Lunch in the Garden

 The Second Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon at the historical gardens at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (3251 South Miami Avenue) will take place on Friday, February 26, 2010 starting at 11:00 a.m. on The Casino Mound for cocktails and garden tours and continue at the Formal Gardens, from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m., with a luncheon al Fresco. Women are encouraged to wear hats and men to dress “dapper.”  Neiman Marcus will be providing an informal fashion presentation showcasing spring 2010 collections from luxury brands and Atlantico Rum will provide the cocktails.  The goal of the Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon is to introduce guests to the splendor of Vizcaya’s gardens as originally intended, and raise funds to further the mission of The Vizcayans: to protect, preserve and restore the estate including the gardens.   Ticket prices are $250 for individuals. For more information, contact (305) 856-4866 or www.vizcayans.org.

 Fish + Wine

 Miami’s Area 31 at Kimpton’s EPIC Hotel is hosting its inaugural “Fish + Wine” dinner on Thursday, February 25, hosted by Executive Chef John Critchley and Master Sommelier Emily Wines, the four-course dinner will feature fresh-caught, sustainable seafood paired with boutique wines and will benefit the Marine Mammal Conservancy. The MMC is a local nonprofit whose mission is to protect marine mammals and their habitats through research, rescue, rehabilitation, release and education. Visit www.marinemammalconservancy.org for more information.   The price is for $175 per person, limited to 150 people. For guests interested in the dinner menu’s fish selection, a VIP experience is available for a maximum of 16 people that includes a boat excursion and lunch aboard a private charter with Executive Chef John Critchley which includes a tour of Miami’s finest fishing markets as well as tips on picking premium fish to be featured in the pairing dinner. The VIP experience costs $275 per person including dinner. For more information and reservations, call 305.424.5234 or visit www.area31restaurant.com.

 Blacks are Back for the Fifteenth Year

The Blacks’ Annual Gala benefiting at-risk kids in need through The Consequences Charity & Project Medishare for Haitian relief efforts will take place on February 27th, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. This is one star-studded gala you won’t want to miss. This year’s celebrity performers include Grammy Winner Natalie Cole Latin Pop Sensation Paulina Rubio, Platinum Recording Artist Rick Ross, TV/Latin Music sensation, Jencarlos Canela, saxophonist, Alto Reed, and music by well-known DJs: Entice, Irie and DJ Tracy Young.  In addition to appearances by Real Housewives from Bravo Network, an exhibition boxing match featuring top heavyweight boxer Fres “Fast Fres” Oquendo, Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski, presented by David Goldberg and Oquendoberg Productions.  And the list goes on, past years have seen the likes of Patti LaBelle, Lil Wayne, Pamela Anderson and Barry Gibb to name a few. For a recap of last year’s gala, go to https://miamisocialholic.com/2009/04/back-in-black/

100% of the ticket sales and auction proceeds go directly to Educate Tomorrow, I Have a Dream, and Project Medishare founded by Dr. Barth Green. Individual tickets go for $500 per person/$1,000 for preferred seating and VIP packages range from $2, 500 – $25, 000.  For more information visit www.theblacksannualgala.org. For tickets please email jasonfclarke@hotmail.com.

Queen Latifah worked out with a personal trainer at Equinox South Beach over the weekend, which we assume facilitated her choice of wearing skinny jeans during her “America, the Beautiful” performance on Super Bowl Sunday.  Also, Dallas Cowboy’s Miles Austin visited The Spa at Equinox South Beach post workout to enjoy a 90-minute rub down.

Sushi Samba was celeb-central during Super Bowl week, starting on Wednesday when Ross Mathews, correspondent a.k.a. “Ross the Intern” from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Elizabeth Berkley (Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell); and national correspondent for Fox News, Phil Keating.  Mathews, a personal friend of Sushi Samba Managing Partner, Matthew Johnson, “crossed the bridge” earlier that afternoon to check-out Sugarcane raw bar grill, the latest concept from the Sushi Samba group that opened in January 2010.  Katie Cassidy was at Sushi Samba on Thursday as was Wilmer Valderrama, who returned Friday night; seen schmoozing with Cassidy and later sending over a round of shots. The Wayans brothers were also spotted at Sushi Samba on Saturday.  On Sunday, the Wayans bowled the night away at Lucky Strike Lanes with a Super Bowl party that started at 6:00 p.m. until after midnight. Other celebrities spotted at Lucky Strike included Richard Marshall from the Carolina Panthers and DeSean Jackson from the Philadelphia, Randy McMichael from the St. Louis Rams, Charles Godfrey from the Carolina Panthers, and Antoine Walker, a retired basketball player formerly of the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

 Over at the Alene Too pop-up shop at the 944 Hotel at the Eden Roc:  TV personality Lo Bosworth from The Hills who texted friend Stephanie Pratt to “hurry over.”  Stephanie Pratt and co-star Lo arrived late and had the boutique re-opened.

