Lea Black

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Lea Black worked the room like a “hundred thousand dollar hooker” (her words) during the animated auction at the Blacks’ Annual Gala at the Eden Roc Renaissance on Saturday night –the party of parties- which gets bigger and better every year.  While the event is technically hosted by Lea AND Roy Black – Roy admiringly introduced his wife prior to her taking the stage by admitting that he is just a “Househusband.” Who ever thought we’d see the day?  A beaming Roy looked on as Lea- stunning in a low-cut, sparkly, black Versace gown which showed off her newly trim and toned “everything” worked the room like only she can. And what a room it was…wall to wall rectangular tables covered in silk silver tablecloths, surrounded by Miami’s who’s who, enjoying a gourmet meal served family style.  Recent Celebrity Apprentice alum, Grammy Award winning artist/actress/Diva Dionne Warwick wowed the crowd with a mini-concert of her most famous songs, including “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” which had some guests singing along arm-in-arm.  Warwick departed abruptly, perhaps to get some beauty sleep, the reason for her firing from Celebrity Apprentice.

After dinner, guests were escorted into the Pompeii Ballroom, for the “Nightclub Experience,” where DJ Irie spun great dance music until after midnight, when Grammy Award winning singer/record producer, Pharrell took to the stage to perform and work the crowd into a frenzy. The feisty and seemingly tipsy, Brazilian wild child, Adriana de Moura joined Pharell on-stage, dancing with the rapper, and with Roy Black, who was also up there, with a  gaggle of gals. Read the rest of this entry »

Lara and Fati Rosenberg

By: Maryanne Salvat and Mary Jo Shore

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com

MIYO Home owners, Fati Rosenberg and Stephanie Jourdan, opened their hearts and the doors to their fabulous showroom last Thursday to host a chic event to benefit the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation. The MIYO Home “Chair-ity” joined forces with eight local artists, including Iran Issa-Kahn, Seth Browarnik, Hillary Scrutis, Briggs Solomon, Fernando Wong, Robert Zemnickis and Thom Filicia, each of whom decorated a MIYO Home Chair with his own unique vision, using the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation for inspiration.  The one-of-a kind pieces were auctioned off at Thursday’s cocktail to raise over $30,000 for the foundation.

Well-heeled guests braved the decorative rocks in MIYO’s Zen Garden to admire the creative works such as the Patton Group’s, “Miami Housewives” chair, covered top to bottom with a collage of decoupage newspaper clippings and accentuated by a rhinestone pink flamingo in the middle, signed by the RHOM “fab four:” Lea Black, Alexia Echeverria, Adriana de Moura, and of course Marysol Patton, each of whom spent a good deal of time delighting in their carefully positioned press cut-outs.  Iran Issa-Khan’s chair incorporated her famed coral formations and included a list of well-known actors and artists suffering from the debilitating disorder. Celebrity photographer Seth Browarnik’s creation was positioned on a swatch of red carpet.  How apropos!

Fati Rosenberg, a long-time supporter of the cause said, “The Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation is very near and dear to me. It’s the first charitable organization fully committed to furthering the study of early-onset bipolar disorder. I am appreciative to have the support of the artists who’ve contributed their talent and effort to help me draw awareness and educate our community about this debilitating condition.”  Read the rest of this entry »

Rob Sena, Lauren Minasian, RS Schmitt, Aaron Resnick, and Karina Mora

 By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Maryjoshore@aol.com

Hearts and Stars Shining Bright

It was fitting that the moon shone brighter than it has in 18 years over the Hearts and Stars Gala benefitting the Little Lighthouse Foundation, an organization designed to brighten the lives of South Florida children and families.  It seemed the moon wanted to get close to the 800 generous guests who joined co-chairs Rob Sena, RS Schmitt and Aaron Resnick or to stars such as designer, Luis Valenzuela; singer/songwriter, Shelly Renee, singing star, Nadia Harris, and ebullient local celeb, Buster Cox, at the posh, waterfront Shangri La, (formerly Casa Malinka), home of George Wallner. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Chairman Jason Binn and Niche Media celebrated the 18th Anniversary of South Florida’s premiere luxury lifestyle publication Ocean Drive magazine with the best party they’ve thrown in a few years.  Billboard chart-topper and international music sensation Enrique Iglesias was the host at the invitation-only bash, presented by Bing at the gorgeous, new JW Marriott Marquis on Wednesday March 9.  Haley and Jason Binn, were joined by Editor In Chief Suzy Buckley and Publisher Courtland Lantaff as co-hosts of the event.

 By 8:00 p.m. the elevators at the JW Marriott Marquis were already packed, with throngs of models (most of whom are younger than the magazine) and other pretty people ascending up to the 19^th floor to the hotel’s10, 000-square-foot NBA approved basketball arena, which was transformed into a striking white space, complete with carpeting and enormous white mobiles dangling from the ceiling and adjacent infinity-edge pool area. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

This week, eating takes a back burner to dancing, as DJs from all over the globe descend on the South Beach sand to spin and make us spin.  In addition to WMC this year, Miami Music Week, which includes the Ultra Music Festival (3/25 – 3/27) will be held from March 22-27, so expect even more great music events in the weeks to come.

While giving you an entire line-up is next to impossible, here’s a short list of places you can go to find out where to wear out your dancing shoes. 

The official website and registration information for WMC can be found at:  http://wintermusicconference.com/.

WALL Miami’s line-up includes European DJs/ producers Yves Larock and Wally Lopez on Friday, March 11 and the exclusive Sleaze Records Miamication Party on March 12, which will feature the crème de la crème of WMC’s DJs such as Miami’s own Cedric Gervais, MYA performing “Love is the Answer” live, Kurd Maverick and Sultan.  Visit http://www.wallmiami.com/ for more information.

The 4AM New York City DJs will be at Soho Beach House on Thursday, March 10.  RSVP to info@4am.tv or visit www.4AM.tv for more information.

Sharam will be at Mansion on Friday and Paul Van Dyk will be there on Saturday. Visit www.theopiumgroup.com for details.

LIV and Arkadia at the Fontainebleau are hosting a slew of musical performances.  For information, visit: http://livarkadia.wantickets.com/.

For all of the great events at the Lords Hotel, visit:  www.Lordssouthbeach.com