Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On March - 14 - 2026
Last night, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden hosted Dinner Under the Palms, an intimate evening celebrating the debut of its new Garden Fellows initiative, quietly signaling the Garden’s evolution from a beloved botanical destination into a platform for cultural and intellectual exchange. The evening brought together voices from landscape design, music, neuroscience, education, and biotechnology to explore the intersection of nature, creativity, wellness, and culture.
The evening marked the debut of the Garden Fellows program, bringing together voices across landscape design, music, neuroscience, education, and biotechnology to explore how nature intersects with creativity, wellness, and culture.
Guests in attendance included: key donors, board members, cultural figures, and notable attendees such as Gloria Estefan, Gail Icahn, Emily Estefan, Claudia Potamkin, Joanne Rosen, Michelle Okadoner, Sandra Deering, Valerie Schimel, Brooke Owen, Laura Eise, Petra Levin, and Tom Healey to gather under the Garden’s canopy for a farm-to-fork dinner and conversation around the future of the institution.
The inaugural Fellows include Raymond Jungles, Emily Estefan, Jasmina Aganovic (Future Society), Andi Potamkin (The Seed School), and neuroscientist Karina Del Punta – reflecting the Garden’s broader ambition to convene leaders across disciplines whose work connects back to nature.
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On March - 10 - 2026
Campari Aperitivo at Torno Súbito
Campari brought its signature aperitivo culture to Miami this March with the arrival of Campari Spritz Square, an immersive experience centered around its iconic cocktail, the Campari Spritz.
Known for its vibrant red color and distinctly bitter profile, the Campari Spritz has long been a symbol of the Italian aperitivo ritual—simple, elegant, and designed to be savored. The brand’s “Stay Bitter” message carried through the experience, encouraging a more refined, intentional way of enjoying the moment.
Following a successful debut in New York City in 2025—where tickets sold out almost immediately—Campari expanded the concept to new markets, with Miami as its next destination.
Miami Design District Takeover
From March 21–22, Campari Spritz Square took over the Miami Design District, transforming the neighborhood into a relaxed, multi-venue aperitivo experienceincluding Avant Gallery and illesteva. Each space offered its own interpretation of the brand, blending art, retail, and hospitality into a cohesive, walkable experience.
The format was intentionally flexible—guests were able to move freely between venues, explore at their own pace, and engage with the brand in a more organic way.
At the center of the Miami activation was Torno Subito, which anchored the culinary experience throughout the weekend.
Aperitivo, The Torno Way
The celebration began with an aperitivo-style gathering on Thursday, where the mood leaned more intimate—setting the tone ahead of the larger weekend takeover. Guests were introduced to the Campari Spritz in its most natural setting: early evening, light bites, and a rhythm that encouraged lingering rather than rushing.
What distinguished the experience was the food. A series of paired bites—thoughtfully developed by the Torno Subito culinary team under the guidance of Massimo Bottura—complemented the bitterness and brightness of the spritz. The menu reflected Bottura’s signature balance of tradition and playfulness, translating classic Italian aperitivo flavors into something more contemporary and tailored to Miami.
Sunday Brunch, Reimagined
By Sunday, the experience shifted into a more relaxed daytime format. The brunch at Torno Subito offered a continuation of the aperitivo concept, reinterpreted through a late-morning lens.
Guests returned for a seated experience that included Campari Spritz pairings alongside a bespoke menu of bites—again created by the Torno team with Bottura’s influence guiding the direction. The approach remained consistent: simple in format, but precise in execution, with each element designed to complement the cocktail rather than compete with it.
Across both moments, Torno Subito reinforced the essence of aperitivo culture—less about a single drink or dish, and more about the experience of slowing down, socializing, and letting the evening (or afternoon) unfold naturally.
Looking Ahead
Campari Spritz Square will continue its expansion with a stop in Los Angeles this June, bringing the same concept to Silver Lake.
The Campari Spritz
At the center of it all was the Campari Spritz—straightforward and balanced.
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On March - 8 - 2026
Executive Retail Shops brought global glamour to the waterfront at Casa Neos for the second annual World of Wonder, transforming the venue into a series of immersive destinations celebrating the future of luxury travel retail.
