By: Maryanne Salvat 

The Fifth Annual Children Helping Children Program 

Every year on May 5, Japan sets aside the day to celebrate children’s health, growth and happiness, and Benihana is bringing this holiday to life with its fifth annual Children Helping Children program, which supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. From now until May 5, children visiting any Benihana location can participate by drawing a picture to signify what “Children Helping Children” means to them. For each entry collected, Benihana will donate $1 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. One winning entry will be selected from each restaurant to receive dinner for 8 people. In addition, 100 percent of the purchase price for all of the Benihana Kabuki Kids meals served on Children’s Day, May 5, will be donated to St. Jude. 

Poseidon Greek Restaurant Celebrates Their Grand Opening  

Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge has arrived bringing vibrant energy and Greek culture to South Beach. Guests are invited experience what authentic Greek cuisine is all about with indoor and outdoor seating. Executive Chef Demetrios Pyliots, takes pride in cooking with authentic Greek and natural ingredients such as Kalamata olives, oregano, rosemary and thyme that are grown and imported from Taygetos Mountain of Kalamata; pure Chios masticha, grown in the Skinos tree; and the Messinian Bay delicacy, a wild fish egg caviar and fresh fish imported from the Aegean Sea of Greece to name a few.  Guest are in for a special treat at Poseidon’s Grand Opening Celebration as they will be able to try greek bites and cocktails on Wednesday, April 17; for more information visit:  www.poseidonmiami.com.

The Cochon 555

On Sunday, April 21, the Cochon 555 tour will then land at the Four Seasons Miami with an impressive roster of gastronomic superstars:  Aaron Brooks (Edge Steakhouse / Four Seasons), Timon Balloo (Sugarcane), Jeffrey McInnis (Yardbird), David Thomas (Bazaar) and Cesare Zapata (The Federak). Tickets start at $125 and include incredible pork dishes by some of the city’s best chefs, wine, mezcal and bourbon tastings, pork-spiked desserts and more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: www.cochon555.com.

Inaugural Gentlemen’s Night Out Presented by Turner Construction 

On Thursday, April 18, join Michael Baiamonte, voice of the Miami Heat, for an exclusive, sophisticated gentlemen’s event featuring tastings of premium scotches, spirits and selections of the finest cigars. Featuring a silent auction and entertainment, this event serves as an opportunity for men to come together for networking, entertainment, camaraderie and philanthropy.  An All in Fore the Kids event, the Inaugural Gentlemen’s Night Out Presented by Turner Construction raises funds to support the children and families at Miami Children’s Hospital. Gentlemen will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the 1973 Vince Lombardi Trophy awarded to the Miami Dolphins after “The Perfect Season.” For more information, visit mchf.org/gentlemensnightout. 

Miami Children’s 31st Annual Corporate Golf Invitational 

On Friday, April 19, tee up for a good cause! Join business and community leaders as well as former Miami Dolphins player Dick Anderson to raise funds in support of the children and families at Miami Children’s Hospital. Enjoy a beautiful golf outing at the Biltmore Hotel and Golf Course and reception featuring a spectacular silent auction.  Corporate groups and foursomes are invited to participate in this day-long event. Show off your driving skills and support a worthy cause. Not a golfer? No problem! Sponsorship, underwriting and volunteer opportunities are also available. The Miami Children’s 31^st Annual Corporate Golf Invitational is an All in Fore the Kids event. For more information, visit mchf.org/corporategolf.  

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Food & Garden Festival

On Saturday April 20 and Sunday, April 21, visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for the annual Food & Garden Festival featuring the 34^th Annual Spring Plant Sale to celebrate the arrival of spring.Sample delicious seasonal foods, learn how to care for and maintain your edible gardens throughout the summer months, and take home healthy plants grown by Fairchild and local plant societies. Food & Garden Festival is free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. 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. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.fairchildgarden.org.

