By: Maryanne Salvat

20^th Annual International Mango Festival

Twenty years ago, a seed from one of Dr. David Fairchild’s century-old mango trees was planted in Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s fertile soil. Fast forward to the present and Fairchild is now a haven for tropical fruit research and home to hundreds of mango cultivars. This year, Fairchild celebrates the growth and development mangos have gone through to thrive in South Florida and around the world with the 20^th Annual International Mango Festival this Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the International Mango Festival is free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. For non-members, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. Those who walk or bike 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.

Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Present It’s All Overtown

NBA Champion, Alonzo Mourning, and wife Tracy Wilson Mourning, will host It’s All Overtown, “One Night…One World,” a premier annual fundraiser benefiting the Overtown Youth Center (OYC), on Thursday, July 19, starting at 6:00 p.m., at the Rusty Pelican. Guests, alongside Mistress of Ceremonies, Belkys Nerey, WSVN-TV News Anchor, will be transported around the world with entertainment, food, and specialty cocktails, all embracing the evening’s theme of multicultural inclusion. The recently redesigned Rusty Pelican will present the event and serve as the ideal backdrop in which to raise much-needed funds to support the Center, founded by Mourning in 2003. In addition to the many ways supporters can contribute to the long-term fiscal success of OYC, It’s All Overtown event-goers will have a winning chance at silent auction items that include unique experiences compliments of local eateries, hotels and spas, a variety of popular brand name fashion accessories, autographed sports memorabilia from popular athletes both current and legends, including the 2012 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat. Tickets to It’s All Overtown “One Night…One World start at $125 and are currently available. For more information, visit http://www.overtownyouth.orgor call (305) 349-1204.  

Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary

On Thursday, July 19th from 9 pm to midnight, stay stylish by giving back! Celebrate Style Saves’ 1 Year Anniversary at Style Saves’ 2nd Annual Summer Fashion Show Fundraiser! To kick off 2012 Miami Swim Week, Style Saves will host an exclusive event at SOHO Beach House featuring four designer fashion shows, sponsored open bar and live DJ. The runway show will showcase looks from Trina Turk, Atrium, Papi swimwear for men & iShine365 swimwear for women. Following the fashion show, the party will continue. Guests will enjoy cocktails and treats from Stella’s Sweet Shoppe while viewing the online auction hosted by charitybuzz featured on iPads throughout the space and capturing memories in the CapturePod photo booth sponsored by Atrium. Tickets cost $100 in advance, $125 at the door. To purchase tickets visit http://stylesaves.charityhappenings.org. 

SALON ALLURE Benefits Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation 

On July 21 and July 22, SALON ALLURE, a four-day boutique tradeshow featuring more than 70 of the world’s most exclusive brands in swim, resort, and now accessories, marks its third anniversary at Swim Week by inviting the public to its first-ever DESIGNER SAMPLE SALE fundraiser, net proceeds for the event will benefit Salon Allure’s charity of choice: Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF). Chaired by Norma Jean Abraham, celebrity co-chairs Tracy Wilson Mourning and Lisa Pliner, and style blogger Ginger Harris of Electric Blogarella at the Perry South Beach, attendees will have access to the same luxury swim and resort wear worn by Hollywood A-listers, from Fergie to Rihanna, all at discounts of up to 50 percent off. Guests will also enjoy complimentary cocktails, DJ performances, and the chance to support Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation with each purchase. To learn more and offer support, visit www.mchf.org.

photo: Facebook

Miami Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra, made appearances at Haven and STK this past weekend. He stopped by Haven on Friday night and was spotted sipping cocktails with a few friends. On Saturday night he dined at STK, showing up with a party of 10 including other fellow Miami Heat coaches.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield spent the day promoting The Amazing Spiderman– this summer’s biggest blockbuster, at the Mandarin Oriental.

Basketball Wives star, Evelyn Lozada was seen at Books and Books.

Ringo Starr performed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

After keeping millions of fans upbeat and entertained throughout the Heat’s championship season, Miami’s own DJ Irie hosted his 8th annual three-day action – packed charity weekend last weekend. The 2012 Irie Weekend began Thursday night with an exclusive Chambord vodka Carnaval themed kick-off event at a private residence on Star Island. The party was so big that the valet had to park the cars a few miles away- and was full to capacity by 10 p.m. -just an hour after the party started.  Guests enjoyed nibbles and cocktails throughout the sprawling, ocean-front property, dancing all night despite the sweltering heat.  Dennis Rodman, dressed with his typical flair, kept himself busy with the Brazilian showgirls as VIP guests gathered on the second floor to sing “Happy Birthday” to DJ Irie, who had celebrated his birthday on the night the Heat won the NBA Finals. 

On Friday, the New Era Celebrity Golf Tournament took place at the beautiful Melreese Country Club where Mayor Carlos Gimenez proclaimed June 29 “DJ Irie Day” and presented Irie with a proclamation amid cheers from the excited crowd. The golf tournament, which Irie admits is “90% party and 10% golf,” featured terrific food from food trucks including Palate Party and Monster Lobster and tastings from Hooters, Miami Subs, Epicure and The Soup Man (the Seinfeld off-shoot). On the green guests enjoyed great music, ice cold Heineken, Red Bull and cocktails. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat 

Beats After Sunset

On Friday, July 6, Bass Museum of Art will host its monthly first Friday happy soiree Beats After Sunset from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails by Herradura Tequila and beats by Joseph Anthony while browsing works from current exhibitions “MENS SUITS” by Charles LeDray and “Erasey Page” by Miami-based artist Jillian Mayer in collaboration Eric Shoenborn. Admission is complimentary for members and basspass holders; $8 museum admission for non-members. Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge, will host an after party from 11:00 pm to 12:00 a.m. where Beats guests are invited to enjoy one complimentary beverage and ping pong. 

