Tom Brokaw, Dr. Barth Green, Nick Buoniconti, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, & Bob Costas

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

A-list locals joined a star-studded guest list recently for the world premiere of An Unbreakable Bond, a film by 19-time Grammy award winning producer, Emilio Estefan, that chronicles the relationship between NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti, his son Marc, and their thirty year struggle to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The film debuted on Tuesday, March 11, as part of the Miami Film Festival at the Olympia Theater at The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.  Special guests enjoyed a screening of the film, followed by a Q & A session and a party on the stage of the stunning theater, during which the Estefans mingled with guests and posed for photos with fans. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Mary Jo Almeida Shore 

A Night at The Museum 

Every year, the Bass Museum of Art hosts, arguably,  one of the most fun nights that can be had IN an actual museum. Last Wednesday’s fundraiser was no exception, bringing together a select group of the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and tastemakers for the museum’s annual fundraiser, “A Night at the Museum.” The 500+ guests dressed to the nines, as the event invitation suggested, “creative black tie” for the multi-room, indoor/outdoor fete which was sponsored by Vogue México and Latin-America and Escada, and offered a private preview of Vanitas: Fashion and Art– the museum’s latest exhibit which presents fashion in a transformative light-  we’re talking  dresses made from poppies, real butterflies, skeletons…but don’t want to give too much away.  To describe it officially, Vanitas: Fashion and Art explores the theme of vanitas as expressed in avant garde ready-to-wear and haute couture as well as in contemporary paintings, sculptures, industrial design and new media. The exhibition includes work by contemporary designers and artists.”  The collection is showcased  through a  collection of historic frames,, strategically placed to provide an interactive encounter between the art and the viewer. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida Shore

The beautiful Mandarin Oriental overflowed with elegance last Saturday night as the 18th Annual Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program hosted its annual gala with more than 500 of South Florida’s finest- philanthropists, celebrities and socialites who gathered to sip, chat, dine and dance, oh yes, and donate, donate, donate- to young ladies in need. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle planned and hosted an unforgettable evening which raised a record- breaking $900,000 this year- not bad for a day’s work, huh? All joking aside, the tireless efforts of the planning committee, helmed by Toccin Lucas became plainly evident from the minute we arrived. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

For the 13^th consecutive year, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) attracted thousands upon thousands of foodies to the wine soaked sands of South Beach, to delight in scrumptious bites, sip clever concoctions and rub elbows with fellow foodies, VIPs, and more celebrity chefs than you can shake your spatula at. The celebrations started Thursday, February 20 and ran through Sunday, February 23.   

The Q 

Moët Hennessy’s The Q, kicked off SOBEWFF on Thursday, February 20, attracting carnivores and Champagne aficionados like prime, grilled catnip would Tony the Tiger.  Host, Michael Symon, along with over 20 Sports Illustrated swimsuit models converged in a tent behind the Delano for a night of savoring grilled meats from local and nationally renowned restaurants from around the nation and free-flowing Champagne and cocktails.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The cavernous Ice Palace Studios, dramatically aglow in white light, served as the perfect setting for Designed for a Cure, on Thursday, February 13, wherein nearly 800 stylish guests gathered to support the partnership between the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.  The elegant event raised more than $850,000 to fund cancer research at Sylvester. De la Renta himself spontaneously donated $100,000 at the event.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

MOCA Mystery Dates 

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami) kicked off the month of February in style with its highly anticipated, seventh annual Mystery Dates fundraiser during which guests enjoyed a dazzling evening at the homes of ten private collectors who graciously held dinner parties in support of the museum.  Read the rest of this entry »