By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Lea and Roy Black at The Blacks’ Annual Gala 2013

Lea and Roy Black have a magical way of bringing together “A-list celebrities, social icons, business titans and top legal minds” every year for their annual gala.  What began as a party for 450 at the Blacks’ home nearly 20 years ago has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events of the social season, with nearly 700 guests in attendance this year.  The Blacks’ Gala took place at the Fontainebleau on Saturday night to benefit The Consequences Charity and its programs with Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami and Big Dreams for Kids, for which they gala has raised roughly $12 million over the past 19 years. Part of the magic is that this event is actually a “fun gala” (not an oxymoron) which combines giving and celebrating by encompassing all of the elements that make for a perfect party:  hundreds of stylish, interesting and/or beautiful people; one-of-a-kind auction items- at a bargain; top notch entertainment; gourmet food and free-flowing cocktails to get everyone in a celebratory and spending mood.  The best part? It’s all for kids in need. 

The star-studded charity event began with a Grey Goose cocktail reception, and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, performance by American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks and a live auction which featured a walk-on role in an upcoming Michael Bay movie, a one year lease on a 2013 all-new body style Range Rover, Jeffrey Rackover jewelry and Hublot watch to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »

Silvia Karman Cubina, Diane Venet, Criselda Breene

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore  

We enjoy a visit to the Bass Museum of Art, one of Miami Beach’s key cultural landmarks, just about any time, but no visit compares to touring this gorgeous museum alongside the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and tastemakers after hours.  We had the opportunity to do just that on Thursday, March 14, as the Bass hosted its annual fundraiser, A Night at the Museum, for which more than 500 fashion-forward art lovers gathered to enjoy a private preview of From Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler curated by Diane Venet, which features over 200 beautiful, wearable “shiny things,” created by 135 artists.  Needless to say, our inner (and outer) jewelry addict longed for “one of everything.”  The exhibition, presents an intimate and often whimsical side of some of the greatest artists of recent times, each offering a singular vision of adornment. The exceptional, little-known works of wearable sculpture offer new insights into the creative genius artistic giants including:  Andy Warhol, Georges Braque, Louise Bourgesois, Lucio Fontana, Salvador Dalí, Louise Nevelson, Man Ray, Anthony Caro, Yoko Ono and Anish Kapoor.   Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Cultural Collection at The James Royal Palm The James Royal Palm celebrated its official launch party along with the debut of Miami’s first-ever Cultural Collection on February 27, alongside marquee partners:  the New World Symphony (NWS), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) and Public Schoolfashion house, at a unique gathering, which brought these creative forces under one roof on the same night for the first time. More than 500 VIP influencers, socialites and philanthropists came together to experience the unveiling of their exclusive collaborative pieces for an unforgettable night dedicated to the arts. The collaboration united Miami’s cultural leaders to showcase this new approach to Miami hospitality. Stylish guests dodged an unseasonal drizzle while engaging in the multi-sensory experiences throughout the evening.  MOCA transformed The James Royal Palm’s South Shore bar into a private screening room, showcasing the best of its Optic Nerve series, and a special installation by the TM Sisters was projected along the ceiling of the lobby entrance and pool deck. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida Shore

It felt like the setting of an episode from the old television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,at theblack-tie birthday celebration for William H. Dean, CEO of Washington D.C.-based engineering firm M.C. Dean, which was held at his newly renovated Miami Beach estate villa Terra Veritatis earlier this month.  The grand affair was hosted by philanthropist/nightlife impresario/chairman of Capponi Construction Group- Michael Capponi, and Sarah Arison, Board of Trustees member for the National YoungArts Foundation.  Read the rest of this entry »

Geoffrey Zakarian, Sunny Anderson, & Guy Fieri

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
and Maryanne Salvat 

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is more than just a four-day Bacchanal for fans and foodies. It’s unofficially known as “Spring Break for chefs.”  Where else can “chef-lebrities” (the Rock Stars of this decade), play on the sand day and night in the heart of winter? Here’s a rundown of some of the most fun events during SOBEWFF- that provided close celeb-chef encounters. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) took over our fair city for four days and nights of sheer joy filled with decadent tasting, sipping and celebration. From February 21-24, culinary giants from all over the nation gathered on our shores for America’s most prestigious (and fun!) gourmet gathering.  While we can’t tell you everything that went on- really, we physically cannot- we will share some of this year’s most memorable moments.  Check back next week for even more of the festival fun- that could not fit in just one column!

It All Started with The Q

More than 3, 000 excited guests joined a newly svelte, Paula Deen on Thursday evening at Moët Hennessy’s The Q, the official kick-off to the SOBEWFF- a reunion of sorts for the many foodies who had experienced a void since last year’s festival.  Deen’s very-buff son, Bobby Deen, was also on-hand for the ocean-side party, presented by Omaha Steaks, in an enormous tent on the sand.  Read the rest of this entry »