Gabrielle Union hosts Hotel Noir presented by Grey Goose

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Grey Goose Brings Hotel Noir to FDR

On Wednesday night, our favorite basement club, FDR at the Delano was transformed into “Hotel Noir,” for the launch of Grey Goose vodka’s latest flavor, Cherry Noir. To parallel the national television advertising campaign entitled “Hotel Noir,” the club was transformed into a seductive sanctuary draped in deep red hues and dim lights.  The best part was the library wall- complete with shelves lined with old hard-cover books-which was really a trap door leading to the clandestine back room.  The secret space took us back a decade to Liquid’s “Situation Room” where we spent many a night welcoming the sunrise- dancing to Old School Michael Jackson and Earth Wind and Fire.  We enjoyed the same type of music in the back room of FDR- which some partygoers dubbed- the “Harry Potter room.”     Read the rest here »

Dov Davidoff at The Improv Coconut Grove

Todd Weldon, Gray Corder, and Brian S. Long host a night at the Improv featuring Dov Davidoff from the Comedians of Chelsea Lately benefitting The Place of Dreams and The School of Dreams in Antigua, Guatemala (www.giveforward.com/theschoolofdreams) on Thursday, June 14, at 8:30 p.m. at the Improv, Coconut Grove. Tickets are on sale priced at $17 per person, 100% of proceeds go to The Place of Dreams/The School of Dreams). To purchase tickets, email Brian at MrLong@bl-pr.com. Each ticket will grant admission to this evening’s event as well as a VIP ticket to a future Improv event of your choice as well as free admission to the after-party at Mansion Nightclub South Beach. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Brian Long at 917.294.7370 or MrLong@BL-PR.com.

Keeping Cool with Bubbly

To keep cool this summer, HIGHBAR and Tudor House at the Dream Hotel will be offering a free flowing champagne happy hour for the ladies from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The ONE Group and STK Miami also present the launch of “Magnum Mondays,” a weekly dinner party series featuring upgrades on Veuve Clicquot Champagne, available on Mondays throughout the month of June. Dinner reservations are encouraged and available via open table. For more information, call 305.604.6988 or online www.stkmiami.com.

Amigos for Kids Presents Celebrity Domino Night

It’s DOMINO time!  Amigos For Kids, the nonprofit organization that aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by valuing children, strengthening families and educating communities, is ready to host its signature annual fundraiser, ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night. The popular event will take place on Saturday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Jungle Island. The evening will feature celebrities, an open bar courtesy of presenting sponsor, Bacardi USA, and a luxurious silent auction display. ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night will also entertain guests with a live performance by one of Miami’s hottest bands, the Celia Cruz All-Stars. To become an Amigo by donating your time or other resources to children in need, call 305.279.1155 or visit http://amigosforkids.org/ .

TRUE WEST at the Miami Theater Center

Miami Theater Center, formerly known as The PlayGround Theatre, proudly presents a staged reading of Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST, a tale of two estranged brothers who unexpectedly reconnect after five years, Saturday, June 16at 8:00 p.m. in The SandBox, the theater’s 50-seat venue. Directed by Stephanie Ansin, and starring Miami’s own Louis Aguirre and Aaron Glickman, TRUE WEST will transport audiences into a world of sibling rivalry, transformation, and an intense battle of ideals. Proceeds will benefit Miami Theater Center, the new home of The PlayGround Theatre. Louis Aguirre and Aaron Glickman will perform key roles, Austin and Lee, respectively. The production will also feature Howard Elfman in the role of film producer Saul Kimmer and Linda Bernhard as the brothers’ mother. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased at the door or for reservations contact jackie@theplaygroundtheatre.com or call 305-751-9550 ext. 234. Food, refreshments, and a DJ will be offered. Proceeds will be donated to Miami Theater Center. Visit www.theplaygroundtheatre.com for up-to-date information.

