Just in time for spring break things are clearly getting interesting: The world’s leading producer of Fine Champagne Cognac announces the South Florida expansion of its innovative new spirit Rémy Martin V– the brand’s first clear expression.  Following exclusive previews in Miami including New Year’s Eve with Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Rémy Martin V – pronounced Vee, the French word “Vie” for life – has made its official debut in South Florida. The arrival of this innovative new spirit signals a new era in nightlife and mixology for the region. With its bold flavors and aromatic richness, Rémy Martin V can be combined with many different essences creating smooth and refreshing contemporary cocktails.

 To celebrate the spirit’s official Miami launch, Rémy Martin V hosted a private dinner and an intimate Rémy V tasting experience at Baoli-Vita, led by mixologist, David Soto. Guests, including Jilian Sanz, Sarah Mirmelli, Dirk DeSouza, and Bill Kearney, enjoyed tableside Rémy V cocktails, such as the “V-Sidecar” and “Ginger V-Sour”, while Entourage’s Adrian Grenier and a friend, surrounded by a crowd of female onlookers, enjoyed their own bottle of Rémy Martin V at a nearby table. Socials Akbar Hamid and Patricia Marci took over the chairs and table tops later on in the evening as more Rémy Martin V arrived, while David Saada, Vita’s most legendary persona, danced across the bar.

For a different twist try the Rémy Martin V cocktails created by Baoli-Vita’s mixologist, David Soto:

V-SIDECAR:

• ·         Rémy Martin V
• ·         Cointreau Orange Liquor,
• ·         Dash of fresh Lemon juice,
• ·         Dash simple syrup

GINGER V-SOUR:

• ·         Rémy Martin V
• ·         Pasteurized Egg White
• ·         Fresh lime
• ·         Fresh Ginger
• ·         Dash of Simple Syrup

 For more information and other drink recipies visit: www.remymartin.com.

 Satisfying many a sweet craving during SOBEWFF was South Carolina native, Kim Adams Nelson, owner of Daisy Cakes, who presented her sweet creations based on old family recipes. Celebrity chefs, including: Al Roker, Emeril Lagasse, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Anne Burrell, Spike Mendelsohn, Geoffrey Zakarian, Sunny Anderson and Real Housewives of New York City star Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, lined up at the Daisy Cakes pop-up bakery to sample the “24 Karat” cake, Chocolate Frosted yellow cake, and the Red Velvet.

 Check out Daisy Cakes at: http://www.daisycakecompany.com/. 

 Oscar Night America

Miami Beach Film Society raised over $50,000 in donations at the Oscar Night America viewing party, Sunday, February 26 at the Dezer Collection Museum & Pavilion in North Miami. Notable guests included MBFS founder Dana Keith, collector/entrepreneur Michael Dezer, former “Bond Girl” Naima, artist Bunny Yeager, Miss Latina International Esther Dollar, Helmut Schuster and Miss Latina International Stephanie Fedak, and Miami nightlife maven Tara Solomon. Guests at the red carpet soiree enjoyed a seated dinner, wine by Francis Ford Coppola Presents, cocktails by Absolut Miami, water by Perrier, and viewing of the 84th annual Academy Awards amongst 10 cars from Oscar-winning Hollywood films, which included the original Batmobile, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Volkswagen, a James Bond Aston Martin DB5 and more, in addition to fashion by designer Ema Savahl. The event, which was the only viewing party officially sanctioned by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, also served as the closing reception of the Bunny Yeager Retrospective, full of provocative images of muse Bettie Page.

Last Wednesday, Paula Abdul dined at Asia de Cuba, “cuddling up with a handsome male companion” according to our source. 

21 Jump Street co-stars, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum were seen having a blast and sharing bottles of Dom at SET on Thursday night. 

At the Miami International Film Festival premiere of Magic City, the highly anticipated Starz series (premiering Friday, April 6 at 10pm) at the Colony Theater on Sunday, March 4, the show’s creator/executive producer, Mitch Glazer, along with the show’s cast and crew received a proclamation from Miami Beach city commissioner, Jorge Exposito.

