Vizcaya Museum and Gardens will kick off its 100-year anniversary at its annual gala, which is the official Centennial Gala in 2016. This event will support fundraising for the iconic 1900s home of James Deering and ignite a year of Centennial activities.          

• Night lights on parade: Invitees will enjoy the Processional Arts Presentation of Illuminated Lanterns, an immersive performance meandering throughout the main house and gardens at 8 p.m.
• Sweet Sounds: Music by the Frost School of Music, including the Henry Mancini Institute, the Frost Studio Band and the departments of Vocal and Instrumental Performance.
• Additional photo opportunities with Miami leaders and event chairs Barbara Hevia, Cathy L. Jones and Christina Martin. Official Proclamation on display from Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

WHY:

• The Centennial celebration marks a new era for Vizcaya, as it embarks on a master plan to make it more accessible and enjoyable for the entire community. Plans for the Vizcaya Village will provide new ways to experience the celebrated Miami icon, by restoring several historic buildings that were once part of the original property and creating more open space to accommodate additional inventive exhibitions and community outreach programs.
• Proceeds benefit the protection and preservation of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

WHEN:           Saturday, November 19, 2016

WHERE:         Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

ABOUT VIZCAYA:

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the Miami estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering to engage our community and its visitors in learning through the arts, history and the environment. Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in United States history, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs built lavish estates inspired by the stately homes of Europe.

Vizcaya features a Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, the Vizcaya Café and Shop presented by A Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events, and a historic village that will be restored for additional venues for programs and community outreach. Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, between Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, Vizcaya is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org, connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or call 305-250-9133.

 Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is pleased to announce its 20^th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala at Ice Palace Studios in Wynwood on Friday, November 18. 

The 20^th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala is a spectacular event with hundreds of prominent locals and international guests gathering to celebrate Best Buddies’ mission. This year’s Best Buddies Miami Gala theme is Rock Legends! Time and time again, rock legends have proven themselves as agents of social change, much like Best Buddies.

As a result of phenomenal support from generous sponsors and donors, Best Buddies is able to extend its reach globally, and will continue to develop its presence through our eight formal programs— Best Buddies Ambassadors, Citizens, Colleges, e-Buddies®, High Schools, Jobs, Middle Schools and Promoters—across the United States and in over 50 countries. This support will allow Best Buddies to impact the lives of individuals as diverse as the many different genres of music. During the Gala, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner, partake in a top-notch auction and witness dazzling entertainment. Proceeds from the Gala will enable Best Buddies to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a global scale.

This Thanksgiving weekend, count El Churrasco, Paris 6 and Seaspice among your blessings as each venue takes cooking off your hands with their holiday offerings. Guests will have the opportunity to choose between traditional options, like turkey for the whole family, or modern indulgences with a Chef’s Choice and a pre-fixe Thanksgiving Specials menu.

El Churrasco – Takeout

For those wanting to celebrate at home, El Churrasco is offering families pickup options of three different turkey specials*:

• Parties of 1 or two can order the boneless stuffed turkey dish for $25 per person
• Small families can order a small turkey already cooked, stuffed and seasoned to perfection for $125. This turkey feeds up to 7 people.
• For $230, guests can buy a large turkey, which feeds up to 15 people.

* All options come with sides of cranberries and potato puree

If ordering the small or large turkey, guests will need to call in advance to ensure proper preparation and cooking on time. Additional sides and desserts are also available for an additional fee. A 25% off discount on a bottle of their signature wine will be offered for those ordering the small and large turkey.

Paris 6 – Onsite Dining

Celebrating its first Thanksgiving, the 24-hour French Bistro is launching their highly acclaimed signature dishes not yet debuted at Paris 6 Miami, including the Gnocchi de Brie et Crevettes a “Bruno Gissoni.” The restaurant’s beautiful décor with all the French trimmings and cozy ambiance make it the perfect “getaway” spot for those wishing to celebrate with friends and/or family in a not-so-Miami setting.

