Summer Groove is Here 

Celebrating its 15^th year, Zo’s Summer Groove returns with a star-studded line-up including: Alicia Keys, Cee Lo Green, D.L. Hughley, Carlos Mencia, Black Violin, Jeffrey Donovan, and many more.  Alonzo Mourning Charities presents an event-filled weekend that will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Fl.) from July 22 through 24.  The Groove features something for everyone: golf, comedy, music, a benefit dinner, a gala, and an all-star block party.  For more information, visit  www.zsg.com. 

National Hotel Hosts 2011 Copa America Finals 

In celebration of the 2011 Copa America Finals this coming Sunday, July 24, National Hotel Miami Beach will host a viewing event for the championship game of the tournament, often referred to as “the most important football event in Latin America.” Beginning at 2:30 p.m., football fanatics are invited to watch the big game live from Argentina on widescreen televisions at the hotel’s Blues Bar while enjoying 50% off full bar, $4 draft beers and specialty menu items inspired by the countries of the competing teams. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter into a raffle to win a two-night stay in one of the Art Deco property’s newly renovated cabana rooms, including breakfast for two and valet parking.

Henri Bendel Opens at Dadeland Mall 

Henri Bendel, one of Manhattan’s chicest shopping environments, is making its way to South Florida.  The iconic institution is slated to open its doors this month at Dadeland Mall on July 29.  Along with Saks Fifth Avenue and Macys, Henri Bendel is sure to be a style-setter’s destination.  Bendel’s Dadeland Mall location will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, with a champagne cocktail reception from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a digital photo booth for fun!  On Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to closing, customers will receive a special edition Henri Bendel Tote with the purchase of $150. On Sunday, a NYC Brunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miami Spice 10^th Anniversary Kick-Off 

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s popular end of summer foodie program, Miami Spice, celebrates its 10^th anniversary August 1 through September 30.  The program, inaugurated in 2002, offers more than 125 participating restaurants, providing great value and making dining out affordable and accessible with three-course lunch ($22) and dinner ($35) menus, excluding gratuities, representing an average discount of 30-50 percent.  To get the Miami Spice anniversary off to a rousing start, an upscale kickoff event, with live entertainment, tastings, demos, specialty cocktails and book signings by some of the area’s top chefs, will take place on Thursday, July 28, from 7 to 9 p. m., at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  Tickets are $50 per person in advance and $100 per person on the day of the event; VIP tickets are $125 and include a special reception beginning at 6 p.m., complimentary sponsor specialty drinks and complimentary self-parking adjacent to the event hall.  Proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength, Madison’s Wish and Education Fund’s Plant a Thousand Gardens Collaborative Nutrition Initiative.  To purchase tickets, guests may call

888-302-5441,or visit www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com for more details.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Love was in the air Thursday night for Shakira, who was spotted at WALL Miami lounge alongside her steamy Team Barcelona soccer star boyfriend Gerard Pique. The Latin sensation was unafraid of public displays of affection and was seen dancing closely with Pique, stealing kisses and holding hands all throughout the night.

Ocean Drive magazine and BankUnited celebrated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 at W South Beach on Thursday night. Cover star Chrissy Teigen arrived to the party of over 500 guests with friends, fellow IMG models and boyfriend John Legend. Partygoers enjoyed Grey Goose vodka “Summer Soiree” cocktails and “spiked” popsicles while SmartWater provided a much needed boost of hydration from the Miami heat.

On Saturday, Maria Menounos was a guest at the iRenew Bracelet Beauty Bungalow outfitted in a flowing Shay Todd bikini. The Access Hollywood host was signing her new book for guests and feeling “energized” by iRenew’s bracelets. Later that evening, Menounos, was seen dining with friends at the new Italian restaurant Dolce Vino in South Beach.

  John Legend, who has joined Sade’s “Once in a Lifetime” North American Tour attended the Miami show’s after-party at sexy restaurant and nightclub, Aizia, in Ft. Lauderdale. Legend interacted and surprised VIP patrons by serenading them with an impromptu performance of his hit song “Ordinary People.”

Whitney Port and Shenae Grimes

Recently single Whitney Port seemed to be making the most of her new bachelorette status at Saturday night’s celebration for Skintimate Limited Edition Designed Cans by Mara Hoffman at the W.  Though she arrived with just one girlfriend, the MTV star snuck into the W South Beach for a quick pizza dinner before returning to the Wet Lounge with a small entourage.  The group multiplied from there with nearly twenty friends packing into Whitney’s private cabana as they enjoyed UV vodka cocktails and a front row seat for the synchronized swimming performance.