Cathy Blank, Tracy Wilson Mourning, and Honey Bug Rebecca Francisque

On Tuesday March 6, Tracy Wilson Mourning, wife of NBA Champion Alonzo Mourning, and Founder of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, encouraged more than 150 women to become members of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, through a series of “The Art of Entertaining” tips and tricks useful for any social occasion, at the residence of longtime member and philanthropist Cathy Blank.

Held in part to creatively build upon the network of members in support of the program’s mission, recruitment events like “The Art of Entertaining” help fund nurturing experiences that enlighten the path and empower the future of young girls enrolled in the Honey Shine Mentoring Program. “We are truly thankful. It is through the collective power of the women who gathered that we are able to make profound changes in the life of our Honey Shine girls”, said Tracy.

Professionally lead do-it-yourself tutorials included floral arranging by Kitanim, a floral design company founded on the philosophy that flowers have the magical ability to transform a space and mood through the senses with flowers provided by Berkely Florist Supply. Fare to Remember, Miami’s premier caterer, served-up creative culinary bites made easy by Chef Sarah Davidoff. Berry and strawberry mojitos, prepared by popular mixologists, soon followed. Meanwhile, helping any “entertaining” hostess look her best for her guests was Cream Beauty who had the Beauty Bar booked in between demos and Salsa dance classes lead by Morgan Munoz. Topping-off the mid-day soiree were the many sweets and entertainment gifting treats courtesy of Gift Chixx, Aroma Espresso and 3 Men & A Lil Lady Sweat Treats who provided the best cake pops ever!

After a few moving words and testimonial from Rebecca Francisque, high school freshman and Honey Bug, an impressive group of 40 women, present at the mixer, became members, totaling $20,000 in donations awarded to the program, with more expected to pledge Honey Shine in the coming weeks. Membership, by both individuals and corporations, continues to be one of the primary funding sources by which more than 180 girls enrolled in the Honey Shine Mentoring Program continue to receive much-needed mentorship. In addition to the fun perks, such as tickets to the highly anticipated 10^th Annual Hats Off Luncheon on May 8^th, 2012, and member-only functions that make up the membership program, each commitment by a new or returning member helps support year-round program activities that include bi-weekly workshops and a six-week summer camp developed to encourage young girls to shine as women. For additional programming and membership package details, visit HONEYSHINE.org.

photo courtesy: Mitchell Zachs

On Saturday, March 24, The Blacks’ Annual Gala will be held at the exquisite oceanfront resort the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in the main iconic Sparkle Ballroom. This year’s gala will feature a performance by multi Grammy Award winning artists Queen Latifah and Tony Bennett.

As a guest and donor of the event you can expect top tier entertainment, a celebrity red carpet reception, exciting live and silent auctions, unlimited cocktails and gourmet cuisine. The gala also features an After Dinner Celebration featuring Deborah Cox, top DJ’s including DJ Irie and DJ Entice and surprise performers. Tickets start at $650 for an individual to $25,000 for the Platinum Level front row table. Individual tables of ten are offered this year. Founded by Lea Black, both Lea and her husband, acclaimed attorney Roy Black are committed to making each gala bigger and better than ever each year. The red-carpet cocktail reception starts promptly at 6:30 pm and the gourmet sit down dinner begin at 8:30 pm in the Sparkle ballroom. Dress is red carpet ready. All proceeds from the gala benefit The Consequences Charity and Foundation are 501c3 not-for-profit organizations providing educational resources and experiences for kids in need.

For additional information or to purchase tickets contact Jason Clarke at 305.443.8980 or jason@theblacksannualgala.com. Or visit the website www.theblacksannualgala.com.

