By: Maryanne Salvat

maryannesalvat@aol.com 

Peter of London Celebrates 40 years of Beautiful Styling

May marks the 40^th anniversary of local South Florida beauty icon, Peter of London. The salon has been running successfully for decades. As part of this year’s anniversary celebration, Peter of London has organized a “40 Years of Beauty” event on Thursday, May 22, for their most valued customers and friends. A night dedicated to beauty and fashion. During the event, attendees will enjoy a Royal Fashion Show showcasing the evolution of fashion over the past four decades. Peter of London’s stylists will select a model and give them a complete transformation featuring the look of a particular era. Guests will also enjoy live music and exciting prizes; For more information visit: http://www.peteroflondon.com.

Fried & True at PAMM

On Tuesday, May 27, join PAMM for an exclusive dinner event on the waterfront terrace celebrating “Fried & True“, a new culinary adventure from Lee Brian Schrager with Adeena Sussman, featuring a foreword by Whoopi Goldberg with more than 50 recipes for America’s best fried chicken and sides.Preview recipes, showcased by Stephen STARR Events from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. On-site parking as available ($2/hour) / Metromover: Museum Park station / pamm.org/parking; members $175, non-members: $200 per ticket – includes tax & gratuity. Price includes dinner, sangria, live music and a signed copy of “Fried & True”Space is limited, reservations required events@pamm.org or call 305.375.1704.

The Restaurant at the Setai with Veuve Clicquot Champagne

The Restaurant at the Setai presents an exclusive dining experience with a four-course gourmet menu designed by Executive Chef Mathias Gervais with Veuve Clicquot Champagne pairings, hand-chosen by Chef Sommelier Dwayne Savoie. The special evening will be honoring top vintages of Veuve Clicquot Champagnes. This prestigious Champagne house, founded in 1772, is a leading innovator in the industry and continues its time-honored tradition of making “only one quality, the finest.” THE RESTAURANT – Thursday, May 29, Reception 7:30 p.m.; Dinner begins at 8:00 p.m. priced at $150 per person. Seating is limited. Reserve your wine dinner experience today by contacting 305.520.6400 or dining@thesetaihotel.com.

Summer Savings Pass: Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Discovery and Science, Zoo Miami

Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Discovery and Science and Zoo Miami will be offering a ‘Summer Savings Pass’ for the sixth year in a row.  The Summer Savings Pass will give buyers unlimited admission to all four attractions throughout the summer!   4 attractions…4 months of fun…1 low price.The Summer Savings Pass will be available for purchase at each of the participating parks beginning on May 19, and will be valid for admission to each of the attractions until September 30, 2014. Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, and Zoo Miami will also have the passes for sale online at their respective websites www.LionCountrySafari.com, www.miamiseaquarium.com and www.zoomiami.org. Museum of Discovery and Science will have the passes available by phone at 954.713.0930. At $56 plus tax, per adult and $46 plus tax, per child (ages 3-12), this pass grants unlimited admission through September 30, at Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Discovery and Science and Zoo Miami. Annual Pass holders of these attractions will be eligible to purchase this pass for only $31 plus tax, per adult, and $21 plus tax, per child. For more information on the Summer Savings Pass visit www.summersavingspass.com.

EVITA at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America are pleased to present the national tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s passionate and elegant masterpiece EVITA. The Tony Award-winning musical will play at the Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House for a limited engagement from May 27 – June 1. EVITA closes the Broadway in Miami 2013-2014 subscription season presented by Bank of America. Tickets for EVITA are on sale now and start at $26.00*. For tickets, visit www.arshtcenter.org or call the Box Office at 305.949.6722. Groups of 10 or more should call 786.468.2326. 