Seaspice – Special Choices

The Miami River hotspot offers dinners indulgent thanksgiving-inspired options like Autumn Soup, Turkey Roulade and Molten Dulce de Leche Cake, to name a few. Those wishing for additional options will have the opportunity to order from Seaspice’s A La Carte menu.

Full menu here:

Following the success of the first MISOCHIC from last year, dedicated to music and fashion, this season, The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) under the baton of Maestro Eduardo Marturet, committed to diversity and cultural enrichment of the community, will bring back the most acclaimed concert of the year, a show where visual arts and live music are combined on stage. A visual feast with large video screens showing painting, sculpture, urban street art, live performances and over eighty musicians on stage with classical pieces such as Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Strauss and the World Premiere of “Light” by composer Karen LeFrak inspired on the work of Sandra Muss and “Pictures for an Exhibition” composed by Eduardo Marturet and curated by Kathryn Mikesell. “Music and color will be combined as paint for the soul” Marturet said.MISOCHIC, will present works from the most important art collectors of South Florida making this mega spectacle  an appetizer for Art Basel. This year, MISOCHIC will benefit No More Tears Foundation, organization with a mission to assist and empower victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, Voices For Children Foundation which provides lifesavings and life-changing relief to children in need and The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO). MISOCHIC is an Immersive Experience with Music, Fashion & Arts, created by Fernando Duprat & Eduardo Marturet.

Date: November 20th, 2016

28^th Annual Festival of Chefs

South Florida’s top culinary talent will serve their most delectable culinary creations at the 28th Annual Festival of Chefs. This mouth-watering event will take place on Wednesday, November 9th 2016 from 6:30PM – 10:00PM at the world-famous Nikki Beach, located at 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach Fl.  Proceeds from the Festival of Chefs will benefit the Easter Seals South Florida’s Culinary Arts High School, a vocational training program for students ages 16 through 22 with autism and other disabilities. For Tickets go towww.FestivalOfChefs.com.

LUCKYRICE Grand Fest

Top Chef champion and James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Qui from Miami’s newest ‘Pao by Paul Qui’ at the Faena (Qui’s first restaurant outside of Austin, TX) will host the 7^th Annual LUCKYRICE Grand Feast presented by Bombay Sapphire EAST Gin. Chef Qui will share exclusive Filipino and Spanish-inspired dishes at the Asian-meets-Latino celebration taking place on Friday November 11, from 7:30PM – 11:00PM at The Raleigh Hotel Pool & Oasis. General Admission: $88 VIP: $150 | www.luckyrice.com.

22^nd Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball Featuring John Legend

Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami are proud to announce that GRAMMY® Award-winning entertainer and renowned R&B star John Legend will headline the 22nd Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Also performing will be Alisan Porter, winner of NBC’s “The Voice.” Actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar will return as celebrity emcee of The Ball, which is chaired by philanthropist Shareef Malnik. The theme of this year’s ball is “La Nuit de l’Animal: A Fairy Tale,” inspired by enchantment, majestic animals and fantasy.

The evening will commence with a lavish cocktail reception where guests will enjoy specialty cocktails and gourmet food stations while bidding at the Ball’s silent auction – known as one of the most extravagant at any gala in South Florida, teeming with coveted items and experiences donated by top hospitality, entertainment, fashion and luxury brands.

The official after-party, the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub presented by E11EVEN MIAMI, Downtown Miami’s 24/7 ultraclub will be held immediately following the Ball at the InterContinental® Miami featuring DJ Jermaine Dupri, along with a runway fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour. Tickets for the Nightclub are $100 in advance and $120 at the door, but for those already attending the Ball prior, there is no charge. There will be a complimentary open bar and elegant evening attire is required. Tickets for the Nightclub may be purchased at: https://goo.gl/blfSLl.

