Archive for the ‘ The Fix’ Category

Socializing

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 20 - 2009

6Miami Social: Really?

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

maryjoshore@aol.com

 Bravo, the network that brings you train wrecks such as those annoying Housewives from here and there…(yawn) premiered its latest, Miami Social, a.k.a. the Real World, the Middle Aged Years, this week.  While the show’s got the blueprint for success, pretty people in a gorgeous setting and lots of sexual innuendoes and plenty of skin, the personalities and relationships seem quite contrived and chewed on to those of us who actually live here.  We did get a kick out of seeing the vistas of our hometown from every favorable angle, as well as the places we frequent and cameos from friends and acquaintances.  Interestingly, the divorced couples get along better than those in relationships (if only they could have figured it out while they were married).  One of the only realistic (albeit cliché) portrayals is that of the straight (or bi in Maria’s case) woman-gay man relationship- one of the few that actually works, in real life as well as in reality T.V.  While journalists and critics are filling pages by trashing the show, we thought it was actually kind of entertaining.  After all, we are a nation addicted to Facebook and Twitter, who makes a habit out of watching John and Kate plus 8, (John and Kate we Hate…), strangers get married to strangers on T.V. and eat bug/monkey brains to survive.  Miami Social is NOT intended to be a documentary about Miami social life.  It is what it is: a voyeuristic show about fairly regular, somewhat interesting, nice looking people and how they relate (or don’t) relate to each other.  Bravo threw a premier party for Miami Social last Thursday at Louis at the Gansevoort South.  Despite much hype- you would have thought Clooney and Pitt were in the cast, the event was not very well attended, with about 100 guests, tops.  As expected, all of the cast members were there to bask in their 15 minutes of fame (30, for reality show veterans, Katrina Campins and Hardy Hill).  DJ John Cash did bring the house down with old school favs, Michael Jackson (RIP), Madonna, etc. that kept the crowd on its feet the whole night.

  Celebs Fete Sweet Mary

On Wednesday, multi-Grammy award winning singer/ songwriter Gloria Estefan hosted a book signing cocktail for her friend, two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author Liz Balmaseda.   Celebrities including Andy Garcia, Cindy Taylor, Steven Bauer and Tim Hardaway joined Gloria and Emilio Estefan at the circle bar at the Eden Roc Hotel to celebrate Balmaseda’s first novel, Sweet Mary (her Pulitzers were for her writings on the plight of Cuban and Haitian refugees and for her role in covering the story of Elián González). In honor of the book, Atlantico Rum created Sweet Mary Mango Sour specialty cocktails which kept notable guests,  Belkys Nerey, David Siguaw, Greg Cook, Marysol Patton, Frank Amadeo, Willard Shepard and Brian Antoni, among dozens of others milling about the crowded circle bar long after the official cocktail was over.  After the party, the Estefans, Andy Garcia and wife, Marivi, Carole and Oscar Seikaly, Marysol Patton and Frank Amadeo, the President of Estefan Enterprises, darted over to Solea at the newly-opened W South Beach for dinner.

A Breather before the Bathing Suits and Groove

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On July - 9 - 2009

fireworks2Fourth of July weekend blew through town offering those who had um, lost their invites to Diddy’s White Party in Malibu or missed the bus (or car service) to the Hamptons a heap of fun in the way of boating, beaching, parades, fireworks and swanky parties, such as those over at Mondrian, Viceroy and Red.  Other than the grilling and patriotic stuff, it was a fairly quiet week- a much needed repose from all of the exciting social events that have kept the summer calendar chock full, and a breather before the exciting weekend and week to come, which brings us The Groove (formerly Zo’s Summer Groove) and the annual carnal-val otherwise known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, produced by IMG Fashion.

W South Beach puts the Ws in WOW

whotelsouthbeachWhile its sister to the north opened with a ROAR last month, the W Hotel South Beach opened with a whisper on Thursday.  It comes as no surprise, that the hip hotel, located in an ideal spot on the beach at 22nd Street is in itself a work of art, being that it is the end product of some of the world’s most creative minds, including conceptual landscape artist, Paula Hayes, Anna Busta of Studio B Design, Rock ‘N Roll photographer, Danny Clinch, Yabu Pushelberg and Costas Kondylis.  Developer David Edelstein, behind Lincoln Road and New York’s famed Park Laurel building, can now add this masterpiece to his roster.