More than 320 guests attended the evening of curated experiences featuring premium spirits, fragrance and indulgent sweets. Among the crowd were Bravo personalities Erin Lichy and Abe Lichy alongside Miami’s own Kiki Barth, creating a lively Bravo crossover moment.
The trio made their way through the evening’s installations — posing for photos at the Mediterranean-inspired Vespa scene, trying their luck at the roulette table and eventually taking over the DJ booth as Abe spun music for the crowd. Later, he stepped behind the bar to pour tastings of his mezcal brand, Mezcalum.
Erin Lichy & Kiki Barth
Guests explored immersive environments inspired by global destinations. Spirit of the Sea transported attendees to the Mediterranean with coastal décor, a vintage Vespa photo moment and a vibrant Mediterranean buffet. Nearby, House of Smoke recreated the energy of Old Havana where guests enjoyed Old Fashioneds by Angel’s Envy and premium pours including Rémy XO, Gold Bar and Johnnie Walker Blue while gathering around the roulette table.
Michael and Mary Jo Shore
The evening concluded at Le Salon Sucré, a Parisian-style confectionery lounge serving flambé desserts alongside espresso martinis made with Bacardi’s Patrón XO Café and Licor 43 Carajillos provided by Monarq.
Throughout the evening, guests also sampled Dom Pérignon, Teremana Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, Zacapa No. 23 and Rémy Martin 1738, while a Jägermeister Cold Brew station served chilled coffee cocktails. A high-energy fire performer became one of the most Instagrammable moments of the night, while live music from Miami artist Riamonae and her band kept the waterfront venue buzzing.
World of Wonder brought together tastemakers, industry leaders and media to experience Executive Retail Shops’ vision for the future of travel retail — rooted in storytelling, discovery and elevated experiences for private aviation travelers.
For more information, visit executiveretailshops.com.
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 1 - 2025
Tequila Don Julio turned up the volume and style on a balmy Miami summer night as Mexican singer Camila Fernandez lit up the rooftop of trendy Astra restaurant and bar with a soulful acoustic showcase that blended modern artistry with her rich cultural roots.
The evening, hosted in partnership with Tequila Don Julio, Universal Music Latin, and Fono, unfolded under the stars in true Wynwood fashion: breezy, bold, and undeniably magnetic. Camila serenaded guests with a live performance of her latest single “No Puedo Dormir Sin Ti.” Her voice effortlessly enthralled the crowd, proving why she’s one of Mexico’s most captivating young talents. As the daughter of legendary Mexican singer, Alejandro Fernández, known around the world as El Potrillo, Camila is no stranger to the spotlight. But on this night, she claimed it entirely for herself, with a voice that’s both timeless and current.
The music was only part of the story. In a beautiful nod to heritage, guests were treated to a curated display of Camila’s iconic Mariachi performance outfits—rich with embroidery, color, and character—bringing a tactile sense of tradition into the elevated, open-air space. It was a celebration of Mexico past and present, glamour and grit, wrapped in silk and stitched with soul.
At the heart of the evening was Tequila Don Julio, setting the tone with meticulously crafted cocktails that were as vibrant and expressive as the night itself. Attendees sipped standouts like the La Caminera (with Don Julio Blanco), Una Vida (with Reposado), and the fan-favorite Se Cancela La Llorada (featuring Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino), while enjoying a thoughtful spread of light bites under the Miami sky.
Then came the moment that made everyone’s phones fly up: a surprise appearance from Mexican pop sensation DANNA, sending waves of excitement across the rooftop and marking the evening as the summer kickoff the city didn’t know it needed.
No detail was overlooked. Guests were gifted mini bottles of Don Julio 1942, the ultra-premium tequila that’s become a staple of refined celebrations and unforgettable nights.
More than a party, the night launched Tequila Don Julio, Universal Music Latin, and Fono’s larger summer partnership—a cross-country celebration of Mexican artistry and heritage with upcoming stops in Los Angeles, Houston, and New York. But on this particular night, with the Miami breeze floating through bougainvillea and the sound of Mariachi-meets-modern echoing over the city, the magic was right there—on the rooftop.
