Dressed for a magical masquerade, nearly 700 guests were taken back in time to the beautiful streets of Venice at Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2011 Diamond Ball: A Masquerade Affair. Held at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami on Saturday, October 29, the event raised nearly $4.5 million, including announced gifts, to support world-class care at Miami Children’s Hospital.

Guests of the Diamond Ball had the opportunity to hear from 14-year-old cancer survivor Caroline Pallidine, who shared how she overcame her fear of baldness and became Bald, Brave, Beautiful at Miami Children’s Hospital, thanks to a special visit by Armando “Pitbull” Perez, when she was a patient at Miami Children’s in July.

Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Board Member Ravneet Chowdhury was so inspired by Pallidine’s story that she immediately pledged a $1 million donation in the young girl’s honor. Read the rest here »

By: Maryanne Salvat

 15^th Annual Brunch for the Animals

Dogs and their owners are invited to attend the 15th annual Brunch for the Animals on Sunday, December 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event, hosted by TV personality Louis Aguirre from Deco Drive, will take place at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel at 1601 Collins Avenue. Co-Chairpersons are Louis Aguirre, Selene Arvesu, Gingi Beltran, Irene Korge, Ann Rubino and Maggie Villacampa. Two-legged guests will enjoy a scrumptious holiday brunch while sipping on cocktails and taking in the magnificent view from the lawn of the hotel. Our four-legged attendees will dine on a home cooked meal from the Loews Loves Pets Room Service Menu. Owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in holiday wear.G uests can start their holiday shopping early at the exciting silent auction and merchant booths that will be set up, including an exciting vintage booth called Scrappy’s Vintage Corner. Admission is $150 per person (dogs are complimentary). Children ages 3-10 are $35 per person. Valet parking is available for $25 or there is a public garage across the street on 16th Street. Seating is limited so RSVP early. Call Laurie at 305-749-1815. 

GEE Beauty Hosts Lea Black’s Sudden Youth Skincare Debut Fete and Pop-Up Shop 

GEE Beauty, the modern makeup and skincare studio, welcomes Real Housewives of Miami star and Sudden Youth Skincare founder, Lea Black, for the launch of her new line with a pop-up store at Bal Harbour Shops. Kicking off the unveiling with a cocktail fête on Thursday, December 8, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Lea will mingle and treat guests with the Sudden Youth Skincare mini facial experience. The pop-up shop is open from Thursday, December 8, through Sunday, December 11. Lea will also be on-hand Friday, December 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information call 305.868.3533. 

Chef Daniel Boulud and Mixologist Xavier Hérit Present: Amuse-Bouches for Her & For Him 

Chef Daniel Boulud and Restaurant DANIEL’s renowned mixologist Xavier Herit are making their way to Miami on Monday, December 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., to welcome cocktail aficionados with a sultry evening of delicious concoctions paired with Boulud’s legendary cuisine – served in small bites. The celebration takes place in the Bar and Lounge of Miami’s favorite new restaurant, db Bistro Moderne, and now also Downtown’s hottest drinks destination. Guests will depart with a signed copy of “Cocktails and Amuse-Bouches: For Her & For Him”, the chef’s charming new two-volume boxed set published by ASSOULINE. Event cost is $95 per person (includes a signed copy of book). For more information or to buy tickets contact 305.421.8800.

Jason Taylor Foundation Hosts 3CiNTERACTIVE  

While Miami Dolphins All-Pro Jason Taylor is preparing for his team’s upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jason Taylor Foundation is preparing for one of its most popular events, the 3Cinteractive JT’s Ping-Pong Smash 8 – Presented by Publix, the original celebrity, doubles table-tennis tournament.  Proceeds from the event, which will take place on Monday, December 12 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, will benefit the Jason Taylor Foundation, whose mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life. This one-of-a-kind event will once again pair community members with some of the Sunshine State’s most recognizable personalities from the worlds of sports and entertainment, including Taylor, as well as many current and former Miami Dolphins players.  The duos will compete in a round-robin style ping-pong tournament while raising money for local children’s charities. The fun-filled, electric atmosphere will also feature DJ Laz of Power 96 filling the arena with today’s hottest music, in addition to the LuckyFan Fun Zone, where those in attendance can enjoy a Best Buy gaming station, haircuts, interactive games and more! Prior to the action that evening, JTF will put on the fourth-annual Ping-Pong Smash Kids Clinic – Presented by the Miami Dolphins.  Nearly 100 deserving children will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the world’s fastest sport from former Puerto Rican Junior National Table Tennis Champion and two-time JT’s Ping-Pong Smash Champion, Juan Ly.  The Kids Clinic will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., also at Hard Rock Live. Doors open for the 3Cinteractive JT’s Ping-Pong Smash 8 – Presented by Publix at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the event is a $5.00 donation to the Jason Taylor Foundation.  For more information, call (954) 424-0799 or visit www.jasontaylorfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/jasontaylorfoundation.

