By: Mary Jo Almeida Shore 

A Night at The Museum 

Every year, the Bass Museum of Art hosts, arguably,  one of the most fun nights that can be had IN an actual museum. Last Wednesday’s fundraiser was no exception, bringing together a select group of the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and tastemakers for the museum’s annual fundraiser, “A Night at the Museum.” The 500+ guests dressed to the nines, as the event invitation suggested, “creative black tie” for the multi-room, indoor/outdoor fete which was sponsored by Vogue México and Latin-America and Escada, and offered a private preview of Vanitas: Fashion and Art– the museum’s latest exhibit which presents fashion in a transformative light-  we’re talking  dresses made from poppies, real butterflies, skeletons…but don’t want to give too much away.  To describe it officially, Vanitas: Fashion and Art explores the theme of vanitas as expressed in avant garde ready-to-wear and haute couture as well as in contemporary paintings, sculptures, industrial design and new media. The exhibition includes work by contemporary designers and artists.”  The collection is showcased  through a  collection of historic frames,, strategically placed to provide an interactive encounter between the art and the viewer. Read the rest here »

EXPRESS Runway Show at the Raleigh Hotel

EXPRESS will take over the Raleigh South Beach on Thursday, March 13 for an exclusive runway show presenting the newest collection for 2014. Special guest appearance by Miami Heat favorite Chris Bosh and live music by DJ A-Trak will set the mood for the evening. The party starts at 4:00 p.m. and the fashion show at 7:00 p.m. RSVP required for attendance by March 12; RSVP@Express.com must be 21 and older to attend. 

bebe’s Sunglass Collection 

Supermodel Nina Agdal and the face of bebe, will be presenting bebe’s Sunglass Collection on Thursday, March 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the boutique’s Miami Beach location. Agdal will be greeting fans at her personal appearance along with other attendees Marysol Patton and Adriana de Moura; Must RSVP to events@bebe.com to attend. Open to the public.

BrazilFoundation 

On Saturday, March 15, BrazilFoundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support social projects in Brazil, will hold its third annual gala at the new Pérez Art Museum Miami. Sponsored by American Airlines, Artefacto, Audemars Piguet, St. Regis Bal Harbour, Goldman Sachs and Credit Agricole, the evening will bring together over 450 guests to generate resources for the community-led initiatives funded by the BrazilFoundation.  The evening will feature live music by Batuque Samba Funk, and a performance by Miami City Ballet School Ensemble and Quabales.  Notables including international supermodel Adriana Lima, Brazilian television personality Sabrina Sato, Latin Grammy Award-winner Ivete Sangalo, among others are expected to be in attendance.

Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science‘s Annual Galaxy Gala 

On Saturday, March 15, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science‘s annual Galaxy Gala will benefit the Museum’s new building under construction in downtown Miami’s Museum Park. The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science’s Gala Committee is led by co-chairs Nancy and Jonathan Batchelor and Nicole and Edgar Lozano. Philanthropic Chairs are Trish and Dan Bell and Host Chairs are Alicia Cervera Lamadrid and Alberto Lamadrid. This year’s Galaxy Gala will take place at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. The event will be an out-of-this-world sensory experience incorporating interactive screens and preview technology that will be showcased at the new Museum. Guests will experience a seasonal transformation that begins in a tropical environment complete with lush greenery and palm trees before being whisked away to a winter wonderland featuring LED icicle chandeliers and falling snowflakes. The party will continue once the Gala winds down with the Museum’s Big Bang young professionals after party. Catering to young professionals ages 21 to 40, the Big Bang begins at 10:00 p.m. with a cocktail hour and at 11:00p.m., the doors will open to the main event where attendees will join Gala goers and “crash” the party. The Gala will then be transformed into a nightclub-inspired event with a DJ, dancing, special performances and cocktails. The Gala is expected to sell out again. Individual tickets start at $500, with tables ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. For information on tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.miasci.org/gala or contact Ruth Robinson at rrobinson@sciencegala.com. The Big Bang is also expected to sell out. Tickets can be purchased at: http://ypbigbang.eventbrite.com/ or by contacting Thamiah Tutt at ttutt@miamisci.org or 305.646.4283.

