Shareef Malnik, Gabrielle Anwar, Nancy and Al Malnik

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Last Saturday night we were thrilled once again to attend one of our favorite events every season, the Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, along with 900 A-list VIPs, socialites, philanthropists and celebrities, dressed to the nines in black and white, for this year’s Ball dubbed, “The Party of the Century” in homage to Truman Capote’s A-list-only vanity affair at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1966.  Guests were welcomed to the black and white avant-garde masquerade at the InterContinental Hotel by “living chandeliers” and led to the white carpet, where they transcended into a glamorous, glowing realm of fantasy featuring psychedelic black and white art installations on the mezzanine which were brought to life by camouflaged performers.

While enjoying the Ball’s much buzzed-about hors d’oeuvre stations, which included a raw bar including lobster and stone crabs and a full sushi bar and passed delights created by InterContinental Miami’s celebrated Executive Chef Alexander Feher, guests bid on more than 125 premier items including a South African safari, children’s ride-on Mercedes SUV and Goodyear Blimp, a voice-activated interactive R2D2 replica from Star Wars; and numerous works of art and vacation packages, to name a few, raising close to $108, 000.  Following the reception, resident Ball and Miami Heat celebrity disc jockey, DJ Irie summoned everyone into the main ballroom for a decadent three-course meal of Sturgeon Mousse with Caviar, Gorgonzola Stuffed Tenderloin, and delicious desserts.

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Luis Rigual, Anne Owen, and Mimi Chacin

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Last Wednesday, Miami magazine hosted its 3^rd Annual “To Live & Dine in Miami” event to celebrate its restaurant issue, which spotlights some of Miami’s top toques and restos. A hungry crowd of 400 maneuvered its way up and around the historic Moore Building’s windy floors and steep steps for an evening of mingling, cocktails and bites and to relax in the cozy lifestyle lounges created by local design showroom, Planet Lighting. 

Participating chefs who thrilled our palates included:  Paula DaSilva (1500° at Eden Roc), Dewey LoSasso (The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar), Joel Huff (Azul), Douglas Rodriguez (De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean), Philippe Ruiz (Palme d’Or), Jeffrey Hundelt (Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House) and Crumb on Parchment. 

VIP guests included Miami magazine Publisher Anne Owen; the restaurant issue editorial team including Editor-in-Chief Luis Rigual; Senior Contributing Editor Riki Altman; dining critic Jen Karetnick; and Contributing Photographer Michael Pisarri.  Several award-winning chefs also attended including Michael Schwartz and Heidi Goldsmith of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink; Jeff McInnis of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar; and Todd Erickson of Haven Gastro-Lounge. Miami Beach Vice Mayor, Michael Gongora; Majestic Properties’ Jeff Morr; Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Seth Browarnik

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Haiti Means Business

 On June 25, the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly attended a private reception at the exclusive Soho Beach House hosted by Michael Capponi and General Consulate of Haiti in Miami, Ralph Latortue to unveil the “Haiti Means Business” campaign. The handsome and charismatic Martelly, a former pop star and club promoter, made a grand entrance into the party in a procession led by the banging of a giant drum accompanied by live Haitian music, surrounded by close friends and family.  President Martelly then stood on the edge of Soho Beach House’s private 8^th floor pool, to proclaim his vision for the future of Haiti, in a speech which echoed his inauguration speech this May. “This is a new Haiti, open for business now,” he told the cheering crowd of 300 at the party.  Martelly’s plan focuses on the urgent need for action, recovery, and renewal to improve the living conditions, well-being and prospects of the Haitian people, with new impetus given to job-creating sectors. Read the rest of this entry »

On Thursday, June 9, InterContinental Miami hosted its annual kick-off celebration in honor of the upcoming 17^th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, to be held on Saturday, November 5. The palpable excitement in the room came as a result of presentations by Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida; Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Winebar; and Robert Hill, Ball Host and General Manager of InterContinental Miami.  The “Three Amigos” gave short yet poignant speeches about the Ball’s mission and success to date and kept the crowd of 200 abuzz about the main gala, themed – and dubbed – “The Party of the Century.” 