La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The Polo Life, LLC presents the ninth annual La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious Beach Polo competition, taking place from April 25 to April 28 between 20th and 22nd Streets on the sands of South Beach, Florida.   Tickets are now on sale at www.miamipolo.com.  The four-day, globally renowned sporting event, considered the most coveted of its kind, features top polo players from around the world competing in two tournaments for both men and women.  As part of the daily experience at this year’s event, Aventura Mall will be the official retail partner for the design and creation of the retail village within the venue between 20th and 22nd Streets on the sands of South Beach. Existing retailers at Aventura Mall will have a presence at the retail village, allowing attendees to browse and purchase dozens of the their favorite brands, including the latest from TAG Heuer, while taking a break from watching some of the world’s top polo players. Courtesy cocktails will be provided by GREY GOOSE Vodka in the VIP tent throughout the four days. General admission to both competitions and adjacent retail village is free, and concessions will be available to purchase. A limited number of VIP tickets are available that allows entrance to the shaded grandstand, where complimentary food and beverages are served. Ticket prices are $100 for Thursday, April 25th and $130 for Friday, April 26th through Sunday, April 28th. Children 12 to 18 years-old pay half the adult ticket price and children younger than 12 years-old receive free admission. A percentage of all ticket sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, the tournament’s official charity partner. A three-day VIP pass can be purchased for $375.  A four-day VIP pass can be purchased for $450 at www.miamipolo.com; for more information on the tournament and the events or to purchase VIP tickets, visit www.miamipolo.com or call 305-538-3809. For further information on The Polo Life, visit www.thepololife.com. 

Fertile Earth Foundation

On Tuesday, April 30, from 6:00 until 10:00 p.m., Fertile Earth Foundation (FEF), a Florida based non-profit organization, best known for its composting and waste reduction initiatives, will host their 2nd Annual “Underground Miami” fundraising event along with The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce benefitting the organization. Fresh off their success with the Ladies of Manure 2013 Calendar, the ladies of FEF will get you to rethink all your waste with specially commissioned art installation made with, you guessed it, manure! Held at The Palms Hotel and Spa,  Underground Miami will also feature an exotic invasive species dinner by Signature Chef Julie Frans of Essensia Restaurant, Chef Todd Erickson of Haven and award-winning Miami Chef Kris Wessel of Florida Cookery. On the menu are Lion Fish, Wild Boar, Snake Head Fish, Python and more. Another highlight of the evening will be a “Cow Chip Tossing Contest” between Miami Beach Mayoral Candidates. Jerry Libbin has issued a challenge to all Candidates to participate. There will also be a silent and live auction. Ticket prices range between $75 and $125.  Early bird discounts available for $50 and $87.50 until April 16;for tickets go to: http://www.fertileearth.org/shop-events.

Culture Your Canine

You and your four-legged friend can attend a one-of-a-kind shopping experience when you attend Culture Your Canine on Thursday, May 2 in Coral Gables benefiting the animals at the Humane Society of Greater Miami. (Note: Only well behaved, vaccinated, and leashed dogs are invited.)Guests will browse the wonderful selection of items available at Fine Line Furniture and Accessories, Filomena Fernandez Clothing Boutique, The Americas Collection Fine Arts Gallery, and Gallilani, all located at 4217 and 4213 Ponce De Leon Boulevard. Each showroom will provide music, drinks and light bites and cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka. There will also be a fabulous silent auction and raffle. There is a $15 fee at the door and 15% of all sales made that evening will benefit the organization as well. RSVP@Fineline.us. Visit www.humanesocietymiami.org to pre-register and make your donation online. For additional information, contact Dani Kandera at the Humane Society of Greater Miami at PetNet@humanesocietymiami.com.

Yann Arthus Bertrand, Larsa and Scottie Pippen

On Friday night, Major League Baseball first baseman Ryan James Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies visited The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar. Howard came in with his wife just after 10:30 p.m. and enjoyed a variety of dishes prior to leaving later in the evening.   