Bal Harbour Shops Collectors Weekend

Bal Harbour Shops are proud to announce the inaugural “Collectors Weekend,” to take place in the Shops from November 3–6, 2016. The Collectors Weekend showcases mechanical watches and luxury automobiles, both vintage and new, collectibles that go hand-in-hand, and the Shops celebrates these with a series of special events, presentations, in-store animations and much more.  To celebrate, The St. Regis Bal Harbour is offering an exclusive weekend package for guests to experience The Collectors Weekend at Bal Harbour Shops. The package includes:

• Daily Breakfast
• Exclusive access to VIP welcome reception at Bal Harbour Shops on Thursday, November 3 from 6:00 to 8:00pm
• Access to Industry Expert Panel Discussions with both watch and car experts.

For more information on the exciting weekend,  visit ttp://www.stregisbalharbour.com/collectorsweekend. Guests can reserve online or call 866-716-8116 and ask for rate plan SPG35B.

The Monster Ball at Ball & Chain

On Friday, October 28, Ball & Chain is thrilled to present ‘The Monster Ball,’ an in-house production starring the Ball & Chain dancers lead by Rene Rodriguez which will bring to life classic Halloween characters kicking off on the main bar at 8:00 pm, followed by a dance production on the pineapple stage at 9:00 pm.  Following this main event, guests can also enjoy a live performance by the Spam Allstars followed by a set with DJ Kenyi Succar.  (21 and over to attend, this event is open to the public, no cover).  Ball & Chain is located at 1513 SW 8^th Street, Little Havana, FL 33135 www.ballandchainmiami.com.

Miami Children’s Health Foundation 10^th Anniversary Diamond Ball

Miami Children’s Health Foundation will celebrate the 10th Anniversary Diamond Ball benefiting the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital on Saturday, October 29, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Ranked among the top fundraisers in Florida and one the most anticipated charity events of the season, the gala will serve as backdrop for the induction of world-renowned singer and composer Jose Feliciano into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame. Miami native and co-host of “The Insider” on CBS, Louis Aguirre will serve as Master of Ceremonies, and will include a live performance by Jose Feliciano.

Nightmare on the Beach

The Little Lighthouse Foundation hosts its 7th Annual Nightmare on the Beach extravaganza – voted #1 Halloween party year after year, on the sands of South Beach on Saturday, October 29.  Located in Lummus Park, the bash is sure to be the hottest event of the Halloween weekend with will themed pavilions, performers and a special tribute to LUCHA LIBRE. During the day, LLHF will host its second annual Halloween Parade for kids. The event is free and includes trick-or-treating and other fun activities.

WHEN:
Saturday, October 29th
Children’s Halloween Parade: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Nightmare on the Beach: 9 pm – 2 am

WHERE:
Lummus Park
9th Street & Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Rock My Boat: Halloween Edition

On Sunday, October 30^th starting at 5:00 pm and going until late at River Yacht Club, wear your Halloween costume and dance the night away to beats by DJ Alex Orue, host of Revolution Radio Miami’s “Detox” show and enjoy a menu programmed by the new Michelin-starred chef Giacomo Pettinari. There will be a selection of exciting, live performances taking place throughout the evening including fire performers, dancers, a violinist and saxophone player and more. This event is open to the public and there is no cover charge.

Sergio’s at the American Airlines Arena

Since 1975, Sergio’s has served up the most authentic Cuban cuisine in Miami. CEO Carlos Gazitua has worked hard to evolve and expand, making Sergio’s the first national Cuban restaurant franchise in the United States. Their most recent specialty is their new night menu, centered on tapas and tablas. Made for sharing, this menu promotes sharing with la familia – creating memories and laughs together. Whether you order tabla espanola, croqueta pizza, mini Cuban tacos, or chispa fries – you will know Sergio’s has hit a home run with this unique concept.Sergio’s continues to expand with its recent opening of Sergio’s in AmericanAirlines Arena. Sergio’s Fast-Casual concept has taken over the Latin Flavor Zone at the home of Miami Heat.