By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Stars flocked to An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala on the evening of Saturday, January 12, which began with an inspiring, interdisciplinary performance by YoungArts alumni from around the nation at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, followed by a gourmet dinner at the Alfred I. DuPont Building and “dancing in the street” on Flagler Street. Actors including: Adrian Grenier, Max Schneider, Andrew Rannells and Brian Stokes Mitchell; actresses Marisa Tomei, Debi Mazar, and Zuzanna Szadkowski, along with honoree and violinist Joshua Bell; Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chick Corea, Jacques D’Amboise, Shelly Berg, Debbie Allen, Bill T. Jones, James Rosenquist, and YoungArts alum participated in the National YoungArts Foundation’s (YoungArts) magnificent event, that raised in excess of $1 million in support of YoungArts programs in Miami, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Read the rest here »

By: Mary Jo Shore and Maryanne Salvat

Julien Farel Salon and Spa

The name Julien Farel has long been synonymous with beautiful hair

among Manhattanites, jet setters, celebrities and the like. Serving clients for twelve years at his Madison Avenue Flagship as well as Julien Farel 5th Ave, where he has launched JF Express, the world’s first anti-aging blow dry bar, Farel has always offered an unparalleled beauty experience. Farel has added another fashionable city to his roster with the recent opening of Julien Farel Salon and Spa.  Hot off of his sixth year as the official stylist of the U.S. Tennis Open, the opening of Julien Farel Miami seemed like a natural next step for this elite brand and marks the first freestanding Julien Farel Salon outside of the Big Apple.

A master and innovator in the art of cutting hair has also conquered the world of hair care as well. The complete range of Julien Farel Haircare is used throughout the salon and available for purchase. Farel utilizes A2B Technology to create the most effective anti-aging treatment for your hair.

In addition to styling and nail services (cuts and blowouts starting at $100) guests of Julien Farel Salon and Spa are also invited to indulge in a variety of personalized services performed by some of the most highly trained beauty professionals in the world. These include: therapeutic massages from astructural masseuse to help with body alignment, customized facials featuring Image Skincare, natural

peels, Brazilian and American body waxing, eyelash tinting and extensions, Julien Farel hair extensions (starting at $950), and Brazilian Blow out Keratin treatments.

Indulge at Julien Farel:  200 South Biscayne Blvd., 305.372.1278.

The Dirty Dutch Model Beach Volleyball Tournament

The Dirty Dutch Model Beach Volleyball Tournament (MBVT) presented by Bimini Bay Resort in association with the National Volleyball League (NVL) will make its 4^th annual debut on 8^th & Ocean Drive on February 9 and 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. MBVT is a public & free event where all of the top modeling agencies in Miami get together and form co-ed teams and compete in this thrilling 2-day tournament. For the 2nd consecutive year, MBVT has partnered with the NVL & the some of the top pro beach volleyball athletes. These professionals will be on site at the event coaching each of the agency teams as well as participating in live exhibition matches. The official swimwear of MBVT, Beach Bunny Swimwear, will be hosting a pre-event model agency fitting party on February 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Beach Bunny store. Participating models will be outfitted for the tournament and guests can enjoy cocktails & live music. Open to the public. The official kickoff event will take place at Miami’s newest hotspot, owned by EMM Group, SL Miami located inside the James Royal Palm on Friday, February 8 2013 starting at 11:00 p.m.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

In keeping with its exotic oriental roots, Mandarin Oriental, Miami is hosting a vibrant Chinese New Year celebration on Friday, February 8, to usher in the year of the snake in grand style. Guests will enjoy unforgettable dining experiences in the hotel’s two distinguished restaurants – Azul, the signature restaurant featuring the eclectic cuisine of Chef Jacob Anaya and Café Sambal, the elegant waterfront Asian restaurant.  Captivating lion dance performances, Asian ribbon dancers and Chinese calligraphy demonstrations will add to the excitement. The spectacular evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a lively champagne reception at the hotel’s stunning pool deck.  Following the reception, guests can choose to dine at Azul or Café Sambal and enjoy festive set menus brimming with Chinese delicacies. The cost for the Chinese New Year event is $85.00 for a three-course family style menu at Café Sambal and $35.00 for children ages 6 to 12.  The cost is $135.00 for a four-course set menu at Azul. Prices are per person, plus tax and gratuity and include champagne reception. For more information or to make reservations call 305.913.8358.  

By: Maryanne Salvat

Meet The Ladies Of Manure 2013 at Cafeina Wynwood

The Fertile Earth Foundation,a local environmental non-profit organization, will officially launch its newest fundraising initiative: The Ladies of Manure 2013 calendar, next Friday, January 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the art gallery at Cafeina Wynwood Lounge. The $25 calendar – available as of recently online – is comprised of colorfulshots like the ones below and are aimed at getting readers  to re-think waste. Guests will have an opportunity to purchase calendars during the launch party, and the Fertile Earth Foundation will also stage a silent auction showcasing large canvas-sized prints of images from the calendar. Happy hour specials also available and include $2 sliders, $3 brews. RSVP to ladiesofManure@taraink.com.