Dinner and a Show at Frenchies American Diner

On Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m., join Frenchies American Diner in Coral Gables as they present 12 Footstool Comedies that are sure to knock your socks off. Prior to the performances, Frenchies will be offering a $38 per person prix fixe dinner menu with a choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Seating is limited, reservations strongly suggested, for more information call 305.442.4554. 

Vernissage at Villa Azur

On Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m., Villa Azur together with Avant Gallery will be hosting a cocktail reception with passed hors’ d’oeuvres, wine and champagne to celebrate the installation of “The Photography of Guy Le Baube,” which will be on display for a month at Villa Azur. To RSVP and attend the event call 305.763.8688 or by email: info@VillaAzurMiami.com.

Gerry Kelly’s ROYAL Birthday X-TRAVAGANZA

Join Gerry Kelly for his “ROYAL Birthday X-TRAVAGANZA” on Saturday, June 23 at Trio on the Bay. In the spirit of Kelly’s legendary Studio 54 Birthday celebrations — always the summer’s most anticipated spectacle — the cast of the ’70s disco-inspired smash hit, The Donkey Show will make a very special appearance before the show officially opens at the Adrienne Arsht Center this summer. The venue will be transformed by the acclaimed set decorators 3DX Design in majestic red and magnificent gold colors. Kelly has also teamed up with choreographer and producer, Pamela Canellas to present a bevy of breathtaking shows with the royal touch of “pomp and circumstance.”;Musical orchestration for the evening by DJ Smiley spinning open format on the patio and DJ Nyx spinning Studio 54 classics in the main room. For guests that would like to dine before the celebration, Trio on the Bay has created a special 3-course menu, for $39 per person. The official celebration begins with Red Carpet arrivals at 10:00 p.m. followed by an open SX Cocktail Reception until 11:00 p.m. For table service, Trio on the Bay will provide SX bottle specials throughout the evening (2 bottles for $250). For dining or table reservations, call 305.866.1234.

H&M Pop Shop on Lincoln Road photo: Alex Tamargo

“Forget the rules, if it makes you happy, wear it!” reads the sign on the wall at the fantastic, brand new H&M pop-up shop just off of Lincoln Road.  It seemed like a delightful figment of our imagination as we approached the store last Thursday morning and saw the famed bright red letters “H & M” on the rooftop.  “Happy” was just the mood inside the store for the private preview- “ecstatic” actually. Partly because the select few who were invited to this “fashion field trip” for a sneak peek of Swedish global retailer  Hennes and Mauritz’s latest fashion forward outpost were among our most fashionable friends, who were like kids in a candy store, and also because we were drinking champagne at 11 a.m. on a stormy Thursday.  In case you didn’t notice, we used the word “fashion” three times in that last sentence- that’s because it’s all about trendy, affordable, fashion (there’s that word again) at H& M. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat 

“Bring Me Food” Wednesdays at Cecconi’s 

Cecconi’s Miami Beach is proud to introduce Bring Me Food (BMF) Wednesdays, a new family-style dinner series featuring a four-course prix fixe ($35*) menu by Executive Chef Sergio Sigala and Pastry Chef Oscar Bonelli. Designed as an indulgent spread reminiscent of old-school Italian suppers, guests will enjoy a different menu each week that showcases staple dishes and fresh, seasonal produce and fare.

The feast will commence with a glass of Italian sparkling wine, served upon arrival with an assortment of appetizers. The second course will consist of two hearty pastas, presented in oversized rustic bowls. Three entrees, to be shared by the table, will include a selection of Cecconi’s signature pizzas and a variety of meat and seafood dishes. The feast concludes with three tantalizing desserts. Reservations are encouraged at 786.507.7902 or miami@cecconisrestaurant.com.

