 1921 architectural monument of Miami’s Design District, a few doors down from the Hermès boutique – utilizing the building’s fascinating interior structure as a backdrop for 11 human-experience art installations that allowed audiences to connect to each one. Upon entering, guests were awed as they looked up at models and aerial artists who dangled from and walked across giant square suspension beams almost fifty feet above mirrored floors, dressed in the Spring 2013 collections.  Guests also walked across a mirrored floor that gave the illusion they themselves were walking on suspended beams of peerless beauty as they looked “into the floor,” the effects were mesmerizing.  Read the rest of this entry »

During Miami Art Weeke(end), Mia Tyler, daughter of Steven Tyler, debuted her work at the Deja Vu gallery in Wynwood, surrounded by the Tyler family (Steven, Liv, Chelsea).  Mia’s show, entitled KINK, brought a “carnal perspective” to the art-filled week.  Following the gallery exhibit, the Tyler clan hosted a private dinner party at the yet-to-be-open Seasalt and Pepper restaurant, where Chelsea Tyler’s band “Bad Bad” performed for friends and family.

On Friday, December 6, Indie rock duo Tegan and Sara brought a crowd of thousands to a frenzy as they performed a concert at The Official VH1 + SCOPE Party which took place directly on the sand in Miami Beach. Brendan Fallis kicked-off the night with his musical beats while notables, influencers and trendsetters – including actor Tyson Beckford, rapper Theopolis London, producer Travis Scott, Alexandra Richards, Hannah Bronfman, Mikey Deleasa, and models Teresa Moore, Julie Henderson and Carissa Rosario – enjoyed tasty bites and cocktails. Celebrity favorite DJ Cassidy, who has opened for Jay Z and Justin Timberlake, capped off the evening with a high-energy mix of dance music.

On Wednesday, December 4, Belvedere Red hosted a VIP party at the Mana Wynwood Art Gallery with hip-hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. Lamar entertained the crowd in attendance performing his hit songs “Poetic Justice”, “Swimming Pools” and “Don’t Kill My Vibe.”  On Friday, December 6, Belvedere Red transformed the private second floor of Mango’s restaurant on Ocean Drive for a party that included the founder of ArtBinder, Alexandra Chemla, DJ Hannah Bronfman and actor Adrian Grenier.  

Kevin Spacey and David Arquette were recently spotted at Zuma. 

Last week, at the opening of MidLoft in Midtown, Chris and Adrienne Bosh, Dennis Rodman, Tommy and Michelle Pooch, and DJ Irie were on-hand for an event in honor of Bosh’s charity, Team Tomorrow Inc. Sales from artwork by artist D. Mason benefited the Irie Foundation. 

Micky Arison, Anthony and Alina Shriver and Romero Britto had dinner at Meat Market to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Britto Central Gallery.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

PAMM’s Premiere Gala 

If you build it- they will come…and marvel, dance, dine and rejoice in Miami’s “crowning jewel” art museum- designed by famed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.  Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) celebrated its debut with party after party, an official ribbon cutting and an over-the top gala- unmatched in its grandeur and elegance.  On December 7, seven hundred fifty art world VIPs, and civic and philanthropic leaders celebrated the opening of the Premiere PAMM Gala, which raised more than $2 million for the new museum’s public programming. The party began as the sun was setting, with guests filling the museum’s exciting galleries, enjoying the floor-to-ceiling water views, scrumptious bites from the museum’s signature Stephen Starr restaurant and sipping cocktails and Champagne on the terrace, before entering the enormous tent, that had been decorated with gorgeous crystal chandeliers, and tables topped with hundreds of flowers-roses and brilliantly-hued orchids in silver vases. The dance party began immediately, as the crowd took to the dance floor before the special welcome by Pérez Art Museum Miami Board Chair Aaron Podhurst, who presented Jorge Pérez with a sculpture by Michele Oka Doner in honor of his leadership through the museum’s construction phase and his continued generous gifts of cash and art.   Read the rest of this entry »

Rose McGowan

More than five hundred invited party-goers did just that-at the opening of  Flaunt Magazine’s “Affordable Care”a four-day exhibition-examination of art, music, fashion and culture with photography,  paintings and video, from Vanessa Beecroft to Nicolas Jaar.  Invitations went out only two days prior, but there was major buzz in the international art world from New York Times and Vanity Fair articles the previous weekend, making this one of Art Week Miami 2013’s most coveted and exclusive events – for those truly in the know.   The opening evening premiered art legend Vanessa Beecroft’s “VB72″ a major performance piece in collaboration with Kanye West, with 65 nude models, some masked, all covered from head to toe in two types of silty, earth-tone clay, pushing the forefront of contemporary art.  Ms. Beecroft is the Artistic Director and Choreographer for West’s current Yeesus tour.  She stood anxiously backstage at the beginning of her three-hour piece.  The tall thin Italian artist peeked through a small opening in the180 foot wide towering white-felted curtain.  This was a departure from her usual venues – the Guggenheim-New York, the Venice Biennale, Museum für Moderne Kunst-Frankfurt, among others.  Beecroft chatted backstage with event producer Michael Leondas Kirkland of mkarte, and said: “VB72 is inspired by my current sculptural work which is mostly in clay,” exemplified by the amorphic ceramic heads carefully placed on the floor in varying positions interspersed among the clay-clad models. Read the rest of this entry »

Vodka Latke  

The Tribe’s highly anticipated 8th annual Hanukkah Soiree takes place on Thursday, December 19 at LMNT in Wynwood (55 NW 36th Street).  There’s an open bar sponsored by Ketel One and complimentary Perrier, endless latkes, sounds by DJ Crespo, Capture POD and more surprises. The party goes from 8-11 pm. To purchase tickets, or for more information visit:   .  To join the committee or to sponsor: Olivia@ooandco.com. 

