Rita Moreno and Rosie Perez

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

On Saturday, January 11, the National YoungArts Foundation culminated its 33rd annual YoungArts Week with a bash in its gorgeous, shiny-new campus. The Backyard Ball, featured a Gala and special alumni performances that brought together more than 800 notable guests to celebrate the artistic excellence of the 2014 YoungArts finalists for the first time at the beautiful former site of the historic Bacardi Tower and Museum buildings. The evening raised over $1.5 million to be used directly to support YoungArts, whose mission is to support the development of talented young artists in the literary, performing, visual, and design arts. 

The Gala and performance portions of the evening, were set in an elegant outdoor tent, where guests enjoyed cocktails courtesy of Bacardi, dinner, and a powerful alumni performance directed by renowned dancer, choreographer, and YoungArts Artistic Advisor, Bill T. Jones, who also made an impromptu appearance on stage, bouncing between dancers to cheer them on.  Tony Award® winner Brian Stokes Mitchell emceed the evening that also included speeches from YoungArts Artistic Advisor, Frank Gehry and actress, Rosie Perez, who presented award-winning, world renowned, architect Zaha Hadid and Academy Award winning singer, dancer and actress Rita Moreno, with the YoungArts Arison Awards for their influence on the development of young artists. YoungArts alumnus Andrew Rannells, who currently appears on the HBO series, Girls, received the Alumni Award.  Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Capponi, Amber Arbucci, & Moses Bensusan

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Hollywood descended upon Miami in more ways than one on “New Year’s Eve week” on South Beach, a place where one night just isn’t enough to bid adieu to a stellar year and usher in a new one. Aside from the numerous celebrity sightings outlined in our Celebrity Sightings section, Supermodel Amber Arbucci joined longtime friend and South Beach philanthropist, nightlife impresario and construction mogul/developer (our Swiss Army Knife of friends) Michael Capponi, and developer Moses Bensusan, to throw one of the best parties of the season on Saturday, December 28, at the Soho Beach House.  The debut party for the Costa Hollywood condo resort, was aptly dubbed Hollywood Meets Hollywood, and celebrated the addition of Capponi to the development team at Costa Hollywood and served as a formal introduction to SoBe’s fast-growing sister to the north, Hollywood Beach Village, an up-and-coming beachfront haven.  Read the rest of this entry »

On the eve of New Year’s Eve, Beyoncé, Jay Z , Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan dined at Seasalt and Pepper on the Miami River. Chef Alfredo Alvarez sent over pappardelle, lobster risotto and seafood casserole at the couple’s request thereby ending their 22 day vegan challenge. 

The same night, French chef, restaurateur and TV personality Eric Ripert was seen at The Raleigh dining at Restaurant Michael Schwartz. 

Ryan Phillippe and girlfriend Paulina Slagter rang in the New year at Wall nightclub at the W hotel. The pair was seen kissing and cuddling before the countdown. 

Belvedere Vodka celebrated New Year’s Eve in Miami at SLS Hotel South Beach with Robin Thicke and musician Skylar Grey. According to our source, “The dapper Mr. Thicke arrived solo dressed in a festive black suit rocking sunglasses. Wife Paula Patton was noticeably absent on the carpet and throughout the performance although she was seen around the hotel and spotted having a private pre-event dinner with her hubby.  Guests rang in the new year with the Gatsby themed party complete with Thicke’s live performances including hits Blurred Lines and his rendition of Give it 2 U.” The event also marked the launch of Belvedere Vodka’s Silver Saber, the first laser cut bottle with light-up LED technology. 

On New Year’s Day, Beyoncé, Jay Z and Kelly Rowland went for a post NYE brunch at Cecconi’s. They ordered a la carte and had calamari, octopus, truffle pizza and truffle pasta. The rest of their crew enjoyed the New Year’s feast. 

That night, Ryan Phillipe took Paulina Slagter to Seasalt and Pepper for dinner. Again Chef  Alvarez was more than happy to send over dishes for the couple, who was also seen at the SLS. 

photo credit:Twitter

English glamour model, Maria Fowler dined at Villa Azur on Thursday, January 2 with friends. She is best known for her TV show The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) the award-winning reality TV show based in England.  Fowler was with 13 friends at one large table in the center of the garden and wore a beautiful orange bandeau dress. She seemed very happy and danced around the table with friends after dinner. 

Actress Katie Holmes dined at Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach with a lady friend last Thursday.   