Among the W’s offerings are Solea, the stylish new Mediterranean restaurant by Karim Masri and Nicola Siervo, owners of Quattro and Mokai and the fabulous Living Room, where we spent the better (BEST) part of last weekend. Definitely not your ordinary living room, or hotel bar for that matter, the chic lounge is more like a literary salon, where you can mingle with a sophisticated in-the-know crowd, sip delicious, unique and masterfully crafted libations by Israeli-born mixologist, (with a photographic flavor memory) Elad Zvi of Bar Lab,  and actually carry on a conversation.  Svi revolutionized our cocktail mentality, which consists exclusively of “Absolut splash of soda,” by creating his perfect mixes of rare liquors and fresh-squeezed juices and infusions.  Definitely check out the W Essencia, the United Nations of cocktail ingredients, (Japanese cucumber, Israeli mint and Lebanese pomegranate and tequila) and Rasparose (orange blossom, rose-infused honey and champagne).  Or just do like we did and tell him to surprise you. You won’t be disappointed! In the very near future, W South Beach will be home to the city’s first Mr. Chow, the internationally renowned restaurant with counterparts in London, Beverly Hills and New York City and WALL, the brainchild of club impresarios, Nicola Siervo and Karim Masri and Francis and Eric Milon, of the Opium Group, whom we include among the “Lords of South Beach.” Talk about a meeting of the nightlife masterminds, and merging of two South Beach empires.

Coming Up:

Zo Groovy !

The Summer Groove promises a weekend jam-packed with fun including golf, comedy, music, a gala dinner, block party and all-star basketball game. NBA Champs Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade join forces this year (ergo the name change from just “Zo’s Groove” to “The Groove”) to benefit the Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation. The Groove kicks off on Thursday, July 9, at 9:00 a.m. with a Golf Tournament at Doral Golf Resort & Spa with the opportunity to golf alongside Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and a host of their friends from the sports and entertainment worlds, and runs through Sunday, July 12, from 1:00- 6:00 p.m. as Zo presents his notorious Block Party at the American Airlines Arena.  This event is and is followed by the ZSG All-Star Basketball game; during which NBA Champions Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade challenge many other basketball greats.  Tickets range from $5.00-$60.00 and are available through TICKETMASTER.com.   For additional information about all of the ZSG events, including the comedy show, concert and gala at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, please visit www.ZSG.com.

Splish, Splash, Swim Week is here

Boasting the greatest number of shows ever, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim sweeps into town next week, setting up camp at the historic Raleigh Hotel for five days of sexy, sweaty, swimwear fun. From July 15-19, designs from 10 newcomers will be presented on the runways alongside prominent swimwear designers and brands such as Tibi, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Ed Hardy Swimwear, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Cia.Marítima and Luli Fama. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kicks-off with a poolside show by Bohéme Boutiques and party on July 15th, followed by four consecutive days of shows and presentations featuring L*Space by Monica Wise, this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, Tibi, Caffé Swimwear, Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin, ANK by Mirla Sabino, True Religion Swimwear, Red Carter, Aqua di Lara, Tori Praver Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Ed Hardy Swimwear, White Sands Australia, Poko Pano, Xtra Life LYCRA®, Vitamin A, Cia.Marítima, Luli Fama and V Del Sol.  For the most up to date information, please log on to our website at www.mbfashionweek.com/miami.

The Webster and ERES swimwear are partnering up for this year’s Swim Week. ERES will be setting up shop on the third floor of The Webster showcasing its 2010 Swimwear Collection from July 18th– 20th.   Appointments are a must, and can be made by calling The Webster at 305 674 7899.

