By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Renowned international DJ, Bob Sinclar (World Hold On) along with co-owners Andre Boudou, Gregory Boudou, and Pierre Denain re-opened Amnesia Miami one of the nightlife staples from the halcyon days of South Beach, with much fan fare, light shows, confetti canons, enigmatic thrills and possibly a few spills (as the club boasts multiple levels and lots and lots of steps) over the weekend.

Amnesia Miami officially opened on Friday, October 21, after a VIP preview Thursday night, at the 136 Collins Avenue building – the same spot where Amnesia originally reigned over Miami’s night scene from 1993 -1996.  Many of us, who are older than we care to admit, remember seeing Sly Stallone hanging out in the VIP room there, not to mention the infamous foam parties on Sunday afternoons.  Coincidentally, we don’t remember a whole lot of other stuff that went down at “Amnesia”- probably for the best.

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Dolly Parton wowed the audience during her concert at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last week.  She played the banjo and the auto harp, among various other instruments and covered songs from the Beetles, Led Zeppelin, and Tina Turner, in addition to her classic hits and other country favorites.

Designer extraordinaire Nicole Miller made an appearance and hosted a lunch in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Saks Dadeland on Thursday afternoon

Juan Lopez and Nicole Miller at Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland

.  The pretty and charming designer mingled with guests and gave Saks customers style tips and fashion advice.

Actress/singer Ashley Tisdale and a small entourage enjoyed a late dinner at Sugarcane raw bar grill in Midtown Saturday night. The Disney star, with beau-in-tow and a few other friends/family, remained low-key throughout the evening.

The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar was a good spot for celeb sightings throughout the weekend.  On Friday night, Alex Rodriguez brought in a group of five, including close friend Ingrid Casares, who dined in the main room before heading out to WALL lounge.  On Saturday night, Jacob the Jeweler and family dined at the Forge.  At their request they were seated in the rear of the library so they could enjoy a more intimate evening.  At a separate table, Luis Miguel held court with two ladies, beginning with cocktails at the bar before heading to the Wine Cellar to dine.  His personal bodyguard was only feet away from him all evening and the trio closed the restaurant down.

Music producer Pharell Williams was spotted having lunch on Monday afternoon at one of his favorite restaurants in town- City Hall the Restaurant, with a female companion.

Bonnie Clearwater, Angelo Ricasa, Ivonne Ronderos, and Meredith Becker

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

MOCA Mystery Dates Kick-off

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MOCA) young, hip “Shakers” threw a bash for 400 at newly minted Miami Beach lounge The Well, to kick-off ticket sales for their annual highly-anticipated, Mystery Dates fundraiser, to be held on November 12.  On the soggy evening, the artsy patrons came out in droves to fill the relaxed yet stylish space and enjoy Grey Goose vodka cocktails, while chatting excitedly about the upcoming Mystery Dates event, which consists of a series of glamorous dinner parties held concurrently at the homes of private art collectors and designers around Miami.  The mystery is that guests have no idea as to where they will be dining until the night of the actual event. Read the rest here »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Get your tickets now for the annual Make-A-Wish Nightclub Charity Event at the Intercontinental Hotel (100 Chopin Plaza) this Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 p.m.  This late night extravaganza promises to be filled with fashion, music and dancing and features tunes by mash-up master, DJ Joe Dert and a complimentary open bar. The event will take place on the heels of the 17^th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball which is modeled after Truman Capote’s legendary Black & White Ball at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1966, with iconic rock-n-roll group Joan Jett and the Blackhearts as the entertainment. Unfortunately the ball is completely sold out.  The great news is that you can still be part of the excitement during the after party, where you will be sure to spot a celebrity or two (the gorgeous Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar is the gala’s celebrity auctioneer) and get the chance to peruse high fashions during fashion shows by Bogosse and Andrew Charles, not to mention the stellar looks worn by gala guests.  The party goes until 3 a.m. 

Michael Capponi, Norman Wedderburn, Robert B. Hill, Shareef Malnik and the knock-out Make-A-Wish Nightclub committee promise an elegant night of mystery and fantasy.  Tickets cost $100/$1,000 for a table of ten.   To make a donation, visit www.makeawishball.com.

