Latin Grooves at Mokai

 Mokai is going Latin with the launch of Alternativo Thursdays. Featuring a blend of Latin indie pop, Rock en Espanol, World Sounds and Modern Latin Dance Music, DJ Felix takes the turntables, as live performances take over the dance floor every week, bringing a much needed dose of Latin music to the South Beach scene. Upcoming acts include: Afrokumbre, Locos Por Juana, Rosamax from Brazil, Xperimento, Dr. Draw, Joe Dert   and Oscar G. Doors open at 11pm. Mokai is located at 235 23^rd street on Miami Beach, guests can call 305 531 5535 or visit www.mokaimiami.com for more info.  

 Get Ready to Wine

 The 6th Annual Florida International Wine Challenge uncorks with an unlimited sampling of more than 400 world-class wines from 15 countries on Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Palms Hotel & Spa (3025 Collins Avenue).  A portion of the proceeds benefit the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation.  Enter code WINEDINE for discounted $50 tickets at www.fiwc.net or call 866.998.VINO for more information. 

 Bikes & Babes at Grand Central this Friday!

This Friday, June 25, at 8 p.m. Grand Central, Ducati Miami and Love Cat Marketing & Events present the national premiere of Ducati’s new Monster 796. Motorcycle fans will have the opportunity to get a first look and experience one of Ducati’s newest bikes and be treated to additional eye candy courtesy of Rockstar Swimwear during an informal fashion show featuring the brand’s latest summer looks. All guests will also enjoy complimentary fenom Modern Absinthe cocktails all night. For RSVP information, please email gino@taraink.com.  Following the Ducati event, Grand Central will launch its new weekly Friday night party “Propaganda.” Propaganda is hosted Love Cat Marketing & Events and MAG Miami and features open format sounds by resident DJs and local favorites Danny Daze and David G. For complimentary admission email  Zac Courtney at lovecatllc@gmail.com Grand Central is located at 697 N Miami Ave.

 American Black Film Festival (ABFF)

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) takes place from June 23 – June 26, and is sponsored by Grey Goose vodka.  To commemorate, GREY GOOSE will present the first annual national “Rising Icons” award to the talented Chrisette Michele at the 2010 American Black Film Festival Awards this Saturday. The award will be presented by Julious Grant, Senior Vice President of Bacardi USA.   Guests will have the chance to enjoy the Grey Goose L’Orange “Startini,” at all ABFF events. For the full schedule and more information, visit: http://www.abff.com/festival/.

It’s An IRIE Weekend!

The 6^th Annual Irie Weekend takes over South Beach on June 25, featuring an action-packed weekend which kicks off with a private welcome reception followed by a bash at LIV at 11 p.m. on Friday night.  Irie will be spinning his irresistible sounds at the club.  The star-studded celebrity golf tournament takes place at the Miami Beach Golf Course on Saturday. Proceeds raised throughout the weekend will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.  For more information, visit: http://irieweekend.com/pdf/signup.jpg.  To RSVP for LIV, call 305.674. 4680. Check out last year’s participating celebrities at: https://miamisocialholic.com/07/dj-irie-does-it-again/.

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