Elaine Lancaster celebrated her birthday with fellow Drag Diva extraordinaire, Kitty Meow (a fellow Virgo) at Bongos Cuban Café at the Hard Rock Hotel.  And while it’s uncommon for any Diva to share the spotlight, these two decided to celebrate together, as they have been dear friends since way before La Lancaster swam ashore on our Golden Beaches. 

Lancaster was a frequent visitor to Miami Beach back in the day, when Kitty was one of the Queens of everything nightlife. The two were destined to become friends says Elaine. “We were both so full of life and light that it would either be ‘best of friends’ or worst of foes.’” Fortunately, they hit it off instantly and have remained very close to this day. Read the rest of this entry »

Will Smith with Trey Songz

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Trey Songz Hosts Moet Rose Lounge 

Singer/songwriter/actor, Trey Songz hosted a private party last Thursday night for 150 guests at the Setai penthouse, dubbed the Moët Rose Lounge for the evening. The handsome 23 year-old brought his mother as his date and together, they accepted a $5,000 check from Moet for Songz’s Angels with Heart foundation, toasted with guests and cut a three-tier chocolate cake.  The Foundation is Songz’s call to action for his fans to give back to their communities through random acts of kindness. 

The otherwise subdued soiree was energized at around midnight, when Will Smith showed up.  Smith, who is working on Men In Black III to be released in May 2012 was also reportedly spotted at Prime 112 and Fontainebleau over the weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Criselda Breene, Lara Shriftman, Kate Betts, Sarah Harrelson, Iran Issa-Khan

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Everyday Icon at Mister Collins

Last Tuesday, amid tropical storm warnings and torrential downpours, a stellar group converged at Mister Collins inside ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa for the launch of fashion journalist and style guru, Kate Betts’ celebrated book, Everyday Icon, Michelle Obama and the Power of Style.  At the elite gathering, hosted by a very svelte, Lara Shriftman; Iran Issa-Khan, Sarah Harrelson and Criselda Breene, the charming author mingled with guests and shared anecdotes about the arduous process behind writing and rewriting her book (20+ revisions) and chatted about the book’s behind-the-scenes accounts of the First Lady’s fashion statements. Strikingly dressed like a style icon herself, Betts wore a summer caftan by Jeannie McQueeny, pants by Derek Lam and RK Reed Krakoff heels.  Betts’ beautiful six-year old daughter was also dressed to the nines at the party.  Read the rest of this entry »

Tara Solomon, Nick D'Annunzio, and Brian Antoni

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

There are a multitude of ways to celebrate a summer birthday in Miami- hosting a
“Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” party is simply the most “obvious;” especially if you are a seasoned party pro whose party planning rap sheet spans the globe.  Such is the case for PR Guru, Nick D’Annunzio, and author, Brian Antoni, (a self-professed party addict) whose themed birthday parties have become the climax of the summer each year.  This year’s bash at Cafeina was no exception- with a theme to entice even the least enthusiastic partygoer, as evidenced by the more than 800 guests who channeled their “inner” harlot or just threw on a plaid shirt and boots and gathered throughout Cafeina’s haystack-laden, two story lounge, outdoor garden and gallery, which just happened to have a mechanical bull as its centerpiece.  Perhaps it was the whimsy- the toy cap guns and cowboy hats, which were gifted to all of the guests, or maybe it was the two-liter bottles of Svedka, which were generously poured and consumed, but folks lined up by the hundreds for a chance to be flung from the aforementioned bull. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »