Rick Shadyac, Luis Fonsi, Giselle Blondet, Daisy Fuentes, and St. Jude patients Anthony, Karelys, and Stephan

by: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Angels and Stars Gala

The stars shone brightly at the 9th annual St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala at the JW Marriott Marquis on Saturday night.  The Havana-inspired bash drew more than 700 supporters and Latin celebrities and entertainers, who gathered to raise funds for the nation’s top-ranked children’s cancer hospital.

Television personality Daisy Fuentes, stunning in a hot-pink silk gown, once again served as celebrity chair.  Award presenters included actresses Angélica Maria and Angélica Vale; Univision television host Giselle Blondet; local personalities, Louis Aguirre, co-host of WSVN’s Deco Drive; Enrique Santos, host of the Univision Radio MIX 98.3 FM morning show and Alberto Sardiñas, host and producer of “Intimo” on Amor 107.5 FM.   Read the rest here »

Debbie Murcarsel-Powell, Dr. John Rock, and Debbie Tano

In celebration of Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’s (HWCOM) current and future growth, prominent female philanthropists attended a luncheon and fashion event to support the school and kick off the second-annual benefit dinner that takes place on Friday, November 4. The invitation-only luncheon, part of the college’s ongoing initiative to raise money to support student scholarships, took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Neiman Marcus at the Village of Merrick Park. The event was hosted by philanthropists Gloria Sesana and Debbie Tano and included a brief presentation from Founding Dean John Rock, M.D. and an exclusive fashion presentation of designer collections by Neiman Marcus.

Fabrizio Cocchi,Paolo,Nadine,and Daniel Borgomanero

On Wednesday, April 27, C&C Art and Accessories, Nadine Curmi Borgomanero and Fabrizio Cocchi hosted a celebration to commemorate the unveiling of the Design Districts latest Italian showroom, MADinitaly. 
 
The private event drew support from a number of notables including famed Tod’s baron Diego Della Valle and his wife Barbara, renown Italian editor Carlo Rossella,  Venetian restaurateur Miky Grendene, La Perla heiress Martina Borgomanero and husband Fabian Basabe, fashion photographer Iran Issa-Khan, Italian Real Estate Mogul Daniela Bonetti, and international socialites Carole Seikaly, Maria Lowe, Francesca Halpern, Emmanuelle & Joane Della Valle, Paula Lieto, Giampiero Di Persia, Diane Ovadia,  and Massimo Barracca. 
 
Indulging in light bites and champagne, guests previewed the unique furniture offerings, home accents, pop-themed art and speciality linens – infused with innate Italian Flair.  The vibrant and playful lines of the furniture as well as the unexpected combinations of colors and textures reflect multiple high design influences of Italian interior designer Fabrizio Cocchi, from cutting-edge contemporary to classic.  Located at 4 Northeast 39th street, the 2,000 square-foot space boasts a perfect balance of eclectic and contemporary touches.

Eco Lifestyle Gala

The 2^nd Annual Green Drinks Eco-Lifestyle Gala will take place Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort & Club (501 East Camino Real). The event is designed to honor environmental stewardship and support socially conscious causes through fundraising and community support. This year, Green Drinks will recognize celebrity actress and philanthropist, Patricia Arquette, with its prestigious Eco-Lifestyle Pioneer Award for her work with GiveLove, a non-profit Haiti relief organization she founded in 2010. The event will support GiveLove’s work to improve housing and sanitary conditions in Haiti, as well as Global Green USA’s greener rebuilding efforts in Haiti.  The event organizers promise an impressive line-up of live musicians and entertainers, including NYC Comedian Jessica Kirson, DJ Mark Leventhal, and renowned Native Rock musician, Robby Romero. Tickets for the gala are a bargain at $75 per individual ticket; $125 per couple.   Tables of 10 can be purchased for $500. A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are available, from Presenting Sponsor to Exhibitor and Gift Bag Sponsors. For more information on sponsorships or to purchase tickets, contact April Milliken Trigg at april@eventologie.com or 404. 627. 4630 ext. 204.  For more information visit:   http://www.ecolifestylegala.com or http://www.southfloridagreendrinks.org.

MIAMI PRO-AM Dance Styles Expo

Local artist and urban realist Miguel Paredes and his nationwide graphic design and printing company, PK Graphics, are the presenting sponsors for the 15^th annual MIAMI PRO-AM Dance Styles Expo, the first break dance conference in the world and longest running hip-hop dance competition in the US east coast. 2011’s expo begins on Friday, May 20 and runs through Sunday, May 22 at various South Florida locations. For additional information or bookings, and a complete listing of events visit: www.hiphopelements.com.

