Hallow-Scene

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On November - 5 - 2009

To say “Halloweekend” was outlandish, crowded, overstated, raunchy and wickedly fun is an understatement.  The weekend started on Thursday night, with a prelude/kick-off event for “All Hallows Eve” at the Setai, which featured great music by Paul Sevigny, DJ Crystal and Johnny The Boy, in addition to cool tricks, such as a special show by designer, Liquid Metal and treats, such as candied apples (not necessary a good mix  with alcoholic beverages).  Liquid Metal pulled out all the stops.  We’re talking vampires, blood, models being carried around in coffins and half naked dancers- kind of reminded us of the antics which took place at Warsaw on any given night, back in the day. Read the rest of this entry »

DJ Irie Does it Again

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On July - 3 - 2009

dj-irie-felicia-quaning-13One of our favorite sports/South Beach personalities, DJ Irie, superstar DJ to the Miami Heat and actor Jamie Foxx and all-around nice guy, hosted his Fifth Annual Irie Weekend Celebrity Golf Tournament last Friday-Sunday, to raise funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Miami.  One of Miami’s favorite charitable events, Irie Weekend kicked off at Mansion on Friday, where Gabriel Union, Dwyane Wade, Sanaa Lathan and Joey Fatone partied and enjoyed performances by Irie (of course) and Kevin Rudolf. The golf tournament was a great success, despite many hung over and/or buzzed players who zipped through the golf course on their carts as if they were driving on the Indie 500. Making celebrity appearances throughout the tourney: Gabriel Union and Stephanie Pratt, who cheered on the celeb golfers: Alfonso Ribiero, Joey Fatone, Ernest Wilford, Wesley Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, (who made a short speech alongside Irie during the opening remarks), Dorrell Wright, Tim Hardaway and two-time Super Bowl Champion, legendary defensive end, Lawrence Taylor. All of the celebrities seemed to be having a blast, mingling with guests and signing autographs.  Ribiero’s team won the tournament once again this year (he won last year too).  At one point, Irie and Stephanie Pratt played Dance Revolution with the “littles” of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization at the Konami-sponsored hole.  Sunday’s pool party at the Shore Club went on despite the torrential monsoon that swept through.  LMFAO and a line up of guest DJs took part in the wet fun.

Pretty Young Things Abound at Viceroy and Louis

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On June - 17 - 2009

ashlee-harrison-markus-ketty-jilian-sanz-and-michael-sheehanViceroy Fridays at Club 50 officially launched last Friday night, a weekly party hosted by some of Miami’s most influential socialites.  The scene was sort of like a speakeasy, fifty stories above the city, thanks to the sultry, sexy sounds of Kamikaze and the Big Bounce and a host of beautiful faces, young and seasoned, which graced the gorgeous space.  The concept behind the party, is to have a “group of  ‘bright young things’ hosting their friends for evening of like-minded, socially relevant, industry heavy hitters drinking and dancing amongst the stars, no less,” says the glamorous Jilian Sanz, fashion editor of Florida International Magazine, who was one of the party’s hosts. “In a nut shell, Club 50 is right where we belong!”  Beautiful and humble, what a combination! After the live performances, the adorable, Troy Kurtz, who’s as easy on the eyes as he is on the ears, took over the tables and got everyone dancing.   According to Jochy Ortiz, one of the party’s promoters, “Club 50 is Miami’s epicenter for power players and hipsters. This premiere lush lounge is unlike others in the area. Influenced by similar lounges in New York and South Beach, Club 50 invites guests to listen to top DJs and live performances while overlooking the city’s famed skyline.” Be advised:  You must be a pretty young thing or be accompanied by one to enter. South Beach Veteran Johnny Rhodes keeps a tight door, like the one he kept at the Shore Club in yesteryear. For information and table reservations contact 305.503.4400 ext. 7138.

The party continued at Louis at the Gansevoort on Saturday night, as Jochy Ortiz hosted “Round 2,” to celebrate one local columnist’s birthday, which shall remain nameless (but you can probably guess whom by looking at the photos or by-line above).  As expected, the party was out of this world, featuring hilarious party antics, Napoleon dancing atop the bar, tambourines, great music and all the decadence for which Louis is well-known.

P.Y.T. s, Brute Force, Signings, Dominos and Dining

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On June - 17 - 2009
Pretty Young Things Abound at Viceroy and Louis

Viceroy Fridays at Club 50 officially launched last Friday night, a weekly party hosted by some of Miami’s most influential socialites. The scene was sort of like a speakeasy, fifty stories above the city, thanks to the sultry, sexy sounds of Kamikaze and the Big Bounce and a host of beautiful faces,young and seasoned, which graced the gorgeous space. The concept behind the party, is to have a “group of ‘bright young things’ hosting their friends for evening of like-minded, socially relevant,industry heavy hitters drinking and dancing amongst the stars, no less,” says the glamorous Jilian Sanz, fashion editor of Florida International Magazine, who was one of the party’s hosts. “In a nut shell, Club 50 is right where we belong!” Beautiful and humble, what a combination! After the live performances, the adorable, Troy Kurtz, who’s as easy on the eyes as he is on the ears, took over the tables and got everyone dancing. According to Jochy Ortiz, one of the party’s promoters, “Club 50 is Miami’s epicenter for power players and hipsters. This premiere lush lounge is unlike others in the area. Influenced by similar lounges in New York and South Beach, Club 50 invites guests to listen to top DJs and live performances while overlooking the city’s famed skyline.” Be advised: You must be a pretty young thing or be accompanied by one to enter. South Beach Veteran Johnny Rhodes keeps a tight door, like the one he kept at the Shore Club in yesteryear.
For information and table reservations contact 305.503.4400 ext. 7138.