By: Maryanne Salvat

Larios on the Beach Unveiling 

Larios on the Beach has been known as Miami Beach’s go-to destination for authentic, award-winning Cuban cuisine, world famous mojitos and a stunning view of South Beach’s Ocean Drive. Having undergone a complete renovation to its interiors, Larios on the Beach will to re-open to the public this Friday, May 16. In collaboration with the restaurant’s Executive Chef, Odell Torres, the Estefans have created a tempting new menu featuring traditional favorites as well as Cuban-inspired specialties including a “Calorie Conscious Cuban” – a selection of delicious, guilt-free Cuban staples created by Gloria herself; Valet parking available. For reservations or more information call 305.532.9577 or go to www.lariosonthebeach.com.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 12th Annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala  

On May 17, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® will celebrate its 12^th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars gala, co-founded by Daisy Fuentes at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. The Angels & Stars Gala sheds light on how the hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases; creating a positive environment for families to care for their children without financial burden. The dinner program will include a cocktail hour, fine dining, a silent auction and live performances by recording artists Willy Chirino and Jencarlos Canela. Also attending the star-studded event, which celebrates diversity, will be well-known presenters for their broadcast work in television and radio, including: Ana Maria Canseco, Raul Gonzalez, Alberto Sardiñas, Pamela Silva Conde, Jon Secada, Charytin Goyco, among others; For more information about tickets, sponsorships and auction items, visit stjude.org/miamigala or contact Carolina Masri at (800) 278-3383 or carolina.masri@stjude.org.  

Booze, Brunch & Boobs

Giorgio Rapicavoli of Eating House/Taperia Raca, Alberto Cabrera of Bread + Butter |pan con mantequilla and Jose Mendin of The Pubbelly Group – are joining forces with FMCancer, a public charity organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to young adults fighting cancer, to host a special charitable brunch on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at PB Steak in Sunset Harbour on South Beach. Dubbed Booze, Brunch & Boobs, Saturday’s event will directly benefit local Hilarey Reader Duarte, this quarter’s FMCancer beneficiary, who was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer last October, just five weeks before her wedding. Reservations are required, as there are only two seatings – noon and 2:30 p.m. With spirits high, Reader Duarte and fellow brunchers lucky enough to snag a seat will feast on a six-course family-style tasting menu, created by all three cutting-edge chefs. The boozy brunch is priced at $50 per person, with the option of $20 Bottomless Zonin Prosecco Mimosas or $28 Bottomless Bloody Mary’s, Zonin Prosecco Mimosas, Sangria, & Micheladas.
PB Steak, located at 1787 Purdy Avenue in the Sunset Harbour area of Miami Beach, serves dinner seven days a week from 6 p.m. – midnight; lunch, via the Taco Belly pop-up Monday – Friday, from noon to 3 p.m., and Brunch Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Reservations are accepted and can be made through www.pbsteak.com or The Food Network’s cityeats.com; Valet and plenty of municipal parking available. Telephone: 305 695 9550. www.pbsteak.com. 

Miami PULSE

On Saturday, May 17 at 10:30 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s newest group of elite, young professionals are celebrating the culmination of their annual campaign with the Miami PULSE Party – a benefit of the American Heart Association.  Miami PULSE is chaired for the second consecutive year by Danny Mendoza and Evelyn Torres. Guests will enjoy unlimited drinks and cocktails provided by the official Liquor Sponsor, Southern Wine and Spirits, and indulge in catered bites and live entertainment for only 65.00, brought to you by Anthony Dardano (aka DJ ShobuPrime).  To purchase tickets, please visit:www.miamiheartball.ahaevents.org and click on the PULSE tab.   For more information, please call: 954.364.5015.

Jazz Brunch Gala Benefitting the Footprints Foundation

Celebrated mystery novelist and longtime Miami Judge Barbara Levenson has been named among the featured authors for this year’s literary gala benefiting the Footprints Foundation. Levenson, along with New York Times best-selling author Patricia Schultz (1000 Places to See Before Your Die), Betsy Chasse (Tipping Sacred Cows), Victoria Moran (Main Street Vegan), and Elsie Augustave (The Roving Tree) will appear at the Footprints Foundation Jazz Brunch on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove. The Jazz Brunch Gala, which will feature an elegant brunch and music by the Les Haber Quintet, benefits the Footprints Foundation, an organization founded to reduce the mortality rates of mothers and infants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, and Somaliland. Founded by Lorna Owens, a renowned nurse, mid-wife, life coach and attorney, The Footprints Foundation works to train skilled midwives and traditional birth attendants in the essentials of maternal and newborn care. Tickets for the Jazz Brunch Literary Gala are $130 per person in advance of the event, or $190 per person at the door. For more information, visit www.footprints-foundation.org.

