Real Housewives of Miami, Karent Sierra, Lea Black, and Joanna Krupa

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

If there’s ever a good time to be on the “Black list” it’s for the highly anticipated, annual bash known as The Black Gala, hosted by power-couple Lea and Roy Black.  And if you are “blacklisted” because you are, in fact, “under suspicion, disfavor, censure…” as per the dictionary definition – famed attorney, Roy Black is definitely ONE person with whom you should spend an evening.  In our book, being on the Blacks’ list means that you are one of the lucky few (hundred) invited to participate in an unforgettable night of performances, dancing, gourmet food and bidding on one-of-a-kind auction items.

In its 18^th year, the Black Gala, which was held at the Fontainebleau Hotel took place right smack in the middle of the Winter Music Conference and rivaled many of the musical performances and Madonna’s surprise appearance at Ultra-which occurred simultaneously. After all, the Blacks had a QUEEN! attend and perform at their gala. So what if it was Queen Latifah, rather than an actual queen? Can you think of any queen with such fabulous style, matched only by her incredible pipes?  The Blacks’ guests were also treated to an unforgettable concert by Tony Bennett– whose legendary voice was accompanied by a full-piece orchestra- the presence of which caused a last-minute rearrangement of the tables and dance floor.  No one seemed to mind- as the crowd was blown away by Bennett’s moving performance, which ended with a live rendition of “Who Can I Turn To?” a duet by Bennett and Latifah, which had only been performed live once before. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat

All Hail Queen Lounge

Queen Lounge, an intimate cocktail and gastro-lounge will celebrate its official grand opening on Thursday, April 5. The 4,000-square-foot venue pays homage to the power and glamour of women in art, music and fashion throughout history. Founded by European nightlife savant Sanaa Moussaoui and managing partner, Miami native Maria Ortiz, the multi-room venue features superior handcrafted cocktails by mixology master Thomas Merolla and small plates by Executive Chef Matthew Goldberg. The lounge boasts a 30-item cocktail menu featuring “Timeless Truths” and Queen Lounge Signature Cocktails, created by head mixologist Thomas Merolla, a previous contributor to the illustrious bar menus of staple South Beach hotels including Delano, Mondrian, and W South Beach. Queen Lounge is open seven days a week from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The kitchen is open until 10:00 p.m. Guests can unwind and enjoy $5 cocktails and tapas from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. daily during The Ultimate Happy Hour. For private bookings and advance reservations, contact 305.397.8056, info@queenlounge.com or visit www.queenloungemiami.com.

Operation HOPE TOTE

Miami Rescue Mission will be hosting Operation HOPE TOTE, their annual Easter/Passover event, on Friday, April 6. The event is open to thousands of homeless and needy families in the Miami area. The goal of Operation HOPE TOTE is to provide basic, personal hygiene items to thousands of needy men, women, and children in our communities starting this Easter and Passover Season. Items needed include: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, new underwear, new socks, disposable razors, diapers, baby wipes, sanitary napkins, and lotion. Please note, the Capponi Group will be accepting hygiene products and/or monetary donations to purchase the items for the HOPE TOTE. To learn more about the Operation HOPE TOTE, visit: http://miamirescuemission.com/hopetote.htm. Drop off products to 228 5th Street Miami Beach, Florida 33139. If you have any questions, call 305.695.4410.

3rd Annual Golden Key 5K

The 3rd annual Golden Key 5K to celebrate heart and skin health will be held this Saturday, April 7. The event is a collaborative effort between University of Miami undergraduate and medical students. UM dermatologists will be on site giving free skin cancer screenings and all proceeds will go to support melanoma skin cancer research at the University of Miami and a program called Team for Life that helps get life-saving heart defibrillators out into Miami. The run/walk will take place at Crandon Park South on Key Biscayne. Race day registration and packet pick-up begin at 6:30am and the race start time is 8:00am. Private skin screening stations will open after the race. An awards ceremony will also be held after the race. All participants receive free t-shirts. Early online registration is $20 for individuals and $15 for UM students. Race day registration is $25 for individuals and $20 for UM students. For more information, and to register, visit www.GoldenKey5k.com.

The District Factory 

In honor of Andy Warhol’s famed studio “The Factory”, The District Factory, an evening shopping event & mash-up, set to launch Saturday, April 14, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the Miami Design District, during Art & Design Night, shines a spotlight on the emerging designers and artists who are single-handedly manufacturing the hottest trends. Partners of this eagerly anticipated launch include Miami Design District, MIAMI Magazine, and Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables. Receiving a portion of the evening’s proceeds is Dress for Success Miami. To learn more about The District Factory, visit www.DISRTICTFACTORY.com.

Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Come see what’s cooking at Fairchild during a celebration of fresh fruits and vegetables and the gorgeous gardens they grow in on Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15. Gather new tips and recipes from our popular culinary demonstrations taught by local chefs using local products. Go green at the farmers’ market where local growers showcase the best organic fruits, vegetables and herbs available in South Florida. Sample a variety of spring beers and summer ales at the Beer Garden. There’ll even be a Spring Flower Market where you can buy beautiful fresh cut flowers! All weekend, children will enjoy hands-on activities and special culinary programs just for them. Invite the whole family to come out and learn how to cook and enjoy food that is fabulously fresh, healthy and in season! For more information visit: www.fairchildgarden.org .

Driven to Dine

Driven to Dine is a one-of-a-kind, luxurious dining experience taking place on Saturday, April 14. It kicks off with an exclusive cocktail reception where guests will sample an array of wines and spirits compliments of Total Wine, enjoy delectable appetizers provided by Le Cordon Bleu, and participate in a live auction. After the reception, guests will gather into groups of 8 and select a sealed envelope containing the name of one of several top restaurants in South Florida. With their destination unknown, diners will adjourn to a stretch limousine, which will ferry them to the restaurant for an elegant multi-course, heart healthy dinner sure to please their palates. After an amazing meal, limos will return guests to the place of origin. The FHRI hand-selected some of South Florida’s most prestigious restaurants to partner with in this year’s Driven to Dine. They include: 1500˚ at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, CRAVE, db Bistro Moderne, Edge, Steak & Bar at the Four Seasons Miami, Flemings Prime Steakhouse, La Cofradia, RED The Steakhouse, Tudor House, Truluck’s and J&G Grill at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. Tickets for Driven to Dine cost $5,000 per limo, which seats 8 guests; or $625 per person. the cocktail reception, at a private residence, will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $5,000 per limo, which seats 8 guests, or $625 per person; to purchase tickets visit www.heartofachef.org.

The Third Annual Dream Makers Gala

The Foundation of Debbie’s Dream (CSC) will host the third annual Dream Makers Gala on Saturday, April 21, at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood beginning at 7:00 p.m. Co-Chairs Susie Alvarez Cope, Jason Chalik, and Ani Solarana hope to exceed the $180,000 raised at last year’s Gala. “Expect the Unexpected” is the evening’s theme. The event will begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and silent auctions followed by dinner, dancing, fabulous live auctions, and award presentations. Lisa Petrillo, Entertainment Reporter at CBS4, will be the guest speaker. Award recipients being honored at this year’s Gala for their dedication and commitment to CSC’s mission include Michael A. Choti, MD, from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Mary Lynn Swartz, former CEO of Westside Regional Medical Center; Jennifer Kapp, CSC Board of Directors; and Meredith Clements, Society Scene Editor of the Sun-Sentinel. Tickets for the Gala are $175 per person, and sponsorships range in price from $600 to $25,000. To become a sponsor or to purchase tickets, call 954.475.1200 or email Events@CantStomachCancer.org.

The Miami Marlins are set to kick off their historic 2012 baseball season against the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, April 4 at Marlins Park. The inaugural Miami Marlins Opening Night at the state-of-the-art Marlins Park will feature three fan giveaways: a Commemorative Lanyard presented by Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and Pepsi, a Tic Tac Pack (to be utilized in fan participation with a special pregame ceremony) and a commemorative Opening Night Marlins Playbill. A special edition of the Marlins Magazine will also be available throughout the ballpark. The first pitch for Opening Night is set for 7:05 P.M. and ESPN will carry the nationally-televised game. Ballpark gates at Marlins Park will open at 4:00 P.M. and on-site parking garages will open at 3:00 P.M. For parking and transportation information, fans can visit www.marlins.com/parking. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats no later than 6:15 P.M. for the inaugural Opening Night pregame ceremonies, with never-before-seen special events presented by 19 time Grammy award winning producer and Miami’s very own Emilio Estefan. Pregame ceremonies will include a video and on-field tribute to Miami, full team lineups for the Marlins and Cardinals, the debut of the new Marlins theme song, Marlins Tonight, legendary musician Jose Feliciano performing the National Anthem, a Fireworks Spectacular, a flyover with four F-16’s from Homestead Air Reserve Base and much more.As part of the historic celebration, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and Marlins Owner Jeffrey H. Loria, together with Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Commissioners and representatives will be part of a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 A.M., on the West Plaza. Opening Night at Marlins Park will also include a pregame party on the West Plaza from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M., featuring live music on the Main Stage with renowned artists. Fans are encouraged to stay for the post-game party on the West Plaza with live music and entertainment, immediately following the game. The game will be broadcasted on WAXY 790 AM and WAQI 710AM (Spanish).