90210‘s Shenae Grimes also walked the pink carpet for the celebration. The TV starlet showed up to the event with her new boyfriend, DJ Brendan Fallis, on one arm and an over-sized Polaroid camera in the other.  After snapping a shot of herself with reality star Whitney Port, Shenae turned her Polaroid on the eager flashbulbs of nearly two dozen photographers before kicking back in a private poolside cabana to check out her photography skills. The event featured live performances by celebrity DJs, the up-and-coming blonde Australian combo, Nervo, Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe.  

WALL celebrated its second birthday late on Saturday night. In attendance were Nicky Hilton, Ice T and his wife Coco, Marc Jacobs’ ex-beau Lorenzo Martone and rapper Maxwell. International mix-master DJ Sharam took the turn tables first and electrified the crowd, followed by Nervo. At one point they were joined in the DJ booth by Ice T, who got on the microphone to give a shout out to WALL on its 2 year anniversary

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore and Maryanne Salvat

“Swim Week is Here!” -four words every fan of fashion, fun, and “fabulosity” long to hear every summer. Thanks to Presenting Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, thousands now flock to Miami in July, at the time of year when temperatures can be likened to those of the center of the earth; and locals feel palpable excitement, rather than a desperate longing to flee. This year’s shows were hotter than ever- so we’ve decided to highlight our favorites in two different editions of the Fix. Be sure to check back next week for more sizzling Swim Week stories and celebrity sightings.

Diesel

Edgy jeans designer Diesel, kicked-off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 (MBFWS) in style on Thursday night, despite sweltering heat, with a show that represented all things South Beach- from adorable prints such as palm trees to solid styles comprised of pastels, with lots of blue on the color palate in addition to bright orange on the chiseled Hulk-like male models, who were among the most striking we have seen at any show during MFWS. The suits were practical and seemed comfortable but the biggest wow factor came from actresses Jessica Szohr and Kristin Cavallari who closed the show. Read the rest here »

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force, along with your favorite Miami Socialholics, patrolled the streets of Miami Beach during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim   searching for the hottest style-setters in the Magic City.  The  “fashion police” squad checked in at the Standard Hotel during its Sunday Barbeque and the Dream Hotel Highbar Rooftop for the Norma Kamali presentation, shooting a few of the fashion-savvy guests.  Those captured by the style authorities were rewarded with a pair of limited edition Havaiana flip-flops embellished with a special charm in the form of a badge- made for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012   and an exclusive invitation to the Fashion Force culmination event hosted by celebrity stylist, Danny Santiago in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge at the Raleigh Hotel.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

bI’my:Mary Jo Shore

Taste of the Nation

The Fairmont Turnberry Isle resort was filled with the aromas and sounds of searing, sizzling, sautéing and grilling last Thursday as 40 of the hottest chefs from top Miami restaurants showcased popular menu samplings for the 24th annual Taste of the Nation, South Florida’s premier culinary benefit Share Our Strength, which seeks to end childhood hunger.

Over 500 supporters crowded the resort, breaking promises to personal trainers, cardiologists, nutritionists and then some, to delight in dishes such as steak and truffle mash from Gotham Steak, pork belly topped with chicharrón (hmmmm, a chicharron WITH a chicharron) from Bourbon Steak, Trio on the Bay’s delicious shrimp cake, shrimp & grits from The Forge, lobster tacos from Joe’s Stone Crab, pate from DB Bistro, Carpaccio from Steak 954, and a memorable popcorn milkshake by the Tudor House at the Dream Hotel (which will have its grand opening this Saturday). Read the rest here »

 The 15th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors awards ceremony at the Fillmore Miami Beach was a big celebrity draw over the weekend.  NFL star and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens laughed it up with actor and ABFF Honors Awards Host Anthony Anderson in the VIP Grey Goose lounge before the ceremony began. Also spotted in the Grey Goose lounge were Regina King (the evening’s other ABFF Honors Award host) and actress, Naturi Naughton, who received the 2011 Grey Goose Rising Icons Award.  Damon and Marlon Wayans, arrived together to support brother Keenan Ivory Wayans, who received the night’s Entertainment Icon Award for his success in the entertainment industry.  Eric Benet stopped for interviews on the red carpet and Don King brought with him the usual fanfare. 

On Friday night at The Forge, the recently named Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis – dined with owner Shareef Malnik and his girlfriend/actress Gabrielle Anwar, as well as Chicago Bulls player Carlos Boozer who enjoyed a bone-in filet main course and company with a Dolphins Cheerleader calendar cover girl for dessert (insert meat joke here). 

This weekend Acqualina Spa by ESPA hosted NCIS star Cote de Pablo, Lynn Collins of X Men Wolverine and Steve Strait who is currently shooting the Starz show,  Magic City.

On Sunday night, Lenny Kravitz dined with 13 friends at Zuma Miami.