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.

By: Maryanne Salvat

Dress for Success 20th Anniversary Gangstas,Gals, and Glam Gala

On Saturday, October 11, Dress for Success Miami will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with an over-the-top “Gangstas, Gals and Glam” gala at the Rusty Pelican. Dress for Success Miami is excited to welcome Honorary Chairs Maritere and Jon Secada, as well as Honorary Chairwoman Star Jones. Emceeing the evening will be Local 10 news anchors Laurie Jennings and Calvin Hughes. “Honorary Gals” for the evening include CBS 4 entertainment reporter Lisa Petrillo, NBC 6 anchor Trina Robinson, actress, TV host and entrepreneur Adriana Cataño, and lifestyle director for Antena305.com, journalist and correspondent for CNN Español Paula Lamas. All proceeds benefit Dress for Success Miami. Tickets are $500 per person and sponsorship opportunities begin at $7,500. To purchase tickets, visit: http://dfsmiami20.eventbrite.com.

The Miami Rail

The Miami Rail is bringing the carnival of your dreams to Miami and it’s all in the name of art and culture. Miami’s leading nonprofit cultural publication is celebrating two years in existence with a bang that includes Shorty’s BBQ, cocktails, a mechanical bull and even a dunk tank! The party will take place in the garden of Nina Johnson-Milewski and Daniel Milewski’s home and goes from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12. Tickets are $75 for a single and $125 for a couple and are tax deductible, purchase them online atmiamifoundation.org/givenow select ‘Miami Rail’ from the drop down menu and enter the amount of your purchase, make sure to follow the instructions all the way to confirmation. If you will be out of town but still want to support they can “sponsor a writer” and purchase a ticket for one of our contributing writers.

Miami International Film Festival Presents MIFFecito

Miami International Film Festival (MiamiFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, will be giving Miami an early “taste” of the Festival this year with MIFFecito, a film festival of international films from countries including Bhutan, Cuba, Italy, Mexico, Poland and Spain. The Festival will be taking place over four days (October 16 – 19), and will be held exclusively at the Tower Theater which has undergone renovations including wooden floors and new state-of-the-art screen/projector equipment. During MIFFecito, don’t expect the traditional popcorn and soda at the concession stand. Instead, look forward to classics such as Pastelitos, Croquetas de Jamon, Pressed Sandwiches and many more Cuban delights from the masters of Cuban food at Tinta Y Café. You will also be able to enjoy a cafecito during MIFFecito in many shapes, forms and sizes including cortaditos, coladas and of course café con leche. The owners of Tinta y Café will be partnering up with Las Tias, a vintage furniture shop, to transform the Tower Theater into a cozy café during MIFFecito. The pop-up café hours will run during movie times.

Mignonette Helps the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute

For the entire month of October, Mignonette will be lending an oyster shucker to help raise funds for breast cancer research in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The new Edgewater oyster bar is adding a special oyster to its eclectic menu, coined the “Danny’s Mom” oyster. For this fundraising effort, Mignonette teamed up with American Mussel Harvesters, who agreed to rename their beloved Umami oysters that they ship to Mignonette as “Danny’s Mom” oysters throughout October.    For every “Danny’s Mom” sold, Mignonette will donate $1 to the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center to help fund breast cancer research.

Miami Seaquarium Goes Pink for Breast Cancer

Miami Seaquarium will go pink this October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as it welcomes its guests with the opportunity to make a $5 contribution to the Susan G. Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate and save 50 percent on general admission. The park also will encourage its visitors to get involved in other ways by transforming several park locations with the iconic pink color. The offer starts October 1^st and runs until October 31^st. To participate, guests may visit www.miamiseaquarium.com for a donation form. The 2014 Susan G. Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race For the Cure® will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Bayfront Park in Miami. For additional information on how to register or to volunteer, call 305. 383.7116 or visit www.komenmiaftl.org.

Miami Children’s Museum Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash

It’s the most spooktacular time of the year at the Miami Children’s Museum! The “Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash” will take place on Sunday, October 19 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. All the little ghosts and goblins are guaranteed to have a wonderful time Bash benefiting the Museum’s educational programs. Individual tickets to the “Not So Scary Halloween Bash” are just $40.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members. A Family Package for $200.00 is also available that includes 6 tickets.  For more information, to learn about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/halloween or call 305.373.KIDS (5437), ext. 142.

