OK, so it may have seemed as though Miami was in the doghouse with regard to celebrities last weekend thanks to the Super Bowl mayhem a few miles west, but the doghouse was just the place to be on Friday night, for Pawpurrazzi, the annual fundraiser for the Humane Society that was held at Jungle Island, showing that socialites and VIPs love few things more than their dogs. Designer Rene Ruiz and pooch Dexter Rosenblatt wore matching red and black outfits. Dexter’s was emblazoned with the label “Rene” in rhinestones. Dogs walked the catwalk in the “Great Pets Who Walk in Front of Great People” show. I mean, have you ever?!?! Strutting their stuff on the runway behind their pups were Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday evening Roy and Lea Black hosted the pre-party for their annual gala at Canyon Ranch with a swank soiree attended by scensesters such a s Merle and Danny Weiss, Michael Capponi and girlfriend, Genevieve Lake, Chris Ciccone, Elaine Lancaster, Fabian and Martina Basabe, Rene Ruiz, Ariel Stein and a few hundred others, alongside celebrities, Maria Conchita Alonso, Lucia Mendez, Flex and Alto Reed. Lea Black took to the stage and waxed poetic saying, “If we shine together we shine so much brighter,” as she encouraged the influential crowd to buy tickets and make donations to the upcoming gala on April 18, to benefit Bay Point Schools for at-risk youth. Guests were nearly blown away, literally, on this gusty evening. Maria Conchita Alonzo was no exception, channeling Marilyn Monroe in her flirty pink dress, as she took over the mic to belt out three songs, including “Old Time Rock and Roll” alongside Alto Reed on sax. Alonso lauded Rene Ruiz, thanking him for designing her dress and invited him to join her on-stage. The Blacks’ annual gala, set to take place at the newly revamped Eden Rock Hotel has got a celebrity roster which includes: Pamela Anderson, Lance Bass, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Oscar de la Hoya, Christian Castro, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Queen Latifah, Lennox Lewis, Mike Piazza and Serena Williams to name a few. Entertainment will be provided by Patty La Belle, Heather McDonald, Jencarlos Canela and DJ Irie. For tickets and more information, email: Jason Clarke at jasonfclarke@hotmail.com.

Sporting for a Great Cause

The 2nd Annual Nautica South Beach Triathlon took place on Sunday. Throngs joined the likes of Anna Kournikova, who ran while sporting a huge, canary diamond ring, (ever heard of hand weights?), "The Bachelor's" Andy Baldwin, "Dancing with the Stars’" Cristian de la Fuente and winners of "The Biggest Loser:" Michelle Aguilar and Ali Vincent, to run, bike and swim with over 1,600 others, all of whom helped to raise $137, 500 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Coming Up

Walk this Way

On Saturday, April, 11, MTV Latin America & Music Industry – Finding A Cure invite you to Walk this Way, benefitting AIDS WALK MIAMI 2009 hosted by former MTV Latin America VJ, Eglantina Zing at Guitar Showroom, 180 NE 39th Street in the Miami Design District. The event kicks off at eight with free drinks provided by UV Vodka and performances by Carlos Bertonatti, Zania and DJ Mauricio Parra. A minimum five dollar donation is requested.

By the Power of RA

Competitive eaters rejoice! On Tuesday, April 14, 2009 RA Sushi Restaurant is hosting the “Spring Sushi Showdown,” where for only ten bucks you can challenge fellow sushi aficionados in an eating frenzy aimed at a grand prize of free sushi for a year, a $600 value, in case you’ll ever be able to look at the stuff again. There are other great prizes and food and drink specials for all who attend. Proceeds from the gorge-fest will go to the Wellness Community of Greater Miami providing education, support and hope to those affected by cancer. Registration, which is limited to thirty, is a must. Applications are available at RA Sushi in South Miami, 5829 SW 73^rd Street. Deadline to register is Sunday, April 12 and all eaters must be at least 18 years old to participate. Registration to compete includes a $10 entry fee (cash only).

Celebrity Sightings

Good Charlotte front-man, Joel Madden, took to the turntables Saturday night for the private preview party of the new Opium at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where he’s moonlighting as resident DJ. This Saturday, expect to see Kim Kardashian at the new hot spot for the official ribbon-cutting. Over the weekend, Alonzo Mourning dined at RA Sushi; Zack Thomas dined at Area 31; Burn Notice’s Gabrielle Anwar, fawned over the gorgeous jewelry at Francisca Bastos Designs; and Olympic champ, Dara Torres, and actor, Owen Wilson, attended Sony Erickson. Zac Posen showcased his collection at Neiman Marcus Merrick Park last week and dined at Maison D’ Azur, in the trendy Astor Hotel on Monday. NBA stars David West, Chris Paul, James Posey and Rasual Butler stopped into B.E.D. for the popular “Secret Society” Monday night party.  Also arriving around the same time were MTV’s own “Daddy’s Girls” Vanessa and Angela Simmons.

