By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The seventh annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup– the largest beach polo tournament in the world, brought a whole lot of riding, romping, kicking, rearing, and occasional biting to the sands behind the Setai hotel over the weekend- and we are not only referring to the horseplay. Thousands of polo enthusiasts, gussied in their polo finery, gathered in the VIP tent for four gorgeous days of socializing, sipping Grey Goose cocktails, dancing, and, cheering on their favorite players from around the globe. 

Mercedes-AMG performance brand returned for a second season as title sponsor of the world-class sporting event, which benefitted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children.  Alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses at the matches, Mercedes-AMG displayed its own brand of “horsepower”- high performance vehicles including the SLS AMG Supersports car and the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG, with engines designed for peak performance- built for speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability much like that of the polo pony.  Read the rest of this entry »

Donna Karan and Maria Bello at Sustainatopia Awards

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

On Sunday, April 3, Donna Karan, Maria Bello, Selita Ebanks, and Michael Capponi were among the recipients of the Sustainatopia Honors 2011, presented by Plum TV.  These extraordinary philanthropists were honored for their charitable efforts through “impact investing, philanthropy, and sustainable business practices,” at an exclusive cocktail party and awards ceremony at Frank Gehry’s latest architectural marvel, the New World Center in Miami Beach. 

Medium star, Patricia Arquette, (more of a “small” in person but with a HUGE heart) spoke at the event, followed by special performances included Latin Jazz singer, Maria Rivas; motion and visual performance artist, Natasha Tsakos; and founder of the first “green art community” in Florida, Luis Valenzuela.  Special guests included:  Danoushka. 

About winning this prestigious humanitarian award, Michael Capponi remarked, “To be in the company of so many talented and dedicated individuals- Donna Karan, Maria Bello, Selita Ebanks, and Patricia Arquette, was such an honor. Sustainatopia brought us together, each having different projects and goals in mind (all wanting to help the Haitian people). After meeting, we are now all working together. We have become a stronger force as a team and we hope we will be more effective and ultimately reach more people.”   Read the rest of this entry »

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 »