 Condoleezza Rice dined with a friend at Todd English’s da Campo Osteria for lunch on Sunday. The former Secretary of State was diplomatic as usual, acting graciously with the restaurant staff while feasting on items off the northern-Italian inspired menu pre-Super Bowl.  

 Coco de Ville, the new hotspot at the Gansevoort hosted Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick who arrived unannounced with a group of friends on Saturday night.

 On Thursday night, a bunch of stars from the upcoming movie Grown Ups dined at STK, including: Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, David Spade and Kevin James.  Adam Sandler danced to the DJ’s music and cracked jokes at the table while cutting his steak and the entire table commented on the server’s striking resemblance to fellow funny man Eddie Murphy.  Tuesday night, “quasi celebs” Mike “The Situation” and Pauly D. from Jersey Shore came in for dinner at STK for their last night in Miami.

At Tao’s Super Bowl pop up party at the W South Beach’s Wall nightclub, celeb DJ Swizz Beatz,  producer of Jay Z’s Empire State of Mine, played the song over and over again for Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, who were sitting across from each other, but never said hello.  Dave Annable, of hit show, Brothers and Sisters, and his new girlfriend Odette Yustman walked the red carpet hand in hand.

Chris Rock arrived at TAO’s Super Bowl party asking for good friend Jamie Foxx.  After learning he was not in the building, he opted to sit with fellow funny guy David Spade until Jamie Foxx finally joined him and then they both jumped on the mic, with Chris Rock singing the Run DMC song line I’m the KING of ROCK.

Kristen Cavallari was ecstatic after visiting the Motorolla gifting suite by the pool at TAO’s pop-up Super Bowl party at W South Beach where she received her new Droid phone.

After last week’s season premiere marking the shows final season, “Lost” actor Josh Halloway attended TAO’s pop- up Super Bowl party at W South Beach’s Wet & Wall.

Chase Crawford being swarmed by a sea of girls asking for his newly gifted Motorola Droid phone at Tao’s pop-up Super Bowl party at W South Beach.

Up in the penthouse at the W for the Audi party:  Hillary Swank, Kate Walsh, Rob Lowe, Taylor Lautner, and Kellan Lutz. At Mr Chow – Swank, Brett Ratner, Jamie Foxx, Serena Williams, Todd English, Michael Bay, and Jillian from The Biggest Loser.

Valentine’s Day the Right Way

If waiting two hours for a table and overpaying for a “prixe fix” menu are not exactly your idea of romance, consider The New World Symphony’s (NWS), first annual Vivace benefit, bringing the glamour and romance of old Hollywood to 21^st century Miami this Saturday, February 13. This pre-Valentine’s celebration begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Gusman Center (174 East Flagler Street) with a performance titled “Great Loves of the Silver Screen.” A one-of-a-kind full-orchestral concert, with projected excerpts from classic films like Doctor Zhivago, Madame Bovary, Brigadoon and King Kong and the songs of cinematic favorites such as Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On” and “A Time For Us” from Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet.

 Immediately following the concert, Vivace patrons will enjoy a Golden Era-themed red-carpet party at The historic Alfred I. Dupont Building, where they will get a chance to mingle with the NWS Fellows, sip classic cocktails, dine on exquisite cuisine, bid on unforgettable silent auction items and share a dance with their Valentine.

 Adding to the Hollywood Glamour of the evening, Academy Award-winning director David Frankel will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Frankel is internationally renowned for his film and television projects including Marley & Me, The Devil Wears Prada, Miami Rhapsody the Emmy winning series’ Band of Brothers and Entourage and the Academy Award winning short Dear Diary.

Individual tickets for the Vivace benefit, which include the concert and the post-performance party, are $750 with special packages available from $5,000 to $50,000. Concert-only tickets, priced at $77 and $42 are also available by calling 305-673-3331.  For additional information on Vivace, please contact Rebecca Mandelman at 305-428-6733. 

The Anti-Valentine

Single and Fabulous (www.FabulousAlways.com) founders Tiffany Rosen and Erin Newberg present the Second Annual Anti-Valentine’s day soiree “LOVE IS A BATTLFIELD.” The event will take placed this Saturday, February 13th at 9:00 p.m., at Louis lounge at the Gansevoort South Hotel.   According to Rosen and Newberg, “For those of you who are single and dreading the upcoming ‘Hallmark holiday’ here’s your chance to turn Single Awareness Day (aka V-Day) into an opportunity to celebrate ‘singledom!’”  The event costs only $20 but RSVP is mandatory to attend. For more info and to RSVP, contact Tiffany@fabulousalways.com.

