By: Maryanne Salvat 

Celebrity Cruises® Teams Up with Funky Buddha Brewery and Be Well Travel 

The inaugural Funky Buddha Craft Brew Cruise, a four-day, four-night voyage, features Funky Buddha’s limited edition and latest brews sailing this Thursday, March 12 through Monday, March 16, aboard the Celebrity Constellation. The cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale and travels to Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida. Funky Buddha Brewery experts will be on board to educate and inform beer-loving cruisers; for more information and to book visit: https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/funky-buddha-craft-brew-cruise.

Wicked Returns

Back by “popular” demand, WICKED returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County with performances starting Wednesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 29. Tickets start at $49.00 and can be purchased by visiting www.arshtcenter.org or calling the Box Office at 305. 949.6722. Groups of 15 or more should call 786.468.2326.

#ThursdayIsTheNewFriday at Cecconi’s

This Thursday, March 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Cecconi’s along with Chef Sergio will present a lovely happy hour with complimentary Estrella Damm and Truffle Arancini. Guests will also enjoy a live jazz performance.

Michael Mina “Social Hour”

Known for its hip vibe and dynamic culinary scene, Michael Mina 74 is raising the bar with the introduction of “Social Hour”. Located in the lobby of the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the small plates and craft cocktail driven restaurant is now serving up specially priced barrel-aged cocktails among other libations with complimentary bites from Chef de Cuisine Thomas Griese nightly, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The new “Social Hour” will be available seven days a week showcasing the restaurant’s stellar cocktail program; For more information, visit fontainebleau.com/socialhour.

The Little Lighthouse Foundation Hearts & Stars Gala 2015: Casablanca

The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s (LLF) Hearts & Stars Gala 2015: Casablanca, a private, invite only charity event, which will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. at a private waterfront estate in Miami Beach, is sold out for the 5th year in a row. LLF assists children and their families in South Florida who struggle with educational, financial, and medical hardships. This support is derived from LLF’s recruiting and educating passionate, caring, socially conscious volunteers, and then deploying them to support LLF programming and beneficiary charities. All proceeds from the Hearts & Stars Gala 2015: Casablanca benefit LLF. The Hearts and Stars 2015 Gala will have a Casablanca theme this year and is black tie optional. The Hearts & Stars Gala Kick Off Party is at Hyde Beach at the SLS on Friday night, March 13, 2015. For an online donation of $25, guests will enjoy a sponsored bar from Diageo from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. If available, access to the event at the door will be $50. Donations can be made at www.hydebeach.com/heartsandstars.

International Orchid Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Beautiful, fragrant, and rare orchids will cover the lush landscape of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for the three-day International Orchid Festival, held Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. More than 10,000 orchids and plants will be on view and available for purchase throughout the Garden. Stop by the Science Village to watch interactive demonstrations of the Million Orchid Project, which aims to reintroduce one million native and endangered orchids back into South Florida. Presented by the Orchid Society of Coral Gables, the breathtaking displays of rare and exotic orchid species at the American Orchid Society juried show are a must-see. For more information, visit the International Orchid Festival webpage.

Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon

The Preservation Luncheon, known as the “Hat Luncheon” where attendees are encouraged to wear creative head wear, is taking place on March 17, 2015, and features cocktails, music and lunch on Vizcaya’s beautiful grounds. This annual fundraiser was founded in 2009 to support the preservation of Vizcaya and the organization’s educational programs. Preservation Luncheon tickets, which can bepurchased online, start at $350 per person and tables for 10 guests start at $3,500. For more information, contact Jessica Casinelli at 305-860-8404 or events@vizcaya.org

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Perfect for South Florida skiers, Copper Mountain’s naturally divided terrain allows for family fun that suits the individual abilities and needs of each family member.   Although this world-class resort offers all the powder (21 inches and counting just this week), perks, altitude and thrills of neighboring Colorado mountain resorts such as Breckenridge and Vail, it is extra family friendly in terms of accessibility, amenities, service, ski school, and wallet-friendly prices. In short- Copper Mountain gives you all the fun without the hassle and big ticket pricing. It’s no surprise that Copper has consistently been voted the locals’ favorite ski resort.

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By:  Maryanne Salvat and Mary Jo Shore

The 14^th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) presented by FOOD & WINEwelcomed more than 60,000 enthusiastic foodies to more than 75 different events throughout South Florida in February. To date, the Festival has raised approximately $22 million for the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management located on Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus.   Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite events of SOBEWFF 2015.