Tony Bennett photo credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, March 19, Tony Bennett, the legendary seventeen-time Grammy Award winning artist, will be hosting the “Tony Bennett All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala.” The two-part event will begin with a day-time Round Robin tennis tournament at The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami. The event, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., includes a champagne reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, exhibition matches with the top stars where tennis enthusiasts will get the chance to play with Alejandro Sanz and tennis legends such as Novak Djokovic (#1 in the world), The Bryan Brothers (Twin Professional Tennis Players ranked #1 tennis team in the world), Caroline Wozniacki (#4 in the world), Mardy Fish (#8 in the world & #1 American), Kim Clijsters (US Open Champ), Ana Ivanovic (Former No. 1 in the WTA) and Ryan Harrison (18-Year Old who is considered by many to be the next great American men’s tennis player), Cliff Drysdale (Grand Slam Legend) & Darren Cahill (ESPN Analyst) among many others. Tony Bennett, a lifelong fan of the sport of tennis, will perform “God Bless America” at the tennis tournament. In the evening, Tony Bennett will host a gala at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens where guests will enjoy a seated dinner provided by Cristoforo Pignata (Puntino Italian Restaurants and catering, who is bringing in three of his top chefs from his 5-star hotels in Italy for the event), followed by live performances by Tony Bennett and Alejandro Sanz (multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Award winning artist) who will join Bennett on stage to perform duets from Bennett’s #1 CD, DUETS II. The Bryan Brothers Band will also perform for invited guests, celebrities & professional Tennis players in attendance.The benefit gala event will be honoring Sean Wolfington, the chairman of The Wolfington Charitable Foundation which actively supports charities that serve the poor and defend the defenseless. Tony Bennett’s All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala will benefit Exploring the Arts, Team Bryan and the Greater Miami Tennis Foundation. Tickets are open to the public and can be purchased by going to www.TonyBennettEvent.com.

Food Truck Lunch at Apollo Bank

Join Apollo Bank this Thursday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the best lunch in town! Come mingle at the community bank and enjoy munching on all of the delicious food from some of Miami’s best food trucks. Food trucks include Ms. Cheezious, Gastropod, Sugar Rush, La Camaronera, and Cuban Cube. Free parking available.

**DUE TO THE WICKED WEATHER, FOOD TRUCK LUNCH HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY, MARCH 15!

The 3rd Annual Hearts and Stars Gala

South Florida’s premiere social and philanthropic events make its return on Saturday, March 10 at the waterfront estate Shangri La on Hibiscus Island. Benefitting the Little Lighthouse Foundation, the anticipated celebration will feature an evening of cocktails, delectable cuisine, fashion, and an incredible silent auction. For more information and to purchase tickets or VIP tables, visit www.heartsandstarsgala.com. Ticket prices are currently $125.00 for general admission and $175 for VIP access. All proceeds from Hearts & Stars Gala benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF). www.thelittlelighthouse.org. For sponsorship information or for additional information, contact Jason Venger at info@thelittlelighthouse.org. 

March’s SAMBAHOUR Dedicated to Japan

SUSHISAMBA dromo continues its popular after-work affair, SAMBAHOUR, by celebrating the diverse cultural background and culinary inspirations of Brazil, Japan and Peru. This month, every Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., SAMBAHOUR will showcase the distinct tastes of Brazil with food and drink specials as well as surprise entertainment from contests, lessons and holiday celebrations to unique, cultural performances. For more information and menu specials visit www.sushisamba.com. 

Blo Hosts an Evening with the Accessory Artists

Join Blo Brickell on Wednesday, March 14, to preview online retailer, Accessory Artists, who will be in-bar with a collection of fashion, fine and vintage jewelry. Marcy Roth, curator of AccessoryArtists.com is bringing fashion favorite labels Kara Ross, Vanessa Mooney, Zariin, Isharya, Rachel Reinhardt, Lee Angel, Deepa Gurnani cuffs, Pame Designs, Kelacala Q and Saily Kay, to name a few.  Jewels will be up to 50% off. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.  For more information and to rsvp go to   blobrickell@blomedry.com. 

Dance NOW! Miami

On Saturday, March 17, Dance NOW! Miami returns to the Little Haiti Cultural Center. This stunning and newly renovated historic venue will host a concert for suitable for all ages. Dance NOW! has invited students from the Academy of Arts and Minds Dance Department to join the company presenting work choreographed by Directors Diego Salterini and Hannah Baumgarten. Tickets are priced at $10 at the door or online at www.dancenowmiami.org.