On Saturday evening, World Champion Boxer Bernard Hopkins and former Village People member Randy Jones visited The Forge to dine and enjoy the ambiance. Hopkins sat in the main dining room with a group of guests. Jones had arrived earlier in the evening and enjoyed the Veuve Clicquot Happy Hour with close friends. 

Famed directors, Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot joined forces with Swiss watchmaker OMEGA to create Planet Ocean, a landmark new environmental documentary.  Arthus-Bertrand was on hand for the film’s screening and cocktail party on Tuesday, at the Adrienne Arsht Center, along with SurfRider, and notables including: Larsa & Scottie Pippen, Chris & Adrienne Bosh (who was celebrating her birthday), Greg Frehling, Karina Ors, and Michelle Pooch.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Lea and Roy Black at The Blacks’ Annual Gala 2013

Lea and Roy Black have a magical way of bringing together “A-list celebrities, social icons, business titans and top legal minds” every year for their annual gala.  What began as a party for 450 at the Blacks’ home nearly 20 years ago has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events of the social season, with nearly 700 guests in attendance this year.  The Blacks’ Gala took place at the Fontainebleau on Saturday night to benefit The Consequences Charity and its programs with Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami and Big Dreams for Kids, for which they gala has raised roughly $12 million over the past 19 years. Part of the magic is that this event is actually a “fun gala” (not an oxymoron) which combines giving and celebrating by encompassing all of the elements that make for a perfect party:  hundreds of stylish, interesting and/or beautiful people; one-of-a-kind auction items- at a bargain; top notch entertainment; gourmet food and free-flowing cocktails to get everyone in a celebratory and spending mood.  The best part? It’s all for kids in need. 

The star-studded charity event began with a Grey Goose cocktail reception, and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, performance by American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks and a live auction which featured a walk-on role in an upcoming Michael Bay movie, a one year lease on a 2013 all-new body style Range Rover, Jeffrey Rackover jewelry and Hublot watch to name a few. Read the rest here »

Silvia Karman Cubina, Diane Venet, Criselda Breene

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore  

We enjoy a visit to the Bass Museum of Art, one of Miami Beach’s key cultural landmarks, just about any time, but no visit compares to touring this gorgeous museum alongside the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and tastemakers after hours.  We had the opportunity to do just that on Thursday, March 14, as the Bass hosted its annual fundraiser, A Night at the Museum, for which more than 500 fashion-forward art lovers gathered to enjoy a private preview of From Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler curated by Diane Venet, which features over 200 beautiful, wearable “shiny things,” created by 135 artists.  Needless to say, our inner (and outer) jewelry addict longed for “one of everything.”  The exhibition, presents an intimate and often whimsical side of some of the greatest artists of recent times, each offering a singular vision of adornment. The exceptional, little-known works of wearable sculpture offer new insights into the creative genius artistic giants including:  Andy Warhol, Georges Braque, Louise Bourgesois, Lucio Fontana, Salvador Dalí, Louise Nevelson, Man Ray, Anthony Caro, Yoko Ono and Anish Kapoor.   Read the rest here »

Jill Martin and Dana Ravich

Celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann debut her highly anticipated LATIN D’LITE: Delicious Latin Recipes with a Healthy Twist cookbook at the gorgeous Ornare showroom in the Design District. Guests got to taste Hoffmann’s favorite dishes from her cookbook during the signing and exclusive meet and greet. 

Also on Tuesday night, New York Times bestselling authors, Jill Martin and Dana Ravich celebrated the launch of their new book, The Weekend Makeover, at an exclusive gathering at the Soho Beach House.  Martin drew a slew of photographers to the beach the following day as she laid out on the beach at SBH. 

Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh celebrated his birthday Wednesday night at Bamboo Miami Beach with friends:  Ne-Yo, Dwyane Wade, FLOrida, actor/comedian Dee Ray Davis and Pleasure P. Miami Heat’s official DJ, DJ IRIE kept the party going until the early morning. 

