Vinyl & Kai

Vinyl & Kai, Miami Beach’s newest upscale dive bar, is opening its doors to host

the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Taking advantage of its casual vibe and captivating interior, Vinyl & Kai intends on magnifying the experience of watching a soccer match and becoming Miami Beach’s headquarters for the World Cup. There will be four massive high definition projection screens to ensure that everyone has a front row stadium view, and two high definition televisions giving different angles of the game. Vinyl & Kai also has traditional game day food and beverages with specials.  Open for every game for the entirety of the World Cup series, through July 11, Vinyl & Kai will also be offering complimentary samplings and a variety of specials on specific game days.

 Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge

Lucky Strike wants guests to score big during this year’s FIFA World Cup morning matches.   For $8 per person, Lucky Strike will offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, a special only available during “soccer season.” 

Fill up on breakfast comfort-food favorites like scrambled eggs, French Toast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Home Fries, Croissants and Fresh Fruit.  With the bar opening at 8 a.m. wash it down with more than just coffee and orange juice, Bloody Mary specials will be available for $5. 

An all-access pass to sporting, Lucky Strike boasts one of the best state-of-the-art audio systems in South Florida.  This year, watch the game as if you were on the sidelines.

SUSHISAMBA

 Soccer fanatics with an appetite for gaming can end their search for the perfect place to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches.  Now through July 11^th, SUSHISAMBA dromo will score big with all soccer matches projected onto the big screen, servers donned in their favorite team jerseys, and specialty food and cocktails inspired by the flavors of Japan, Brazil and Peru.

 World Cup specials thoughtfully prepared by Chef De Cuisine, Juliana Gonzalez, include seven assortment selections, anticuchos and a World Cup roll with dishes starting at $6.  The World Cup specials will be available for morning matches, in lieu of the regular a la carte menu.  Drink specials will be offered as well. To further support the culinary roots of SUSHISAMBA, soccer enthusiasts are encouraged to samba on over for the Brazilian games one June 15^th, 20^th and 25^th and enjoy live performances by dancers and drummers. Stay tuned for final fun with a charity kick-a-thon slated to take place on July 10^th.  The kick-a-thon will raise money for the Minority Soccer Development.

Care for Kids

On Thursday June 17th Jeff Berardelli, weatherman from CBS4, is hosting a fundraiser on behalf of The Children’s Cancer Caring Center (CCCC). The event will be at Bar 721 (721 Lincoln Lane) just off of Lincoln Road on South Beach from 6-10 p.m. A $20 donation includes open bar courtesy of Finlandia vodka and food courtesy of Tacontento. All proceeds go to benefit the CCCC, a south Florida children’s cancer charity celebrating 45 years. For more information on the charity please visit ChildrensCancerCaringCenter.com.

Don’t Worry, Taco Happy

Tacontento touted as an “authentic Mexican taquería” opens on Friday, June 18. The full-service restaurant presents fresh and vibrant Mexican cuisine in a welcoming, fun and festive environment. Tacontento combines the quality of high-end Mexican restaurants with the quick service and lively atmosphere of fast-causal spots. Translated as “be happy” in English, Tacontento shares its passion for the Mexican food experience with its careful, artisanal preparations of authentic recipes. Everything served at Tacontento is handmade with fresh ingredients – no preservatives, no can openers and no freezers! The South Beach location serves as the first domestic outpost and flagship for the franchise. The family-owned “franchise with personality” began in the late ‘90s with a taco stand in Guatemala City, Guatemala and has now grown to include over 14 restaurants in Latin America: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Panama and Mexico. Tacontento is located at 715 N. Lincoln Lane, in Miami Beach. For more information, call 305.673.1552 or visit www.tacontento.com.

Who Killed the King? Corey Michaels!

Miami-based recording artist Corey Michaels will celebrate his debut album, Who Killed the King? with an exclusive performance at Miami Beach nightclub SCORE on Friday, June 18 at 10 p.m. Corey will perform tracks from Who Killed the King? as part of the popular Friday night party, “Filthy Gorgeous.” The album is described as a fusion of American pop music with Eurodance sounds as each song is a pulsating club banger. Guests can expect a wild set that is sure to entertain the crowd. For more information on Corey Michaels, please visit www.coreymichaels.com or find him on Facebook. Fans can also follow him on Twitter at @coreymichaels. SCORE is located at 727 Lincoln Road. Admission is free before 11 p.m., $8 cover charge for guests arriving after 11 p.m. but if you RSVP to coreymichaels411@gmail.com you will get in free until 1:30 a.m.