Fuerza Bruta

Argentina‘s Fuerza Bruta, a multi-sensory Cirque du Soleil-style show (minus the annoying clowns) has taken Miami by storm, after rave reviews in other cities, such as New York and London. Now it’s our turn to be entranced and literally drenched, by the “erotic, hypnotic, aquatic” party. The experience can be compared to being in a Brazilian nightclub, which just happens to be inside of an insane asylum and includes a fun house and gigantic, transparent pool on the ceiling. The mental patients, we mean, performers, bigger on brute strength and bravado than on actual talent, engage in a series of physical challenges, including: aquatic acrobatics in a clear, plastic, pool suspended above the heads of the audience; running on a conveyor belt while brick walls crash into them; and dancing atop rafters, while breaking stuff on one another’s heads, to name a few. If you go, be aware of the fact that you will enter the Arsht Center through the service entrance, and must remain standing for the 60 minute show. Oh yes, and you will be exposed to lots of splashing, debris, uncontrollable dancing and one-of-a-kind experiences. So go prepared! The website for the show actually lists several “things you should know before you go,” to which we would add that being at least a little buzzed would greatly enhance your experience. Consider spending time at the G- Lounge prior to the show. Conceived by Barton G, who knows that a surreal performance deserves a surreal pre and post party space, G Lounge is an enormous cinderblock and chrome fan-lined warehouse which is the official pre- and post-party for the show. G- Lounge’s vibe parallels the futuristic intensity of Fuerza Bruta’s flying dancers and experimental beats and features space-age cocktails, signature bites, hypnotic lights and Euro-dance music to keep you dancing long after the show. Fuerza Bruta and the G Lounge experiences end July 5. For more information, contact: Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, (305) 949-6722 or arshtcenter.org.

Let’s Go- G.N.O. – Girls Night Out

On Tuesday, Ivette Arango, Carolina Argiz, Celia De Sola, Kristin Pearce, and Jennifer Sazant hosted the kick-off party for the Sagamore Girls Night Out Getaway and the launch of Tatiana Boncompagni’s latest book, Hedge Fund Wives. The party was well-attended by socialites and “Hedge Fund Wives-types,” who may or may not have been enjoying the delicious hors de oeuvres, free-flowing Martini and Rossi sparkling rose and pampering from Rik Rak salon- hard to tell, thanks to all the Botox-infused faces. The charming, critically acclaimed, Tatiana Boncompagni signed each and every book and mingled with guests. Ever-gracious designer, Red Carter was on-hand to showcase his 2010 summer collection. The Sagamore Hotel will host similar monthly-themed parties throughout the summer. Stay tuned.

Another fabulous book launch is scheduled for this Saturday, June 20th at The Webster boutique, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. New York Post’s (which we consider “the other Post,)” Page Six gossip columnist, Paula Froelich will introduce her first novel Mercury in Retrograde, which has already made The New York Times Best Seller list. The witty, razor-tongued Froelich explains that her book is about “getting a life that you earn and what happens when you stumble and pick yourself up.” Sort of like a survival guide for a new generation. Froelich uses her experiences as an insider in New York City’s social scene as the basis for her story about “three women struggling to survive in the most exciting – and challenging – city in the world.” The Webster launch marks the third stop on her book tour which included New York and Los Angeles in the past weeks.

Coming Up

Amigos Celebrate Latin Flavor

One of the most versatile and fun events of the summer returns to Jungle Island this Saturday, June 20, as Amigos for Kids hosts ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night ‘09 to benefit thousands of South Florida’s children. Those of you who enjoyed the award-winning show currently playing at the Arsht Center, Celia, and/or are fans of the late Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, will be delighted to know that actual members of Cruz’s band, The Celia Cruz All Stars, will make their world debut at the party. In addition to the Latin grooves, guests will be invited to partake in buzzing domino club along with celebrity domino players, and enjoy dinner-by-the-bite by Miami’s most prominent chefs and restaurants, an open bar courtesy of Dewar’s, and a stellar silent auction featuring Cuban art, sports memorabilia and much more.

