By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

MAM Ball 

On December 8, 2012 the Miami Art Museum (MAM) Ball and after party drew more than 700 stylish supporters, all dressed in black-tie, who gathered at MAM to commemorate the museum’s 29 years at Cultural Center in anticipation of next year’s move to Museum Park. The ball was a thrilling culmination to Miami Art Week/Art Basel Miami Beach, raising an astounding $700,000 for the Museum’s public programming, and marking the 12-month countdown to MAM’s reopening as Pérez Art Museum Miami in its new, Herzog & de Meuron-designed facility alongside Biscayne Bay. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Dr. Mary Jo Shore

Melissa Molson, Mary Jo Shore, Michael Kirkland, Iran Issa-Khan, Zachary Scott, Aleks DeCarvalho, Dawidh Orlando at Issa-Khan’s NYE Party

Iran Issa-Khan’s New Year’s Eve Bash 

“…burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars” quoted from Kerouac only begins to touch one of the most astounding evenings in Miami history: world renowned artist, photographer, reluctant icon, Iran Issa-Khan’s New Year’s Eve party. 

Eighty five guests from Issa-Khan‘s magnificent and coveted ‘list’ that spans the world-over, arrived between 10 pm and the midnight explosion of grand fireworks over a magnificent Miami skyline. Ebullient guests did not stop dancing from the second they set foot in Issa-Khan’s stunning home, with views of the ocean and all of Miami, but for brief intervals to engage in spirited chatter. Dinner was served promptly at 12:15 in the early morning. This in itself was FABULOUS, as Issa-Khan herself unplugged the power cord to the DJ’s turntable to make the first toast of the night as guests listened in total silence and awe to her wise advice for the New Year: She spoke of love, harmony, light and prosperity, but most of all of being true to oneself and going forward with one’s inner secret desires for personal achievement and… Read the rest of this entry »

 By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Tosca

Revel in the spirits of Jay Gatsby during a New Year’s Eve soiree that will be true to his extravagant form. The Great Gatsby themed party at Tosca will feature a decadent menu consisting of the world’s finest imported delicacies and   the evening will encompass the essence and glamour of the 1920s. Reign in the New Year in your finest 1920s attire as you cheer to another year of fun and excitement with a champagne toast at midnight. For $245 per person, you receive a ten-course meal including the finest daily imported ingredients including: Sevruga Caviar and Todo Crudo Seasoned with Yuzu, Maine Sea Scallops still in Shell with Champagne Sauce, Seared Authentic Kobe Ribeye and Chocolate Mousse made with premium Vintage Valrhona Gran Couva Chocolate and Crunchy Pearls. With one intimate seating for the night beginning sharply at 9:00 p.m., the exclusive evening will be one not to be forgotten. For reservations, call 786.216.7230 or visit www.toscamiami.com. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore Haute Living magazine kicked off Art Basel with an event Vogue called one of the most anticipated of the week. The dinner party hosted by Daphne Guinness, Dom Pérignon and Roger Dubuis in celebration of Guinness’ collaboration with Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis called The Velvet Collection, which was Haute Living’s Basel Issue Cover story. Sixty guests gathered in the courtyard of the posh Villa Azur restaurant on December 5, at a table covered with violet roses to matched Guinness’ Haute Living cover shot taken by Nick Knight. Even Martha Stewart could resist snapping a few photos of the table. The elegant party was crawling with celebrities, VIPs and A listers as guests included Martha Stewart, Karolina Kurkova, Russell Simmons, Ray Allen, Lea Black, Marysol Patton, Stephen Dorff, IWC President Gianfranco D’Attis,street artist, Alec Monopoly, DJ Irie and, of course,Ms. Guinness herself. Dom Pérignon showed off a bottle with a glowing label by fellow creative soul, David Lynch. Earlier in the day, Diane von Furstenberg’s launched her limited edition Evian bottle at a lunch at Soho Beach House alongside guests Russell Simmons, Chelsea Handler and Andre Balazs.

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Arguably the best week of the year in South Florida, what began as a four-day extension of the Basel, Switzerland fair, Art Basel Miami has grown in scope, style and fashion in its 11 year history.  The festivities surrounding the most important art show in the world have expanded to include celebrations extending to magnificent proportions filling the dance cards of internationally renowned art collectors, enthusiasts, celebrities, fashion stalwarts and socialites for a 10-day weekend second-to-none in the Magic City.  While we proudly wear our Swarovski Crystal encrusted “I survived Art Basel” badges we share a few of our favorite events and experiences below.  Be sure to check back next week for more of the celebrations, celebrity sightings and sheer joy of this, most wonderful time of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Art Basel, the Mecca for art collectors and enthusiasts will take over Miami from December 6 through 9, 2012.  In its 11^th season, the most prestigious art show in the Americas will feature more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, among the most respected in the world that will showcase works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art and musical experiences. Art Basel will provide a vital platform for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.  In addition to the actual show at the Miami Beach Convention Center, art museums throughout South Florida, satellite art fairs, and events for and by curators provide the perfect forum for encountering and experiencing art and design. Every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel – and the requisite parties keep the locals and the visitors in an art-induced state of bliss.  Without a doubt, sunny Miami is the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.  Below, we have highlighted just a few of the major events that are scheduled this year, and are sure to make Art Basel 2012 the best to date.  Be sure to visit Passport Miami for the latest updates. Read the rest of this entry »