By: Maryanne Salvat

Michael Capponi’s 40th Birthday Celebration

Book your tickets now for entrepreneur, nightlife impresario/philanthropist Michael Capponi’s 40th Birthday Celebration which we’ve mused about for years. Contrary to our initial belief, Capponi is not having his 40th bash somewhere in outer space. Instead, he is only having us travel a couple of thousand miles for the grand affair.

On Friday, May 4, Capponi will transform New York hotspot, Capitale for the celebrity studded event, which will feature a Jacmel Carnaval theme. Hosted by fellow philanthropists, Donna Karan and Maria Bello, along with musical performances, cocktails, and dancing, this one’s sure to be unforgettable. Many of you may recall some of Capponi’s past birthday parties, including the one in the tree-house mansion in Nygard Cay; the pirate party at Jimbo’s or the 1930s soiree in an airplane hangar at Opa Locka airport. In lieu of gifts, Capponi has asked guests to make donations to the Haiti Empowerment Mission. For more information and/ or to attend contact: rsvp@capponigroup.com or call 305.695.4410.

Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The Polo Life, LLC announces the eighth annual Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious Beach Polo competition, taking place from Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 between 20th and 22nd Streets on the sands of South Beach. Maserati, the award-winning automotive manufacturer of sports-luxury cars, celebrates its inaugural year as Title Sponsor and establishes an unmistakable Italian flair in race bred luxury vehicles, alongside a gallant troupe of thoroughbred horses.The four-day, globally renowned sporting event, considered the most coveted of its kind, features top polo players from around the world competing in two tournaments for both men and women. The Maserati South Beach Women’s Polo Cup IV takes place on Thursday, April 26, featuring eight women’s teams in a one-day series of round-robin championship matches. Last year’s winning team of Tara Lordi, Melissa Hornung and Angela York, will defend their title as 2011 champions, while competing against the highly touted Cecilia Cochran, Tiffany Busch and Natalia Baecher, among others, who are all expected to play in this year’s tournament. The Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup – a three-day men’s tournament, now in its eighth year, starts on Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29. Six teams will include some of the world’s top-ranked players, including Rico Mansur from Brazil, who will be making his second appearance at this year’s event, following his recent return from Brazil after competing in a charity fundraiser exhibition match for Prince Harry’s foundation. Last year’s champions, The Raleigh, led by team captain, Bash Kazi, will return to defend their 2011 title, and favorites including Luis Escobar, Nic Roldan, John Gobin, Kris Kampsen and Pelon Escapite are all anticipated to return to battle for this year’s coveted trophy. For tickets and a complete schedule of events, visit www.miamipolo.com or call 305.538.3809.

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Heart of a Chef

Eat, play and be healthy at Heart of a Chef (HOAC), a unique culinary experience presented by Florida Blue and Whole Foods Market taking place on Sunday, April 29, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. HOAC is a family-friendly food festival focused on the prevention of childhood obesity, which has been known to lead to heart disease. At this fun, interactive event, activities for all ages including food and wine tastings and educational seminars, all designed to heighten awareness and give children and their parents the tools to make health-conscious decisions while adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. Tickets for HOAC are $30 per person; the purchase of one adult ticket includes admission for two children. For more information and tickets visit www.heartofachef.org.

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Claws For Kids

Last call before stone crab season ends! Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s first annual “Claws for Kids” fundraising brunch on Sunday, May 6, 11:30 a.m. at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach will provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious large stone crabs and other signature Joe’s cuisine without the wait. All event proceeds from the private event will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s new 11,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art South Beach location. Joe’s will open up their restaurant for brunch on May 6 only for supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s “Claws for Kids.” “Claws for Kids” sponsorship opportunities are available. Table sponsorships include $10,000 Jumbo Claw Sponsor, $5,000 Large Claw Sponsor; and $2500 Select Claw Sponsor; A Key Lime table for 10 guests is priced at $1500; a Hash Brown Table for $1200. Individual tickets are $150.Menu items include large stone crabs, hash brown potatoes, creamed spinach and Key Lime pie. For those who don’t eat stone crabs, main course options include top sirloin, salmon and broiled chicken. Red, white, and sparkling wines are included in the ticket price. For more information about sponsorships, underwriting or tickets, contact Astrid H. Ehrenstein at 305.446.9910 ext. 30, or via email at aehrenstein@bgcmia.org.