Chef’s Round Table  

In true royal form, Mango king and Taste of the Nation South Florida event chairman, Allen Susser, has selected some of South Florida’s most talented chefs and honored them with a metaphorical seat at this year’s Chef’s Roundtable. This elite group of culinarians is responsible for selecting over 50 of the city’s most prolific restaurants, chefs, sommeliers and mixologists to participate in this year’s Taste of the Nation South Florida and to celebrate this year’s amazing lineup and most anticipated gastronomic event, the Chef’s Roundtable will be hosting a pre-event party at Tongue & Cheek restaurant on Miami Beach on Monday, May 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The night will feature comfort dishes reminiscent of each of the chefs’ childhood. Members of the Chef’s Roundtable include: Timon Balloo of Bocce Bar and SUGARCANE raw bar grill and Taste of the Nation’s restaurant chair; Todd Erickson of HaVen and Huahua’s Taqueria; Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek; Jessica Rothschild of Rock Star Pastries; Bret Pelaggi of Uvaggio; Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean and Frederick Delaire of Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Cocktails provided by Tito’s Vodka. Tickets for the pre-event are priced at $100 per person; $25 only when purchased with a Taste of the Nation VIP ticket ($250). One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength; Valet and street parking available. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance via .

By: Maryanne Salvat 

One Split Second Benefitting the Christopher Reeve Foundation 

The second annual One Split Second fundraiser benefitting the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 10 at the Gibson Guitar and Art Showroom.  Join Alan Roth and Alan Brown for an exclusive event including an acoustic set by Matisyahu, full bar, food, and art for sale from 7:00 to 11:00p.m. For more information, visit:  www.christopherreeve.org/onesecond; Event tickets are $100. 

Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce 92^nd Annual Dinner Gala

The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce will honor four pillars of the community while celebrating another year as an organization at its 92^nd Annual Dinner Gala and Silent Auction hosted by media personality Ana Quincoces and Chamber Chairman and SVP of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Michael S. Goldberg.  The honorees include: Dr. Mark Rosenberg, President of Florida International University, as the Lifetime Achievement honoree; David Wallack, Owner of Mango’s Tropical Café, as the Excellence in Tourism honoree; Jimmy Morales, City Manager of the City of Miami Beach, as the City National Bank Hi-Tides Outstanding Achievement Honoree; and Adolfo Henriques, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, as the Distinguished Service honoree. For more information on the Gala contact Danny Diaz at 305.674.1300. To purchase tickets and/or inquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Valerie Roy at 786.683.6397.

13th Annual Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk 

This year’s Lou Gehrig’s Disease 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 a.m. in Coconut Grove, at 3500 Pan American Drive. The cost to participate starts at $30 and varies depending on participants’ ages and desired activities.  Race proceeds go towards assisting patients living with ALS to obtain the proper care and equipment. For more information, visit:  http://www.alsrecovery.org. 

Flo Rida at the Fontainebleau  

Kick-off Mother’s Day weekend with hip hop artist Flo Rida on Friday, May 9, as part of the fontainebleau Hotel’s BleauLive entertainment series. Flo will perform his popular hits “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “Right Round,” and “Wild Ones,” as well as his latest single “How I Feel.” Following the artist’s performance in his namesake state, guests can enjoy the rest of their weekend throughout the hotel. “BleauLive moves beyond a traditional concert by crafting a immersive weekend where, in addition to watching Flo Rida perform, guests may enjoy a number of delightful moments, including two hour open bar and dinner at one of Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants.” Fontainebleau BleauLive Flo Rida packages may be purchased online at BleauLive.com or call 1 800.548.8886. 

