On Saturday, March 24, The Blacks’ Annual Gala will be held at the exquisite oceanfront resort the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in the main iconic Sparkle Ballroom. This year’s gala will feature a performance by multi Grammy Award winning artists Queen Latifah and Tony Bennett.

As a guest and donor of the event you can expect top tier entertainment, a celebrity red carpet reception, exciting live and silent auctions, unlimited cocktails and gourmet cuisine. The gala also features an After Dinner Celebration featuring Deborah Cox, top DJ’s including DJ Irie and DJ Entice and surprise performers. Tickets start at $650 for an individual to $25,000 for the Platinum Level front row table. Individual tables of ten are offered this year. Founded by Lea Black, both Lea and her husband, acclaimed attorney Roy Black are committed to making each gala bigger and better than ever each year. The red-carpet cocktail reception starts promptly at 6:30 pm and the gourmet sit down dinner begin at 8:30 pm in the Sparkle ballroom. Dress is red carpet ready. All proceeds from the gala benefit The Consequences Charity and Foundation are 501c3 not-for-profit organizations providing educational resources and experiences for kids in need.

For additional information or to purchase tickets contact Jason Clarke at 305.443.8980 or jason@theblacksannualgala.com. Or visit the website www.theblacksannualgala.com.

Tony Bennett photo credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, March 19, Tony Bennett, the legendary seventeen-time Grammy Award winning artist, will be hosting the “Tony Bennett All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala.” The two-part event will begin with a day-time Round Robin tennis tournament at The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami. The event, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., includes a champagne reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, exhibition matches with the top stars where tennis enthusiasts will get the chance to play with Alejandro Sanz and tennis legends such as Novak Djokovic (#1 in the world), The Bryan Brothers (Twin Professional Tennis Players ranked #1 tennis team in the world), Caroline Wozniacki (#4 in the world), Mardy Fish (#8 in the world & #1 American), Kim Clijsters (US Open Champ), Ana Ivanovic (Former No. 1 in the WTA) and Ryan Harrison (18-Year Old who is considered by many to be the next great American men’s tennis player), Cliff Drysdale (Grand Slam Legend) & Darren Cahill (ESPN Analyst) among many others. Tony Bennett, a lifelong fan of the sport of tennis, will perform “God Bless America” at the tennis tournament. In the evening, Tony Bennett will host a gala at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens where guests will enjoy a seated dinner provided by Cristoforo Pignata (Puntino Italian Restaurants and catering, who is bringing in three of his top chefs from his 5-star hotels in Italy for the event), followed by live performances by Tony Bennett and Alejandro Sanz (multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Award winning artist) who will join Bennett on stage to perform duets from Bennett’s #1 CD, DUETS II. The Bryan Brothers Band will also perform for invited guests, celebrities & professional Tennis players in attendance.The benefit gala event will be honoring Sean Wolfington, the chairman of The Wolfington Charitable Foundation which actively supports charities that serve the poor and defend the defenseless. Tony Bennett’s All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala will benefit Exploring the Arts, Team Bryan and the Greater Miami Tennis Foundation. Tickets are open to the public and can be purchased by going to www.TonyBennettEvent.com.

Food Truck Lunch at Apollo Bank

Join Apollo Bank this Thursday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the best lunch in town! Come mingle at the community bank and enjoy munching on all of the delicious food from some of Miami’s best food trucks. Food trucks include Ms. Cheezious, Gastropod, Sugar Rush, La Camaronera, and Cuban Cube. Free parking available.

**DUE TO THE WICKED WEATHER, FOOD TRUCK LUNCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY, MARCH 15!

The 3rd Annual Hearts and Stars Gala

South Florida’s premiere social and philanthropic events make its return on Saturday, March 10 at the waterfront estate Shangri La on Hibiscus Island. Benefitting the Little Lighthouse Foundation, the anticipated celebration will feature an evening of cocktails, delectable cuisine, fashion, and an incredible silent auction. For more information and to purchase tickets or VIP tables, visit www.heartsandstarsgala.com. Ticket prices are currently $125.00 for general admission and $175 for VIP access. All proceeds from Hearts & Stars Gala benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF). www.thelittlelighthouse.org. For sponsorship information or for additional information, contact Jason Venger at info@thelittlelighthouse.org. 

March’s SAMBAHOUR Dedicated to Japan

SUSHISAMBA dromo continues its popular after-work affair, SAMBAHOUR, by celebrating the diverse cultural background and culinary inspirations of Brazil, Japan and Peru. This month, every Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., SAMBAHOUR will showcase the distinct tastes of Brazil with food and drink specials as well as surprise entertainment from contests, lessons and holiday celebrations to unique, cultural performances. For more information and menu specials visit www.sushisamba.com. 

