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

Alain Ducasse, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, Lee Schrager, and Emeril Lagasse

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

More than 53, 000 guests gathered– on the sand, in hotels, in a parking garage, on a rooftop, and just about every nook and cranny of South Beach – to sip, savor and delight in delicious flavors-for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SBWFF), which for ten years has turned eating (and drinking) into a competitive sport. And while our jeans are just a little bit tighter and our livers have seen better days, we can’t help but delight in the reverie of this year’s revelry.

The jury is still out on the weekend’s best event- but our top three would have to include: the festival’s 10th Year Anniversary Party, Let Them Eat Cake, hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart in the seventh floor of the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage; Perrier-Jouët BubbleQ, hosted by Bobby Flay and the Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas party on the New World Center rooftop. Read the rest of this entry »

Janice Lipton, Bonnie Clearwater, Alan and Diane Lieberman

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

If Everybody had an Ocean….

Then they might be lucky enough to have a beach BLAST such as the one we had on Saturday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MOCA) “Surf’s Up” bash.  Perhaps it was the fact that the entire museum was transformed into a beach town or maybe it was that the 800+ artsy guests donned their favorite beach attire in lieu of restrictive, stuffy black tie wear; or perchance it was that DJ Hottpants, who towered over the dance floor in a lifeguard stand, played some of the best dance mash-ups we’ve heard in some time- (probably all of the above)…but judging from the smiles, laughter, and non-stop dancing, this was one of best parties of the social season.  The celebration coincided (to the day) with MOCA’s 15^th anniversary, kicking off a year-long string of events in honor of the museum’s cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative programs. Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

New on the scene at the already lively Mary Brickell Village is Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, (pronounced F’Ddoe) which recently held its grand opening celebration.  The large, cavernous space was designed and manufactured in Dublin and built and installed by a team of Irish craftsman and artisan painters from Ireland. How’s that for authentic? The name means “long ago” as the aim of the owners is to provide the typical atmosphere and pub grub of the neighborhood Irish pub- a central element to the Irish culture.

“It’s hard to deny the attraction to the casual conviviality of an Irish Pub,” says CEO & President Kieran McGill. “Pubs have always been the nucleus for Irish of every class, from dockworkers to aristocrats and genius writers. Fadó embodies the quintessence, customs and traditions of Ireland and we are full of pride to introduce our rich history to one of the most collective cities in the world.”  Read the rest of this entry »