Second Annual Mediterranean Feast

The Social Club and High Tide, both at Kimpton’s Surfcomber Miami South Beach Hotel, are extending a special Friends of the Feast ticket discount for the highly anticipated Second Annual Mediterranean Feast, to be held on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 9:30 p.m.—12:30 a.m. Active from February 1-12, 2016, early bird ticket buyers can use coupon code FRIENDSOFTHEFEAST at www.mediterraneanFeast.EventBrite.com for a $20 discount off the otherwise $95 ticket price.

SiriusXM’s FOOD TALK with Geoffrey Zakarian

On Friday, February 26, celebrate this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival with the biggest “Chef-lebrities” in the culinary world for an exclusive behind-the-scenes live recording of SiriusXM’s FOOD TALK with Geoffrey Zakarian. Zakarian welcomes Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart, Guy Fieri, Giada DeLaurentiis, Valerie Bertinelli, Anne Burrell, Alex Guaranschelli, Tyler Florence, Margaret Zakarian, Marc Murphy, Scott Conant, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jeremy Ford, Food Network Magazine’s Maile Carpenter and The New York Times’ Sam Sifton. The recording will run from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at The Sandbox, Miami Beach Edition.

8th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon

On March 1, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens will welcome South Florida’s boldest fashion-forward supporters to its 8th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon, known informally as “The Hat Luncheon.”  Each year this must-go event attracts 300 guests from Miami, Palm Beach and New York for a beautiful, stylish day including a champagne lunch and informal modeling in Vizcaya’s European-style grounds. The Preservation Luncheon raises funds to preserve and protect Vizcaya Museum and Gardens for the community and future generations to come. Founded in 2009, the luncheon is a friend-raiser and fund-raiser to support the preservation of Vizcaya.Tickets can be purchased online for $350 per person, tables for 10 guests for $3,500 and premier James Deering tables of 10 for $5,000. For more information about the Preservation Luncheon, visit www.vizcayapreservation.org  email events@vizcaya.org.

Pérez Art Museum Gala

On March 4, Pérez Art Museum will host Miami’s largest fundraiser of the year, conceptualized by Lee Brian Schrager. The magical evening features three exclusive experiences that showcase the world-class museum’s unique architecture and Miami’s position as an international art capital. Join cultural philanthropists, artists, civic leaders and arts supporters at Miami’s flagship art museum for an unforgettable evening in honor of artist Chuck Close; Chef’s Table – seated dinner (Sold Out) Supper Club – dinner lounge ($750 per ticket; $10,000 private lounge seating for ten with bottle and butler – limited availability) Remix – after party. For more information contact: gala@pamm.org.

Juniper on the Water, a hidden gem located off of the Intracoastal Waterway, offers diners an unforgettable view and a unique ambience. Whether looking to hear great live music, catch a glimpse of the romantic Intracoastal waterfront, or enjoying the elegant dining room inside, Juniper on the Water will surpass all expectations.

About a year ago, owners Scott, Sho and Chris put their heads together and transformed an industry passion into reality. Juniper, meaning strength and “to bloom or flourish”, symbolizes the vision, heart and culinary passion combined by the owners. Read the rest of this entry »

Bass Ball

Experience the art, the fun and glamour this Saturday, February 20 at The Bass Ball fundraiser with keep The Ball rolling…, an upbeat after party to benefit the Bass Museum of Art. The evening begins at 9:00 p.m. with a sensational performance by South African artist Athi-Patra Ruga. Experience for yourself why Ruga has captivated the art world with his portrayal of a vivid utopia told through fantastic costumes and sensuous choreography. Enjoy the thrill of a contemporary art auction with original works by Daniel Arsham, Tracey Emin and Paola Pivi and more. Dress code for the evening is Whimsical Black Tie. Prizes will be awarded for the Most Creative, Most Outlandish, Best Couple and Most Elegant. Complimentary valet parking is included. Purchase tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keep-the-ball-rolling-tickets-19966773156?aff=eac2.

Crash the Fire Kitchen – Carnivores Only!