Get your Coffee Fix at Dadeland  

From now through May 18, head to Dadeland mall to get a complimentary cup of Nespresso’s signature coffee while trying out the new state-of-the-art VertuoLine machine-which doles out the delicious creamy Nespresso coffee in a tall (8oz) cup serving. The pop-up coffee shop is part of a 108 day, multi- city tour.  For more information, visit: http://www.nespresso-us.com/events.

Annual Kentucky Derby Party at BOURBON Steak

Triple Russians at MISO

An Arthur Rubinstein prize-winner from The Julliard School with a knack for “making the piano sing with beautiful clarity and expression,” Konstantin Soukhovetski rejoins Conductor Eduardo Marturet and The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) in “Triple Russians” on May 4, at 8:00 p.m. in the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall. Soukhovetski has been rapidly earning a reputation as a “young pianist who captivates” with his “distinctive lyricism and immaculate technique,” and last performed alongside MISO during the 2012- 2013 “Grand Season Opening,” where he had “little difficulty with the [Rachmaninov Third] concerto’s rapid, fistful of notes.”1 Soukhovetski will perform Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 2 in C minor this coming weekend, an imaginative work ecstatically received at its World Premiere in 1901 and still a heroic staple of the modern-day concerto repertoire.Tickets available by calling (305) 275-5666, or by visiting themiso.org.

HCOA Fitness For Women Energy Challenge

Enjoy Sushi with a Peruvian & Caribbean Flair at Ikura Sushi Lounge

Ikura Sushi Lounge a new fusion restaurant, located in the middle of restaurant row in Coral Gables will open its doors on Wednesday, April 30. The new innovative sushi restaurant taps into flavors inspired by the Caribbean and Peru. Ikura allows for an escape from your everyday sushi joint, giving dishes a special twist with mouthwatering ingredients. Guest will experience a culinary adventure starting with their best selling appetizer, The Kanikama Crunch appetizer; which fuses Kani salas, tobiko and crunchy flakes for a mouth-watering dish. Staying true to their cuisine guest can also enjoy, the Uramaki Mango a local favorite, made with salmon, shrimp, avocado, cilantro, tobiko mix, glazed mangos and ahi armadillo sauce. 

By: Maryanne Salvat

Locust Projects Celebrates 2014 Spring Fling: La Dolce Vita

Locust Projects will celebrate the good life at its 2014 Spring Fling: La Dolce Vita, on April 26 at the critically acclaimed Herzog & De Meuron designed 1111 Building on Lincoln Road. Locust Projects’ Spring Fling brings art lovers together for a unique evening featuring art, delicious food, drinks, music – and Locust Projects’ first-ever silent auction of fine wines, led by Eric Larkee, Wine Director of the Genuine Hospitality Group. As a hallmark that makes Locust Projects stand out from other art venues, Locust Projects embraces cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative installations. “We are celebrating more than 15 years of providing local, national and internationally based contemporary visual artists the freedom to experiment with new ideas and methods without the limitations of conventional exhibition spaces. Community support has always been vital to Locust Projects’ success and the Spring Fling is one of Locust Projects’ most important sources of revenue for the year” says Locust Projects Executive Director, Chana Sheldon. The proceeds from this event provide essential funding for exhibitions and programming; for more information visit:www.locustprojects.org.

Community Schools of Miami Gala Among the Stars 

Community Schools of Miami’s largest fundraiser is their annual gala, and this year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 26 at the EPIC Hotel with a black-tie affair to remember, commemorating CIS of Miami’s silver anniversary and 25years of service in Miami-Dade. The theme of the gala is “an evening among the stars”, which pays tribute to the CIS of Miami students (stars) who have successfully graduated high school since the organization’s inception.  For the past 25 years, Communities In Schools of Miami (CIS of Miami) has been a driving force in collaborating with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to improve educational outcomes by providing free programs and tools to keep students in class and on track toward graduation. Tickets for the annual philanthropic event are $200 each, and all proceeds directly benefit CIS of Miami. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cismiami.org or by calling 305.252.5444.   