The Shane’s Champagne Brunch

The Ronald W. Shane Center (6500 Indian Creek Drive) invites you to its Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 22, where you’ll get to nosh on food by Joe’s Stone Crab and enjoy a silent auction, live music and a rowing exhibition.  The fun starts at 11 a.m. and benefits the Shane Center, home of the Miami Beach Rowing Club, a non-profit organization which funds rowing scholarships for underprivileged youth.  The event will honor the center’s many founders and donors who have shaped the facility since its inception in 1991.  Tickets for the Champagne Brunch cost $100 per person.  For further information, contact Diana Maldonado at 305.861.8837.  To purchase tickets online, go to www.shanecenter.com/events.

 Base Paint | The Auction

On Wednesday, May 25, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., Ideobox Artspace, SaludArte Foundation, Fundación Manos del Sur, Step by Step Foundation, and Curators Antuan & Tanya Brillembourg join forces as they prepare for Base Paint | The Auction event to benefit the Base Paint Project.  The tents have arrived in Haiti and will be installed this summer as part of a secondary school on the property of L’Athletique d’Haiti. The funds raised will help to finance the new school’s operational costs and ensure the continuation of the work that was begun with the Base Paint Tents.   The contemporary art auction and curated exhibition will be held in Wynwood at Ideobox Artspace and is open to the public with complimentary admission. Base Paint | The Auction will feature over 45 artists that have generously donated works of art to help raise these funds.  For a list of artists and auction pieces, visit www.basepaint.org. While guests view the silent auction and place bids at Ideobox Artspace, the space will host a variety of refreshments and entertainment.  On hand to set the vibe will be famed band Miami City Mix and later in the evening DJ Umber Bandi-Ville will be mixing beats. Artist Leni Ibarguengoytia will unveil her event installation on crate boxes which will act as lounge areas.  Bacardi cocktails sponsored by a private donor will be available to quench the thirst of those who savor Diego’s Andalucia Tapas & Deli’s paella and Zucchero Ristorante Bistro’s hors d’oeuvres. For more information on the foundation, visit www.lathletiquedhaiti.org.

Dennis Rodman at Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar

Breaking In actor Christian Slater had dinner with power attorney and philanthropist Jim Ferraro at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar. Slater’s friend, Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar and beau/ Forge owner, Shareef Malnik joined Slater and Ferraro at their table.

Malnik and Anwar were spotted later in the week being very hands on at The Forge’s new Craft Table during the Sunday brunch, where kids have the opportunity to create art projects from organic glue, recycled paper, non-toxic poster paint and fresh flower petals.  Malnik prides himself on opening the Forge’s doors to families and their little ‘foodies-in-training.’  “It’s a great feeling to know that we are offering them a new outlet for exploring food and art,” said Malnik.

Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo and her husband Chris Ivery dined at Zuma Miami on Sunday evening for Mother’s Day.

Tennis super star sisters Venus and Serena Williams celebrated Cinco de Mayo at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar in West Palm Beach. The pair danced to tunes by DJ Adam Lipson while sipping on Rocco’s homemade Margaritas. Meanwhile, NBC-star turned reality-TV star Dennis Rodman entertained onlookers at the Rocco’s Tacos on Las Olas Boulevard. 

Last Saturday, Eva Longoria performed a task at STK Miami alongside team-mate JR Ridinger during the Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup. As her onsite task, Longoria was challenged to test her taste buds and guess the ingredients in the Secret Sauce that makes STK’s Lil’ BRGRs so irresistible. Longoria’s guess came closest to the actual sauce, and she scored the most points for that round.  According to our source, when one of the judges revealed to Longoria that he was impressed with the fact that she had layered the mini burger correctly, the stunning star simply stated “I learned that from working at Wendy’s!” Longoria lost the overall cup this year to Team Market America 2, composed of Amber Ridinger, fiancé Duane McLaughlin and Michael Yo.  That didn’t stop her from co-hosting a winners’ brunch for the team, along with JR and Loren Ridinger, at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar the following morning.

Heather Bailey, Tracy Wilson Mourning, Ayana Rodriguez, and Nadine Valme

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

 More than 500 of Miami’s leading ladies kept their hats on under the big top for the circus-themed Hats Off luncheon hosted by Tracy Wilson Mourning at Jungle Island on Tuesday, May 3, the Honey Shine Mentoring Program’s premier fundraising event.  Circus performers, colorful animal statues, a cotton candy vending machine, snow cones, circus fare and Grey Goose cocktails added excitement to the already whimsical afternoon, which began with a silent auction filled with so many name-brand and hand-crafted items that even Mourning delayed her entrance into the actual luncheon to bid on several terrific bargains. 

Once inside the main ballroom, guests delighted in the wall-to-wall circus décor: tabletops adorned with colorful linens, with centerpieces comprised of hand-painted hat boxes surrounded by circus treats including animal crackers, peanuts, and cracker jacks and a stuffed circus animal wearing a Honey Shine t-shirt on each chair.  Read the rest here »