By: Maryanne Salvat

Beachwear Bash at Bliss Spa   

Just in time for summer, Shortcuts to Fabulous, the go-to blog for all things fabulous, presents the Beachwear Bash at Bliss Spa at the W Hotel on Thursday, May 3, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Hosted by Electric Blogarella, Ginger Harris, guests will shop swimwear by Kariza, beachwear by Aquarius and jewelry by Septimo, while receiving complimentary mini-spa treatments courtesy of Bliss Spa. Indulge in free hand massages, rapid rub massage and energizing vitamized oxygen spray facial treatment while imbibing on cocktails provided by Grey Goose; to attend or for more information contact: RSVP@shortcutstofabulous.com.

Miami Surf Archive Project Annual Fundraising Party

The Miami Surf Archive Project and the Miami Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will be hosting their annual fundraising party on Saturday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m., at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. The Miami Surf Archive Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, presentation and promotion of surfing in Miami-Dade for the appreciation and education of current and future generations around the world. The Surfrider foundation is an environmental non-profit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, a screening premier of Rumors: a Cinematographic journey into Mexico’s deepest surf scene will be shown, as well as a presentation of rare, vintage surf footage from 1970s Miami Beach, courtesy of filmmaker Bruce Walker. The evening’s activities will include: music by local artist Mike Maytin; a raffle that includes a new surfboard; a ticketed bar serving beer, wine, liquor and non-alcoholic beverages; catering provided by local food truck Gastropod; and various multi-media stations displaying Miami’s surf history.  Admission is free, drinks and raffle tickets are $5.00.

13th Annual Hugs & Kisses Fashion Show

On Sunday, May 6, at 10:00 a.m., join the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach for the 13th Annual Hugs & Kisses Fashion Show: How Sweet it is, featuring children from infants to age 18 modeling fashions from Peace Love World. Attendees will enjoy a gourmet lunch, silent auction, marketplace, entertainment from Hip Hop Kidz and a children’s fashion show highlighting both grateful parents and local children – and of course, a variety of sweet surprises. Jeanine Mason, winner of the 5th season of So You Think You Can Dance, is scheduled to serve as Fashion Show Mistress of Ceremonies. The event will be featuring some of Miami Children’s Hospital’s Bald, Brave, Beautiful™ pediatric cancer patients as part of our efforts to support and enhance their self-esteem and self-image by eliminating the stigma and bullying that coincide with baldness, while raising funds and awareness for Miami Children’s Hospital. The event also showcases the 5th Annual I Make a Difference Awards, honoring outstanding student philanthropists who have made a significant positive impact in the lives of others, and the 2nd Annual Thank You for Making a Difference Award which recognizes a community activist who sets a positive example for children. This year’s honoree is Sandra Muvdi, founder of the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation. CBS 4 Anchor Shannon Hori is scheduled to return as Awards Mistress of Ceremonies. For more information or tickets visit mchf.org/hugsandkisses.

10th Annual Honey Shine Hats Off Luncheon

On Tuesday, May 8, the Honey Shine Mentoring program celebrates ten years of happiness, love, and good luck with an Asian inspired Hats Off luncheon. More than 600 guests and young girls will gather at Jungle Island for the highly anticipated event; hosted by founder Tracy Wilson Mourning and co-chairs Cathy Blank and Monisha Melwani, the mid-day luncheon includes an annual awards presentation, a fashion show featuring children’s apparel provided by Gap, Aleren, and Bloomingdale’s, and a silent auction with more than 120 items that include jewelry, sports memorabilia, and popular brand accessories like Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, and Prada, to name a few. All proceeds benefit the Honey Shine Mentoring Program. Tickets to the annual benefit start at $125. RSVP required by contacting Isabella at (305) 854-2444 or by email at RSVP@honeyshine.org. For more information on the Honey Shine Mentoring Program and membership opportunities, visit HONEYSHINE.org.

Anthony Mackie

Actor Anthony Mackie was spotted at WALL on Saturday night. 

Chelsea Lately panelist-slash-Jenny Craig spokesperson Ross Mathews and his partner were at Haven Gastro-Lounge in South Beach last Monday night enjoying Chef Todd Erickson’s specialties. Matthews – in town for the Latin Billboard Awards – spent the week lounging at Hotel Breakwater’s rooftop penthouse.

MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts dined at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar in the library with a friend. Marc Anthony hosted a dinner for 12 at the Forge that included Grammy Award winner Chayanne and singer/songwriter Marco Antonio Solis in honor of his Maestro Cares foundation launch. Anthony also celebrated the launch of Maestro Cares Foundation at the Shelborne South Beach. 