Crash the Fire Kitchen – Carnivores Only!, a not to be missed chef collaboration between Francis Mallmann of Los Fuegos, Paul Qui of Pao by Paul Qui at The Dome and Gabriel Ask, Executive Chef of Faena Hotel Miami Beach.  Offering a special menu available, to the public for one night only at Los Fuegos at Faena Hotel Miami Beach on Wednesday, February 24^th.  The price is $195 per person with seating starting 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.  Reservations can be booked by calling Los Fuegos at 786.655.5600.

SOBEWFF 2016

The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (SOBEWFF^®) is celebrating its 15^th anniversary February 24 – 28, 2016, and continues to expand upon upgrades to its signature Miami Beach event.  The Festival’s signature white tents are home to the Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village featuring MasterCard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid^® Culinary Demonstrations taking place Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, and are flanked by the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Art Deco cityscape spanning between 10^th Street & 13^th Street on Ocean Drive. Tickets for this event, and many more, are available online at sobefest.com or by calling 877.762.3933.

Third Annual Reception for the PAMM Fund for African American Art

On February 16, 2016, Pérez Art Museum Miami will welcome more than 500 Ambassadors for African American Art to the museum for a celebration at the Third Annual Reception for the PAMM Fund for African American Art presented by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The evening will showcase a performance, Ground (In Progress), presented by PAMM exhibition artist Nari Ward. Ground (In Progress) is a floor-based sculpture made from 700 copper-topped bricks and adorned with painted geometric symbols drawn from the Underground Railroad directional code. Five local dancers will perform and improvise atop Ward’s sculpture and respond to its ideas of the untouchable and monumental nature of works of fine art using a range of dance styles.

In addition, guests will enjoy a musical performance by Girl Power’s Girls’ Choir of Miami, a local organization that strives to provide opportunities for girls in a year-round quality music education program, and a complimentary dinner reception with a musical performance by Ketchy Shuby on the East Portico. For more information visit: www.pamm.org.

Valentines Day at Metropolitan Miami Beach

Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach, the inaugural hotel property in the U.S by COMO Hotels and Resorts, takes the art of sensual seduction to a new level this Valentine’s Day.  Celebrate this special occasion with your sweetheart during a memorable day filled with the most unforgettable gifts of love that will enhance your spiritual connection, courtesy of COMO Hotels and Resorts.  South Florida’s haven of silent luxury offers couples an ultimate romantic retreat, combining lavish accommodations together with the spa’s holistic health and wellness along with the restaurant’s nutritional gourmet seafood cuisine – all wrapped within a scenic beachfront sanctuary set against iconic views of the soothing Atlantic Ocean. A Valentine’s Day weekend at Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach is tailored to arouse all the senses with your nearest and dearest.  Developed especially for Valentine’s Day, and taking place on Sunday, February 14th, the hotel’s COMO Shambhala Urban Escape spa will offer Partner Yoga on the outdoor COMO Shambhala Terrace. Starting at 10:00am, the hotel’s certified yoga instructor will give a couples yoga class, allowing participants to explore partner stretching, massage and heart-opening asanas that will focus on nurturing touch, trust, balance and compassion.  Following the yoga session, couples will enjoy a sparkling aperitif, together with a house made chocolate amenity box, courtesy of COMO’s master chocolatier, Stefan, as well as a Harmony Massage oil gift, created with all the aphrodisiac properties of Indian sandalwood and Ylang Ylang to envelope the senses. Partner Yoga on Sunday, February 14th is priced at $60 per couple and can be booked directly with the hotel’s COMO Shambhala Urban Escape spa by calling 305.695.3600 or emailing met.mia@comoshambhala.com. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Boca Raton Resort & Club Celebrates 90 Years

Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in South Florida, pays homage to its 32,850 days as Boca Raton’s premiere resort with rotating festivities for guests to enjoy throughout the year. Since the 20’s, the resort has seamlessly blended its historic past with modern luxury additions and unforgettable experiences, including the Surf Boca surf school, FlowRider wave simulator, and Maserati house cars. Guests staying at the resort in 2016 will not only enjoy luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, and family-friendly activities, but may also learn about the resort’s storied history through a variety of engaging initiatives. Upon entering their rooms, guests will be greeted with postcards containing little known historical facts and images of the property. Guests will also be invited to download an app offering a self-guided historical tour of the resort. (Fun fact: Addison Mizner would purposely crack the resort’s decorative tiles to create a more historic ambiance.) To learn more about or experience Boca Raton Resort & Club, visit www.bocaresort.com or call 1-888-543-1286. For more information about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, visit www.waldorfastoria.com or http://news.waldorfastoria.com.