Domino Dancing

Amigos for Kids presents its highly-anticipated annual fundraiser, the ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night on Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m. at Jungle Island.  Expect a buzzing domino club, live entertainment, dinner-by-the-bite by Miami’s most prominent chefs and restaurants, open bar courtesy of Bacardi U.S.A., and a stellar silent auction featuring Cuban art, sports memorabilia and much more.  One more thing:  be sure to wear comfortable shoes- the dancing goes all night at this party!  Tickets cost $150 in advance and $175 at the door. Domino tables for four are priced at $1,000 each. Proceeds from tickets and domino tables will benefit Amigos For Kids™. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call Amigos For Kids™ at 305-279-1155 or visit www.amigosforkids.org.  For a recap of last year’s Celebrity Domino Night, go to:  https://miamisocialholic.com/?s=domino.

 Something New and Something Blue: Avatar and Miami Socialholic™ Party

 This Friday, June 11, SET nightclub will be transformed into the magical land of Pandora for an Avatar themed bash. Guests are encouraged to dress as their Avatar.

 From 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., free-flowing cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka will be served at SET in honor of the launch of Miami Socialholic™  Miami’s internationally acclaimed, new website.  RSVP is required by visiting www.miamisocialholic.com .

Quest at Cafeina

Cafeina will showcase the 2010 U.S. artistic debut by Los Angeles artist GIANNI, an installation, titled QUEST, which showcases GIANNI’s signature style of abstract expressionism, a hypnotic vision of textures and vibrant colors contrasted by streaks of high gloss black.  Cafeina will host a sneak preview of GIANNI’s work in its 1,000-square-foot art gallery on Friday, June 11 at 9 PM. GIANNI’s exhibition will officially open to the public during the Wynwood Art Walk on Saturday, June 12 and it will run through July 3, 2010. RSVP required to cafeina@taraink.com.  Guests may visit the gallery from Saturday, June 12 through Saturday, July 3 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, and also by appointment at GIANNI@ArtByGianni.com

JB:  Your FIFA Headquarters

 As the 2010 FIFA World Cup quickly approaches, JB Kitchen & Bar in Brickell wants to extend its passion for creating delicious dishes onto the soccer field. For this special series of events, JB Kitchen & Bar is transforming its typically chic restaurant into every soccer fans Mecca. With a staff full of unwavering soccer enthusiasts, JB’s is sure to become Brickell and Downtown’s official headquarters for the FIFA World Cup. For game days, expect all staff members in their team jerseys, a wide selection of liquor and spirits, an outdoor area with a customized ready to use Astroturf soccer field, plenty of flat screen TV’s and projection screens for the best possible viewing experience, 2010 Playstation set ups, foosball tables, tournaments and more.  Its menu features a variety of food selections integrated with dishes from many of the countries that are playing, providing a unique edge and flavor guaranteed to please every palate.  Located on the ground floor of 1250 South Miami Avenue, JB Kitchen & Bar is open for lunch and dinner daily and recently introduced their Sunday brunch which is available until 5 p.m., for those who enjoy “sleeping-in!”

Giant Fleas Invade Wywood

This Saturday, June 12, Miami-based pop-artist and urban impressionist Miguel Paredes will unveil his Wynwood mural, “Pulgha World,” during the Art District’s “2nd Saturdays Art Walk.” The mural features Paredes’ iconic diminutive anime flea “Pulgha” and boasts multiple, vibrant flowers as well as the artist’s signature graffiti work. Paredes’ rebellious characters from his Los Niños collection are also featured on the 18 X 26 mosaic mural. “Pulgha World” is made up of 550 tiles and is set to add a playful splash of color to the urban streets of Wynwood. In addition, this mural will also serve as a preview to the artist’s private gallery located in the same street and opening later this summer. “Pulgha World” is located at 2311 NW 2^nd Ave. Miami, FL. 33127. The Art Walk is from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. For more information on Miguel Paredes, please visit www.miguelparedes.com

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Brotherly Love brings Live Music all over Town

 Brotherly Love Productions presents another weekend of great live music, kicking it off Friday with Southern-rock jammers Cypress at The Funky Buddha (www.thefunkybuddha.com).  This will be their final show with founding member/guitarist Bill Talley.  Opening act Diocious will hit South Florida with two additional shows. The psychedelic funk-rock trio plays Titanic Brewery on Saturday (www.titanicbrewery.com), and they’re the featured artists at BLP Sunday Cookout at Hurricane Bar in Delray Beach (www.hurricanelounge.com).