Kim Kardashian served as the gorgeous and gracious hostess for Russell and Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation‘s star-studded Art For Life Miami Beach gala to benefit art programs for disadvantaged youths at the Fontainebleau on Saturday. Despite Kardashian’s inability to pronounce the word, “philanthropic,” the reality star has demonstrated her commitment to the organization by answering, “Yes,” time and time again when asked for support, explained Danny Simmons. This year, Kardashian auctioned off the dress she wore when she met Prince Albert of Monaco. No word on what happened while she was in the dress or if there’s any incriminating evidence on it, (ala Monica Lewinski’s infamous blue Gap dress). Kardashian’s dress is still on the auction block, in case you’d like to run some tests on it before you get it dry cleaned. Other items up for bid at http://www.charitybuzz.com through March 24, include VIP passes to Beyonce’s upcoming tour; a meet and greet with Kanye West; portraits of Will Smith and Morgan Freeman by celebrated photographer Robert G. Zuckerman; a trip to Four Seasons Great Exuma; and a roundtrip seaplane excursion for eight courtesy of V1 Jets.

Honorees at this year’s gala, which was chaired by Forge owner, Shareef Malnik, included Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the Rubell Family Collection and Jeffrey Soffer, Chairman of Fontainebleau Resorts. A visibly surprised Alonzo Mourning, was given a congratulatory tribute on the retirement of his Miami Heat jersey and an award for his numerous philanthropic endeavors through Alonzo Mourning Charities. Celebrity attendees included, charming actress Vivica Fox, who assured us that the upcoming Curb Your Enthusiasm season will be the funniest yet; extra crispy actor-turned-author, George Hamilton; New Orleans Saint/Kim Kardashian-beau, Reggie Bush; Miami Dolphin, Brandon London; former Mexican President Vicente Fox and his wife Marta (no relation to Vivica); Miss Africa USA 2008-2009, Nyasha Zimucha and legendary soul singer Betty Wright.

Upstairs at the Fontainebleau, in the Glimmer Ballroom, the Wellness Community held its 8^th annual Heart & Star gala, co- chaired by real estate developer/hospitality entrepreneur/ nightlife impresario, Michael Capponi. What the event lacked in celebrity muscle, it made up for in elegance and glamour. Over 400 VIPs gathered to support the Wellness Community, which provides services and support to families living with cancer. Among the A-listers in attendance: CBS-TV’s chief weathercaster Lonnie Quinn; Alan and Diane Lieberman; South Beach publishing magnate, Jerry Powers; CEO and founder of Niche Media, Jason Binn; attorney Danny Weiss and his wife, arts activist Merle; Brazilian neo-pop artist, painter and sculptor, Romero Britto; and Rock Band, founder, Lee Dahlberg. Among the top-selling items in the live auction were: a custom painting by Romero Britto, a chance for a young basketball fan to be a “ball manager” on the court during a home Miami Heat game and a full day aboard Capponi’s yacht, complete with gas, food and drinks. Because two of the most well-respected nightlife impresarios, Shareef Malnik and Michael Capponi, chaired galas on the same night at the same time, a number of socialites were forced to shuttle between the two, much like Katherine Heigl’s character in 27 Dresses. Leaving them to wonder, “Doesn’t anybody own a calendar around here?”

The official Art for Life Miami Beach after-party took place the next night at the Forge’s Soul Kitchen, where guests Queen Latifah, Indianapolis Colt, Dwight Freeney, Kansas City Chief, Larry Johnson, San Francisco 49er, Vernon Davis, Arizona Cardinal, Darnell Dockett, Dallas Cowboy, Marion Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Antonio Bryant, and congressman, Kendrick Meek feasted on traditional Southern cuisine. Hosted by, you guessed it, Russell Simmons and Shareef Malnik, the event raised additional awareness and funding for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