Celebrate the Holidays with Exciting Events at Zoo Miami

This holiday season Zoo Miami is hosting a myriad of exciting and fun activities for everyone. At Zoo Miami, guests can enjoy beautiful animal-shaped lights as they stroll zoo walkways during the 8 nights of Zoo Lights, have Dinner with Santa, and watch the animals open their specially-prepared gifts during Holiday Gifts for the Animals.

The zoo’s glorious grounds come to light for 8 brilliant nights during Zoo Lights, December 16 through 23 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. (ticket booths close at 9:30 p.m.). Guests can enjoy dozens of bright animal-shaped lights along walkways, listen to wonderful holiday music, sip hot chocolate, munch on delicious cookies, and take a ride on a camel, the wildlife carrousel or the hippo slide (the world’s largest inflatable slide). Included with admission is a pair of 3D glasses, which will make the Zoo Lights experience even more engaging and amusing. General admission is only $5 per person plus tax. Food, beverages, camel rides, carrousel and hippo slide are all available at additional costs.

Dinner with Santa will take place on December 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring the kids to meet him before he has to rush back to the North Pole! Enjoy a delicious holiday dinner with the family, photos with Santa, a holiday plush gift and holiday craft-making for the little ones!

Dinner with Santa admission includes parking, entry to Zoo Lights from 7:00 to10:00 p.m. and a classic holiday menu of fresh roasted turkey with homemade gravy, baked ham, candied sweet potatoes with melting marshmallows, herbed buttery carrots, homemade cranberry sauce, dinner rolls with butter, homemade seasonal pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing, strawberry-infused lemonade, and cranberry mint-infused water. General admission is $39.95 per adult and $33.95 per child ages 3-12. Zoo members are $36.95 per adult and $30.95 per child ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under are free. To make a reservation, call 305-251-0400, ext 84941.

Another fun family activity is Holiday Gifts for the Animals! Every weekend in December, including Christmas Day, watch the animals joyfully open holiday gifts prepared by zookeepers and volunteers. The animals enjoy opening up their enriching gifts and you’ll be entertained watching them. To save time, buy your tickets online at www.zoomiami.org. Zoo Miami’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; ticket booths close at 4:00 p.m.

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Art Basel, the “catnip” for those obsessed with art and the social scene has arrived bringing with it the stress and exhaustion resulting from the attempt to cram hundreds of events into one’s social calendar in a seven day period.  And while the actual showcase technically runs from December 1-4 (what we like to call the “100 hour day”) the requisite art celebrations and inebriation have been going strong FOR DAYS- think of this as “the column that almost wasn’t.”  Much to my delight and dismay, the fabulous fun is just getting started.  And because this week marks the three year anniversary of my taking over the 411 column, I’ve compiled a very short list of some of my most memorable Basel moments.  Enjoy!

2010

 For two years in a row (including 2011), London’s White Cube party has taken over the Soho Beach House’s pool area and Tiki bar on the Tuesday night of Basel Week- banishing even its top-tier members to the eighth floor and restaurant.  The party, comprised mostly of jet-set billionaire art collectors and their offspring and pretty people, has proven to be a gluttonous Bacchanal with free flowing champagne and liquor, extensive raw bar and a grill on at the Tiki Bar featuring limitless grilled meats and seafood.