With all of this flair and excitement, the actual ball seems almost like a pre-party!

By: Maryanne Salvat

msalvat@miamisocialholic.com

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

Spook the house down at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill’s “Spooky Bones” Halloween bash on Friday, October 28. The neighborhood restaurant and bar will host a ghoulish costume party with all “Fire Starters” dressing in their best Halloween getups. From 9:00 p.m. until close guests will enjoy signature “All Day, Every Day” drink specials. Smokey Bones encourages guests to enter its costume contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card, which will be awarded to the sexiest, scariest and most originally dressed. For more information, call 954.474.3711 (Plantation) or 561.383.8240 (Wellington). 

Mercadito Midtown Day of the Dead

Beginning Saturday, October 29, Mercadito Midtown will commemorate the Day of the Dead with costumes galore, entertainment, themed cocktails, festive food specials and more. Mercadito along with Citrus Miami, will host the first annual Day of the Dead costume party on Saturday, October 29. Beginning at 10:00 p.m., guests arriving in full costume will be treated to a complimentary shot of tequila. Live music and entertainment will keep guests grooving into the wee hours. Extending the celebration into the week, guests can enjoy a spooky concoction created by the acclaimed Tippling Bros., the Blood Bite – a combination of tequila, orange juice, grenadine, and jarritos tamarindo. Reservations are strongly recommended for the week’s festivities, and can be made by calling 786.369.0430. 

 Nightmare Above Lincoln Road

The annual Nightmare Above Lincoln Road is a special, charity Halloween Event benefiting The Little Lighthouse Foundation, Inc., an organization assisting children and their families in South Florida who struggle with medical, educational, emotional and financial challenges. On Saturday, October 29, costumed guests will mix and mingle with demonic dancing girls and fire performers, sip cocktails from a large central “Fire Bar” courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, and enjoy food stations from Miami Beach’ finest catering companies and local restaurants. During the past 10 years, GREY GOOSE Vodka has helped charities to raise more than $1 billion dollars. Event begins at 8:00 p.m., general admission tickets are $100 and VIP tickets are $150. VIP tables are also available starting at $2500.  For more information please contact: Jason Venger – info@thelittlelighthouse.org or at 786.368.5494 or – www.thelittlelighthouse.org <http://www.thelittlelighthouse.org>  

Monsters Ball at Cafeina 

The Wynwood lounge and art gallery presents Monsters Ball on Saturday, October 29 with a spooktacular costume contest giving away $500 for 1^st prize, $250 for 2^nd prize and a complimentary SVEDAK bottle and VIP table for  3^rd prize. Guests will enjoy complimentary SVEDKA Monster Mash martinis from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. VJ Tom LaRoc and DJ A-Train will spin monstrous beats inside and out while frightening 8mm shorts play in the haunted garden movie theater. A freakish monster exhibit will be on display in the gallery. Event admission is $5, for more information and table reservations, call 305.438.0792 or visit www.cafeinamiami.com. 

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Happy Anniversary Wine Depot & Bistro 555

In honor of their first anniversary, starting this week until the end of the month, guests who dine at Wine Depot & Bistro 555 (party of four or more required) will receive a free bottle of champagne. Also, this month, Wine Depot & Bistro 555 will host an amazing wine fair. The wine fair will begin on October 27 and will run until November 6. There are over 400 different wines in stock and will be up to 50% off.

Miami Red Dress Fashion Show

The American Heart Association is pleased to step out on the runway for Funkshion’s Fall Fashion Week with its “Miami Red Dress Fashion Show” on Thursday, October 20 at the Setai Hotel. The event, which will celebrate fashion, philanthropy, and culture all in the name of women’s heart health, will begin with the pre-show cocktail hour at 8:00 p.m. and a runway show at 9:00 p.m.  Actor and founder of Music For Your Heart Foundation, Ruben Campbell, will kick-off the fashion show with a special performance. Local celebrities walking the runway for the cause include: Monica Fonseca, Natalia Jimenez, Marysol Patton, Danna Garcia, Candella Ferro and Adriana de Moura. Lissette Gonzalez, meteorologist at CBS4, will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Festivities will continue after the fashion show at the MOMMS Post Show Party at Mokai starting at 11:00 p.m. Reservations are required to attend. For further information, call 305.631.4750.