Blo Hosts an Evening with the Accessory Artists

Join Blo Brickell on Wednesday, March 14, to preview online retailer, Accessory Artists, who will be in-bar with a collection of fashion, fine and vintage jewelry. Marcy Roth, curator of AccessoryArtists.com is bringing fashion favorite labels Kara Ross, Vanessa Mooney, Zariin, Isharya, Rachel Reinhardt, Lee Angel, Deepa Gurnani cuffs, Pame Designs, Kelacala Q and Saily Kay, to name a few.  Jewels will be up to 50% off. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  For more information and to rsvp go to   blobrickell@blomedry.com. 

Dance NOW! Miami

On Saturday, March 17, Dance NOW! Miami returns to the Little Haiti Cultural Center. This stunning and newly renovated historic venue will host a concert for suitable for all ages. Dance NOW! has invited students from the Academy of Arts and Minds Dance Department to join the company presenting work choreographed by Directors Diego Salterini and Hannah Baumgarten. Tickets are priced at $10 at the door or online at www.dancenowmiami.org.

It Girl Expo at SOHO Studios

Lori Riviere and Maria Maloof, the ultimate It Girls and founders of the It Girl Group, bring together South Florida fashion aficionados and stylish senoritas for not one, but two nights of not-to-be missed shopping and fun with the 2012 It Girl Spring Shopping Expo on Wednesday, February 29and Thursday, March 1, at SOHO Studios in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP. A VIP ticket grants early entry into the It Girl Expo as well as goody bag of products to further enhance it girl status. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.itgirlexpo.com.

Iran Issa-Kahn Exhibit at ARTEAMERICAS

On Friday, March 2, join ARTEAMERICAS and Iran Issa-Kahn for a preview party celebrating the famed photographer’s newest exhibit at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Issa-Kahn will signing her book, a long awaited collection of the artists’ photographs, on Saturday March 3, between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule for ARTEAMERICAS 2012, visit www.arteamercas.com.

Poolside Shopping and Deals

GUYandGIRL Boutique presents a pool-side pop up shop located at the Shelborne Hotel and Resort this Saturday, March 3. Guests will enjoy complimentary rose while shopping top brands including J Brand, Tom Ford and GUYandGirl Boutique’s Private Label. The shopping event begins at 11:00 a.m. at Ricky’s Brunch and Day Party.

If you’re headed to Aventura, venture to Desigual, the multicolored clothing line from Barcelona, Spain.  Shoppers will receive a one day only Friends and Family shopping exclusive, 25% off purchase! Enjoy drinks, light bites, and music from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3; join the Desigual fan page on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/Taraink.

DALI Miami

Aficionados of the acclaimed and equally flamboyant surrealist artist Salvador Dali will, for the first time in South Florida, have an extraordinary opportunity to view an extensive collection of work, Wednesday, March 7 through Sunday, March 11 when DALI MIAMI will bring more than 200 works of his expansive artistic repertoire to the Design District’s iconic Moore Building.

DALI MIAMI is being produced by Nick Betancourt and Michael Rosen, president and CEO of Colored Thumb, a driving force behind many of the area’s top art exhibits including Art Basel, Art Expo, and RedDot Fair. Curator of the show is Reed V. Horth President and curator of Robin Rile Fine Art, a specialist in Dali’s prodigious output, who will be providing the original paintings, drawings, lithographs, photographs and marquis sculptures from the master, valued at approximately $8 million. Among these treasures will be Dali’s seminal bronze “Venus de Milo with Drawers” (1964- 114cm), the gouache original “Spring Rain” (1949), the full set of “Dix Recette d’Immoralité” (1973), the rare original intaglio “The Grasshopper Child” (1934), and his Daum glass masterpiece “Montre Molle” (1971), depicting his quintessential melting clock. Taking his vision for a provocative exhibit one step further, Rosen has arranged for a continuous showing of the 1929 film, “Un Chien Andalou,” the iconic 17-minute French surrealist film in which Dali collaborated with friend and director Luis Buñuel. This graphic work explores the destructive elements of the psyche. The film clearly expresses pure surrealism and its relationship to the unconscious. Dali Miami has also secured celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo for the opening night reception who will recreate recipes inspired by Dali’s Cook Book. Since opening “Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard and Wine Bar in South West Miami, Calvo appears on The Food Networks “Chopped” and NBC’s ‘South Florida Today”, among other projects, Calvo is the author of a cookbook collection, “Maximum Flavor,” has for several years participated in the South Beach Food and Wine Festival and has been featured on The Food Network’s original series, “Chopped.”  DALI MIAMI will be open to the public Wednesday, March 7 through Sunday, March 11 at The Moore Building.  General Admission is $ 25 and VIP tickets are $90 with a preview VIP reception March 7^th where they will be filming an episode of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Miami”. Tickets and further information is available at www.dalimiami.com.

