By: Maryanne Salvat 

Whoopi Goldberg at the Adrienne Arsht Center 

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to announce the anticipated return of Whoopi Goldberg, the undisputed queen of comedy and entertainment. As part of the Center’s 2013-2014 Live at Knight series, Goldberg will present a new, wickedly funny stand-up show on March 1 at 8:00 p.m. in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Tickets to Whoopi Goldberg are currently on sale at $50, $80 and $95*. Tickets may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling 305. 949.6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

Be A Kid Again 

The Miami Children’s Museum’s Be A Kid Again Gala takes place this Saturday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the museum, located at 980 MacArthur Causeway.  This party is a must for anyone who wants to go back to the “Disco Era.”  For the party, MCM will be transformed into “Studio MCM.” Dave Barry and Paul Castronovo will present a live auction before guests get the chance to get their groove on during the Boogie Knights: Complete Studio 54™ Tribute. The night kicks off with a cocktail reception inside the museum’s galleries filled with an extensive silent auction, featuring a wine section with exclusive lots from all over the world, followed by food tastings, the live auction and dancing. Dressing up in your best disco attire is encouraged. For more information, visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org. 

The Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Gala 

The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program will host its gala at the Mandarin Oriental with more than 500 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, celebrities and politicians on Saturday, March 8. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle have planned an unforgettable evening in celebration of the Women of Tomorrow’s Annual Gala and its 18th year of mentoring at-risk young girls in South Florida.  While the gala is sold out, there are still opportunities to get involved in the event and support the more than 3,000 girls benefiting from the program this year.  Honorees at the annual event include Honorary Chairmen Wayne & Cynthia Boich; Legacy Builder Honorees Bruce & Tracey Berkowitz, The Fairholme Foundation; Leadership Award Honoree Edie Lutnick; Champion Award Honoree Miami HEAT; Excellence Honorees Tara Solomon & Nick D’Annunzio, Tara Ink; and Mentor of the Year Robbin Newman.  For more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.org.

Tropical Brunch in the Garden with Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami

On Sunday, March 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami (LDEM) will present their annual Tropical Brunch in the Garden. Join LDEM at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach for a chance to savor culinary creations amongst the flora and fauna. Priced at $55 for adults and $20 for children (5-12) in advance, attendees will sample and enjoy dishes from celebrity restaurants, exquisite gourmet shops, cooking demos from LDEM, and student stations from Mast Academy and the Miami Culinary Institute. Tickets will be $65 and $30 at the door for adults and children, respectively. Children 4 and under are free. Casual attire; live music and a relaxing vibe; to purchase tickets online email reservations@lesdamesmiami.org or call 877.467-7725.

For more information, www.lesdamesmiami.org.

Simon Cowell was spotted beachside at the St. Regis Bal Harbour resort over the weekend.

Seasalt and Pepper brought Paris-based sensation, Buddha-Bar to Miami for its first ever U.S. pop up experience on Thursday.  On-hand for the celebration: actress Debi Mazarand husband/Chef Gabriele Corcos, Celebrity Chef Art Smith andTop Chef Master Lorena Garcia, and Spanish former World No. 1 pro tennis player, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Martha Stewart attended a private cocktail at the Ritz-Carlton Residences on Friday night.

 James Beard award-winning Jim Meehan from famed cocktail bar Please Don’t Tell in New York City, teamed up with Grey Goose vodka to create three exclusive cocktails for a special evening at The Broken Shaker.

SOBEWFF 2014

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) will take over South Beach for four days and nights filled with decadent tasting, sipping and celebration. From February 20 through 23, culinary giants from all over the nation will be gathered on our shores for America’s most prestigious (and fun!) gourmet gathering.  For more information visit: www.sobefest.com. 

