By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Whether you are a veteran of South Beach nightlife, or new to the scene, chances are you have danced to the amazing music of Mark Leventhal,  a legendary DJ who has been a pioneering force behind Miami nightlife for over 20 years:  spinning since the early 90s at some of our favorite stomping grounds, clubs such as The Spot, Warsaw, Groove Jet, Liquid, Lua, Snatch, Haven and Mynt (to name a few) and at parties for Ocean Drive  magazine and countless private and celebrity events.  Leventhal’s music leaves no room on the dance floor- because he plays the songs people love.  In addition to his music, what’s most appealing about the devoted father of three, is his kind-hearted, positive nature.   In short, Leventhal is an all-around great guy!  

Unfortunately, for the past week, Leventhal has been hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital in a coma, due to an infection that has permeated his body and his brain.  Friends and family have rallied around the well-known DJ in support (Mark has no health insurance).  On Tuesday, January 28, family, friends and fans piled into Haven Lounge, where Leventhal spins regularly, for a fund raiser to help offset his medical costs.  The party started at 7 pm and lasted into the morning.  More than 400 guests (most of them South Beach pioneers themselves) crowded into the stylish lounge to admire wall-to-wall (270 degree) projected photos of Leventhal throughout his 20 year tenure on South Beach.  More than 12 local DJs spun in his honor.  If love could somehow cure Mark- he’d be back on the turntables already. Read the rest here »

To honor St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® and its mission of finding cures and saving children, Ann Taylor has created a limited-edition jewelry collection of elephant charm jewelry.  Available exclusively at Ann Taylor stores nationwide and at www.anntaylor.com, prices range from $29.50 – $39.50 and 50 percent of the purchase price will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Cycle for Survival Returns to Miami to Raise Funds for Rare Cancer Research

Close to 300 people will gather on Saturday at Equinox Coral Gables for Miami’s second annual Cycle for Survival, a high-energy indoor team cycling event that raises money for rare cancer research. Instructors from Cycle for Survival’s founding partner, Equinox, will lead participants in this family-friendly event that is committed to making more treatment options available to help patients and their families by helping fill the funding gap for rare cancer research. Everyone is invited to attend Cycle for Survival to cheer for riders, donate and join the fun. 100% of every donation goes to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is allocated to pioneering rare cancer clinical trials and research studies within six months of the event. Doctors, rare cancer patients and caregivers will be at the event to share their personal stories. Cycle for Survival is one of the fastest-growing athletic fundraisers. Since 2007, the movement has raised over $37 million to fund 85 clinical trials and research studies. This year more than 16,000 riders will participate in events in 13 cities nationwide. Visit www.cycleforsurvival.org and follow   Cycle for Survival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

HighBoy at the 53rd Annual Original Miami Beach Antique Show

HighBoy is pleased to announce their sponsorship of the 53rd Annual Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 30 through February 3. The HighBoy is a new, curated online marketplace for antiques, fine art and intriguing objects launching this month. As part of the partnership, The HighBoy will create a collector’s lounge for partnered dealers and invited guests, which will offer catered bites, wine, and espresso in an immersive and inspiring space. On Saturday, February 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., THB invites visitors to meet Mario Buatta and celebrate his latest book, Mario Buatta, Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration. Immediately following the book signing, stay and enjoy The HighBoy Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Details: Miami Beach Convention Center, Entrance Hall C; Go to rsvp@thehighboy.com for complimentary passes to the show.

Cache Presents 2014 Chinese New Year

On Friday January 31, join Club Fifty Viceroy roof top for an event hosted by Cache’s Senior District Sales Manager Connie Valdes, featuring newest Spring 2014 “Moonlight Bouquet” & “Belle of the Ball” collection. Fashion blooms bouquets this season with a special guest appearance by New Fashion Designer Haydee Callejas; Callejas designs transcend the beauty of exotic skins Python, boa and alligators, the night rings in the New Year of the Horse! For more information contact CValdes@cache.com.

