Miami Socialholic

Tequila Don Julio and Camila Fernández’s Mariachi Magic

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.

A Dream in Technicolor: Faena Art’s Annual Gala

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On May - 2 - 2025

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.

John Summit Headlines Flaunt Magazine Party

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. 

Hampton House Lights Up Miami Art Week: a Glamorous Night of Art, Music, and History

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On December - 11 - 2024

The legendary Hampton House, once a haven for icons like Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali (whose original rooms are still intact!), kicked-off Miami Art Week with a party that was nothing short of fabulous. In lieu of its historic after-hours jazz sessions, it was all about the art this time- at the grand unveiling of “Invisible Luggage.” With over 50 visionary artists exploring the themes of migration, memory, and what we carry (and what we leave behind), the exhibit dives deep into the intersection of freedom, displacement, and identity. Inspired by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, the exhibit reflects on the often unseen struggles and triumphs of the Black community.

The opening was a star-studded celebration, with a dazzling array of special guests from the worlds of art, music, and philanthropy. Among the VIPs in attendance were collector and philanthropist Beth Rudin DeWoody, Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire, and Pucci’s artistic director Camille Miceli, alongside gallerists Lauren Kelly and Danny Baez. Musician Mingus Murray, son of iconic photographer Ming Smith, was also on hand, as were prominent artists like Shinique Smith, Jeffrey Meris, and Tomm El-Saieh, who showcased their work in the exhibit. The guest list read like a who’s who of Miami’s cultural scene, with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Cava-Levine, Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, and former Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Bob Rosenberg mingling with art collectors like Gary Wasserman, Gwen Butler, and the N’Namdi Collection’s Jumanne and Lauren N’Namdi. Curators and art dealers such as Stefano Tonchi, David Maupin, and Monique Meloche rubbed elbows with the likes of Jason and Michelle Rubell of the Rubell Museum, while philanthropists like Kathryn and Dan Mikesell from the Fountainhead Residency added to the evening’s glamour.


After a scrumptious dinner curated by Chef Martin Rodrigue, the eclectic crowd gathered under sparking chandeliers in the open-air terrace to dance, muse, and mingle, enjoying an all-night dance party with the one and only DJ Mos spinning tracks that kept everyone moving. The historic venue, transformed into a dazzling art gallery, was buzzing with excitement.

The evening was a perfect blend of culture, creativity, and celebration. It was clear: the Hampton House is once again a beacon of creativity and celebration, bridging the past with a vibrant, future-forward vibe. Plan your visit here: https://www.historichamptonhouse.org

https://youtube.com/shorts/w_hgSCjuYTg?si=MqAkv4Qu4gWh7OXN

Tyler Herro Launches Boy Wonder World During Miami Race Week

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On May - 18 - 2023

Jimmy Butler

On May 4th,  THE OFFICE art gallery debuted SOLARIS, a new exhibition of paintings curated by local artist Johnny Robles, and the launch of Tyler Herro’s new lifestyle clothing brand, Boy Wonder World, captured through a creative capsule collection. This debut was sponsored by Miami billionaire, Patrick Carroll.

Celebrities in attendance included:

Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat NBA), Johnny Robles (featured artist), Tim Hardaway Jr. ( Dallas Mavericks NBA), Reilly Opelka (Pro Tennis Player).

Rocco Shore and Tyler Herro

Taste of the SLS- a Culinary Celebration

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On November - 19 - 2021

On November 11th, SLS South Beach, hosted Taste of SLS South Beach, an evening of unique culinary experiences. The star-studded culinary celebration brought together award-winning chefs from across the world affording guests a taste of the very best of SLS properties in one glamorous location and an exclusive performance by award-winning producer Mark Ronson.

Encompassing culinary and mixology experiences staged throughout the resort, an exclusive performance by Mark Ronson topped the event along with culinary collaborators: Dario Cecchini (Carna), Sara Aqel (Fi’lia), Katsuya Uechi (Katsuya). The event paired gourmet food and beverage offerings with exciting entertainment at one of Miami Beach’s hottest properties along with access to its entire beachfront amenities and afterparty at Hyde Beach Club.

Presented in collaboration with Chase Sapphire®, Red Bull, Danone, Lavazza, and ALL – Accor Live Limitless, guests enjoyed hand-crafted cocktails and energetic refreshments from Red Bull & Lavazza as they appreciated never-ending culinary creations by SLS’s participating restaurants and mixology concepts.