Romance in Art

Calix Gustav Gallery is pleased to announce the launch of its newest exhibition “Basics,” showcasing works by classically trained emerging artists who utilize contemporary subject matters. Hosted by Miami Art Guide and coinciding with Wynwood’s monthly Art Walk, Calix Gustav Gallery will host an opening reception on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy live entertainment by Florida International University’s School of Music and Miami Symphony, as well as complimentary cocktails courtesy of V Georgio Vodka.

Visit www.calixgustav.com. Events are open to the public – RSVP to calix@taraink.com or 305.864.3434 ext. 157.

 Happy Hour for a Cause at Viceroy Miami’s Club 50

 Every Thursday, 5% of Club 50’s proceeds benefit a local cause or organization. Last season’s Happy Hour with a Cause donated over $35,000 to such charities as Big Brothers Big Sisters, UM-NSU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, United Way of Miami-Dade and the Sabrina Cohen Foundation. From 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., guests can enjoy drink specials including $5 well spirits, beer and house wine as they unwind at Miami’s ultimate rooftop bar and lounge. For the Happy Hour charity schedule go to: http://viceroymiami.com/cuisine/club_schedule.html.

Happy Days are here again! With just days to the Big Game, and the requisite parties (60 and counting),  promotions, events, concerts, goodie bags, celebrity and athlete appearances and fan experiences, what’s not to love about the Super Bowl, whether or not  you are a football fan? While we have yet to see events in the line-up to top the Ocean Drive magazine/ Market America Super Bowl party, voted “Best Party” of 2007, which featured concerts by Fergie, JLo and Marc Anthony, music by the late, great, DJ AM and just about every A-list celeb you can imagine we’ve managed to put together a short list of this year’s best Bowl bets.

Read the rest here »

Rachel Zoe and husband, Rodger Berman were spotted checking out of the Mondrian on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, Miami Dolphins player Akin Ayodele was spotted at a Big Brothers/ Big Sisters luncheon where he praised the importance of being a mentor.  Later that night Ayodele stopped by the Jack Brewer Foundation event co-sponsored by LSN Partners, at the Mondrian in South Beach. This event kicked-off Pro Bowl Week and benefitted the non-profit One Team for Haiti. Joining Akin at the party was Terrell Owens sporting sunglasses and a scarf, (who got as many compliments for his VH1 show, as he did for his football talent), Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson, Zack Crockett, Florida Gator, Carlos Dunlap, and former NFL player Barrett Green.   Creed lead singer, Scott Stapp was unable to attend the event as planned, having just returned from a Haiti relief mission, but sent Creed auction items to help the cause.

Will Smith and Darren Sharper, safety for the New Orleans Saints, had dinner at Meat Market with friends Tuesday night. They seemed to enjoy the food and engaged guests, chatting and signing autographs.

Also on Tuesday night, for the sneak peek of the buzzed about Coco de Ville, Pauly Shore, Tyson Beckford and Amaury Nolasco got a first look at the Miami sister to the LA hotspot and definitely noticed the beautiful crowd that they may not get in Hollywood.  The newly opened lounge is brought to us by The One Group (STK) who has brought on One Fifty to assist with the marketing, and will be bringing back the popular Favela Chic party to the beach.

Internet marketing giant, Market America, closed its annual world conference on Saturday with a star-studded bang as it welcomed Emilio Estefan and Alejandro Sanz to a sold- out American Airlines Arena.

Estefan, a nineteen-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer and songwriter, husband of international superstar Gloria Estefan, and CEO and founder of Estefan Enterprises addressed a sold out crowd of 25,000 Market America UnFranchise Owners, celebrities and fellow business icons as he shared the guiding principles of his newly released book, The Rhythm of Success. Estefan conducted a book signing following his on-stage appearance to a crowd of thousands of excited entrepreneurs and supporters, including Eva Longoria-Parker, from “Desperate Housewives,” a close friend of JR and Loren Ridinger, who head up the Market America enterprise.

Both JR and Loren addressed the crowd throughout the day, detailing the many benefits of the company.  Sanz, 15 time Latin GRAMMY award winner and two time GRAMMY Award winner, closed the conference by performing four songs including his cross-over hit “Looking for Paradise” which includes lyrics performed by Alicia Keys. Other stars in attendance included:  Paulina Rubio and husband Nicolas Vallejo, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Elena Tablada, Tracy and Alonso Mourning and Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo.