By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and multi-platinum artist Carlos Vives brought down the house at the 11th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala presented by Manuel and Mercedes Mosteiro at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami on May 18. Vives performed all of his most famous songs, getting the crowd of 700 on the dance floor to celebrate the achievements of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Prior to Vives’ exciting concert,  Gala honoree, Hall of Famer, Don Shula, who is among the most “winningest coaches” in NFL history was granted the 2013 “St. Jude Al-Rashid Hope Award” for his life-long commitment to helping the community and his unparalleled contributions to the NFL.

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a special place for children with cancer, and I was honored to be a part of such an exceptional night celebrating the work of this hospital in the U.S. and around the world,” said Shula. “I have been involved with St. Jude over the years, and I am proud to support this winning team of doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to saving children who are so in need.”

Gala co-founder Daisy Fuentes emceed the star-studded event, joined by award presenters Pamela Silva Conde, Alberto Sardinas, Julian Gil, Raul Gonzalez and Sonya Smith. Other Latin artists and celebrities in attendance included: Luis Fonsi, Agueda Lopez, Alejandro Chaban, Alexandra Pomales, Ambar, Andrea Chediak, Candela Ferro, Claudia Helena Vasquez, Felicia Mercado, Irma Martinez, Khotan, Leslie Grace, Maripily Rivera, Mauricio Henao, Mauro Mendez, Dr. Nancy Alvarez, Rashel Diaz, Ricardo Chavez, Roberto Manrique, Roberto Tapia, Rodner Figueroa, Vanessa Hauc, among others. Read the rest of this entry »

John Lermayer, Agustina Woodgate, DJ Jessica Who, and MC Zeale

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore   

Absolut X and Bloc Party

Last Thursday night, the line around the 70, 000 square-foot Soho Studios spanned the entire perimeter of the expansive space by the early hour of 9 p.m. It seemed like the thousands of revelers waiting peacefully in line had been camping out for days in anticipation of the Miami incarnation of the ABSOLUT® X Masquerade Ball (which started in Austin, Texas and will end in Philadelphia). The  average passerby might have asked, “What are they giving away in there, cocktails, food, a free concert?” In this case, the answer was a resounding, “Yes!” to all of the above.  For the masquerade ball, Absolut vodka collaborated  with Miami contemporary artist Agustina Woodgate, who looked beautiful in a sequined butterfly tunic, British indie rock band Bloc Party and world renowned and local favorite, mixologist John Lermayer to merge the worlds of art, cocktailing and music- for thousands of partygoers, for free! Now if that doesn’t warrant waiting in line for a bit, what does?

Upon entering, guests were taken aback by the cool lighting, mirrored art installation above their heads and the sheer magnitude of the whole event. Models donning electric space suits and psychedelic make up gave those who weren’t already decked out in bizarre outfits and masks a mask to wear before venturing into the space to pose in the photo booth, imbibe in Absolut specialty cocktails and dance feverishly to the music of DJ Jessica Who, who spun from a platform atop the center bar. In the VIP area, waiters passed a bevy of hors d’oeuvres while favorite veteran mixologist, John Lermayer, formerly of the Florida Room and currently of the Regent Cocktail Club at the Gale, created his namesake cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »

Hadley Henriette and Kamal Hotchandani

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“The best things in life are free; the second best are very expensive.” -Coco Chanel 

Such fabulous “second bests” fill the pages of luxury tome, Haute Living magazine, which threw its splashy annual Haute 100 Dinner at the highly anticipated debut of New York’s, Cipriani, the night before the restaurant’s official opening day.  Just over 100 special guests, who were hand-selected by Haute Living’s editors, arrived via   chauffeured BMW 760′s and a Ferrretti Riva 75′ Vernere to the waterfront restaurant, to be toasted with free-flowing Dom Pérignon for their inclusion in Haute Living’s list of the 100 most powerful, influential and philanthropic people in Miami published in the annual Haute 100 issue.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Harry Connick, Jr. Breaks Records at Arsht Gala 

Equal parts: gorgeous, talented and hilarious, Harry Connick, Jr., performed an intimate concert on the main stage of the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall for an audience of hundreds of South Florida’s philanthropists during the Adrienne Arsht Center’s annual gala on Friday, April 26. So moving was Connick’s performance that Gala Chair and Arsht Center Foundation Board Member Swanee DiMare and her husband Paul DiMare made a $1 million gift to the Center, right on the spot! What did Swanee get for the money? A stage in the Knight Concert Hall named after her and a big hug from Harry- not bad for a cool million. The latter, was well worth it. Read the rest of this entry »

Amber Valletta & Rohan Marley

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“Everyone can do one thing to help the environment and to improve the planet,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, Office Depot’s Director of Environmental Strategy, as he addressed a stylish, enviro-conscious crowd at the Forge Restaurant/Wine Bar during this year’s Eco-Lifestyle Gala on April 20.  In its third year, the gala, hosted by South Florida Green Drinks, aims to raise awareness and to benefit Global Green USA and Dream In Green’s efforts to “green” South Florida Schools.

The event offered an opportunity to expand the environmental audience throughout South Florida’s communities while also honoring those whose commitment to an eco-lifestyle has helped ignite change and innovation. The 2013 Eco-Lifestyle Award honorees included Supermodel , actress, and Eco-Activist, Amber Valletta, and Rohan Marley, Eco-Pioneer and founder of the organic coffee company, Marley Coffee.

The party began with a VIP reception at the stunning Terra Veritatis, the newly renovated home of William H. Dean who served as Honorary Event Chair along with Capponi Group Founder and renowned philanthropist, Michael Capponi. Guests enjoyed light fare and stimulating conversations while sipping sparkling wine and cocktails before moving on to the awards dinner in the East Room of the Forge. Forge owner Shareef Malnik and girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Anwar once again lent their support to SFGD’s Eco-Lifestyle Gala and to SFGD co-founders Marci Zaroff and Yalmaz Siddiqui. Read the rest of this entry »

Nick D’Annunzio, Ivette Naranjo, & Tara Solomon

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 A Burlesque Anniversary for Cafeina 

To say that Cafeina’s VIP anniversary party was a blast would be an understatement.   In fact we can’t recall a time over the past three years when we haven’t had the time of our lives at the chic, original Wynwood lounge (which moonlights as a gallery, garden, restaurant and event space).  It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the grand opening blow-out, which featured a liger (You read that correctly).  This year’s celebration featured carnal pleasures versus carnivores, but was equally exciting. For the bash, owner and founder Ivette Naranjo, invited Burlesque- dancers who could have doubled for Dita Von Teese– to heat up an already saucy party with performances that captivated the crowd. DJ A train kept the music playing while servers served up complimentary artisanal cocktails designed by Bar Lab veteran, David Boxwill and Latin-infused bites by Chef Diego Pasqualicchio from Cafeina’s new menu.  The event also marked the official debut of The Mezzanine, a gorgeous second floor lounge transformed by interior designer Todd Corder.  The new space is reminiscent of a 1920’s speak-easy- complete with one-off antique furnishings and also boasts a newly constructed private bar.  The Mezzanine holds up to 50 guests, making it ideal for special events and group gatherings. Read the rest of this entry »