The Betsy Presents Pocket Guide To Miami Architecture

The Betsy- South Beach will host an exhibition and book signing reception to honor the release of the Pocket Guide To Miami Architecture (W.W. Norton, $24.95) with author Judith Paine McBrien and illustrator John F. DeSalvo, on Thursday, March 8 at 8PM. An illustration of The Betsy’s façade is included in the book and will be on display along with drawings of many other local buildings. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 305-760-6902 or visit www.thebetsyhotel.com.

American Fine Wine Competition Continues

Join the Fifth Anniversary of the American Fine Wine Competition as it continues with a unique array of events benefiting local charities and promoting American wines. Recently, the AFWC conducted a competition with 635 wines from wineries across America on Thursday, March 8. The winning wines concluded with 12 wines winning medals for Best of Class and Best of Show. The next event at Allied Kitchen & Bath in Fort Lauderdale will provide guests with an opportunity to taste some of the wines from the recent competition, meet this year’s judges, and peruse AFWC wine booths. Attendees will also have the option to participate in a small silent auction, also benefitting the foundation.  Tickets to the public costs $25 per person; proceeds benefitting the Dan Marino Foundation Vocational College. To purchase tickets contact Joannah at 954-332-5977 or johannah@alliedkb.com. For additional information, regarding the AFWC visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.com or contact Shari Gherman: 561.504.VINE.

Get fresh “produce” at this year’s 11th annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival with Flavour Gallery’s latest line-up of five original, festival-inspired designs set to launch during the four-day food frenzy, February 23-26, 2012.
 
A first time collaboration, Flavour Gallery is the official merchandise producer for the Festival with 19 different style variations for men and women.  The special collection, which launches alongside the spring 2012 line, will be available for purchase beachside by the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village and outside the North Venue tents during the evenings.  Tanks, t-shirts and long sleeves will retail between $25 to $40 and will also be available online at www.flavourgallery.com  for pre-order as well as during and following the Festival.

South Beach Wine and Food Festival

The 11^th Annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival is upon us once again. To our fellow foodies who wish to attend and purchase tickets to events, visit www.sobefest.com for a complete line up of available tickets still available. If your desired event is sold out, fear not- we will have a full recap with photos next week.

Daisy Cakes Makes its Sweet Debut in Miami Beach

South Carolina-based cake company Daisy Cakes and owner/cake baker Kim Adams Nelson also known as Kim Daisy will offer authentic, homemade cakes in Miami Beach, during the 2012 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE, February 23 through 26. The highly anticipated, four-day annual festival, which attracts foodies and wine connoisseurs from around the world, will feature a Daisy Cakes pop-up bake shop, where guests are invited to sample signature flavors of the handmade cakes, each created with hand-sifted flour and farm-fresh eggs, then hand-iced with sweet cream frosting. Daisy Cakes will make an appearance at two festival events, offering diverse tastings of several luscious cake flavors. The first event, Moët Hennessy’s “The Q,” will be held Thursday, February 23 beachside at the Delano, and is presented by Allen Brothers Steaks, sponsored by MIAMI magazine and hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri. The second event, The Best Thing I Ever Ate “Late Night Bites & Sweets,” will be held Saturday, February 25, at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach and is presented by Food Network and Cooking Channel and sponsored by Godiva Chocolatier. The Daisy Cakes online bake shop produces a decadent variety of homemade cakes to satisfy every sweets craving, including Carrot, Daisy Cakes’ best seller that includes a full pound of carrots in each cake.

MOCA’s 15^th Anniversary Weekend

On Saturday, February 25, in commemoration of its 15th anniversary, MOCA will hold a festive celebration highlighting its accomplishments and celebrating the many illustrious artists who are part of its history. The evening will also honor Alberto Ibargüen and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in recognition of their extraordinary support of MOCA and culture in Miami.  The 15th Anniversary Celebration will begin with cocktails at 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by a seated dinner in MOCA’s galleries and special performance created for the occasion by artist Ragnar Kjartansson. The event will be attended by over 450 guests, among them, many of the world’s leading artists and collectors. Unfortunately the seated dinner portion of the evening is sold out, but there are tickets available for the after party; the After-Party festivities will also include a sensational 15th Anniversary Celebration at the museum featuring dancing, dessert and a special performance beginning at 10:30 pm.  Tickets for the after-party are $200 general admission/$150 for MOCA Shaker and above level members. 