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Ray Allen, Brendan Bass, and Paul Price of the Boston Celtics were spotted dining (at different tables) at STK Miami. Derrell Revis and Laveranues Coles of the NY Jets were also at STK enjoying the scrumptious menu.

Willy Martin, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Raquel Rojas and Sol Rodriguez from the Nickelodeon Latin TV show Grachi attended a benefit at Haven gastro-lounge on Thursday evening. Maria, Raquel, and Sol walked the carpet and posed for the cameras together. All of the teen stars shared a table inside. Willy Martin won a dinner for two at Juvia in the raffle. Other celebs in attendance included: Ivan Rusilko, Mr. USA; Candela Ferro, model/journalist and boyfriend, actor/singer, Khotan Fernandez.

Brazilian heartthrob/actor Rodrigo Santoro was spotted at WALL over the weekend. The 300 star caused a bit of a stir with a number of Brazilian models who were also partying at the celebrity hotspot. He’s currently filming 300: Battle of Artemisia, a follow-up to the 2006 blockbuster in which he plays the villain, Persian leader Xerxes.

Tennis Star Boris Becker and his family dined at Monty’s South Beach. Miami Dolphin, Reggie Bush was also spotted at Monty’s over the weekend.

Extra’s Mario Lopez hosted the Garnier Fructis pool party at the Fontainebleau’s Arkadia pool on Sunday afternoon.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stopped by the Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar on Thursday night to celebrate the big honor of being named CinemaCon’s “Action Star of the Year.” The former UM student has been taking Miami by storm and took some time to indulge at The Forge with a friend – taking a break from filming his new Michael Bay directed film, Pain and Gain.

Comedian Dave Chappelle was spotted in South Beach last Thursday, first at local bar Foxhole before swinging by WALL. On-lookers say he was very sociable but low key in demeanor, wearing a black tank top, jeans and holding a black motorcycle helmet. Chappelle, who was accompanied by a male friend, hung out at the owner’s VIP table for about an hour just chatting, drinking water and enjoying the DJ. Twitter reported seeing him at a Palm Beach McDonald’s the following morning.

This year’s Sony Ericsson Open set an all-time attendance record with 325,000 guests and a record 14 session sellouts. Celebs in attendance included:  Jimmy Buffet ; Marc Cohen, Grammy-Award winning artist; actress, Melissa Hurd; actor, Carlos Gomez;Boyd Tinsley, Jonathan Cheban, Dirk Nowitzki, Rashad Evans, Kelly Rowland and NFL Players: Bryant McKinnie (Baltimore Ravens), Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings),Abram Elam (Dallas Cowboys) and Jon Beason (Carolina Panthers).

On Sunday, April 1, Miami Beach welcomed the Nautica South Beach Triathlon for the fifth year in a row. Athletes, corporate teams,  professional and amateur tri-athletes and famous faces including The Today Show’s Natalie Morales, X-Men’s James Marsden, The Office’s Paul Lieberstein and David Denman, Cougartown’s Josh Hopkins, Pirates of the Caribbean’s Greg Ellis, and The Finder’s Geoff Stults and Mercedes Masohn, Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan, ABC Family’s Make It or Break ItJosie Loren, the star of the Emmy winning, Wizards of Waverly Place and the upcoming Huckleberry Finn Jake T. Austin, Carolina Panther’s running back DeAngelo Williams and WWE six-time world champion Dave Bautista were some of the celebrities who participated in this year’s event. Pop singer and songwriter JoJo, kicked-off the day’s events by performing the national anthem. Over 3,000 participants came out to challenge the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and take to the streets of South Beach to raise money for pediatric cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Comedian and actor, Bob Saget, wrapped up the day with an award ceremony as well as a $401,422.00 check presentation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Mark Wahlberg was seen dining with Entourage producer Eric Weinstein on Friday at night at Scott Conant’s Scarpetta at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. On Sunday night, Tyra Banks, of America’s Top Model was also spotted at Scarpetta, with a handsome Latin heartthrob, “cozying up to each other over dessert.” According to our source.