The Amazing Spider-man IMAX Experience 

For those in need of fleeing the summer‘s sweltering heat an escape to an icy cool IMAX movie theater may be the perfect solution. The Amazing Spider-man, released this week to sold-out audiences nationwide, is a sure bet for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.  With amazing 3-D effects and an impressive cast including, the adorable Andrew Garfield (Social Network), girl-next-door Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, and Denis Leary, the new superhero series is one not to be missed.  

FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach

On Wednesday, July 18, join creators Aleksandar Stojanovic, Matt Heien and Alain Perez as they present the 17^th season of FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach. Since 2003, FUNKSHION has brought Miami to the forefront of the Fashion World, working with designers showcasing in New York City, Milan and Paris. FUNKSHION offers a fun, young opportunity for designer collections to come to life, merging the worlds of fashion and music. Bringing in celebrity DJs and bands, FUNKSHION provides the perfect soundtrack for the catwalk. Every year Funkshion produces runway shows every October, March and July. These events are open to the public, for a complete schedule and to RSVP visit: www.fashionweekmiami.com.

International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Twenty years ago, a seed from one of Dr. David Fairchild’s century-old mango trees was planted in Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s fertile soil. Fast forward to the present and Fairchild is now a haven for tropical fruit research and home to hundreds of mango cultivars. This year, Fairchild celebrates the growth and development mangos have gone through to thrive in South Florida and around the world with the 20th Annual International Mango Festival on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the International Mango Festival is free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. For non-members, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. Those who walk or bike 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.

Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James photo courtesy Manny Hernandez

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

When our beloved Miami Heat finally won the NBA Championship, a victory more than two years in the making, Miami as a whole experienced the cathartic joy- as we are now all, on some level, champions. Nowhere was this more evident than at LIV at the Fontainebleau, just a few hours before dawn, on Friday morning, and on the streets during the championship parade and at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) for the championship celebration on Monday.

“We are the Champions” blared through the speakers at LIV nightclub at just before 3 a.m. on Friday morning, as the newly crowned, World Champions, Miami HEAT, fresh from winning the NBA championship entered the massive nightclub for their official victory party, to the ecstatic chants of thrilled fans, who shouted, “Let’s go Heat!”  The chanting changed to “MVP” shortly thereafter, as LeBron James made his way to the stage at the back of the club, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the “vampire image” of his face.   The music stopped for a bit as Heat owner Micky Arison and coach Eric Spoelstra were cheered on as they took to the stage to address the fans and thank them for their support. Read the rest here »

Chad Ochocinco and Morgan More

Miami Dolphins wide receiver and reality star, Chad Ochocinco, was seen filming season one of his new reality show, Ev and Ocho, Tuesday at The Catalina Hotel, with fiancé Evelyn Lozada. The couple was surrounded by film crews and a barrage of producers as they sat together at the hotel’s Asian restaurant, Kung Fu Sushi. Kung Fu restaurant manager, and fiery star of The Catalina reality show, Morgan More, welcomed them on-camera and sat them down in private outdoor seating. Hotel owner and cast member of The Catalina, Nathan Lieberman, accidentally pulled-up on-camera in his roaring re-built 1973 Ford Bronco, in which Ochocinco is very interested.

Oprah Winfrey was seen leaving the AAA on Monday after interviewing the Big 3.

Dwyane Wade and Joel Anthony got groomed and pampered at NailBar & Beauty Lounge in Midtown a day after their big win.

George Bush’s daughter Jenna-Bush Hager was spotted at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar with a group of girls for a bachelorette party for a close friend on Saturday night.

Argentine soccer player, Ángel Fabián di María Hernández, who currently plays as a winger for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Argentine National Team was spotted dining at Gotham Steak in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach last Friday.

Two international soccer stars from rival teams found themselves side by side eating dinner in the private dining room at Cafe Prima Pasta Friday night. Argentinean Lionel (Leo) Messi enjoyed a late night dinner with 12 members of his family. Diego Forlan (Uruguay) sat less than five feet away where he also dined with family at a large table. A large group of fans and young kids waited for hours outside in the rain for a glimpse of their “futbol heroes” who didn’t leave the restaurant until almost 2 am. The stars didn’t disappoint, signing autographs and posing for pictures upon their departure.

Terrell Suggs

CSI:Miami’s David Caruso was celebrating the Miami Heat victory this past week at Serendipity 3 on Lincoln Road, he was spotted sharing one of their signature hot fudge sundae’s with two blondes.

Morgan Freeman was seen dining with friends in the downstairs dining room at Gotham Steak last Thursday. 

NBA baller Carlos Boozer from the Chicago Bulls was seen relaxing and cheering on his fellow NBA players from The Miami Heat during the championship action last Thursday at Monty’s Sunset on the beach. 

Star NFL athlete and 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Baltimore Ravens, Terrell Suggs, took his filmmaking talents to South Beach with the premiere of the feature film The Coalition. Produced by Team Sizzle Films and directed and co-written by Monica Mingo, the world premiere screening was held in the landmark Colony Theater in Miami Beach on Thursday. The Coalition was screened for two sold out houses during the festival.