Stephen Gamson & Ivette Naranjo

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Maryjoshore@aol.com

The social season is officially upon us, as evidenced by our jam-packed social calendar. We are officially triple booked most nights this month.  Fortunately, Miami’s social-set gets more creative each year, making for interesting and exciting events to keep us busy and entertained erstwhile helping wonderful causes. Here’s a short rundown of some terrific events from the past week.  

Green Room Society

On Thursday night, the Adrienne Arsht Center’s under-40-and-fabulous set — otherwise known as the Green Room Society – held an exclusive preview party at the Center’s new cocktail hot spot, Bombay Sapphire Lounge, located in the art deco Carnival Tower on the Adrienne Arsht Center campus.  Read the rest of this entry »

Kelly Rowland

The Dolphins vs. Patriots game at LIV Sun was painful to watch, with the exception of Kelly Rowland’s emotional rendition of Survivor during the half time show, which made the trip to the stadium worthwhile.  Joining the former Destiny’s Child singer was an inspirational group of breast cancer survivors, who took to the field during the performance, wearing pink t-shirts in support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Also at LIV Sun Life for the game: Poison’s Brett Michaels, Rick Ross, Toni Braxton, and Craig David.

Last Thursday, Cisco Adler, of Whitestarr fame,   grabbed a bite at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar with friends.  Scheduled to perform with his new band Schwayze later that night at Dr. Feelgood’s, the group was low key-taking in the atmosphere in West Palm Beach.

Designer Richie Rich was in town this weekend planning his Oct 23^rd Fashion show in Miami Beach for Funkshion. Rich was seen around town all weekend with TV Personality Pachi Lake, Emmy award winning producer Michael Honablue, and Fashion Week Miami’s Matt Heien.   The group was spotted from Friday to Sunday everywhere from Doraku Sushi, Plunge at the Gansevoort, SET nightclub (with Owner Eric Milon at his table), The Living Room, Vida, the Standard and everywhere in between:  certainly spreading the love to establishments all over South Beach!

Signature Chefs & Wine Extravaganza

It’s not too late to RSVP for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs & Wine Extravaganza at Jungle Island, (1111 Parrot Jungle Trail) starting at 6:30 tonight,  October 14.  Throughout the event, guests will sip on wines and champagnes from the world’s finest vineyards and distilleries, courtesy of Southern Wine and Spirits, and nosh on small bites while enjoying entertainment as well as live and silent auctions. The best part: it’s all for a good cause—all proceeds go directly to March of Dimes. Tickets: $150 per person in advance; $175 at the door.  Limited tickets for both the Extravaganza and an exclusive VIP Champagne Reception are $250.   For more information and to RSVP, visit the website: www.marchofdimes.com/florida.

Beautiful People, Beautiful Bags

On Thursday, October 14, from 5 to 10 p.m.,   join the Sassy City Chicks for a fantastic   Fashion Bash Sample Sale.  Shop the event for Beautiful People handbags,   among other fabulous designers with exceptional savings.   Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash sample sale will take place at the Moore Building 4040 N.E. 2^nd Avenue; general admission $5 and Sassy Tote Ticket $15, which includes a gift bag, complimentary spa service and Smirnoff cocktail sampling.

The EH Team is Back

“The EH Team!” returns to Cafeina on Friday, October 15 with your favorite Canadian DJ trio ESS & EMM and Maxwell Blandford, along with special guest hosts Tiffany Calil, Elizabeth Calil and Miss Miami 2010 Jaife Calil. Attendees will enjoy complimentary Canadian cocktails (how’s that alliteration for ya’?) inspired by our neighbors to the north from 9 to 10 p.m.. Emerging jewelry designer TAudrey will be on hand at the Wynwood haunt to showcase its latest collection of playful, yet sophisticated accessories for ladies “on-the-go.” Cafeina will also raffle off the Audrey Hepburn-inspired pieces for a few lucky guests throughout the evening. RSVP required to abbey@supermarketcreative.com.

Go Ahead, Wine All You Want!

Embrace your inner oenophile at the 9^th annual Miami International Wine Fair (MIWF) this weekend. MIWF welcomes a heightened culinary program of Miami’s most talked about restaurants including Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Q American BBQ, Devito’s South Beach, Mercadito and more this year.  Open to the public on both Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., participating eateries will serve up bites, gratis, to all fairgoers at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive, Hall A).  For $75 per person, per day, or $130 for two days, the Grand Tasting Hall brings together more than 1,800 wines from 500 producers and 20 countries under one roof.  Upping the ante, for VIPs at $125 per entry or $220 for two days, the Fair will offer connoisseurs access to the Grand Tasting one hour early at 3:00 p.m.; free entrance to the seminar “How to Taste Wine – Objectively”; a two-bottle wine pack with an award-winning selection from Rioja and Bordeaux; two professional lead-free crystal wine glasses; no cover and one free drink to all three MIWF after-parties including Liv at Fontainbleau, SET and MOKAI nightclubs.  Tickets to the Fair and to seminars are available online at www.miamiwinefair.com or by calling 866.887.WINE.  A portion of proceeds will benefit the Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food (“AIWF”) – a non-profit organization founded in support of gastronomy as essential to the quality of human existence. 