On Friday night, music producer, Pharrell Williams, celebrated his 40th birthday at Arkadia and LIV at the Fontainebleau with famous friends: Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Lil Wayne. 

On Sunday, the 6^th annual Nautica South Beach Triathlon raised $422,626 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and brought out participating celebrities such as:  Colin Egglesfield, Greg Ellis, Jason Kennedy, James Marsden, Josh Hopkins, Geoff Stults, Parker Young, Cristian de la Fuente and Monique Coleman. Actress and Broadway signer Laura Bell Bundy and former Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris were also on hand for the event but stuck to stage duties, with Bundy singing the national anthem and Harris helping to present checks and medals.

Recently spotted at Zuma Miami:  Marc Anthony and his new girlfriend, TopShop heiress, Chloe Green; Luis Carlos Velez and Siad Char, whoannouncedtheir engagement at a romantic table on the riverfront terrace; singer Fher Olvera from Mana and  Esperanza Aguirre, Spanish politician and former President of Madrid.

Superstar, Jamie Foxx was seen dining a Baoli last week.

Jewellery designer Orianne Collins, ex-wife of Phil Collins, and co-founder of the Little Dreams Foundation attended the unveiling of FENDI Casa’s specially curated Romero Britto exhibit on Thursday, March 14^that the Luxury Living FENDI Casa showroom.  A portion of the proceeds from the exhibit, of which all items are available for purchase, will be donated to the foundation. 

Del Toro Shoes Step in to SET Miami 

On Thursday, April 11, Del Toro Shoes takes over SET to showcase the Miami’s shoe line in South Beach’s exclusive, recently renovated hotspot. Guests can expect to see some of the brand’s top designs suspended from above and throughout the venue. Guests selected at random will also receive Del Toro gift certificates so they can join the legions of the Miami-based brand’s fans. Sounds will be provided by Skam Artist’s very own Ross One alongside ESS + EMM. 

The Blacks’ Annual Gala 

On Saturday, April 13, join Lea and Roy Black for one of the most anticipated events of the year, The Blacks’ Annual Gala featuring musical guest Flo Rida with Taylor Hicks and DJ Trouble at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.  Proceeds benefit The Consequences Charity, Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami, and Big Dream for Kids as well as other worthy charities. To purchase tickets and for further information about this fabulous evening visit: www.theblacksannualgala.com.

Reggae Beach Bowl 

Solé on the Ocean, the Sunny Isles Beach resort is throwing a Reggae Beach Bowl concert on the sand this Saturday, April 13, from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. NFL greats Antonio Brown and Amhad Bradshaw will join Miami Dolphins Lamar Miller and Olivier Vernon in hosting the beach bash with a live performance by Junior Marvin & One Love of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Executive Chef Ralph Pagano of Alba Seaside Italian will be cooking up island favorites such as jerk chicken and pork while guests sip on rum punch and enjoy Heineken and Amstel beer specials; for more information visit www.SoleOnTheOcean.com.

Dream Pop Portraits Art Show 

Pop-artist, Amy Cinnamon will showcase her magnificent Dream Pop Portraits at an art show at the Hoxton on Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Expect to see some of your favorite faces on display in beautiful works of art.  The Hoxton will serve up tasty snacks and cocktails as well.  

Bridge to the Stars, “A Starry Night” 

On Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. the rooftop terrace of the JW Marriott Marquis Miami hotel in downtown Miami will be transformed into a whimsical themed evening inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” masterpiece for Bridge to the Stars, “A Starry Night”, presented by City National Bank. Hundreds are expected to attend this special event, including prominent community activists and civic leaders, the fundraiser, hailed as one of the most unique of the season, will help bolster the outreach of Miami Bridge, which provides critical services to youth in great need, many of whom are homeless or runaways and living on the streets. A single reservation is $200.  Attire is Miami Chic. For more information on how to attend or sponsor the event — or support the Miami Bridge organization — contact Monique Bain, 305.636.3520, mbain@miamibridge.org, and visit www.miamibridge.org.