 TahDah!

 Hot on the heels of an outstanding cover story by the Miami SunPost, Shareef Malnik announces the official unveiling of the new façade of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar on Tuesday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. The exterior redux, inspired by the architecture of the French-Neoclassical period was conceptualized with the original Forge in mind, but with modernized touches to match the modified interior. The public unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony comes after receiving rave reviews following the reopening of the award-winning restaurant.  Representatives from The City of Miami Beach will also issue a proclamation to Malnik, Chef Dewey LoSasso and The Forge family, presenting them with The Forge’s sixth key to the city.  This project was realized by project manager Allegra Parisi of Apartment A, KCS Construction, designer Francois Frossard and Capponi Construction under the direction of Shareef Malnik.  The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar is located at 432 W 41^st Street.  For more information, contact: 305.538.5833.

 Big Names Join Forces for Miami Socialholic™ Party at SET

 Miami’s hottest new website,  Miami Socialholic™ is hosting a launch party and you are invited!  The Opium Group’s, Eric Milon, along with Michael Capponi, two of the biggest names in nightlife, present Miami Socialholic’s official launch party at SET, on Friday, June 11^th. The party starts at 11 and goes all night with a complimentary vodka bar for the first hour or two (check back next week for more details).  Visit www.miamisocialholic.com  to RSVP for this fabulous celebration. 

On Thursday, May 27th, television personality, María Celeste Arrarás, will celebrate the 8th Anniversary of her show “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste” at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach.  Arrarás is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has collaborated on special reports for Dateline, is a frequent guest co-host of the Today Show and is the bestselling author of Selena’s Secret. The party goes from 7 – 9 PM.

 For those of you actually sticking around for Memorial Day weekend, Play and RA offer some options.  If Rap and Hip Hop are your thing, head to Play Nightclub, which will host several parties Memorial Day Weekend.  On Thursday, May 27, check out the 5th Annual Gemini Bash 2010 hosted by super rapper Rick Ross with sounds by DJ Nasty and Sam Sneak.  

Friday, May 28, the party will be hosted by an array of superstars including: NBA star,  Allen Iverson; R&B Emmy nominated pop singer, actor, model and dancer Mario; the stunning “Me & U” singer, Cassie and model/socialite Amber Rose.  Music will be by resident DJs Stevie J and DJ Top Feelin, with special guest sets by DJ Clue.  R&B artists Pleasure P, Bow Wow, and Wale, host the party on Saturday and will also perform. Sunday, May 30, American Hip Hop artist Piles will release his new album “Goon Affiliated”. The well-known rapper will also do a live performance during the evening. For table reservations and more information, call 305-532-4340. Doors open at 11pm and close at 5am.

 Across town, RA Sushi South Miami presents, “Nicky’s Week” from May 30 to June 5 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The South Miami location along with 24 other RA Sushi locations, will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of various food and beverage items to help treat and cure children with life-threatening illnesses. Lots of cool events and initiatives take place every night.  To see the full line-up, visit: www.facebook.com/RAsushiSouthMiami.

 Dr. José Azel will host a launch event for his new book Mañana in Cuba at Books & Books in Coral Gables on Wednesday, June 2. The official event begins at 8:00 p.m. but guests are invited to attend a pre-reception celebration at 7:00 p.m. in the bookstore’s Mediterranean-style courtyard, with small plates and wines courtesy of The Café at Books & Books. Immediately following the outdoor soirée, Dr. Azel will discuss concepts from Mañana in Cuba. A question and answer period will follow, during which time Dr. Azel will autograph copies of his book. Notably, 100 percent of the author proceeds from sales of Mañana in Cuba will benefit the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-America Studies at the University of Miami, where Dr. Azel is a Senior Scholar.

 Rocco’s Rockin’ Birthday Party takes place on Friday, June 4 at Rocco’s Tacos in West Palm Beach.  Owner Rocco Mangel will celebrate June babies with a Mexican-style cumpleanos fiesta, including a llive Pancho Villa mariachi band, DJ Adam Lipson, $3 Dos Equis and $5 Cabo Wabo Blanco cocktails. Rocco will also give presents to anyone with a June birthday with ID. The fun goes from 8 to midnight at 224 Clematis Street.  For more information call (561) 650-1001 or visit:www.RoccosTacos.com or www.bigtimerestaurants.com