Spam Allstars at Cafeina 

On Friday, October 21, Cafeina presents Miami’s popular Latin-funk band Spam Allstars. The Grammy nominated group will keep guests on their feet as they dance to an improvisational blend of Latin, funk, and hip-hop music. DJ Erick Paredes will keep the party going into the early hours as guests at the Wynwood lounge enjoy $4 Sam Adams Octoberfests as well as Grey Goose and Jose Cuervo bottle specials.

“Hula-ween” luau at Solé on the Ocean

The ultra-contemporary boutique hotel in Sunny Isles Beach gets “a head” of the holiday with its “Hula-ween” luau on Saturday, October 22 from 5:00 to 10:00pm. For $25 per person, guys and ghouls are invited to celebrate the haunted holiday island-style with a pumpkin carving, paddle boarding, limbo contests (win a weekend stay) and a beachside pig roast, complete with all the Polynesian trimmings. A Mai Tai, valet and ear candy by DJ Dutch and ukulele-clad Aloha Boyz are also included in the price of admission. Festive attire is encouraged and rewarded. For reservations, call 786.923.9300 or email alba@soleoto.com.  

 MCM “Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash”

You don’t have to be spooked to enjoy Halloween! And that’s just the way Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) will celebrate this year with the MCM “Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash” on Sunday, October 23, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at their Watson Island location. All this while benefiting the MCM’s scholarship programs, and your little ghosts and goblins will have a boo-tiful time as they trick or treat their way around the Museum’s 14 galleries, brave the haunted house, test their knowledge in the mad scientist lab, or create crazed crafts.  Families are bound to have a bewitching time decorating pumpkins donated by Robert Netkin and cupcakes donated by Misha’s Cupcakes!  There will also be face painting, balloon artists, scary music by Rhythm City Productions, silent auction, a costume parade and much, much more. Food is sponsored by Epicure Markets with desserts and snacks from Ghirardelli, VITA COCO, Quaker, A Piece of Cake and Coca-Cola.   Special Packages are available including a Benefactors Family Package for $1,000.00 that includes 12 tickets to the Halloween Bash, Benefactor MCM Membership & a personalized tile on the Museum’s Starfish Stroll; a Members Family Package for $500.00 that includes 10 tickets & MCM Family Membership; and a Family Package for $200.00 that includes 6 tickets. Individual tickets are also available for $50.00 each. For more information call 305.373.KIDS (5437), ext. 142 or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org. Please note: The Museum will be closed for this event.

Karaoke for a Cause at Rik Rak Salon

Rik Rak Salon, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables,  and CBS 4’s Cynthia Demos are teaming up to host the first-ever Karaoke for a Cause, on Thursday, October 27 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The contest will bring out Miami’s best amateur voices who will vie for first place, all to raise money to support the CHARLEE Organization. Warm up your vocal cords and prepare your inner Elvis for an evening of exciting competition, Karaoke favorites, tasty food, and raffle prizes. The champion will receive a Rik Rak gift certificate and have a chance to defend their title in the next Karaoke for a Cause competition. Karaoke for a Cause committee members include: Denie Harris, Jamie Rusk, Jorge Estevez, Lissette Gonzalez and Stephanie Demos Brown. Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $40 at the door. Admission price includes complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase tickets visit www.charlee.org or call 305.779. 9793.

Best Buddies At The Stage

Best Buddies South Florida is pleased to announce that Buddies at the District presented by the Miami Business Buddies Committee taking place on Thursday, October 27 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Miami finest will come together for an evening of entertainment, food trucks, and friendship. This fabulous fundraiser will be held at the Design District’s trendiest venue, The Stage. Local artists, the Deadly Blank and Space Between Words will energize the crowd to live music while DJ Hottpants will keep everyone moving with a custom set. 300 young professionals and top executives are expected to eat, drink, and network all while supporting a great cause. $35 minimum suggested donation guests are entitled to entrance to the event, complimentary cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, and a select food truck menu. All the funds raised from Buddies at the District will go towards supporting Best Buddies Miami Programs which positively impact the lives of over 1,000 individuals with and without intellectual disabilities a year.