C1 Bank Opens Wynwood Branch 

C1 Bank is combining cool with cash at the grand opening of its Wynwood branch this Friday, February 21 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. After its soft opening last month, C1 has been building buzz with a million dollar art collection, space-age design and extravagant laser security system. Now, the bank is literally turning up the volume with an over-the-top opening celebration. C1’s floor-to-ceiling glass storefront will open up to North Miami Avenue and expose its swanky, circular “Clients First” table which will be turned into the evening’s main bar. The night also inaugurates C1’s fully equipped stainless steel kitchen. Available for all events at the space, the kitchen will be helmed for the evening by former Bravo’s Top Chef contestant, chef Jeffrey Jew, who is preparing a special menu for the occasion. The 3,700-square-foot bank features modular conference spaces which at night can be arranged to accommodate events, from charity parties to fashion shows.

1826 Restaurant & Lounge

Situated at the bustling center of South Beach on Collins Avenue, 1826 Restaurant & Lounge is anticipated to open its doors on Friday, February 21. The highly refined yet approachable restaurant will offer Contemporary American cuisine with a focus on elegant dishes in a stylishly modern setting. The seasonally driven menu, created by two Michelin-starred and 2012 Food & Wine Best New Chef Danny Grant and his team, features a forward-thinking approach to Grant’s contemporary classical techniques. Emphasizing the use of local, regional and luxury ingredients, dishes build flavor through every detail to deliver a thoughtful experience that will leave diners wanting more; for more information call: 305.709.0000 / Email: info@1826Collins.com  / Online: www.1826Collins.com

Fairchild Farmers’ Market 

More than 30 vendors will sell their products including local and organic produce, honey, baked goods, prepared foods, herbs, cheeses, handmade soaps and more at the new Fairchild Farmers’ Market. The market is located in the Lowlands parking lot and is free to attend; Every Saturday (excluding festival weekends) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 
Art at Fairchild: Hugo França 

Fairchild is pleased to host 16 design pieces by Brazilian designer Hugo França on exhibit through May 31. Each piece uses reclaimed wood from felled, burned or dead trees found in Brazil. França hand-carves them into functional and intricate designs, breathing new life into trees that are massive and sometimes hundreds of years old. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 6-17, and free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under.

The Preservation Luncheon at Vizcaya

Vizcaya’s only major daytime event held on the estate will take place on Tuesday, February 25. The Preservation Luncheon attracts approximately 250 guests and has become known as the “hat luncheon,” as attendees are encouraged to wear creative headwear.The Preservation Luncheon begins with a late morning cocktail reception in the Courtyard of Vizcaya’s Main House and continues with an elegant seated lunch on the East Terrace overlooking beautiful Biscayne Bay and the estate’s spectacular formal gardens. Classical music and champagne set a genteel and convivial tone. This annual fundraiser was founded in 2009 to support the preservation of Vizcaya and the organization’s educational programs; Individual Tickets $300 or Table (10 seats) $3,000. For more information or to purchase tickets call305.856.4866 or www.vizcaya.org.

www.thehollywoodgossip.com

Director, producer and Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola was spotted dining at Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh Hotel on Sunday, February 16th. She along with Phoenix guitarist, Christian Mazzalai and another friend were seen enjoying dinner and a few drinks while their children munched on penne pasta. The group mingled and enjoyed each other’s company for about two hours before heading out. 

On Saturday night, Paul Wesley of the Vampire Diaries dined at Meat Market (touted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of Miami’s “Buzziest Restaurants) with former costar Phoebe Tonkin. 

TODAY show host Jill Martin  celebrated Valentine’s day with her beau at Seasalt and Pepper Restaurant . Sources say they sat at a romantic table by the water and were seen “canoodling and looking very much in love.” 

Also spotted on Sunday at Seasalt was breakaway RHOA star, Nene Leakes . She was seen with current RHOM star Alexia Echevarria and friend of the RHOM Marysol Patton.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The cavernous Ice Palace Studios, dramatically aglow in white light, served as the perfect setting for Designed for a Cure, on Thursday, February 13, wherein nearly 800 stylish guests gathered to support the partnership between the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.  The elegant event raised more than $850,000 to fund cancer research at Sylvester. De la Renta himself spontaneously donated $100,000 at the event.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

MOCA Mystery Dates 

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami) kicked off the month of February in style with its highly anticipated, seventh annual Mystery Dates fundraiser during which guests enjoyed a dazzling evening at the homes of ten private collectors who graciously held dinner parties in support of the museum.  Read the rest of this entry »