La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The Polo Life, LLC presents the tenth annual La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious Beach Polo competition, taking place from April 24 to April 27, between 20th and 22nd streets on the sands of South Beach, Florida, with the support of The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. This year marks the tournament’s coveted Ten Year Anniversary for the production of the sport’s premium event by The Polo Life, based in South Florida. General Admission and VIP tickets are now on sale at www.miamipolo.com with a dedicated Miami Beach Polo World Cup Travel Package available at the newly opened Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach – one of the tournament’s Official hotel partners.

ParkJockey at the Wynwood Life Festival

Miami’s newest parking app is teaming up with Wynwood Life Festival from April 25 through April 27, to make finding a parking spot at the festival a breeze. ParkJockey, available on the App store, GooglePlay, and the web, is offering advance booking on parking at a discount. The first 50 users to book their parking with ParkJockey will get a free 2-day ticket to the event. ParkJockey will also have a tent at the event, complete with cell phone charging station where users will be able to juice up their phones after all the mural selfies, get free goodies, and learn more about the parking app’s city-wide capabilities.  

By: Maryanne Salvat 

108-Day Nespresso VertuoLine^TM Pop-Up U.S. Tour   

Nespresso has launched the newest addition to their brewing family the VertuoLine^TM system! It is first Nespresso machine that brews both American style large-cup coffee and authentic espresso; Nespresso has created the ultimate tasting experience during the 108-Day Nespresso VertuoLine^TM Pop-Up Tour nationwide. Five simultaneous teams will travel the country to 17 different cities where coffee lovers will have a chance to visit this unique installation. Nespresso experts will be on hand for one-on-one demonstrations of the new system and provide assistance with personalized, complimentary tastings. For more information about Nespresso or to see a schedule of Pop-Up demonstrations visit: www.nespresso-us.com/events. 

Miracle Makers Luncheon and Fashion Show 

Miami’s top philanthropists will be honored at the “Miracle Makers Luncheon and Fashion Show” hosted by the Women’s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, along with this year’s co-chairs Irene Korge, Aislynn McDonald, Bronwyn Miller, and Migna Sanchez-Llorens.  The 14^th annual Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Jennifer Valoppi, multi-Emmy Award winning TV journalist, award winning author, and social entrepreneur, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.  The exclusive event will include a cocktail reception, a luxurious silent auction and luncheon, followed by a spectacular fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus.  Guests will have the opportunity to “meet a match” and experience the life changing impact of mentoring. Individual tickets start at $175 and seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets in advance for the opportunity to win a raffle item, including an amethyst and baroque pearl necklace with 22k yellow gold dipped oval Bali bead, a St. John VIP Shopping experience including a $500 gift card and private champagne reception, brunch for four at the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne, and an 18k gold ring in precious yellow, green, and blue sapphires by Concita Lach. For reservations contact Shaunte Young, syoung@bbbsmiami.org or Laura Siegel, lsiegel@bbbsmiami.org;
For further information, visit www.wementor.org.

Blues & Brunch Hosted by MISO 

The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO), together with Conductor Eduardo Marturet and its Board of Directors, present a “Blues & Brunch” performance at Juvia Restaurant in the stunning 1111 building on Lincoln Road on Sunday, April 26. Sponsored by Modern Luxury Miami, and organized by Co-Chairs Criselda Breene, Sam Robin & Iran Issa- Khan, with help from the Host Committee listed below, this unique fundraiser takes place in the beautiful ambiance of an award-winning (2013 James Beard Award Winner in restaurant design) South Beach landmark.   The performance by MISO’s professional world-class musicians begins at 11:00 a.m., and consists of jazz and blues music mixed with familiar classical repertoire to create a fun and soulful event for all ages to enjoy. Big hats, bow ties and your favorite fashionable accessories are highly encouraged.  For ticket and table inquiries, contact 305. 275.5666 or visit themiso.org/bluesbrunchtickets.