Artist Conversations: The Celebration will extend beyond the evening of February 25, withArtist-to-Artist, an extraordinary series of artist conversations on Sunday,February 26, from noon until 5:00 p.m.  These history-making conversations, whichwill be open to the entire community, will feature discussions with RitaAckermann, Daniel Arsham, Richard Artschwager, Jose Bedia, Naomi Fisher, Dara Friedman, Peter Halley, Isaac Julien, Mark Handforth, Ragnar Kjartansson,Malcolm Morley, Laura Owens, Jorge Pantoja, Richard Phillips, Jack Pierson,Matthew Ritchie, David Salle, and Shinique Smith, moderated by MOCA ExecutiveDirector and Chief Curator, Bonnie Clearwater. Artists will speak one-on-one with each other, providing audience members with exceptional insight into their work and experience. Each participating artist has played a role in MOCA’s 15-year history. For After-Party and Artist-to-Artist tickets, please call 305 893 6211.

 CHAIku at Next@19^th

On Saturday, February 25, at 9:00 p.m., Next@19^th taps into South Florida’s literary pulse with CHAIku, a recurring, free event that brings together writers and enthusiasts in haikus rooted in Jewish identity, culture and community. Taking place at the organization’s downtown headquarters, the al fresco digs bring new dimension to the soap box experience. This edition will feature Jay Michaelson, a writer, scholar, poet and activist whose work focuses on the intersections of religion, spirituality, sexuality and law. His published poetry includes the 2007 release of ‘Another Word for Sky,’ and he is Associate Editor of Religion Dispatches magazine, a columnist and contributing editor for the Forward and the founding editor of Zeek magazine. Michaelson is the founding director of Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality, a nonprofit organization which builds community for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews, partners and allies. www.nextat19th.org

Oscar Night at Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque to host the official Miami celebration for the Oscar Night^® America, Miami (ONA) viewing party on Sunday, February 26. The evening will be hosted by Miami Beach Film Society founder Dana Keith; Red carpet arrivals and fabulous evening looks courtesy of Ema Savahl Couture will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by a welcome champagne reception alongside six of the Museum’s famous movie automobiles including Goldfinger, Batman, Back to The Future and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. As a special treat to car aficionados and Hollywood films buffs, the original Batman “Batmobile” and James Bond “DB5” from Goldfinger will go up for live auction at 8:00 p.m. The evening will proceed with a seated dinner and viewing of the live telecast of the 84^th Academy Awards® on WPLG Local-10 (ABC) starting at 8:30 p.m. (EST). Attendees will toast Oscar^® winners while enjoying Exquisite Catering by Robert with Sofia Blanc d’ Blancs, Director’s Cut Chardonnay and Director’s Cabernet Sauvignon by Coppola Wines, Absolut Miami, Perrier, and Nespresso, while bidding on items during the event’s silent auction. The celebration will also serve as the closing night of the Dezer Schauhalle’s renowned Bunny Yeager Retrospective currently on display, as well as a preview of the Museum’s upcoming James Bond collection slated to open Spring 2012, which will feature the automobiles, airplanes and boats that appeared in one of Hollywood’s most celebrated film franchises. The evening promises an experience that exudes the classic glamour and luxury of the 84^th Annual Academy Awards®, complete with the Academy Awards^® show program booklet for all guests. Tickets to the 2012 Oscar Night America Miami are available for $125 or $100 for Miami Beach Film Society & Cinematheque members. Ticket prices include food and beverages, tax and gratuity, complimentary valet parking, the official 84^th Annual Academy Awards^® program booklet and other event memorabilia. Visit www.MBCinema.com for tickets.

Odysseo Premieres in Miami

After a successful run in Atlanta, site of its US premiere, Odysseo, the new touring show by renowned production company Cavalia Inc., is already preparing for its Miami run, premiering under the White Big Top February 29 at 8:00 p.m. in Bicentennial Park, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. In Odysseo, spectators join human and equine artists on a journey through some of the world’s most wondrous landscapes. Cavalia’s new production marries the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. The 80-ton technical grid, as big as that found in the best-equipped permanent theaters in the world, supports lighting, a full-size merry-go-round, and 18 cinema projectors that create high-definition landscape backdrops on screens twice the size of a standard IMAX. These scenes surround the world’s largest touring stage, 27,000 square feet, rendering Odysseo a 5-D mega-production, a feast for the eyes that still succeeds in delivering the spectacular with soul. For more information and scheduled times call 866.999.8111 or online at cavalia.net.