Love Letters

The Love Letters are back! Experience the power of murals by train on a Love Letter tour! Noted street artist and hometown hero Stephen Powers (aka ESPO) and crew, in collaboration with the Mural Arts Program, painted a series of 50 murals on rooftops that collectively express a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown and from local residents to their West Philadelphia neighborhood. Many of the murals have recently been restored and even some new ones have been added, so now more than ever is this the time to take this exciting and unique tour.
Each tour is led by a professionally trained guide that tells the stories behind these murals at different stops along the elevated train ride, as well as the 30-year history of the Mural Arts Program. Appropriate outdoor weather attire is strongly suggested.

The Third Annual Cheers for CHOP

On Saturday, February 20,  The third annual Cheers for CHOP will be an evening to remember.  It is hosted by Friends of CHOP, a dynamic group of Philadelphia’s most social and philanthropic young influencers who believe in the mission of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and are committed to advancing its research, teaching and clinical priorities through vibrant fundraising efforts. Composed of grateful families and those interested in activities that will further CHOP’s success, Friends of CHOP are public ambassadors of the hospital who promote CHOP as the charity of choice in the Philadelphia region. At last year’s Cheers for CHOP, nearly 700 guests helped raise more than $675,000 for the hospital’s Child Life, Education, and Creative Arts Therapy Program. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit CHOP’s Emergency Department, one of the most active pediatric emergency centers in the na tion. Home to the first Level 1 Trauma Center for children in the Delaware Valley and one of only 55 accredited poison control centers in the nation, CHOP’s ED treats nearly 90,000 patients each year. For more information about the Cheers for CHOP, please visit www.cheersforchop.org.

Housing Works’ inaugural Design on a Dime Miami will take place at the Moore Building in Miami from February 5-February 7. The three-day interior design benefit and sale will consist of a Chairman’s Preview Evening, Opening Night Reception and Sale, and Public Designer Sale. The event will feature over 25 notorious interior designers, who will each create unique room vignettes using donated merchandise. The furniture, art pieces, and home décor used in the vignettes will be available for purchase at 80 percent off of retail value. Proceeds will benefit Housing Works and its partners in South Florida.

Housing Works is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing and constantly expanding services to people affected by HIV/AIDs. All proceeds will support Housing Works and Housing Works’ AIDS-FREE USA 2015 campaign- an active mission to end the AIDS epidemic in the United States by the year 2025. Housing Works has been hosting Design on a Dime annually in New York City since 2004, and raised $1.3 million for its mission last year. Design on a Dime Miami will take the successful event nationally for the first time.

Tickets for Design on a Dime Miami start at $100, and can be reserved at www.eventbrite.com. For more information, donations, and volunteering opportunities,  visit www.housingworks.org.

Slow Food Miami presents its sixth “Snail Social” roaming Happy Hour event on Saturday, February 6, 2016. This time around, it will be a special edition with a farm tour at Teena’s Pride from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, followed by drinks and appetizers at RedLander Restaurant at Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery from 5 PM – 7 PM. The farm tour portion is free and open to the public.  This event is open to the public. There will be a Snail Social hosted by different Snail of Approval chefs and restaurants throughout Miami on the second Tuesday of every month. Kids are welcome. Other participating chefs and restaurants will be announced throughout the season via Slow Food Miami’s mailing list and social media tagged with #snailsocial. Follow Slow Food Miami on Twitter @slowfoodmiami and Facebook to stay current. Teena’s Pride is located at 20025 SW 270th Street, Homestead, FL 33031 http://michaelborekfarmsllc.com/ RedLander Restaurant at Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery is located at 30205 SW 217th Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030; http://www.schneblywinery.com/Redlander-Restaurant