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Brittny Gastineau, an American model and socialite, attended the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program Annual Black-Tie Gala on Saturday, March 7, at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. She looked stunning in a long-sleeved, fitted blue gown by Michael Costello. Gastineau, who arrived with reality star/man-about-town, Fabian Basabe, took countless selfies throughout the evening and announced that she would be moving to Miami in the spring. 

The World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral was celeb-central last week, with the Trump family in the house along with the top 50 golfers in the world. On Tuesday night at the Opening Drive party, the Trumps, along with DJ Irie and Miss Universe mixed, mingled and enjoyed light bites and cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose vodka. Seven-time PGA tour champion Matt Kuchar, the official Grey Goose golf pro, along with fellow competitors of the World Golf Championship, took the night off to relax before the start of the prestigious tournament and enjoyed the Miami HEAT game at the American Airlines Arena. In support of United Way of Miami-Dade, Kuchar took his skills from the green to the court and almost sunk a half-court basket for $25K. Carlos Santana headlined the Cadillac Nights Concert on Saturday evening. On Sunday afternoon, as Dustin Johnson finished up his last shot to win it all, his beautiful wife Paulina Gretzky and new born baby were waiting behind the 18th green watching his big win on a TV screen near where the interviews were going to take place. Johnson walked up to sign his winning score card and instantly beamed at the sight of Paulina and his son, saying, “Now that’s what I wanted to see.” He then hugged and kissed them both.

Jane Fonda was spotted at Verde restaurant at the Perez Art Museum.

Zoe Kravitz was seen frolicking in the ocean near the Fontainebleau on Friday afternoon. Kravitz hosted a party late night at WALL lounge at the W South Beach the night before.

The soon-to-be-opened KURO, Japanese Craft Kitchen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida hosted its first private preview last week for renowned fashion photographer Russell James, Victoria’s Secret model, Behati Prinsloo (Mrs. Adam Levine) and friends.

Last Saturday evening, actor/rapper Ludacris dined at Lincoln Road hotspot Meat Market. The table of four enjoyed a selection of Chef Sean Brasel’s signature dishes.

George Hamilton attended Seaspice’s Sunday brunch party.

Elvis Duran and the Morning Show’s Skeery Jones, brunched at Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani’s Siena Tavern. After brunch Skeery was seen lounging poolside at Thompson Miami Beach sipping on signature cocktails from 1930’s House.
Marc Anthony dined with his wife and friends on the riverfront terrace at Zuma on Friday.

The dazzling excitement of a Hollywood movie premiere –scented with roses and popcorn — will make every guest feel like a star at the 2015 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Celebrate the Movies,” running until March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A red carpet will lead visitors through an Art Deco theater facade with a 29-foothighmarquee of flowers and more than 200 lights in blazing neon colors. The Entrance Garden will recall the fantastic interiors of 1920s movie palaces, with towering juniper and palm trees and grand chandeliers dripping with blossoms, moss, jewels and fabrics. Sweeps of 800 blue-green and variegated hostas will surround the planters of the star-studded rose garden, with blooms named in honor of silver-screen legends, including Judy Garland (orange-yellow), Marilyn Monroe (peach), Elizabeth Taylor (pink), Henry Fonda (yellow), and Barbra Streisand (pink lavender). An 8-foot centerpiece of cut roses and other blossoms will be the largest arrangement ever created for a Flower Show entrance.

The garden will also feature 1,500 calla lilies in yellow, lavender, peach-orange and plum; 1,400 ferns; New Guinea patiens, pentas, digiplexis, geraniums, anemones, pineapple lilies, and rieger begonias. In keeping with the movie theme, a moving sculpture of a deconstructed film projector by Chris Kanienberg, of Wish Painting and Sculpture, will flicker and whirl in the garden.

Guests will also view the winning entries in the Flower Show short-film competition entitled “What Is Beauty?” on the 36-foot-wide, high-definition screen in the garden. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which builds beauty every day through its gardening, greening and learning programs, is working with the Greater Philadelphia Film Office to engage professional and student filmmakers in the competition. Guests will be able to purchase popcorn and other movie theater treats in the garden concession stand while watching the winning films. The Entrance Garden will be the opening act in an astounding presentation that turns the silver screen into living color on the Flower Show floor. Internationallyrenowned floral and garden designers will use Disney and Disney•Pixar films as inspiration for exhibits that highlight everyone’s favorite movies, from “Cars” to “Frozen” and “Maleficent” to the new live action film “Cinderella.”