On Saturday night, Destination Fashion hit the Shops of Bal Harbour, with an over-the-top party two years in the making. Barton G. transformed the luxury mall into a celebration through the ages: 70s, 80s, 90s and today, with enormous displays representing each decade. Over 2, 000 fashion-forward VIPs including celebrities, sports stars and philanthropic icons were able to get their groove on at Studio 54, munch on sushi with the Star Wars characters, sip cosmos with the girls from Sex and the City, and ponder the fabulosity of it all with the cast from Dynasty. The evening began with a call to action from award- winning actor and event co-chair, Tommy Lee Jones and superstar, Gloria Estefan, followed by testimonials by Nick Buoniconti and son, Marc. Next, Sultan of Style, Project Runway star, Michael Kors, wowed the crowd by presenting his spectacular fall collection straight from the runways of New York Fashion Week. The jaw dropping, bank-breaking, college fund-depleting show was set to a high-energy soundtrack which included Coldplay and New Order. Overheard among the crowd, approximately every fifteen seconds, “Gasp, I’m buying that!” After a lavish dinner at Neiman Marcus, the Pointer Sisters took over, performing a concert of their greatest hits, including He’s So Shy, Fire, Slow Hand, Automatic, Jump and, of course, I’m So Excited. There was barely any time to relish in the carbolicious rapture that was set up across the mall at Saks, where Willy Wonka challenged you to try one of the hundreds of dessert creations which covered every inch of every cosmetic counter before the Seal concert. Seal’s supermodel spouse, Heidi Klum was a no-show, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind, as Seal performed over 10 songs including Kiss from a Rose, Crazy and Prayer for the Dying. Famous faces at the bash included: Tommy Lee Jones, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Michael Kors, Anna Kournikova, Jerry Rice, Jack Nicklaus, Scottie Pippen, Pat Riley, Don Shula, Romero Britto, Edgerrin James, Clay Adler, Seamus Dever, Asante Samuel, Nat Moore, Carl Lewis, Tim Hardaway, Helio Castroneves, Robin Quivers, Nanette Lepore and Ed Reed among others. By all accounts, Destination Fashion was a huge success, raising over 3.8 million dollars for the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. To see the feature on Extra, go to: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/03/miami_sizzles_on_the_runway.php.

This article was originally published in the Miami SunPost on March 12, 2009.

Nick D’Annunzio and Tara Solomon, the self proclaimed “King and Queen of Hearts” celebrated Go Red for Women at a heart-healthy brunch at the Intercontinental Hotel to benefit the American Heart Association.   Elaine Lancaster spun some great tunes, as many South Beach locals and Miami socialites and philanthropists enjoyed a one-of-a-kind afternoon- dressed in red, of course.

Renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse celebrated the fifth anniversary of Emeril’s Miami Beach last Wednesday with a bash benefitting the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. Lagasse’s larger-than-life personality shone through as he addressed the crowd of 400, encouraging them to continue to support MCH. To get everyone’s attention, Lagasse threatened to cut off some of the delectable signature dishes that were being served. “This is how it’s gonna go,” Lagasse shouted, “first go the crab cakes, next is the lamb.” This quieted the rowdy bunch for a short while, just long enough for Lagasse to receive his Key to the City and a gorgeous portrait by Romero Britto, which the artist unveiled on-stage, bringing Legasse almost to tears. Following the presentations, New Orleans jazz vocalist and trumpeter, Jeremy Davenport, a featured musical guest on “Emeril Live” performed. Next up was famed eight-year-old pianist Ethan Bortnick. The pint-sized prodigy really showed his age during his rendition of Billy Joel’s Piano Man, during which he sang, “Singing love to his Sonic and Gym.” Adorable! Bortnick then performed a song he wrote for Legasse, entitled, “Bam – Kick it Up a Notch!” and presented the chef with the song’s lyrics. As expected, the food at Emeril’s anniversary party was plentiful and outrageous, including a raw bar, three carving stations, (one with Kobe churrasco), made-to-order Jambalaya, and tons of passed hors d’ oeuvres- all prepared according to Lagasse’s strict specifications and infusing his unique flavors and essences. VIPs in attendance, who helped raise more than $100,000 during the event included, Michael Aller, Jerry, Sandi and Jacqueline D. Powers, Michael Capponi, Lee Schrager, Gene and Hannah Bortnick, Romero Britto, Thomas and Patricia Cornish, Juan Carlos and Vivian Mas, Shawn Hauver, Emeril and Alden Lagasse, Eric Linquest, Lucy Morillo, Mario and Bibiana Murgado, Luis and Norma Quintero, Leticia Pino, Rick and Monica Schatz, Jerry South, Lyle Stern, Jonathan Tisch, Edgar and Nicole Lozano and Eric and Jocelyn Woolworth.