On Sunday, July 19, Gerber Group and the newly opened W Fort Lauderdale Hotel will bring a taste of Miami Swim Week to Ft. Lauderdale Beach by presenting Amaya Swimwear during “Salvation Sundays,” it’s weekly pool party.  Designer Lila Nikole Rivera will be showcasing her collections throughout the afternoon.  This event is fun and free to the public.

Merrick Park Goes to the Dogs

Beginning Sundays in July, the pet-friendly Village of Merrick Park invites locals and tourists to bring their dogs to the center lawn for “doggone afternoons dedicated to the four-legged” during its “Doggie Days of Summer” series. The events will take place every Sunday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., during which shoppers are invited to have their photo taken with their beloved pooch with any $25 purchase from the mall. The event series kicks off on Sunday, July 12th with a Pooch-A-Palooza of doggy action including a dog parade judged by local luminaries.

Celebrity Sightings:

Carlos Ponce, and Romero Britto partied at Club 50 at the Viceroy for Level magazine’s one year anniversary party on Wednesday. On Thursday, “Real Housewife,” Bethenny Frankel was at W South Beach. Wilmer Valderrama had dinner at Hakkasan on Friday night before heading to LIV to listen to DJ Vice who spun a special Independence set for the crowd. Vivica Fox hung out poolside at the Gansevoort on Saturday.  Julio Iglesias Jr. spent the evening at Living Room at W South Beach on the fourth of July. Tracy Mourning dined at Houston’s in Coral Gables with son Trey and daughter, Myka Sydney, on Sunday. The Mournings made the announcement that Tracy is pregnant with their third child at the SoBeFit magazine cover party on Thursday night.  Tito Puente Jr., son of famed Latin jazz and Mambo musician Tito Puente (“El Rey de los Timbales” or “King of Latin Music”), gave guests a live and intimate performance at Solé on the Ocean over the weekend.  Also spotted at Sole, former New York Jets linebacker Marvin Jones, former Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson and former New York Giants wide receiver and “bad boy” Plaxico Burress. This Friday night, Playboy magazine international cover girl-turned-DJ, Tamara Sky, will perform at Solé’s Friday night “Alba” party from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

DJ Irie Does it Again

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 3 - 2009

dj-irie-felicia-quaning-13One of our favorite sports/South Beach personalities, DJ Irie, superstar DJ to the Miami Heat and actor Jamie Foxx and all-around nice guy, hosted his Fifth Annual Irie Weekend Celebrity Golf Tournament last Friday-Sunday, to raise funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Miami.  One of Miami’s favorite charitable events, Irie Weekend kicked off at Mansion on Friday, where Gabriel Union, Dwyane Wade, Sanaa Lathan and Joey Fatone partied and enjoyed performances by Irie (of course) and Kevin Rudolf. The golf tournament was a great success, despite many hung over and/or buzzed players who zipped through the golf course on their carts as if they were driving on the Indie 500. Making celebrity appearances throughout the tourney: Gabriel Union and Stephanie Pratt, who cheered on the celeb golfers: Alfonso Ribiero, Joey Fatone, Ernest Wilford, Wesley Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, (who made a short speech alongside Irie during the opening remarks), Dorrell Wright, Tim Hardaway and two-time Super Bowl Champion, legendary defensive end, Lawrence Taylor. All of the celebrities seemed to be having a blast, mingling with guests and signing autographs.  Ribiero’s team won the tournament once again this year (he won last year too).  At one point, Irie and Stephanie Pratt played Dance Revolution with the “littles” of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization at the Konami-sponsored hole.  Sunday’s pool party at the Shore Club went on despite the torrential monsoon that swept through.  LMFAO and a line up of guest DJs took part in the wet fun.

The Fourth with Flair

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 3 - 2009

0701fireworksFor those of you who prefer your pyrotechnics with a bit of flair, a few notable establishments are offering some swanky alternatives to celebrating our nation’s birthday.  Instead of the typical backyard BBQ and sitting on wet grass to watch a fireworks display, consider heading to the Marcel Wanders-designed Mondrian, where you can celebrate in true South Beach style (minus the hassle) by “checking in for the day” to receive all day access to the Sunset Lounge pool deck-quite a fabulous place to watch the fireworks display over the American Airlines Arena. This package starts at $125 for two and includes deluxe hotel room accommodations until 6:00 p.m., enabling guests to shower and dress up before the evening’s festivities.  As part of the package, guests can enjoy 20% off of Agua Spa treatments. Overnight packages, including daily complimentary breakfast for two, start at $195.00. For reservations, call (800) 606-6090. 

