Tinsley Mortimer and Brian Mazza

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The week leading up to New Year’s Eve was so packed with celeb-filled events and celebrations that it made going out on the big night seem almost like overkill. From a penthouse party which included Beacher’s Madhouse Oompa Loompas which packed into a party bus to LIV;to the official grand opening of Lords South Beach Hotel, which was so packed that it seemed the penthouse terrace was going to go the way of the elevator from the Tower of Terror; to LeBron James’ star-studded birthday bash, South Beach got an electric awakening from its post-Basel slumber and bid adieu to 2010 in its typical mayhem and style.

Oh Lordy

Tinsley Mortimer, Richie Rich, Tracy Young and Lady Bunny hosted the coming out bash for Lords South Beach on Wednesday night. Read the rest of this entry »

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.

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Moca’s Boho Bash Kick-Off

MOCA will host a kick-off party this Thursday, January 21, at the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club’s   Maxine’s Bar & Bistro, including complimentary Grey Goose vodka cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. to kick-off the upcoming Bohemian Bash, taking place on February 20 (more on this as the date approaches). Guests at the kick-off party will enjoy live performances as well as palm and tarot card readings and have the chance to purchase specially priced tickets to the Bohemian Bash in packages of 10 for $1,250.  Tickets to the Bohemian Bash are $150 in advance, $175 after February 5. To RSVP and purchase tickets, call 305.893.6211 ext. 36. Read the rest of this entry »

“I used to rule the world — seas would rise when I gave the word” springs to mind. So begins Coldplay’s prolific “Viva La Vida,” a song that could have been written about any of the select “rulers” of South Beach past and present. Currently, there is new royal blood on the South Beach throne, in addition to the mainstays — Capponi, the Milons, Siervo, Seikaly, Edwards, Masri, Pooch, Roth, Guerra, Casares and a few others whose names you love to drop. Of course, I’m talking about Jeffrey Soffer, the new ruler of all things Fontainebleau.

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