Jeffrey Deitch, director of LA’s MOCA hosted one of the biggest musical events during Basel week last year- a concert by LCD Soundsystem in keeping with a tradition he formed at Deitch Projects. The Grey Goose sponsored concert on the sand at the Raleigh drew the one of largest crowds of the week- a mob scene with throngs of VIPs (or those who perceive themselves as such) clamoring to get past security. Artist/collector Johnny Pigozzi was reportedly seen trying to scale the back fence to gain access but was turned away. Read the rest here »

The Macallan House of Stone and STK Miami

Join STK Miami and “The Macallan House of Stone” for a Scotch tasting and a live performance by acclaimed sculpture artist Moses Nayanhongo on Thursday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. Nayanhongo – who has showcased his works at the Louvre, amongst other art world staples – will carve his latest piece inside the chic South Beach steakhouse as guests sip Macallan 21-year-old whiskey. The event is open to the public. RSVP to stkmiami@taraink.com.

Maison Martin Margiela Presents Love, etc. 

Maison Martin Margiela will present Love, etc., an off-site installation situated near its Miami retail location, in the Miami Design District.  A cocktail reception celebrating the Maison’s first ever Line 13 exhibition during Art Basel will be held on Thursday, December 1. In conjunction with this cocktail reception for Love, etc. invited guests will also be welcomed at the Maison Martin Margiela boutique where they may preview the brands’ Spring Summer 2012 collections of apparel and accessories for men and women. Additionally, these guests will have the opportunity to preview an array of Line 13 objects, including an exclusive, limited-edition Line 13 object created solely for Art Basel 2011. The on-going exhibition will be open on Tuesday, November 29 through Saturday, December 3, each day between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Trey Speegle at Hotel Breakwater 

Popular contemporary artist Trey Speegle will kick off Art Basel 2011 with a private rooftop party held Thursday, December 1, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Hotel Breakwater’s “Intimissi Lounge” rooftop penthouse overlooking Ocean Drive. The exclusive event, which launches his four-day “You/Me” exhibit at the hotel, will feature live body paint-by-numbers by Trey Speegle, signature “You/Me” cocktails and sounds by DJ Valdemar. Speegle’s diverse career has been characterized by a unique mix of commercial and fine art. His work combines high- and lowbrow with a nod toward Pop Art, overlaying his meticulous vintage paint-by-number images with messages. Last year, Speegle created a backdrop for Stella McCartney’s Paris runway show, as well a collection for Anthroplogie Home. His iconic YOU ARE HERE painting was recently acquired by Microsoft for the lobby of its San Francisco headquarters. Speegle is represented by Benrimon Contemporary and his work can also be seen at the gallery’s PULSE Miami art fair exhibition during Art Basel 2011, which is located at The Ice Palace in the Miami Design District. For more information on Trey Speegle, visit www.bcontemporary.com/treyspeegle or www.treyspeegle.com. 

Dine with Russell Simmons and Creed lead singer Scott Stapp for a Worthy Cause

On Friday, December 2 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Miami residence of Chip Brady of LSN Partners, LLC, and his wife Allison Weiss Brady, please join music mogul Russell Simmons and her brother Danny Simmons, along with Creed lead singer/songwriter Scott Stapp and his wife Jaclyn Stapp, Jill Viner, Diane N. Weiss, Roe and Penny Stamps, Cheryl and Jaime Peisach, and Faquiry Diaz Cala and Amelia Balonek for an intimate fundraising dinner party to raise funds for Penn Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania. At the event Loro Piana will be presenting exclusive items from their 2011 men’s and ladies lines, with mannequins staged atop of the Brady’s gorgeous stone fountain and discretely throughout their property. At the event, ten percent of all Loro Piana sales will benefit Penn Medicine. Boca Raton-based jeweler Rosenberg Diamonds & Co. will also be having a Diamond Dig raffle with a chance to win a $4,900 diamond pendant. Special performance by singer/songwriter Brendan O’Hara. Tickets start at $500 per person. Address will be given upon RSVP. Contact weisspr@aol.com for further information.