The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Toy Drive 

LLF’s Holiday Toy Drive collects toys for over 140 children from the Chapman Partnership, donating over 400 total toys. Volunteers participate in a morning shopping spree at Target to supplement the toys already collected at drop off locations like Warren Tricomi on Miami Beach, the offices of Luxury Brand Partners, and The Firm Miami.Toys are distributed at the Chapman Partnership on Saturday, December 21st, from 4-5 pm, after a Story Hour program from 3-4 pm. Register to volunteer at the toy shopping spree, Story Hour, or distribution, by emailing volunteer@thelittlelighthouse.org.  

Healing Light Grant 

LLF also create the Healing Light Grant this holiday season, awarding one lucky child in South Florida with supplemental funds to subsidize existing and future medical bills or future procedures. LLF commits to donating $20,000 to the Healing Light recipient during the holiday season every year, through matching dollar for dollar, the donations of its strong support group. LLF has selected Ellie suffers from Crouzons Syndrome as its Healing Light Grant recipient with a goal of providing $20,000 to cover her current and future medical expenses. The Little Lighthouse is reaching out to its strong support system and has pledged to match donations, dollar for dollar, until that goal is reached. Follow the link here to support Ellie’s Healing Light Fund:  http://www.thelittlelighthouse.org/volunteer-with-us/healing-light-grant/.

Nautical Nights 

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is now Nautical Nights, a new seafaring feast at The DiLido Beach Club, for a Hamptons-meets-South Beach dining experience with an unlimited seafood menu for $59 on Saturdays from 6-10 pm,  $45 for unlimited Veuve Clicquot.  The beachside restaurant features al fresco seating and fresh from the sea delicacies.   Opulent local seafood creations by Chef De Cuisine Andres Meraz include a “wrecked” raw bar, 40 pound roasted grouper and seafood bake for $59 per guest.  For Nautical Nights reservations call 786.276.4000. 

Food is like Art at POC 

Port of Call Restaurant Group has raised the bar with the debut of POC Modern American Cuisine. Situated in the Village at Gulfstream Park, the newly opened eatery is open daily and artistically blends culinary traditions from Asia and Europe with modern American influences. Dishes are handcrafted to create a cuisine that redefines fusion and presents a true evolution of flavor using the freshest ingredients, preserving a natural balance of aroma, texture and taste.  

POC Restaurant Group has rolled out its weekend brunch where you can enjoy a $21 prix fixe menu including savory dishes such as Eggs Benedict topped with Sriracha Hollandaise and the choice of short rib, spinach or salmon gravlax, Belgian waffles or Braised Pork Belly with twice-cooked chicken eggs and truffled potatoes. Specialty cocktails such as Sparkling Passion, fresh passion fruit purée with prosecco, or Bloody Maria, 1800 Silver, homemade bloody mary mix, fresh lime and lemon juice with a salt and pepper rim, will be offered to complement the brunch menu for $12 each. Brunch will be available on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Dinner service will start at 5 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.pocrestaurants.com. 

Life In Color is Back at Sun Life Stadium 

Life In Color is back and BIGGER than before, debuting Miami’s first ever Life in Color Festival on Saturday, December 27 at the Sun Life Stadium. Calvin Harris, acclaimed Scottish EDM Master, was the first headliner to be revealed exclusively on the companies Facebook page. Deemed the “World’s wealthiest DJ”, Calvin has collaborated with top songstresses such as Rihanna and Kylie Minogue, scoring him nine top-ten singles from one studio album. Along with Calvin Harris, Life in Color fans will go hard in the paint with: Chuckie, Head Hunterz, Excision, R3hab, Steve Aoki, Major Lazer, Dirthy Phonics, David Solano, Brass Knuckles, Etc!Etc!, Heroes & Villains, Xkore, and 2 Chainz.  Life in Color’s Miami Festival will be one of the top music events in the country, and will promise fans an interactive experience like no other. With over 500 sold out shows worldwide, LIFE IN COLOR transports fans into the ultimate mind blowing, head bumping, and heart pumping experience.Tickets are on sale at www.lifeincolor.com;Headliners & Show info available on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/lictour.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

To quote Vanity Fair, “Like a magnet, it draws them. Free champagne, celebrity wattage—and, let’s not forget, the spectacular art of Art Basel Miami Beach—creates private-jet gridlock in South Florida the first few days of every December. If everyone is an Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is a ‘collector’ during Art Week Miami.”  While we can’t quite disagree with the sentiment, a commonality during this year’s Art Week was the altruistic nature of many of the events.  From UNTITLED’s VIP opening to benefit Elton John’s AIDS Foundation, to Omar’s  Gala Dinner for Lady Gaga’s Born this Way Foundation, to ELLE DECOR Modern Concept House’s contributions to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Bombay Sapphire/Russell Simmons’ dinner to help emerging artists to the crown jewel of the week:  the PAMM Gala- event hosts, art collectors, celebrities, socialites, artists and partygoers gathered for good.  That’s not to say that extravagant parties for the sake of the party and over-the-top art soirees were amiss- nor that FOMO (fear of missing out) did not reach fever pitch-even among celebrities last week.  For now, we cover the tip of the iceberg- with art parties for charities and a spattering of celebrity sightings. Check back next week for more of the biggest parties and celebrities of Art Week 2013.   

  Read the rest of this entry »