Bob Sinclar was spotted dining at Seasalt and Pepper on Saturday before spinning at Wall. 

This past Tuesday evening Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland surprised fans at Sing Sing Miami joining in on some Karaoke fun.  

By: Maryanne Salvat

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com 

Benihana Passport Challenge 

Join Benihana for their yearlong Passport Challenge promotion celebrating their 50^th anniversary! Guests who visit the most Benihana locations during the calendar year will be eligible to win a grand prize trip to Tokyo, Japan! Other prizes include a trips to the Benihana location of choice within the United States and over $10,000 in gift cards. Readers can register to participate at www.Benihana.com and earn additional entries by uploading a digital photo taken when they visit any participating restaurant in 2014. 

Whitney Linen Resort Wear Trunk Show 

This weekend Whitney Linen will launch their second exclusive Resort Wear Trunk show. The Mediterranean-inspired pieces will be showcased at Canyon Ranch Miami on Friday and Saturday, January 10 and 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Linen home collection will also be presented alongside the luxurious women and menswear; for more information visit www.whitneylinen.com or contact whitney@whitneylinen.com. 

Dinner in Paradise with Chef Dewey LoSasso 

Chef Dewey LoSasso of Acqualina Resort & Spa’s presents Dinner in Paradise at Paradise Farms (19801 SW 320th St, Homestead) on Sunday, January 12 starting at 5:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit local charity “Learning in Paradise” an outreach program that will host children’s field trips to the farm. Chef LoSasso will be cooking alongside Chef Wolfgang Birk and Chef Nicolas Cabrera. Tickets are $165.50 per person plus tax and processing. To purchase tickets visit:  http://paradisefarms.net/dinner-in-paradise/.

YoungArts Week

Beginning this week through January 12, The National YoungArts Foundation will host YoungArts week. A select group, 171 to be exact, of the most talented blooming artists will participate in the life-altering competition that will award a series of cash prizes ranging up to $10,000; master classes and workshops with internationally renowned artists such as Frank Gehry, Irving Sandler, Rita Moreno, Andrew Rannells, Shelly Berg, Shalita Grant, Lourdes Lopez, and Judith Hill and much more. The YoungArts finalists will have the opportunity to wow audiences with public performances, readings and a visual arts exhibition at venues including the New World Center, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the National YoungArts Foundation Campus. Tickets are available starting at $10 and can be purchased here via the YoungArts website. Ticket Information: gala@youngarts.org or 305.377.1140. Event Website: http://www.youngarts.org/gala.

Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami Host Giant Gourmet Garage Sale 

Mark your calendars, on Saturday, January 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami   (LDEM) will present their annual Giant Gourmet Garage Sale at the Galleria of the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables.  LDEM is  a non-profit organization comprised of female culinary, wine, hospitality and farming professionals dedicated to funding scholarships for young South Florida women, supporting regional agriculture and funding organic school vegetable gardens, nutrition and cooking educational programs for area youth and South Florida’s farm labor force. The event is free and open to the public and proceeds from sales will help underwrite Les Dames projects; for more information, www.lesdamesmiami.org. 

Drink Around The World Festival to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Florida 

On Saturday, January 25, the first annual Drink Around the World Festival fundraising event will celebrate the diverse wines, spirits, and microbrews of the world in the Moore Building in the Miami Design District. Proceeds from the event benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of South Florida, whose mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children in South Florida. The fundraising event will showcase 100+ libations from around the world, all for sampling under one roof. Designed to give every guest a VIP Experience, Drink Around the World event goers will enjoy unlimited samplings of hand-picked wines, vodkas, rums, tequilas, whiskeys, gin, microbrews and more from all corners of the world. For complete listing of participating wines and spirits, visit and like them on Facebook facebook.com/DrinkAroundWorldFest.

To purchase tickets,visit: www.drinkaroundtheworldfestival.com. This event is for patrons 21 and older. 

ASSASSINS

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Zoetic Stage are proud to present the Miami premiere of ASSASSINS, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning revue-style musical based on the men and women who have attempted, successfully or not, to assassinate American presidents. Playing January 30 – February 23, 2014 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), ASSASSINS continues the Arsht Center’s highly acclaimed 2013-2014 Theater Up Close Series which features artistic collaborations from stellar local theater ensembles and nationally acclaimed theater companies.  ASSASSINS is made possible with support from Jerry and Adrianne Cohen.Tickets to ASSASSINS are $45*, and may be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling 305.949.6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.    

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.