PooL Art Fair Miami Beach

Join Frère Independent for an opening reception on Friday, December 2 from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. for the presentation of the seventh edition of PooL Art Fair Miami Beach, slated for December 2, 3, and 4, as well as its new location at Sadigo Court, making it the closest exposition to the Miami Beach Convention Center – the epicenter of Art Basel Miami Beach. PooL is the only exhibition to present independent artists who are otherwise unrepresented during Art Basel Miami Beach. The simple, modest approach of the PooL Art Fair offers an exciting alternative to the typical art fair experience for dealers, collectors and the general public. By creating a meeting ground for outstanding artists, primarily those who do not yet have gallery representation, the fair serves as an invaluable resource for the artistic community and the general public. Contemporary art dealers, artist agents, emerging galleries, artists’ collectives and non-profit organizations are also invited to apply to participate as exhibitors. The fair selects artists whose works are original and challenging. Exhibiting artists use hotel guest rooms to display their work, creating a unique and personal setting.

Food Truck Fridays at the Adrienne Arsht Center

On Friday, December 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County will host an art-inspired version of its popular “Food Truck Fridays” lunchtime event in honor of Art Basel Week and the Center’s upcoming programming. Throughout the event, guests will enjoy lunch from a variety of “Burger Beast Approved” gourmet food trucks including gastroPod and Ms. Cheezious as well as a FREE performance on one of Steinway’s Pop-Up Piano Miami’s pianos by ELEW, a dynamic “Rockjazz” pianist who recently toured with Josh Groban, at 1 p.m. In addition, all “Food Truck Fridays” attendees will have the opportunity to pose for Sketchy Miami artists and receive instant, complimentary portraits. Professional street chalk artist Betty Dominguez will also be on-site to create a large, 3D mural depicting everyone’s favorite green ogre, Shrek, in preparation for the Arsht Center’s debut of SHREK THE MUSICAL on December 6 through 11. Dominguez’s “Shrek” will be on view at the Center’s Lot C parking lot through December 11. SHREK THE MUSICAL and MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET giveaways and prizes will be available in celebration of the Arsht Center’s Broadway in Miami 2011-2012 season. Admission to “Food Truck Fridays” and entertainment is free. Food is available for purchase. Special event parking is $3.00. 

La Maison franco PIANEGONDA at Aventura Mall

The La Maison franco PIANEGONDA boutique at Aventura Mall will be hosting a cocktail reception and holiday sale in celebration of its one-year anniversary on Wednesday, December 7, from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. Jewelry designer Franco Pianegonda will be making a rare personal appearance from Italy, joined by stylish hosts Kirstie Bolitho, Rosalie Borg, Alex Fields, Stuart Geller, Cynthia Graham, Erin Newberg, Carole Pumpian, Sonia Tita Puopolo, Patty Soffer and Tracey Stein. Guests will receive 20 percent off all items storewide, with a portion of sales from the event through Sunday benefiting Citizens Interested in Arts, Inc. Guests will enjoy cocktails and antipasti by Bella Luna.  La Maison franco PIANEGONDA by Franco Pianegonda is a luxury Italian jewelry brand renowned for innovative designs. It features rodiated .925 sterling silver combined with natural elements, including 18-karat gold, buffalo tusk, diamonds, gemstones and natural river pearls. Franco PIANEGONDA creations start at $450 and can be purchased at fine retailers, including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as the flagship boutique in the Aventura Mall. For more information, visit www.francopianegonda.net or to rsvp to the event go to pianegonda@taraink.com.

Pearl Restaurant & Champagne Lounge Makes a Comeback

On Saturday, December 10, International restaurateur and lifestyle entrepreneurs Jack and Lucia Penrod are re-opening the doors to hotspot Pearl Restaurant & Champagne Lounge! The iconic venue originally opened in 1999 and later closed in 2005 and was a favorite among A-List celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon, Paris Hilton, Janet Jackson and Sting, to name a few. Pearl returns better than ever at the same address (One Ocean Drive, Miami Beach) and will offer guests a new exquisite menu of world cuisine served with an aesthetic flair by renowned Chef Sylvain Noel complemented by an extensive cocktail, wine and champagne menu.