On the evening of April 29, the spirit of Miami shimmered a little brighter as Faena Art hosted its fifth annual Gala, Follow Your Rainbow—a phantasmagoric ode to the transformative power of art and color. Held poolside at the iconic Faena Miami Beach and masterfully helmed by hosts Alan and Grace Faena, the evening unfolded like a living canvas: vivid, immersive, and unapologetically audacious.
Guests made their entrance through a grand rainbow archway into a meticulously curated kaleidoscopic dreamscape, where the realms of art, fashion, music, and culinary excellence flowed seamlessly together.
The scene was cinematic, with every detail meticulously choreographed to entice the senses. A site-specific installation by acclaimed artist Joel Mesler anchored the atmosphere—his work pulsating with color and wit—while DJ Richie Hell delivered a pulse-quickening soundtrack to match. Models paraded through the crowd in bespoke, prismatic couture, blurring the lines between runway and performance art.
At the heart of the evening was an opulent culinary experience curated by Faena’s iconic collaborators: Argentine fire whisperer Chef Francis Mallmann and James Beard Award-winner Chef Paul Qui. Mallmann, true to form, held court over open flames in a mesmerizing ballet of smoke and heat, while Qui carved a massive bluefin tuna with the precision of a sculptor—live, amidst the gasps of delighted guests.
Bringing pure disco magic to the night, Rocky Lanes brought the house down with a powerhouse performance of crowd-favorite dance floor anthems. Not even a light drizzle could dampen the energy—guests twirled, grooved, and shimmered under the stars, fully surrendered to the rhythm.
Currently serving as the electrifying master of ceremonies for Faena Theatre’s dazzling new live production, RETRO: The Rhythm of the Decades, Rocky continues to prove she’s the reigning queen of throwback glamour. Read more about RETRO here.
The guests included Miami’s coolest creatives, a dazzling mix of cultural vanguard, art world luminaries, and global trendsetters. Joining hosts, Alan and Grace Faena were: Gianni and Leena Infantino, Jorge and Darlene Pérez, Len and Emily Blavatnik, Olivier Francois, Vita Sidorkina-Morabito, Mindy Solomon, Cathy Leff, Karen Grimson, Christina Pettersson, Beatriz Chachamovits, Magnus Sodamin, Kelly Breez, Anabella Bergero, Antonia Wright, Edison Peñafiel, Jill Hotchkiss, Manuel Ameztoy, and Danié Gómez Ortigoz.
Embracing the evening’s Follow Your Rainbow theme, guests adorned themselves in chromatic couture, turning the gala into a living spectrum. Faena Art crowned Francisca Oyhanarte—Miami-based artist and style savant—as the night’s best-dressed, awarding her a lavish two-night escape in the Faena Penthouse.
More than spectacle, the Gala reaffirmed Faena Art’s commitment to nurturing artistic innovation and expanding Miami’s cultural lexicon. Proceeds directly fund year-round programming, including experimental commissions, the Project Room exhibitions, and the prestigious Faena Prize for the Arts.
For those who couldn’t follow the rainbow in person, the dream lives on at faenaart.org.
Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On December - 13 - 2024
Flaunt magazine launched its “Where Are We Going?” issue during Miami Art Week in collaboration with the Bass Art Museum, at the luxurious Air private lounge on the Miami River. The chic space is designed to evoke the interior of a yacht.
The exclusive event, featured a captivating performance by cover star John Summit. The charming and charismatic Summit mingled with stylish guests before taking over the DJ booth. Prior to Summit’s performance, guests enjoyed sets by Jaywav, Gilly Chan, Bec Adams, and Miluska.
The event was co-produced by Jeffrey Jah, Rose Thorn of Lenox Room, and Karim Amatulla of Unpublished.
In attendance were Lady Victoria Hervey, Indira Ceserine, Brad Taylor, Cuba Gooding Jr., River Viiperi, Nicola Siervo, Andrew Gifford, , Fabian Basabe, and Harif Guzman, who danced until the wee hours of the morning.