By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Arguably the best party of the year, the 20th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, an elegant “Oz Reimagined”-themed gala, took place on Saturday, November 1, welcoming nearly 1,000 guests, who gathered to dine, dance and donate to one of the worthiest causes: the Make-A-Wish foundation. The highlight of the glamorous celebration, was a thrilling concert by the “Queen of Motown,” Diana Ross- the most outstanding performance we’ve seen at a party since Donna Summer performed at Destination Fashion in 2007 (this writer’s first official social column for The SunPost). Ross, dazzling in a red, bejeweled halter pantsuit, wrapped in red organza, entered the stage singing “I’m Coming Out” and had guests enthralled as she performed other chart-topping hits such as,”Baby Love,” “Upside Down,” “Do You Know,” “Stop-in the Name of and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” And while Ross’ performance was the crown jewel of the Ball, there was plenty of glittery goodness leading up to the concert. From the gold carpet, to the cocktail reception filled with culinary delights created by InterContinental Miami Executive Chef Alexander Feher, including seafood served on an ice bar shaped like the trees from OZ, to the premier items at the Ball’s silent auction, and special appearances by Dorothy and her crew, the Wicked Witch and Glenda and the “Voice of Oz” that summoned revelers to the Main Ballroom for dinner- the night was filled with the enchantment we’ve come to expect from the unparalleled Make A Wish Ball. Inside the Ballroom, guests were captivated by both the splendor of the room’s white-on-white decor and the beauty and wit of Gabrielle Anwar, who returned for the fourth consecutive year as Celebrity Emcee and Auctioneer. In what has become a Ball tradition, Gabrielle and fiancé,  Ball Chair, Shareef Malnik opened the night’s festivities with a creative dramatic moment. This year’s involved Gabrielle engaged in steamy dialogue with a faceless “Oz” – actually the voice of  Shareef — who eventually revealed himself, emerging from underneath the voluminous skirt of Gabrielle’s emerald green ball gown, eliciting a roar of laughter from the room and setting the stage for the more serious task of raising money for Wishes. A touching moment came courtesy of South Florida Wish recipient Nicole Graziano, who sang a touching rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Lea and Roy Black at The Blacks’ Annual Gala 2013

Lea and Roy Black have a magical way of bringing together “A-list celebrities, social icons, business titans and top legal minds” every year for their annual gala.  What began as a party for 450 at the Blacks’ home nearly 20 years ago has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events of the social season, with nearly 700 guests in attendance this year.  The Blacks’ Gala took place at the Fontainebleau on Saturday night to benefit The Consequences Charity and its programs with Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami and Big Dreams for Kids, for which they gala has raised roughly $12 million over the past 19 years. Part of the magic is that this event is actually a “fun gala” (not an oxymoron) which combines giving and celebrating by encompassing all of the elements that make for a perfect party:  hundreds of stylish, interesting and/or beautiful people; one-of-a-kind auction items- at a bargain; top notch entertainment; gourmet food and free-flowing cocktails to get everyone in a celebratory and spending mood.  The best part? It’s all for kids in need. 

The star-studded charity event began with a Grey Goose cocktail reception, and silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, performance by American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks and a live auction which featured a walk-on role in an upcoming Michael Bay movie, a one year lease on a 2013 all-new body style Range Rover, Jeffrey Rackover jewelry and Hublot watch to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »

Alonzo Mourning, Katrina Campins,Shannon SLam Lawrence and Tracy Wilson Mourning

Celebrity photographer Greg Lotus, who just returned to Miami from a successful exhibition of his high art fashion and figurative photographs at 1stdibs Gallery in New York City, was spotted at an undisclosed Miami location last Saturday shooting Eva Longoria and polo superstar Nic Roldan for Haute Living magazine’s June cover. Penelope Cruz’s brother Eduardo, who is dating Longoria was present at the shoot as well. 

Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Nene Leakes, Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey put on a show (literally) on Saturday, May 14 at National Hotel’s beach. While filming for the next season, the ladies paraded around in their stylish gear — Nene sporting a sexy gold number — attracting the attention of two young men who invited them to play Frisbee. 

Grammy Award winner, Bruno Mars was spotted at WALL Miami lounge enjoying the South Beach nightlife with his band, bodyguard and several unidentified models on the heels of his sold-out performance at the Fillmore Miami Beach arena on May 11. Mars and his entourage enjoyed a VIP table stocked with Grey Goose, Patron and champagne. The seven-time Grammy winner donned his signature fedora and danced on the couch at his VIP table with the bevy of beauties past 3 a.m.  Earlier in the week, Mars was partied at Mansion. 

This past week, patrons of LIV Nightclub at the Fontainebleau got their fair share of celebrity sightings.  Celebrity Apprentice runner up, Lil’ Jon, rocked the house and hosted  on  Wednesday night and LeBron James was also spotted celebrating the Miami Heat win over the Boston Celtics. Reality-star Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Kris Humphries, of the New Jersey Nets, “LIVed it up” on Friday night.  

Before heading to LIV, Kardashian and Humphries dined at Zuma with 6 friends. The couple was seen chatting and kissing during the meal and taking lots of photos together. 

On Friday, Brett Ratner was honored by Miami World Cinema Center as Miami’s most accomplished filmmaker. To celebrate this great honor, Ratner hosted a grand dinner at The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar with his close Miami friends including owner Shareef Malnik and girlfriend Gabrielle Anwar, Serena Williams, Patrick De Bokay, Anthony and Alina Shriver, Bruce and Nan Weber, Michael Gongora and many more.

The following night, Katrina Campins followed suit by inviting friends to The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar to celebrate a new accomplishment in her career – the launch of her new company and also to celebrate her dear friend, DJ Irie’s birthday.  Guests in attendance included Alonzo and Tracy Mourning, Venus and Serena Williams, DJ Irie and Gabrielle Union.