Happy 5^th Birthday WEAM  

Well into its fifth year as one of Miami Beach’s most treasured and international attractions, the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) will celebrate its fifth anniversary with owner/curator Naomi Wilzig hosting a joyous extravaganza, Saturday, October 16, from 8 p.m. to midnight.  The evening will feature a lavish buffet and entertainment by famed performance artists Geraldine and Shanaya.   Adding to the glamour and fun will be Miami Beach’s most popular divas, including Adora and Victoria as “princesses of the court.”  There is also talk that Wilzig will bestow crowns on all who attend.  All proceeds of the evening will benefit the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicin.  The World Erotic Art Museum is located at 1205 Washington Avenue. Open Monday through Friday, 11 A.M. to 10 P.M., Friday and Saturday 11 A.M. to Midnight.  Tickets cost $15, (no one under 18 admitted). For more information call (305) 532-9336 or www.weam.com.

Pilates for Pink

Join Equinox Fitness Clubs’ renowned Pilates instructors and SHAPE magazine as they host “Pilates for Pink,” an event supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Bring a friend and participate in classes held at the Delano on Sunday, October 17^th:  For a $10 suggested donation, (100% proceeds go to BCRF®) guests will receive a tote bag with goodies donated by event partners.  Bring your own mat and towel. Spots are limited. RSVP to pilatesforpink@equinox.com to request a space in the class.

Key to the Cure

Join Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland (7687 North Kendall Drive) for Key to the Cure, a charity shopping weekend event to help raise money and awareness for women’s cancers from Thursday, October 21 through Sunday, October 24. The kick off cocktail event will be held Thursday, October 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring Capital Grille hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. A percentage of the weekend sales will go towards Baptist Breast Center. For more information or to RSVP, call 305.662.8655, ext 262 or email rsvpdadeland@s5a.com.

De Beers at Bal Harbour Shops

Prior to the New York Fashion Week fun, during Fashion’s Night Out, De Beers at Bal Harbour Shops hosted an event with philanthropists, Jill Viner and Allison Weiss Brady to benefit Gene Spotlight, which provides medical research grants for rare genetic disorders for.  Guests included Jill’s husband Cliff Viner, who is owner of the NHL Florida Panthers, Sarah Arison, George A. Weiss, Chip Brady of LSN Partners, D. Ashlee Harrison, Aaron Glickman, Tiffany Zientz Heckler, Iran Issa-Khan and Josh Fein to name a few.  De Beers store director Eric Villafane treated guests to an exclusive preview of the De Beers Talisman Collection.  At the FNO event, De Beers auctioned off a Sun Medal Pendant from the Talisman collection valued at $7,450.  Over $13,500 was raised at the event for Gene Spotlight, whose charity “Celebrity Ambassadors” include 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Kerri Strug, NBA star Etan Thomas, and MLB star Mark DeRosa of the SF Giants.

Last Friday, LeBron James casually dined with a group of eight friends and family at STK Miami Beach.   Over at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar award-winning Latin artist Luis Miguel enjoyed a friend’s birthday dinner in the newly decorated private Wine Cellar. The party of six complimented Shareef Malnik on the renovations and wished him a successful upcoming season in Miami Beach.  Miguel was also overheard speaking about his upcoming tour and latest album release.   Luis Miguel was also spotted over the weekend leaving Prime 112 with former girlfriend Daisy Fuentes.

 Last Saturday, Tara Reid was seen at the Rooftop at Gansevoort Miami Beach.  According to our source, the subdued starlet kept to herself amongst the chaos of the VIP area.   Ruff Ryder’s first lady and musical icon, Eve, performed live at Cameo that same evening. The crowd toasted the   performer as she sang her hits Tambourine, Who’s That Girl, and Let Me Blow Your Mind.  Local VIPS such as Chris Jones and Opium Group’s Roman Jones were amongst the crowd enjoying the live concert .  Multiple bottles of Veuve Cliquot  were sent out to the crowd in her honor.

Eve then headed over to the Ice Palace where Hennessy Artistry 2010 hosted a concert with co-curators The Roots and Q-Tip lining up a series of acts.   Special guests Daniel Merriweather, Kat DeLuna, DJ Irie and DJ D-Nice joined The Roots and Q-Tip onstage for a blend of eclectic, unforgettable musical performances.  And just when attendees thought the night was winding down, Eve took the stage along with Bobby Brown as part of this elite five-city hip-hop history tour.

 Other sightings around town: Dolphins football great,  Dan Marino dined  with friends at Stephen Starr’s STEAK 954 at W Fort Lauderdale.  Orlando Magic basketball player JJ Redick enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar in West Palm Beach.

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Miami definitely had a presence during NYC fashion week this season.  South Beach-based fashion show producers and owners of Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami,(which is scheduled for the week of October 20) Sale Stojanovic and Matt Heien, collaborated to produce and publicize over 13 runway shows in the Big Apple.  From PetitePARADE, the first ever Kids Fashion Week in the USA (www.kidsfashionweek.com) , to Style 360 and the Elle magazine show, to Rajvi Mohan, one of the few men’s shows this season.  The New Delhi designer made quite the splash with her new Men’s Spring Summer 2011 collection presented by New Era. As you may have guessed, (and can see in the photos) it was hard to concentrate on the show or clothes, with all of the gorgeous male models on the runway.