By: Maryanne Salvat

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge Grand Opening

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge hosts its grand opening celebration, becoming South Beach’s first and only sanctuary to these time-honored games on Thursday, January 5. Managing partners Robert Chalk, Sayra Moto and Joseph Blount will be joined by Miami Beach Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora, who will present them with a certificate of recognition and preside over the lounge’s inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony. Local street artists Jessy Nite, George Sanchez Calderon, Pest 131, Pucho, Typoe, JillBird, and She Kills He of Primary Flight will also be on hand to unveil a custom paddle wall art installation. Along with complimentary ping-pong and billiards, guests at the event will enjoy cocktails by Absolut Vodka and Jose Cuervo Tequila, as well as music by DJs Keen One and Chris Oh of Primary Flight. The private grand opening begins at 9:00 p.m. and is by invitation only. Doors open to the public at 10:00 p.m., RSVP to RSVP@chalkmiami.com.

Inventive Art Class at the Bass Museum of Art

The Bass Museum of Art will host an Inventive Art Class on Sunday, January 8, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., as part of its successful IDEA@thebass program. Students ages 5 to 11 will work as a team with a parent or guardian to solve a design challenge. This month’s challenge will be to teach students how to create their own flipbook and Zoetropes. Class begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. and has a series of planned activities until 4:00 p.m.  IDEA@thebass is an interactive program that was developed to promote design-thinking skills, support creativity, and personal expression. The Inventive Art Classes are held on the second Sunday of every month and feature various design challenges meant for children and their parents or guardians to complete as a team. Inventive Art Classes are limited to 30 students and advance registration is required. Admission to the classes is free for dual/family members and $10 per child for non-members.

Kreiss and Alonzo Mourning Celebrate Launch of Design District Showroom

Kreiss, the internationally acclaimed home furnishings and design powerhouse along with retired NBA All-Star and philanthropist Alonzo Mourning, will celebrate the arrival of its Design District showroom on Tuesday, January 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Guests will welcome the luxury brand’s new Miami location, which will offer the company’s casual yet elegant handmade furniture, fabrics, finishes, fine linens, accessories and exclusive design services, with eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV, hors d’oeuvres and a sneak peak of three new collections. In honor of the grand opening, The Norman and Eileen Kreiss Foundation has designated the Honey Shine Mentoring Program as the event’s beneficiary. Handcrafted from natural materials, including hand-carved woods, organic patterns and textures, and earth-inspired colors and hues, Kreiss furnishings serve as a warm, inviting backdrop for those who enjoy the privileged, active and free-spirited lifestyle of the quintessential Californian. For more information or to rsvp contact Kreiss@taraink.com or call 305.864.3434 ext. 199.

Come Together and Feed South Florida

Members of the South Florida community are invited to join the fight against hunger and attend Feeding South Florida’s (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank) “Come Together” evening event on Thursday, January 12. Celebrating its 30^th anniversary, Feeding South Florida is hosting a soiree at the Margulies Collection Warehouse, which will feature food, spirits, incredible artwork, live entertainment, some of South Florida’s top chefs, and more. Proceeds/sponsorships will benefit Feeding South Florida; a not-for-profit organization that feeds South Florida’s hungry in order to improve their lives. Attendees should dress for the “Come Together” event however they feel comfortable – from jeans to tuxedos. “Come Together” event chairs are Maria R. Millares, president of the Board of Directors for Feeding South Florida; Chef Allen Susser, one of South Florida’s top chefs; and Terry Zarikian of China Grill Management and New York’s City Harvest. Current event sponsors are JM Family and Millares & Company; in-kind sponsors are The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, VSBrooks Advertising, Panache Party Rentals, Le Basque, Bacardi, Southern Wine & Spirits, Shutter Box Photo Booth, VOSS Water and Neiman Marcus.Also participating in “Come Together” are some of the South Florida’s top restaurants including China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Egg & Dart, City Hall, Mercadito, Ortanique on the Mile, Chef Allen, D Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean, Scarpetta, The Forge, La Palme D’Or Restaurant at the Biltmore, Makoto, 1500° at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach and Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering.Feeding South Florida’s mission is to feed South Florida’s hungry in order to improve their lives. It does this by distributing food and groceries through its network of not-for-profit organizations, educating the public about the issue, and engaging our community in the fight to end hunger. Event is from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.; individual tickets are $125. To RSVP and/or for sponsorship information, contact Jessica Diaz at 954.518.1839 or Jdiaz@feedingsouthflorida.org, or visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org.

Mommy & Me Tea at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will hold a special Mommy & Me Tea on the veranda and in the ballroom of the Jean Ellen Dupont Shehan Visitor Center on Sunday, January 15. Mothers, daughters and grandmothers will all delight in the ambiance of Afternoon Tea served at beautifully set tables, complete with fine china, by the delightful Fairchild volunteers. The menu includes scones, mini tea sandwiches, cookies and petit fours. Live music by local guitarist Rob Friedman is sure to enhance the guests’ experience. Tea service begins at 3:00 p.m. Cost per person is $27 for members, $37 for non-members and $17 for children 12 and under. For more information and reservations, please call Marnie Valent at 305.667.1651 ext. 3359.