“We are very excited about our continued partnership with Make-A-Wish of Southern Florida. In recent years, the Ball has always sold out months in advance as it has become the event of Miami’s Social Season” said Hill.  “This year will certainly not disappoint with an over-the-top affair.”  Having raised $9.6 Million in the history of the Ball, we are delighted that with your support this year will mark the $10 Million Ball, to deliver hope to children with life-threatening medical conditions in our community.” Malnik continued, “It’s only fitting we celebrate this phenomenal feat to the tune of one of history’s most unforgettable events – Truman Capote’s famous ‘Black & White Ball’ also known as ‘The Party of the Century.” Guests can also expect an action-packed live auction emceed by Scent of a Woman Tango dancer and Burn Notice star, Gabrielle (Hoo Ah!) Anwar, who has made a career out of provoking her co-stars and fans with her tempting ways. 

Esteemed guests at the kick-off celebration included Founding Benefactors Howard and Barbara Glicken; former Make-A-Wish Foundation Chairman of The Board Robby Elias; philanthropist Dr. Sanford Ziff; Ball sponsor and owner of Primp Salon, Jonathan Babicka; Dr. Leonard Tachmes; Lady Monica Heftler; Baroness Beatrice Clancy; Aristotle and Diane Ares and Tara Solomon, all of whom enjoyed musical entertainment, cocktails and an elegant spread by InterContinental Miami’s Executive Chef Alexander Feher. 

Tables for the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball range from $5,000 to $20,000, and for the past five consecutive years, seats have been sold out two months prior to the event. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions. Wish Sponsors range from $5,000 to $100,000. Tables, wishes and other sponsorship opportunities can be purchased by calling 954.967.9474 extension 318 or by visiting www.sfla.wish.org.

Debbie Murcarsel-Powell, Dr. John Rock, and Debbie Tano

In celebration of Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’s (HWCOM) current and future growth, prominent female philanthropists attended a luncheon and fashion event to support the school and kick off the second-annual benefit dinner that takes place on Friday, November 4. The invitation-only luncheon, part of the college’s ongoing initiative to raise money to support student scholarships, took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Neiman Marcus at the Village of Merrick Park. The event was hosted by philanthropists Gloria Sesana and Debbie Tano and included a brief presentation from Founding Dean John Rock, M.D. and an exclusive fashion presentation of designer collections by Neiman Marcus.

Shareef Malnik, Gabrielle Anwar, and the beautiful brood

One event to which we look forward every year is the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida Garden Party which kicks off THE most anticipated event of the year, the Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball.  The elegant garden party took place on Sunday, April 10 and was hosted by Lifetime Benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik at their oceanfront estate, which ranks at the poshest pad in Palm Beach, and is the perfect setting for any affair- well worth the drive up from Miami (and just about anywhere, really). 

As if this spectacular event required additional props, the 200 gorgeous guests in the garden mingled and posed among enormous, inflatable “Friends With You” Wish Characters, created just for the occasion, which added bright colors and whimsy to an already magical afternoon- in celebration of the Ball’s magical mission. 

Ball Chairman, Shareef Malnik, surprised the crowd by announcing that Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar would serve as the celebrity auctioneer at this year’s Ball, to be held on Saturday, November 5.  (In past years the auctioneer has remained a secret until just before the big event.)  Shareef introduced the beautiful and charming Anwar who took the microphone and said, “I guess that’s what happens when you are sleeping with the chairman” to the delight of the crowd, and shock of Shareef, who turned beet red.  Anwar then tapped him loving on the backside and went on to encourage guests to “make space in their beautiful couture for a wallet full of wishes.” 

Al Malnik had the crowd in stitches when he took over the mic, saying, “I don’t think I’m old enough to have a kid this big (pointing to Shareef) and I didn’t know she was sleeping with my son (addressing Anwar).” Then looked over to his wife Nancy and said, “Did you know they were sleeping together?” He complimented everyone at the party by saying they looked as if they were part of a glamorous movie set then thanked Shareef and the two other amigos, Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida  and Robert Hill, Ball Host and General Manager of InterContinental Miami.  He also thanked his young children (six under the age of 12!) because he is certain that when they grow up they will be involved in Make-A-Wish as well, before introducing Wedderburn and Hill, who also gave inspiring speeches. 

Guests at the annual spring soiree included Star Benefactor James Ferraro, Belkys Nerey, Fernando Wong, Merle and Danny Weiss, Lady Monica Heftler, Nick D’Annunzio, Tara Solomon and Wish Characters Rainbow King, Buddy Chubb, MR. TTT, Malfi, and Zoo-Zoo. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Covering a 13-county territory of Southern Florida, the chapter’s goal is to grant more than 500 wishes in 2011. For more information, contact the Foundation at (888) 773-WISH or log on to www.sfla.wish.org.