Nothing But The Best in The Roads Neighborhood

Owner/ Chef Yann Rio opened Nothing But the Best restaurant in the heart of the exciting Roads neighborhood. The menu is French Fusion, with globally-minded cuisine, infused with non-traditional ingredients such as saffron and ginger, mint. Rio, whose previous restaurants include Sequoia in Montpellier, France, which was recognized in the famous Michelin Guide, is looking forward to bringing something different to the Miami culinary landscape. Despite the restaurant’s grown-up feel, well-behaved children are welcome and invited to try the Kid’s Menu that was created just for them. The bar-lounge, however, is for the adults and is open until 1:00 a.m. Nothing but the Best is at 2525 SW 3rd Avenue (Coral Way), Miami, FL 33129; valet available for $3. The restaurant is open for dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  The bar-lounge is open until 1:00 a.m.; For reservations call: 305.858.2525.

Big City Moms Present the Biggest Baby Shower Ever

Big City Moms, the largest social group for moms is returning to Miami, with their highly anticipated, annual and original Biggest Baby Shower Ever on Tuesday, February 4 at The Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. The Biggest Baby Shower, which has been attended by celebrity parents including Jessica Alba, Melissa Joan Hart, Soleil Moon Frye, Tiffani Thiessen, Giuliana Rancic, Tia Mowry, Kelly Rutherford, and more will roll out the red carpet treatment for Miami moms-to-be. From sweet treats and mocktails to refreshing bubbly flavored waters from LaCroix,guests can expect to mingle with foremost industry experts including Sage Spoonful’s Founder and CEO, Liza Huber, as well as attend educational seminars and mini-lectures on topics from how to create a nursery given by Project Nursery founders Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio, to topics like sleep (or how to get some) and general health and safety tips for baby. Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower will also feature Bellies For Bella in support of the Live Like Bella Foundation. Pregnant mommies attending the shower can make a donation of any domination and have professional photographer take a photograph of them and their bump. Big City Moms will donate the proceeds to the Live Like Bella Foundation. Tickets range from $35 for individuals to $150 for couples. The Super Pass ticket holders will not only receive early entrance to the event at 5:30pm, but also an Ergo Baby Carrier (retail vale of $120).  All ticket holders with the exception of the Basic Pass will receive the sought-after, overflowing gift bag. To purchase tickets, visit babyshowermiami.bigcitymoms.com.

Director Michael Bay was spotted at Bâoli on Saturday calmly sipping a Heineken. Our source suspects he might have still been “recovering from his CES Convention meltdown and gearing up for Saturday’s Black Sails premiere. He was strictly on a liquid diet and declined a table, making sure he stayed close to the bar.”   

Not quite a Floridian yet, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto dined at Lippi on Monday night, wearing a baseball cap, sneakers and shorts, despite the brisk weather.  Morimoto and three guests shared a variety of dishes – seven to be exact-  including Truffled Scrambled Eggs, Hawaiian Almaco Jack Tartar and a Wild Mushroom Risotto.  The meal was accompanied by a selection of different wines, beers, spirits and of course, coffee.  Rumor has it he was dining with what seemed to be business partners for his new location set to open in the  Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach.

Adrian Grenier, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon and Kevin Connolly, in town for the filming of the Entourage movie, celebrated with a wrap party at yet-to-be-opened downtown mega-club E11even. 

Recently, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, JayZ, Timberland and Beyonce, were seen with friends entering Zuma through a private entrance to celebrate the birthday of Rowland’s new fiancé Tim Witherspoon. 

James Beard award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein of Bravo’s Top Chef and owner of award-winning restaurant Michy’s and Crumb on Parchment has joined leading ethnic housewares brand, IMUSA, as a chef ambassador for 2014. Bernstein is a part of IMUSA’s official 2014 Global Chef Panel, along with other celebrity chefs:  Aaron Sanchez and George Duran.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

A slight dip in the mercury brought everyone out in their “winter’s finest” to an outdoor vestibule outside of the new Rolex boutique (Miami’s first) in the Design District on January 16 in celebration of the flagship’s opening. Over 250 stylish guests mixed and mingled excitedly, sipping Champagne and martinis while toasting to boutique owner, Seymour Holtzman and Stewart Wicht, President of Rolex:  the evening’s hosts.  Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the Rolex boutique’s front-door neighbor, catered the evening affair with in-season passed hors d’oeuvres including chorizo croquettes, deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, and stracciatella crispini. Partygoers also danced to live music by the talented, Jenene Caramielo who performed throughout the evening.  Read the rest here »