 Mercedes-Benz Swim, Splash, and Play 2012 

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 descends upon the South Beach sands this weekend with an action-packed schedule of over 20 shows and presentations, featuring designs from top swimwear brands including: Poko Pano, Mara Hoffman, Red Carter, Norma Kamali, Luli Fama, Trina Turk, and this year’s Mercedes-Benz featured swimwear line Luxe by Lisa Vogel. The annual fashion showcase, which takes over the Raleigh from July 14 through July 18, is the world’s leading swimwear designer platform-and it happens here, in our own backyard. For a complete line-up and schedule visit: http://miami.mbfashionweek.com/. 

While the shows at the Raleigh are private, the Setai sets the stage for top-tier designers presented by Funkshion, including: Marc Jacobs Resort Wear, Cosabella, Cosmopolitan Summer Splash, and Chloe. Visit www.fashionweekmiami.com , for more information on Funkshion shows. 

May the Fashion Force Be With You 

Style-setters prepare! As part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012, the German luxury car maker will be chauffeuring its own version of the “fashion police” all throughout Miami in a wrapped Mercedes-Benz, dubbed the “Fashion Force.” The select group of fashion-savvy specialists will be patrolling neighborhoods of their choice, scouting for the fashion forward.  If you are ‘pulled over’ by the style authorities for looking good, you will be shot (by a camera) and rewarded with a limited edition pair of Havaianas!  

Miami Socialholic™  founders/ SunPost 411 and Go! columnists,  will be on the Force on Sunday, July 17, from 4-6 p.m. all over South Beach.  So gear up Miami, and look out- we are coming for you!  

Fashion Force photos will be available in our Glam Cam next week. Be sure to log on.

Style Saves, Inc. Launches at SOHO Beach House 

SOHO Beach House, in conjunction with Miami Swimwear, hosts the launch of Style Saves, Inc., a non-profit charity founded by fashion stylist Rachael Russell with The Miami Foundation, on Friday, July 15. The intimate fashion event will feature a trendsetting fashion show held on the ground level of SOHO Beach House in the Tiki Bar and is set to begin with cocktails at 8:00 p.m. The premiere fashion show will kick-off with men’s swimwear designer Papi Underwear, followed by Trina Turk Swimwear, with jewelry by B.Rawlings, and the grand finale will be presented by Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour, with styling by the host herself, Rachael Russell. A private reception will be held following the fashion show on the 8th floor club pool deck of SOHO Beach House where luxury goods and services will be silently auctioned. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit Style Saves’ students. Tickets are selling for $50 in advance, and $75 at the door, this includes entry into the main fashion event, and the private reception afterwards. Tickets for the private reception are available for $30. The first 100 guests to arrive at the event will receive a complimentary Neiman Marcus gift bag.  For further information, contact Jeffrey Rodriguez at Press@stylerr.com. 

Hot Nights, Cool Jazz at the Bass Museum 

Famed local jazz artists make noise for Friday night happy hour at the Bass Museum of Art will resume its celebrated “Hot Nights, Cool Jazz”  concert series on Friday, July 15 through August 26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  The six-week summer series will run every other Friday evening and will feature some of the best contemporary Jazz artists in South Florida. The ever-popular happy hour and jazz night kicks off with the Martin Bejerano Trio this Friday, July 15. “Hot Nights, Cool Jazz” is free for museum members and $10 for non-members. Jazz Happy Hour offers complimentary beverages courtesy of Rex-Goliath Wines. Seating is limited.

Nycked Swimwear/Resort 2012 Presentation

Join Nycked Swimwear/Resort 2012, Nars Cosmetics, Cutler Hair, and Lycra for a Swim Week presentation at The Grove in W South Beach on Saturday, July 16, promptly at 8:00 p.m.  New York based designers,  Lorenzo Martone and Jules Kim interpret the usage of Lycra fabric to communicate the versatile mobility of swim materials. Guests will enjoy complimentary libations, champagne and canapés. Following the presentation, an after party will be held at WALL W South Beach, which will also celebrate its 2 year anniversary with beats by international DJ superstar Sharam at 11:00 p.m. To attend the event, visit rsvp@wallmiami.com.

La Piscine at the Mondrian Hotel

On Sunday, July 17, Beach, Muse Luxury Group and VIP Magazines will host “La Piscine”, a jam-packed day of full-scale fashion shows to complement Miami Swim Week. CEO and founder of VIP Magazines, Michael Martin is certain the event should not be missed. The fashion shows will begin at 3:00 p.m. and commence every hour on the hour, featuring high-end designers Fenster, PONKO, and By Misha. Complimentary gift bags will be provided for each designer’s show with reservation. To rsvp, contact info@museluxurygroup.com.

 Meat Market’s Wine Dinner with Étude Winery 

Chef and co-owner Sean Brasel along with, savvy sommelier, Sarah Almand present Meat Market’s second wine dinner with Étude Winery of Carneros in Napa Valley.  The four-course dinner will take place on Wednesday, July 20, at 7:00 p.m. The event is priced at $95 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations for the Étude Wine Dinner are limited and can be made by calling 305. 532.0088.