Michael Jordan enjoyed dinner at Café Prima Pasta, late Sunday evening with model fiancée Yvette Prieto. Joe Jackson, along with other members of the Jackson family, also dined at the popular Italian bistro.

The Latin Billboard Music Conference took place last week at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Billboard Latin Music Award winner Pitbull participated in a Superstar Q&A, where he discussed his rise to the top, his music process and his entrepreneurial ventures.  Mr.305-turned Mr. Worldwide also participated in the panel The Anheuser Busch/Pitbull Partnership: A Case Study.

Bravo TV’s most stylish man Brad Goreski hosted last weekend’s Ocean Drive magazine & Loews Miami Beach Hotel Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend.

Commissioner Michael Góngora attended the “100 Days to Go” Olympic Celebrity Event held on Ocean Drive on April 18 along with boxing great Lennox Lewis and British Consulate-General Kevin McGurgan. 

Local PR mogul, Edward de Valle II, Founder and CEO of AMGW Agency, a global media planning and public relations consulting company, (whose great-great-grandfather was Cuba’s fourth president) celebrated his birthday with a blowout at Villa Mayfair in Coconut Grove on April 21. Feted by 100 close friends, relatives and associates, de Valle’s private party in the main dining room of the new restaurant rocked the house until the wee hours with music by DJ Stephan, who spun hits from the Côte d’Azur. Guests dined on Chef Fredric Joulin’s gourmet menu, and enjoyed a parade of champagne, complete with sparklers, and a guest appearance by Pricilla.

Christina Getty-Maercks, George Lindemann, and Criselda Breene

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

A Night at the Museum

Despite the fact that we are huge art buffs, and have delighted in the works of the Masters at museums throughout the world, we couldn’t recall a time when we had actually had fun in an art museum (with the exception of the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence where we had our way with Michelangelo’s slaves and David in our early twenties).  This changed on Thursday, April 26 at the Bass Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser “A Night at the Museum,” for which the museum should have been renamed the “BLAST” museum; as many of Miami’s chicest and most artsy socialites gathered after hours to socialize, chat, nosh, dance and enjoy the fantastic exhibits, which became more and more interesting with every cocktail. Read the rest here »

Alexis Bittar & Model photo credit: Manny Hernandez

Michael Bay dined at STK Miami last Thursday. The Transformers director was spotted in jeans and a leather jacket dining with a party of three friends. He was overheard talking business while sipping on Grey Goose martinis and enjoying the steakhouse’s signature dishes topped off with the Bag O Donuts dessert. 

Cameron Wake from the Miami Dolphins was also spotted at STK last week with his girlfriend.  The couple shared the Cowboy Steak as an entreé demonstrated some major PDA, according to our source.

On Friday, April 13, Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour hosted master jewelry designer Alexis Bittar for a late afternoon champagne reception. Event hostesses Annie Vazquez, Ginger Harris and Jenny Perez gathered a fashionable group to view Bittar’s latest collection. Described as one of the greatest jewelry designers of the 21st century, Bittar mingled with the crowd who admired his eponymous, bold and colorful jewelry collection featuring lucite and semi-precious stones and metals.

On Friday, April 20th, an intimate group joined Y Group CEO and President, John Yanopoulos, at The Residences at W Fort Lauderdale to celebrate the launch of Hublot’s Limited Edition Miami HEAT Watch with Udonis Haslem, Miami HEAT Co-Captain and Tim Hardaway. Watch enthusiasts mingled in Whiskey Blue to beats by DJ Irie while enjoying cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose and bites by Steak 954. Guests were then whisked upstairs to enjoy Casa Vinicola Zinn bubbly on the 23rd floor of The Residences to view and try on Hublot’s exclusive collection of timepieces.

Carolina & Alex Pirez

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Despite the unseasonable dip in temperatures this week (way down to 80°) there’s no doubt that summer is rapidly approaching.  It seems everywhere we turn locals are engaged in some sort of exercise regimen. So what better time to re-launch one of Miami’s favorite gyms, Body & Soul, the co-ed health and training facility located in Coral Gables? In honor of the re-launch, new owners, Carolina and Alex Pirez hosted a huge bash on the rooftop of the gym on the evening of Tuesday April 17, drawing notable guests including:  Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D band mate Shae Haley, singer/songwriter Cris Cab, Jorge Posada of the NY Yankees, Santana Moss wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and Oscar Feldenkreis, President and COO of Perry Ellis International, who along with 500 guests enjoyed a live DJ set by Miami favorite, DJ Ross One. Keeping guests focused on their physiques, Voli light cocktails provided lo-cal drinks and, The Dome Restaurant and Caviar Bar, one of our favorite restaurants in Miracle Mile provided delicious yet healthy hors d’oeuvres.  Party guests were entertained by a fire dancer and a flash mob choreographed by one of Body & Soul’s most popular instructors, Jay Marcos.

Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat

Michael Capponi’s 40th Birthday Celebration

Book your tickets now for entrepreneur, nightlife impresario/philanthropist Michael Capponi’s 40th Birthday Celebration which we’ve mused about for years. Contrary to our initial belief, Capponi is not having his 40th bash somewhere in outer space. Instead, he is only having us travel a couple of thousand miles for the grand affair.

On Friday, May 4, Capponi will transform New York hotspot, Capitale for the celebrity studded event, which will feature a Jacmel Carnaval theme. Hosted by fellow philanthropists, Donna Karan and Maria Bello, along with musical performances, cocktails, and dancing, this one’s sure to be unforgettable. Many of you may recall some of Capponi’s past birthday parties, including the one in the tree-house mansion in Nygard Cay; the pirate party at Jimbo’s or the 1930s soiree in an airplane hangar at Opa Locka airport. In lieu of gifts, Capponi has asked guests to make donations to the Haiti Empowerment Mission. For more information and/ or to attend contact: rsvp@capponigroup.com or call 305.695.4410.

Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup

The Polo Life, LLC announces the eighth annual Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious Beach Polo competition, taking place from Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 between 20th and 22nd Streets on the sands of South Beach. Maserati, the award-winning automotive manufacturer of sports-luxury cars, celebrates its inaugural year as Title Sponsor and establishes an unmistakable Italian flair in race bred luxury vehicles, alongside a gallant troupe of thoroughbred horses.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. The Maserati South Beach Women’s Polo Cup IV takes place on Thursday, April 26, featuring eight women’s teams in a one-day series of round-robin championship matches. Last year’s winning team of Tara Lordi, Melissa Hornung and Angela York, will defend their title as 2011 champions, while competing against the highly touted Cecilia Cochran, Tiffany Busch and Natalia Baecher, among others, who are all expected to play in this year’s tournament. The Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup – a three-day men’s tournament, now in its eighth year, starts on Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29. Six teams will include some of the world’s top-ranked players, including Rico Mansur from Brazil, who will be making his second appearance at this year’s event, following his recent return from Brazil after competing in a charity fundraiser exhibition match for Prince Harry’s foundation. Last year’s champions, The Raleigh, led by team captain, Bash Kazi, will return to defend their 2011 title, and favorites including Luis Escobar, Nic Roldan, John Gobin, Kris Kampsen and Pelon Escapite are all anticipated to return to battle for this year’s coveted trophy. For tickets and a complete schedule of events, visit www.miamipolo.com or call 305.538.3809.

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Heart of a Chef

Eat, play and be healthy at Heart of a Chef (HOAC), a unique culinary experience presented by Florida Blue and Whole Foods Market taking place on Sunday, April 29, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. HOAC is a family-friendly food festival focused on the prevention of childhood obesity, which has been known to lead to heart disease. At this fun, interactive event, activities for all ages including food and wine tastings and educational seminars, all designed to heighten awareness and give children and their parents the tools to make health-conscious decisions while adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. Tickets for HOAC are $30 per person; the purchase of one adult ticket includes admission for two children. For more information and tickets visit www.heartofachef.org.

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Claws For Kids

Last call before stone crab season ends! Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s first annual “Claws for Kids” fundraising brunch on Sunday, May 6, 11:30 a.m. at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach will provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious large stone crabs and other signature Joe’s cuisine without the wait. All event proceeds from the private event will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s new 11,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art South Beach location. Joe’s will open up their restaurant for brunch on May 6 only for supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s “Claws for Kids.” “Claws for Kids” sponsorship opportunities are available. Table sponsorships include $10,000 Jumbo Claw Sponsor, $5,000 Large Claw Sponsor; and $2500 Select Claw Sponsor; A Key Lime table for 10 guests is priced at $1500; a Hash Brown Table for $1200. Individual tickets are $150.Menu items include large stone crabs, hash brown potatoes, creamed spinach and Key Lime pie. For those who don’t eat stone crabs, main course options include top sirloin, salmon and broiled chicken. Red, white, and sparkling wines are included in the ticket price. For more information about sponsorships, underwriting or tickets, contact Astrid H. Ehrenstein at 305.446.9910 ext. 30, or via email at aehrenstein@bgcmia.org.

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