Tickets for the 2015 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show are now available online at theflowershow.com.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Miami International Film Festival

Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival, the only major film festival worldwide produced by a college or university, is celebrating its 32nd edition. Running March 6 – 15, the 10-day annual event takes place at the Festival’s traditional home, the historic Olympia Theater at Gusman Center in downtown, plus six additional cinemas scattered across The Magic City; and includes a plethora of screenings, stylish parties, thoughtful panel discussions, spirited film competitions, awards ceremonies and immersive cultural exchange opportunities for filmmakers attending from across the globe. This year’s Festival showcases 125 films, including 94 feature films and documentaries, 18 short films, 11 student films and 2 works-in-progress, produced and directed by both renowned and emerging talent from 40 countries. The Festival is pleased to announce numerous important premieres: 14 World, 6 International, 22 North American and 12 US premieres, debuting in Miami. General admission for each film is $13, but prices range for all events and packages. For more information, visit www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM(3456). To purchase tickets, visit www.miamifilmfestival.com/program/ .

World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship

Taking place March 4-8, the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship is more than a world-class event featuring the greatest golfers from across the globe – it is also a must-attend international social event that brings the worlds of fashion, music and entertainment to one of the finest resorts, Trump National Doral.  Cadillac Miami Nights is the newly-named platform for the series of nightlife events during tournament week, notably the Dolce & Gabbana fashion experience on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Carlos Santana concert on Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. The Championship also introduces enhanced culinary and hospitality offerings with the Escalade Lounge, GREY GOOSE Vodka 19^th Hole Lounge, Cadillac Experience Double Decker, Burger & Beer Joint, six local food trucks, and more.Visit www.CadillacChampionship.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Honey Bug Run/Walk

Philanthropist and founder of Honey Shine Mentoring Program, Tracy Wilson Mourning will host the Program’s first Honey Bug Run/Walk in honor of Women’s History Month on Saturday March 7, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Women’s Park (10251 W Flagler St.) More than 150 “Honey Bugs” are expected to participate in the March run/walk. And with the backing of the 5K’s patrons, including Mourning Family Foundation, JCP Printing and Designs, Baptist Health South Florida, and Miami-Dade County, Wilson Mourning looks forward to it being a great success. Registration for the general public and for Honey Shine Members is $25, $35 to the general public. To register and to find more information on the event and Honey Shine Inc., visit www.honeyshine.org.

A Night at the Bass Museum

The Bass Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser A Night at the Museum will be held on Wednesday evening, March 11. This year’s theme will recall the drama and glamour of the classic Hollywood genre Film Noir. Over 500 arts patrons, philanthropists and trendsetters are expected to attend to raise funds for museum programming. The festive evening will begin with Grey Goose cocktails and Chateau D’Esclans rosé, and delicious bites provided by STK Miami followed by desserts from Oolite Restaurant and Bar. Guests, who are encouraged to dress in the theme Film Noir, will mingle among projections of clips of 1940s crime drama classics, before they head to the dance floor. Tickets to A Night at the Museum: A Film Noir Experience are $250 for two and include an upper-level museum membership. Tickets at $1,000 include two tickets, membership and special donor recognition. To purchase, visit events.bassmuseum.org or call 305 673 7530 ext. 1018.

Women of Tomorrow Annual Black-Tie Gala 

The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program will be honoring community leaders at its Annual Black-Tie Gala at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Saturday, March 7. Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas along with founders Jennifer Valoppi, Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle have put together highlights for the evening that will include a plush cocktail reception, a highly anticipated silent and live auction, an extravagant four-course dinner and a live performance by South Florida’s own Soul Survivors. For more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.

Saks Fifth Avenue and Cinderella’s Glass Slipper

In celebration of Disney’s live-action film inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella,” Disney Consumer Products (DCP), in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, has collaborated with nine luxury designer shoe brands globally to assemble an enchanting collection of shoes that reimagine Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper. Distinguished designers include: Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, René Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome C. Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman. Each brand has created its interpretation of the famed glass slipper Cinderella accidentally leaves behind when the clock strikes midnight.   Select styles will be available exclusively in the United States for custom order in select Saks Fifth Avenue retail stores starting in March. The shoes will be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour from March 12 through March 18.