The Art of Shaving

The Art of Shaving’s “Brotherhood of Shaving” will grant elite members access to the private Friends & Family shopping event where they can save 20% off all The Art of Shaving products.  Perfect Shave Rewards Member’s will receive 20% off their entire purchase when they shop in stores or on-line starting January 25 through the 27 with the experts that developed the science behind the perfect shave. The Art of Shaving helps men transform their daily and often dreaded task of shaving from a chore into a luxurious ritual. Sign up with the elite “Brotherhood” at http://bit.ly/TAOSFriends  to receive access to the exclusive sale starting Friday, January 25, as well as information on upcoming events and promotions.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Annual Valentine’s Day Concert

Jazz has often been lauded as the music of love. On Thursday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m., guests can immerse themselves in the romantic sounds of jazz by the legendary musician Arturo Sandoval amidst a lush tropical landscape at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s annual Valentine’s Day Concert. See the garden lit up like never before in this event that is sure to warm the hearts of young and old alike. 

Guests can set up their own blankets and picnic baskets on the Garden House Lawn, or they can reserve private tables that include wine and a candlelit dinner provided by Macy’s Catering. The menu features hors d’oeuvres, a buffet with fresh salads and local vegetables, a meat carving station, and sumptuous desserts. VIP admission, including table and dinner reservations, is $150 per member and $175 per non-member.  

Originally from Cuba, Arturo Sandoval is a Grammy Award-winning musician and composer known for his performances of jazz and classical music. He is a renowned trumpet player and often incorporates Latin influences into traditional jazz.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:00 p.m., rain or shine.  

General admission is $60 for members, $75 for non-members, $25 for students with ID, $20 for ages 6-18, and free for ages 5 and under. VIP admission is $150 for members and $175 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online via ExtremeTixor by phone at 305-667-1651, ext. 3391.

Barefoot and Pregnant Getaway

You don’t have be royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or money makers like Kim and Kanye to celebrate a new addition to the family. The Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is rolling out the blue and pink carpet so couples can enjoy pre baby rest and relaxation while taking a refresher course in romance. The Barefoot and Pregnant all-inclusive package treats mom and pop to a two night/ three day getaway starting at $650, right before diaper duties begin. Couples will enjoy an oceanfront suite, a mama and papa pampering session under a private beachfront tiki cabana including dual, therapeutic,  Aveda Elemental Nature Massages, luxurious mom-icures and pop-icures,  complimentary mocktails, dinner at Kitchen 305, the resort’s onsite restaurant featuring those kooky combinations mother’s crave, all-you-can eat dessert bar, private prenatal yoga sessions by certified and licensed yoga instructors at Ayama Yoga, access to the hotel’s fitness center, steam room, swimming pools and more…  

Actors,  Adrian Grenier, Max Schneider, Andrew Rannells and Brian Stokes Mitchell; actresses Marisa Tomei, Debi Mazar, and Zuzanna Szadkowski, along with honoree and violinist Joshua Bell, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chick Corea, Jacques D’Amboise, Shelly Berg, Debbie Allen, Bill T. Jones, James Rosenquist, and YoungArts alum attended the The YoungArts gala on Saturday night which began with a performance at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts followed by dinner at the Alfred I. DuPont Building and “dancing in the street” on Flagler.  Check back next week for full gala coverage.

Co-stars of the new Twentieth Century Fox crime drama Broken City Mark Wahlberg & Natalie Martinez celebrated the release of their new film on South Beach alongside an excited crowd of over 300 fans.

Actor, Michael Caine was seen on Lincoln Road last week.

Actress Tara Reid stopped In for dinner at Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau.

 By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

MAM Ball 

On December 8, 2012 the Miami Art Museum (MAM) Ball and after party drew more than 700 stylish supporters, all dressed in black-tie, who gathered at MAM to commemorate the museum’s 29 years at Cultural Center in anticipation of next year’s move to Museum Park. The ball was a thrilling culmination to Miami Art Week/Art Basel Miami Beach, raising an astounding $700,000 for the Museum’s public programming, and marking the 12-month countdown to MAM’s reopening as Pérez Art Museum Miami in its new, Herzog & de Meuron-designed facility alongside Biscayne Bay. Read the rest here »

Romantic Weekend at Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort 

The Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is offering a romantic weekend package for couples looking to getaway for the holiday.  Enjoy a luxurious all-inclusive 2 night/3 day escapade priced at $650. Couples will enjoy an oceanfront suite, tantric Aveda Massage under a private beachfront tiki cabana, dinner at Kitchen 305,  the resort’s onsite modern day supper club featuring American-eclectic cuisine and live entertainment, complimentary mimosas at breakfast, access to the hotel’s fitness center, steam room, swimming pool and more. For those in search of a one-day getaway, The Seven Seas Spa & Salon is offering a romantic spa package. Couples are treated to tantric Aveda Elemental Nature massages while sipping free flowing champagne and dinner at Kitchen 305 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for $100.

PULSE 2.0: Late Night at the New World Symphony

On Friday, January 18, New World Symphony presents a revamping of one of its most popular series with PULSE 2.0: Late Night at the New World Symphony, featuring Miami’s DJ Sean Drake and world renowned Miami native soprano, Elaine Alvarez at 9:30 p.m. The campus will morph into a high-energy lounge and nightclub, feeding innovative performances into the crowd. DJ Drake will merge electronic beats with the American and Latin American selections performed by New World Symphony’s Fellows. NWS’ SunTrust Pavilion will transform into “Pulse Unplugged,” where Fellows will perform ensemble pieces with no amplification for a 15-minute concert. Admission is complimentary for Friends of NWS members; Non-members $25. Contact the NWS box office for more information at 305.673.3331.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s 7^th Annual International Chocolate Festival

Celebrate all things chocolate at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s 7^th Annual International Chocolate Festival, sponsored by Whole Foods Market and AT&T U-Verse, on Friday, January 25  through Sunday, January 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Enjoy a decadent three days of cooking demonstrations, lectures, plant sales and – of course – lots of chocolate sampling. Stop by the Edible Garden to find out how to make chocolate from scratch. Take home a cacao or coffee plant at the Plant Sale and start making your own delicious treats. Relax at the Chocolate Spa with mini massages and manicures or attend a yoga class. Travel through the Rainforest, Conservatory, Tropical Fruit Pavilion, and Garden House on the Choco Walk to smell chocolate-scented orchids, taste chocolates from around the world, and participate in the interactive demonstration “From Bean to Bar” presented by the Historic Division of Mars. Don’t forget to walk through the new DiMare Science Village, which includes the Wings of the Tropics butterfly exhibit. This year’s festival is sure to delight the chocolate lover in all of us.  For nonmembers, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. Those who walk, bike, or take public transportation receive $5 off adult admission and $2 off child admission. Those with a Military ID have free admission, with $20 for their spouses and $10 for their children.

One Split Second Event in Miami to Benefit Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 

One Split Second Benefit will take place on Saturday, February 2 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Gibson Miami Showroom. Over 200 guests and Miami area tastemakers will join together to support the Reeve Foundation, while enjoying the music of  Ed Kowalczyk and the rock and roll photography of Alan Roth. Tickets are $50.00 and include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. To attend, register online at www.ChristopherReeve.org/OneSecond or call 800. 225.0292. 

Gala in the Garden 

Gala in the Garden, the annual “social event of the season, arrives at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on Saturday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m. Now in its 20^th year, the black-tie event is one of the most sought fundraisers of the year, with all proceeds supporting programs in conservation science, education, horticulture and collection management. The theme for this year is Botanical Tapestry. The night will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction at the Shehan Visitor Center. Guests then proceed to the exquisitely lit and decorated Lakeside Marquee surrounded by a tropical paradise for an unforgettable night of first-class diningand dancing to the sounds of The Soul Survivors Orchestra. The stunning décor and delectable dinner is provided by Le Basque, cocktails provided by GREY GOOSE Vodka. Individual tickets start at $600, and tables for ten can be reserved for $6,000. To purchase tickets contact Susannah Shubin at sshubin@fairchildgarden.org or call 305.667.1651, extension 3375.

For more information on Gala in the Garden, visit www.fairchildgarden.org. 

Cycle for Survival 

On February 2, join the battle against rare cancers by registering to ride with your friends and family at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Cycle for Survival, which will be held at Founding Partner Equinox Fitness Club’s Coral Gables location. Cycle for Survival is the national indoor team cycling event that has raised more than $18 million in six years and is driving research led by MSKCC into rare cancers, such as sarcoma, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Teams register to ride for a four hour shift, with a maximum of eight riders per bike. Teams may register multiple bikes. The event also features complimentary fitness classes, massages and children’s activities. To register and obtain more information please visit www.cycleforsurvival.org.

2^nd Annual Wine, Women & Shoes 

On Thursday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m., Criselda Breene, Shannon Hori, and Carole Pimentel will host the 2^nd Annual Wine, Women & Shoes at the Coral Gables Country Club. This fabulous event provides an opportunity for women of all generations to slip into their stilettos and join together for shopping and fun with the common purpose of supporting world-class care at Miami Children’s Hospital. While the event is sold out, we encourage you to make a donation by contacting:  Wine Women & Shoes is a highly successful national fundraising event platform that offers sponsors a unique opportunity to place businesses in front of an ideal but hard to reach demographic: affluent, savvy women. Be there. Be fabulous. For more information and ticket pricing contact Jeanne Kushner at 786.624.2986 or jkushner@mchf.org.