The District Factory 

On Saturday, June 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Gallery Walk’s most anticipated evening shopping event and mash-up, The District Factory, will feature a growing list of local designers and artists who continue to keep Miami on the forefront of fashion. Leading the charge, as special guest host, popular Miami Blogger, Annie Vazquez, The Fashion Poet, will help usher in June’s installment of talented artists showcasing their inspirations including art, jewelry, apparel, reconstructed vintage, and so much more. Welcomed by presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, shoppers can also expect to be entertained by the sounds of Scratch DJ Academy’s DJ I.A.N., Société Perrier infused cocktails, snacks by Pop Chips, a Midtown Nail Bar & Beauty Lounge, and an indie “Factory Flick” courtesy of O Cinema. To add, the Factory will feature artwork by post-pop artist Carol Adrianza and art installations by Taylor Kienholz of Pencils and Saw blades. Phuc Yea!, Miami’s first “pop-up” restaurant, best known for their modern interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, makes a comeback cameo. The District Factory will once more donate a portion of the proceeds to Dress for Success Miami to support their mission of providing training and clothing to individuals struggling to secure and retain employment; for more detailed information visit www.districtfactory.com.

France vs. Italy Cook-Off

Culinary maestro Angelo Elia, chef/owner of South Florida’s acclaimed Casa D’Angelo restaurants, D’Angelo Pizza ∙ Tapas ∙ Wine Bar and D’Angelo Trattoria, will go head to head with culinary educator and dear friend, Chef Jean Pierre of Jean Pierre’s Cooking School, when the two face-off for a France vs. Italy cook-off on Monday, June 11, at Casa D’Angelo in Fort Lauderdale. The fourth annual fun-filled competition promises an evening of sumptuous cuisine, wines, education and lots of laughter. The four-course cooking demo and dinner features a taste of both Italy and France – two appetizers, two fish, two meats and two desserts. Each course will be paired with corresponding French and Italian wines. The chefs will guide guests through their preparations and the evening will culminate with a vote to determine which cuisine reigns best. The cook-off is priced at $145 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat, call Casa D’Angelo at 954. 564.1234.

On Sunday, May 27, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade celebrated his son’s birthday at the Adrienne Arsht Center with an all-out pizza party and a show. About 30 friends and family members, including actress Gabrielle Union, joined Wade for Zion’s 5th birthday fete, which included gourmet catering by Barton G, a jungle-inspired two story cake and participation in a sold-out performance of Disney’s The Lion King, which is playing to packed houses at the Center through June 10. After the musical concluded, Wade and family were invited backstage to meet cast members Syndee Winters (Nala) and Jelani Remy (Simba).

Actor Lance Gross and his entourage held court at The Rooftop at Perry South Beach’s Rx Pool party series over the weekend, where he and his friends were seen sipping cocktails and taking a dip in the plunge pool.

Miami Beach resident Christian Slater made a stop by Monty’s Sunset on the beach while walking his basset hound last Thursday to catch the Miami Heat game. 

Sunglasss Hut celebrated the launch of its new flagship store (now the largest store in the USA) on Lincoln road Wednesday night with a summer BBQ themed party on the roof top of the 1111 Lincoln road parking garage. Guests included Gabrielle Union and the pop music duo Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan of the band KARMIN

Miami Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was spotted “popping bottles with models” at WALL lounge Tuesday night, during the Favela Beach party. The ace had good reason to celebrate, coming off a record-setting win vs. the Colorado Rockies earlier that evening, which made him the winning-est pitcher in franchise history (formerly Dontrelle “D-Train” Willis). Nolasco signed an autograph or two, in between cocktails.

Earlier on Tuesday night, the Catalina Hotel was abuzz when the cast of The Catalina reality show made its first public appearance together for the red carpet premiere party. Soon-to-be ex-husband of Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries, showed-up solo at Kung Fu, the hotel’s popular sushi restaurant where the premiere party took place, to show support for his good friend, Adrian Baschuk, co-executive producer of the new reality show which debuted on May 29th on The CW. Humphries tucked himself away in the side room of the hotel’s restaurant, and was quickly greeted by several good-looking blonde women, who circled him while he watched the Miami Heat thrash the Indiana Pacers on the big-screen TV behind the bar.

Amare Stoudemire, famed NBA basketball player for the New York Knicks, was seen shopping for healthy grub at Whole Foods Market in Pembroke Pines last weekend.