Dita Von Teese

Sexy burlesque performer, Dita Von Teese, made a pit stop in Miami on Thursday as part of the U.S. launch for her vintage-inspired mini bar, “My Cointreau® Travel Essentials.” She sipped Cointreau® MargaDitas at a private party at Mondrian South Beach’s Sunset Lounge and caused quite the frenzy as she made her grand entrance down the hotel lobby’s black spiral staircase wearing a silver Herve L. Leroux gown, studded Louboutin heels, vintage earrings and a Cartier ring, and then posed on the Cointreau® “orange carpet” alongside a luggage cart stacked high with vintage trunks and her limited-edition travel accessory and shared fashion, style and travel tips with guests. Von Teese spent most of the evening lounging in a corner booth with friends but often stopped her conversation to meet and pose for photos with fans.

Our favorite Modern Family star, Sofia Vergara, headlined the BeLive Gala at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach on Thursday night.

Sofia Vergara

Real Housewives of Miami’s Lea Black joined Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita, and Albie Manzo at the Hotel Breakwater for the launch of blk.Water, which Manzo is representing. Manzo kept cool sipping cocktails (made with blk), and hanging with his brother, sister and New York Jets cheerleader girlfriend, much to the dismay of female onlookers.  

 Across town at WALL Miami lounge, Private Practice’s Taye Diggs (who made us swoon years ago in How Stella Got Her Groove Back) and team McLaren Formula One race car driver Jenson Button partied at the VIP hotspot, drinking and dancing with friends until 4 a.m.

Diggs and famous wife Idina Menzel from Glee stayed at the Hilton Bentley on South Beach while on tour all over South Florida promoting Diggs’ new children’s book Chocolate Me, about helping kids feel good about being unique.  The couple was seen by the Bentley pool and dining at De Rodriguez Cuba with their son Walker on Saturday, after his book signing at The Soul of South Florida Book Expo. 

Mario Lopez was seen checking into the Mondrian late on Friday night and took a few minutes to relax poolside on Saturday afternoon. Our source tells us fans were overheard whispering that they hoped “he’d take his shirt off” but had no such luck as Lopez was off to film teasers for his show Extra.

On Saturday afternoon, Alex Rodriguez went virtually unnoticed behind dark shades as he enjoyed a healthy poolside lunch at the Delano; Manny Ramirez had a late afternoon snack at Stephen Starr’s Makoto in Bal Harbour and Romero Britto dined at Asia de Cuba at Mondrian, posing for photos with fans and signing autographs.

University of Miami alums and Major League Baseball players Chris Perez (Cleveland Indians) and Jon Jay (St. Louis Cardinals) dined on Saturday at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar.

On Sunday afternoon Giuliana and Bill Rancic enjoyed Sunday afternoon brunch at the Mondrian. 

Last week, American Idol Season 10’s Brett Loewenstern, Mrs. United States 2011 Shannon Ford, and Miss Florida USA 2012 Karina Brez were a part of the Palm Beach Veterans Committee Veterans Day Parade in West Palm Beach.

Dwayne Wade’s private chef, Richard Ingraham cooked up specialty dishes for the Cooking up Dreams event at the Hilton Doubletree Biscayne Bay a couple of weeks ago, in support of Miami-Dade Public Schools Food and Nutrition programs.

Derek Blasberg, Loren Ridinger, JR Ridinger, Lauren Santo Domingo, & Andres Santo Domingo

 By:  Mary Jo Almeida Shore

With Art Basel looming in the no-so-distant horizon, we are especially thankful this Thanksgiving for a couple of days of rest before the hectic week ahead.  Last week provided for much excitement and varied forms of entertainment and celebrity sightings a-go-go, although, many a socialite, when asked about their plans during the week, simply replied, “I’m resting up for Basel.”   

The Ridingers Host a Very Classy Affair

Last Wednesday, fashion writer, editor and New York Times bestseller, Derek Blasberg celebrated his book launch, VERY CLASSY: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady with an affair to match the book’s title, at the stunning estate of JR and Loren Ridinger, aptly named, Casa de Suenos.  The trés chic soiree at the Ridingers’ “Dream House” was co-hosted by “extremely modern ladies,” Inés Rivero, Loren Ridinger, Vivian Duenas and Lauren Santo Domingo in conjunction with Moda Operandi, (www.modaoperandi.com) the first online luxury fashion retailer to provide access to complete collections from the world’s top designers immediately following their runway shows.  Read the rest here »