Gear Up for Spa Week

Spa Week® is back and the buzz is bigger than ever because the Fall 2014 Event marks 10 years of wellness for the iconic brand. From October 20 – 26, just in time to get fresh for fall, you can enjoy $50 treatments at the most exclusive and luxurious spa and wellness facilities across the country. Spas, fitness studios, weight-loss and nutrition centers will be offering full-service treatments regularly costing anywhere from $100 – $500 for just $50. Spa Week® has solidified its stance as the industry’s most successful Spa Marketing Event in history by allowing consumers to reap the benefits of a full spa experience at an affordable price. Just visit www.spaweek.com as early as possible to view the directory of spa and wellness participants and their $50 spa treatments. It is recommended that interested spa-goers book their appointments in advance in order to secure their desired treatment times.

By: Maryanne Salvat 

Miami International Film Festival

Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), celebrating its 30th anniversary March 1 – 10, 2013, is considered the preeminent film festival for showcasing Ibero-American cinema in the U.S., and a major launch pad for all international and documentary cinema. The annual Festival, produced and presented by Miami Dade College, attracts more than 70,000 audience members and more than 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. It is the only major festival housed within a college or university. In the last five years, the Festival has screened films from more than 60 countries, including 300 World, International, North American, U.S. and East Coast Premieres. MIFF’s special focus on Ibero-American cinema has made the Festival a natural gateway for the discovery of new talent from this diverse territory.  The Festival also offers unparalleled educational opportunities to film students and the community at large. Major sponsors of the 2013 Festival include Knight Foundation, Lexus, Miami Beach VCA, Miami DDA and Miami-Dade County. For more, visit miamifilmfestival.com or call 305.237.MIFF (3456).

Women of Tomorrow 12^th Annual Gala

The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program will host its 12^th annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental with more than 500 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, celebrities and politicians on Saturday, March 2. Founders, Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne, along with Gala Chair Marisa Toccin and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle, have planned an unforgettable evening in celebration of its 17th year mentoring at-risk young girls in South Florida. The evening will begin with a lavish cocktail reception followed by a decadent four course dinner with a live performance by Soul Survivors. Honorees at the event include: Ken Gorin, Roe & Penny Stamps, ree Laurie Silvers, Nora Bulnes & Selecta Magazine, Dr. Barth Green, and Mentors of the Year Eileen Youtie and Dr. Shulamit Katzman; for more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.org.  

Evening of Bridal Luxury

On Sunday, March 3 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., Modern Luxury Brides South Florida and The Caribbean will host the first ever “Evening of Bridal Luxury.” The event, catering to upscale brides, is unlike any other in the market and will offer guests the only chance to see the 2013 Vera Wang Bridal Collection on the runway in South Florida. The event will begin with complimentary cocktails by Remy Cointreau and bites by the culinary experts at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, while guests peruse a gallery of favorite wedding moments shot by the area’s top photographers. Attendees will then be escorted into the ballroom for the much-anticipated Vera Wang runway show. After the show, attendees will be invited into a KARLA Conceptual Event Experiences showcase featuring some of the most luxurious décor trends in bridal for the upcoming season.  There, sounds by Scratch Weddings and a special performance by LITUS Music will provide unique entertainment, perfect for the bride who wants something different for her big day. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.BridesSFL.Eventbrite.com; $65 for brides and $25 for guests. Bride tickets include a luxury swag bag filled with items to help every betrothed on her wedding day such as Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume, stationary, vendor discounts and more.

At Ease on Sunset Supports Lauren’s Kids

Designer, Susie Crippen of CRIPPEN and Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids will be hosting a Meet-the-Designer and trunk show at At Ease on Sunset in  next week. Guests will have the chance to preview and purchase select items from the SS13 collection and meet the designer, Susie Crippen on Tuesday, March 5^th. 10 percent of profits will go to Lauren’s Kids – a non-profit charity dedicated to preventing sexual abuse through awareness and education, and helping survivors heal with guidance and support.

Slow Food Miami

Slow Food Miami, the local 100% volunteer non-profit dedicated to “planting a fresher future for our children,” will hold its 2^nd annual “Snail of Approval” Tasting Party on Friday, March 15, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., at The James Royal Palm. Join Chef Norman Van Aken and celebrity guest host Louis Aguirre of WSVN 7’s Deco Drive in savoring exclusive bites from Miami’s farm-to-table best, bespoke garden-to-glass cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka, specialty wines provided by Vinecraft, non-alcoholic refreshments from Whole Foods Market – South Beach, and the beautiful beachfront setting of the James Royal Palm.  Main event tickets ($85) and limited VIP tickets ($165) can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com.  Event proceeds will benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program.