BritWeek Miami, the annual celebration of British culture and industry excellence in South Florida, kicked-off its series of events for a second year on Thursday, March 6, with the second annual UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Great Business Innovation Awards Gala at The Viceroy Hotel in downtown Miami. The evening gala and awards honored the most innovative British companies and individuals. The 2014 Entrepreneur of The Year Award was presented to Sean Yazbeck by Her Majesty’s Consul General, Kevin McGurgan OBE, of the British Consulate-General Miami. After winning season five of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, the British expat set-up the telecommunications services company, WAVSYS, which today is an Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company in America, employing more than 500 people and providing over $100 million of services. A portion of the proceeds resulting from this year’s BritWeek Miami will benefit the Little Dreams Foundation – recording artist Phil Collins’ non-profit charity organization that has recently started its operation in South Florida to help advance the youth and children with an artistic and musical talent.

On February 21, Fisher Island Club hosted an exclusive interactive dinner, “Starry Night: An Evening with Tyler Florence,” in conjunction with the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. More than 70 Fisher Island Club members and VIPs attended the event inside the Club’s historic Vanderbilt Mansion.  Chef Florence personally visited each table to explain how he skillfully prepared the dishes. All proceeds from the dinner benefited the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida Shore

The beautiful Mandarin Oriental overflowed with elegance last Saturday night as the 18th Annual Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program hosted its annual gala with more than 500 of South Florida’s finest- philanthropists, celebrities and socialites who gathered to sip, chat, dine and dance, oh yes, and donate, donate, donate- to young ladies in need. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle planned and hosted an unforgettable evening which raised a record- breaking $900,000 this year- not bad for a day’s work, huh? All joking aside, the tireless efforts of the planning committee, helmed by Toccin Lucas became plainly evident from the minute we arrived. Read the rest here »

Coach Don Shula was on-hand to introduce his delicious Shula Burgers last Wednesday at Trump National Doral, which will host this weekend’s Cadillac Golf Championship- featuring a fashion show by Carolina Herrera and a concert by Travie McCoy. 

The Trump family: Donald, Ivanka, Don Jr. and Eric attended the kick-off party at the SLS on Tuesday night, for this weekend’s Cadillac Championship. 

Lauren Graham, best known for her role on Gilmore Girls, was spotted dining at Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh Hotel. The actress shared several dishes with friends and a few glasses of wine.  

Fitness and fashion guru, Lucy Mecklenburgh from the UK’s hit TV show The Only Way is Essex, dined at Villa Azur on Thursday, February 27. Mecklenburgh, who has made her stamp in the fitness and modeling world with “Results with Lucy” and “Lucy’s Booty Camp” was joined by a close girlfriend and enjoyed champagne and white wine at a cozy table in Villa Azur’s outdoor garden. Looking elegant in a simple black dress, Mecklenburgh enjoyed some of Villa Azur’s healthy signature dishes. 

We had the chance to rub elbows with lots of Food Network stars such as: Giada De Laurentiis, Alex Guarnaschelli, Andrew Zimmern, Debi Mazar, Gabriele Corcos, Masaharu Morimoto Anne Burrell, Michael Symon,  Aarón Sánchez, Geoffrey Zakarian, Rocco DiSpirito and the Deen Family at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village. 

Alonzo Mourning, hosted a VIP dinner and cocktail party at Beauty & The Feast Bar|Kitchen located in The Atlantic Hotel & Spa in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, February 26th.  Over 100 guests joined Alonzo and Tracy Mourning at the event which raised over $35,000 for the Mourning Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of children and families in the South Florida community through advocacy, education and enrichment services.  Beauty & The Feast Bar|Kitchen will be officially opening in mid to late March with a globally inspired American menu. 

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

For the 13^th consecutive year, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) attracted thousands upon thousands of foodies to the wine soaked sands of South Beach, to delight in scrumptious bites, sip clever concoctions and rub elbows with fellow foodies, VIPs, and more celebrity chefs than you can shake your spatula at. The celebrations started Thursday, February 20 and ran through Sunday, February 23.   

The Q 

Moët Hennessy’s The Q, kicked off SOBEWFF on Thursday, February 20, attracting carnivores and Champagne aficionados like prime, grilled catnip would Tony the Tiger.  Host, Michael Symon, along with over 20 Sports Illustrated swimsuit models converged in a tent behind the Delano for a night of savoring grilled meats from local and nationally renowned restaurants from around the nation and free-flowing Champagne and cocktails.  Read the rest here »