 

Nearby, at Red, the Steakhouse, you can partake in a gourmet BBQ and fireworks viewing party on the private rooftop of the restaurant. Guests are invited to watch the South Beach fireworks display while feasting on the restaurant’s signature dishes in addition to all of the traditional BBQ offerings.  There will also be 2-for-1 specialty cocktails throughout the evening, as well as specially-priced sangria, beers, and Mojitos. Dinner starts at 6:00 p.m., the bar opens at 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call (305) 534-3688 or go to www.redthesteakhouse.com.

 

 

Another fanciful fourth can be had at the Viceroy at Icon Brickell, which is hosting an Independence Day celebration that includes a pool party from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the expansive two-acre deck, a BBQ, drink specials and kid-friendly wading pools. The whole family is invited to the afternoon BBQ, but the party is sure to become adult-centered once the sun sets.  Expect DJs spinning party beats and a chic evening of fun and fireworks, with displays visible from Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. This party is a bargain since there is no entrance fee, and food and drink tickets start at just $5.00 (one ticket is good for a hot dog or hamburger).  Over at Club 50 – the rooftop pool lounge at Viceroy, guests can enjoy a more sophisticated eventing and panoramic cityscape views. For guests who’d like to spend the night, overnight accommodations start at just $175, and include VIP access.  For more information contact: (305) 503-4400 or visit www.viceroymiami.com.

Beyonce is Fierce, Sasha Fierce

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 3 - 2009

beyonce_knowles_1Beyonce Knowles performed at the Bank Atlantic Center over the weekend, delighting fans by dancing throughout the entire concert, (without lip-syncing a single note!), performing songs from her current album I am…Sasha Fierce and from her previous works, such as B’Day and Dangerously in Love. One highlight was when she flew from the main stage over the audience onto a platform in the middle of Bank Atlantic Center. Lucky fans in the back got to see her a lot closer performing a medley of songs from her Destiny’s Child days. She also paid respect to Michael Jackson and acknowledged him as an inspiration. Other highlights were when she performed Ave Maria, even singing part of it in Italian. At the end of her concert, Knowles thanked her fans and left the stage saying “I am, I am, I am…YOURS!” playing off her album title, recognizing that her success comes from her huge fan base.

Transformers Hit South Beach

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 3 - 2009

baycapponityreseFamed director, Michael Bay, and actors Ramon Rodriguez and Isabel Lucas hosted a special opening weekend screening of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen at Regal South Beach Cinemas, for a few hundred of their closest friends. The mild-mannered Bay introduced the actors and told guests that he made this film for them to enjoy and ordered them to “Have fun.”  He then asked the theater staff to “Play it loud” and sat and watched the first 30 minutes of the film for the umpteenth time, before slipping out at the same time as the actors and a few VIPs, including Michael Capponi and his goddaughter, Amber, and several Paramount Pictures employees to dine at Scarpetta.    As he watched his latest blockbuster, Bay seemed genuinely in awe of the Autobots, which spend the better part of the movie beating the daylights out of the Deceptacons, and even laughed at the film’s funny scenes.  Among those attending the screening, whom we could actually make-out in the dark,  Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio, Jon and Nancy Batchelor, Antonio Misuraca, and Jorge and Darlene Perez. One of the few actual living things in the movie is Bones (short for Bone Crusher), one of Bay’s  gorgeous, enormous, Bull Mastiffs, whom we had the pleasure of meeting at Bay’s United Way Fundraiser at his home last December, along with Bones’ partner, Grace.  Bay totally lit up when asked about his pooches, with which he travels everywhere- by private plane, of course. After the screening, the director, actors and several VIPs headed to LIV for the official after part

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