On Tuesday night, Rémy Martin presented Chris Bosh’s 28th Birthday Celebration at the ‘Chris Bosh Supper Club’ at Miami’s Prelude by Barton G. Complete with blackjack and craps tables, guests enjoyed signature “Boardwalk Bosh” Rémy Martin cocktails while flapper girls and dapper waiters offered guests cigars to highlight the playful 1920s theme.  The Boshs’ were joined by the newly-engaged LeBron James and Savannah Brinson, who sat together with Wade.  Bosh’s “Boardwalk Empire” got underway with more Rémy Martin cocktails as comedians DeRay and Gary Owen took to the stage. DeRay poked fun at LeBron’s blazer matching the tablecloth and then asked Adrienne what she was expecting, to which she replied excitedly, “A boy”. Rémy Martin then presented Chris with his birthday present – a surprise performance by Grammy-winning artist, Chrisette Michelle, who wrapped up the evening by singing “Happy Birthday” to Chris.

On Sunday, award-winning hip hop artist, Wyclef Jean closed out Miami Music Week performing an intimate 4 hour set at Ricochet Bar & Lounge presented by CîROC Vodka. Dedicating his “raw” performance to Whitney Houston, Wyclef pulled guests on the stage during “Hips Don’t Lie” and taught a female fan how to play guitar while performing one of his famous tracks. Later, Wyclef took a break from his set by joining fans at the bar for a CîROC coconut specialty cocktail.

Celebrities including Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah and Deborah Cox performed at the fabulous, over-the-top Black Gala on Saturday night. Check back next week for photos and a rundown of the gala details.

DJ Armand Van Helden stopped into The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar with two others and tried out some of Chef Dewey’s new vegetarian dishes.

Supermodels Irina Shayk and Anne V – also known as Cristiano Ronaldo and Adam Levine’s girlfriends – stopped by The Forge Restaurant on Friday night for dinner to celebrate Anne V’s bday.

Paris and Nicky Hilton were spotted in the VIP booth at Ultra Music Festival with Paris’ boyfriend DJ Afrojack noshing on bites by Philippe Chow.  Lil Jon was also seen devouring Philippe Chow owner Stratis Morfogen’s delicious satays.

The Shelborne South Beach weekend’s lineup included famed DJs Armand Van Helden, Bob Sinclar (who created such a stir that the Fire Marshall had to close down the door) and Sander Kleinenberg.

Rafael Nadal

Paris Hilton and Afrojack were spotted at WALL Tuesday night, kicking off Winter Music Conference. They danced all night to music by Afrojack’s protégé Bobby Burns and at one point, Afrojack got on the turntables for an impromptu DJ set. Also in attendance were Paula Abdul and her boyfriend.

Rapper Lil Jon was spotted at the Perry South Beach on Monday. He was seen poolside, conducting business on his laptop and enjoying margaritas.

Rafael Nadal was seen Monday at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami where he is staying in the Presidential Suite. Rumor has it the hotel even has his favorite meal on the menu, Rafa Pasta, linguini and shrimp. Also on Thursday, world #5 ranked tennis player David Ferrer and world #10 ranked tennis player Janko Tipsarevic, also staying at the hotel, will conduct a private tennis clinic with kids from Miami Children’s hospital.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young was spotted at STK Miami last Tuesday night, enjoying the off season with his girlfriend and a group of 10 friends.

Chef David McMillan of Montreal’s Joe Beef visited Eating House over the weekend. McMillan is a fan of Eating House’s chef/owner, Chopped champion, Giorgio Rapicavoli. 

Paula Abdul was spotted at SUSHISAMBA Dromo last Tuesday, she stopped by with a group of friends and tried some new sushi rolls.