On Tuesday night, Rémy Martin presented Chris Bosh’s 28th Birthday Celebration at the ‘Chris Bosh Supper Club’ at Miami’s Prelude by Barton G. Complete with blackjack and craps tables, guests enjoyed signature “Boardwalk Bosh” Rémy Martin cocktails while flapper girls and dapper waiters offered guests cigars to highlight the playful 1920s theme.  The Boshs’ were joined by the newly-engaged LeBron James and Savannah Brinson, who sat together with Wade.  Bosh’s “Boardwalk Empire” got underway with more Rémy Martin cocktails as comedians DeRay and Gary Owen took to the stage. DeRay poked fun at LeBron’s blazer matching the tablecloth and then asked Adrienne what she was expecting, to which she replied excitedly, “A boy”. Rémy Martin then presented Chris with his birthday present – a surprise performance by Grammy-winning artist, Chrisette Michelle, who wrapped up the evening by singing “Happy Birthday” to Chris.

On Sunday, award-winning hip hop artist, Wyclef Jean closed out Miami Music Week performing an intimate 4 hour set at Ricochet Bar & Lounge presented by CîROC Vodka. Dedicating his “raw” performance to Whitney Houston, Wyclef pulled guests on the stage during “Hips Don’t Lie” and taught a female fan how to play guitar while performing one of his famous tracks. Later, Wyclef took a break from his set by joining fans at the bar for a CîROC coconut specialty cocktail.

Celebrities including Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah and Deborah Cox performed at the fabulous, over-the-top Black Gala on Saturday night. Check back next week for photos and a rundown of the gala details.

DJ Armand Van Helden stopped into The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar with two others and tried out some of Chef Dewey’s new vegetarian dishes.

Supermodels Irina Shayk and Anne V – also known as Cristiano Ronaldo and Adam Levine’s girlfriends – stopped by The Forge Restaurant on Friday night for dinner to celebrate Anne V’s bday.

Paris and Nicky Hilton were spotted in the VIP booth at Ultra Music Festival with Paris’ boyfriend DJ Afrojack noshing on bites by Philippe Chow.  Lil Jon was also seen devouring Philippe Chow owner Stratis Morfogen’s delicious satays.

The Shelborne South Beach weekend’s lineup included famed DJs Armand Van Helden, Bob Sinclar (who created such a stir that the Fire Marshall had to close down the door) and Sander Kleinenberg.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The “M” in WMC could easily stand for Madness or Mayhem on any given year, however, this year the “M” took on new meaning, as Madonna released her new CD, MDNA and made a surprise appearance at Ultra during a set by Avicii. 

On Friday night, several hundred Madonna fans danced by the pool bar enjoying the ocean breeze at the Delano for the exclusive release party for MDNA, Madonna’s latest album which officially launched on Monday and is already number 1 on the Billboard charts in over 35 countries. Read the rest here »

Rafael Nadal

Paris Hilton and Afrojack were spotted at WALL Tuesday night, kicking off Winter Music Conference. They danced all night to music by Afrojack’s protégé Bobby Burns and at one point, Afrojack got on the turntables for an impromptu DJ set. Also in attendance were Paula Abdul and her boyfriend.

Rapper Lil Jon was spotted at the Perry South Beach on Monday. He was seen poolside, conducting business on his laptop and enjoying margaritas.

Rafael Nadal was seen Monday at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami where he is staying in the Presidential Suite. Rumor has it the hotel even has his favorite meal on the menu, Rafa Pasta, linguini and shrimp. Also on Thursday, world #5 ranked tennis player David Ferrer and world #10 ranked tennis player Janko Tipsarevic, also staying at the hotel, will conduct a private tennis clinic with kids from Miami Children’s hospital.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young was spotted at STK Miami last Tuesday night, enjoying the off season with his girlfriend and a group of 10 friends.

Chef David McMillan of Montreal’s Joe Beef visited Eating House over the weekend. McMillan is a fan of Eating House’s chef/owner, Chopped champion, Giorgio Rapicavoli. 

Paula Abdul was spotted at SUSHISAMBA Dromo last Tuesday, she stopped by with a group of friends and tried some new sushi rolls.