Tickets and tables for the ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night are on sale now. Individual tickets are $150 per person in advance and $175 per person at the door. Guests can reserve a domino table of four at $1,000. To purchase tickets to ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night, call Amigos for Kids at 305.279.1155 or visit www.amigosforkids.org

Summer Steals

Oenophiles rejoice! You’ve got three fantastic wine dinners to chose from next week, all priced very reasonably. On Tuesday, June 23, Pacific Time hosts The American Institute of Wine & Food’s (AIWF) monthly, summer “Recessionista” Wine Dinner, with a menu consisting of four small plates paired with wine samples, created by chef/owner, Jonathan Eismann. The dinner’s a bargain, priced at just $40 per person; $30 per person for AIWF members, including tax and gratuity. To boot, it’s for a good cause- 10% of the proceeds will benefit AIWF culinary scholarships. For reservations, e-mail assnmgmt@bellsouth.net or call: 954-396-3875 in Broward; 305-663-9641 in Dade.

If you’ve got a little more cash to spend, consider going to Eos at Viceroy on June 23, during which the restaurant will kick off its monthly Winemakers Dinner with Figge Cellars Winery. Guests will enjoy a delicious reception and 3-course dinner paired with five wines from Monterey County’s most renowned winery, which will compliment signature creations from Chef Michael Psilakis. Tickets are $95. For reservations, call 305.503.4400, ext. 7151.

The next evening, head to South Beach to celebrate Robert Mondavi Winery’s 40th anniversary, during Smith & Wollensky’s famed Pourings & Pairings dinner, which will host the Robert Mondavi Tribute. In addition to the five sumptuous courses, guests will sample several selections from Mondavi’s Top 100 Wines lists. The first 50 guests to make reservations for the dinner will receive a copy of Harvest of Joy, Mondavi’s autobiography. Seating is limited for this event and tickets are $95. For reservations, call 305.673.2800.

Celebrity Sightings:

International singing sensation, Luis Miguel had such a blast at LIV on Friday night that he returned to the club on Saturday evening to experience LIV’s first annual Garden of Eden party, hosted by Michael Capponi.


The entire cast of CW’s Vampire Diaries and The Beautiful Life celebrated all weekend at LIV and also partied in a cabana at Blade pool. The starlets also took full advantage of the new late night menu at Gotham Steak.

Kourtney Kardashian and (on again/off again) boyfriend, Scott Disick appeared to be very “on again” as they snuggled in a king size bed while munching on truffle popcorn during Thursday’s Dine-In Theater movie night at B.E.D.

Music and Passion: Always in Fashion

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On May - 21 - 2009

As Barry Manilow proclaimed in his timeless disco hit, Copacabana,katy-perry2 music and passion are always in fashion- especially on South Beach.  If you’ve been reading the headlines this week, there have been lots of controversial reports about unbridled passion, Thorn Birds style, but this is not that kind of column, (o.k., sometimes it is) so instead, we will focus on those with a passion for music, who truly got their fill this week, thanks to terrific concerts and music bashes courtesy of Wyclef Jean, Katy Perry, Blake Lewis, Crazy Pianos and the New World Symphony, and whose cups shall runneth over this weekend, as the Band from T.V. takes over the Shore Club this Saturday. 

 T-Mobile pulled out all the stops by sponsoring the Grammy Celebration Concert last Thursday night at the Fillmore starring Wyclef Jean and Kerry Perry, during which lucky guests enjoyed open bars, hors d’ oeuvres, give-a-ways, a photo booth and a night of incredible performances. Prior to the concert, American Idol finalist, Blake Lewis, got the party going by spinning great music and beat boxing for the excited crowd.  Wyclef Jean took to the stage and performed a knock-out concert of over ten songs.  Jean demonstrated his musical diversity, singing everything from No, Woman, No Cry, to Staying Alive to Carnaval and even doing a rap version of Guantanamera before lunging into the audience.  His show also included a song he wrote about President Obama and a tribute to Celia Cruz, during which he shouted, “If you love Celia Cruz raise your phones up.”   There’s a new one! At one point, Jean played the electric guitar with his tongue, leaving the women in the audience thinking, “If he’s that good on the guitar, imagine what he can do on the ‘organ’.”  Jean garnered respect from the whole crowd, who screamed and sang along throughout his hour and a half long concert. There was a lull between performances, thanks to Katy Perry, the Betty-Boop-faced songstress with an affinity for cherry chapstick, who kept the crowd waiting for two hours due to “back pain.”  Once Perry finally arrived, she apologized and performed crowd favorites, Waking up in Vegas, Hot and Cold, One of the Boys and, of course, I Kissed a Girl, during which she picked up a gigantic inflatable red lipstick and flung it around on stage.

 On the same night, designer label, Diesel, fueled a great party at the Moore Building for the launch of its new fragrance, Only the Brave. On hand for the festivities, which featured three floors of music and art work:  NBA All-star, Tim Hardaway, supermodel/celebrity DJ, Eve Salvail, Diesel CEO Steve Birkhold, designer, Monica Esposito, and 500 local socialites including, Matt Heien, Sale Stojanovoc, Erin Newberg, and Augie Lasseter, to name a few.  According to Heien, “It truly was ‘only for the brave’ – In order to get a drink you had to order while standing underneath hundreds of razor sharp scissors hanging over your head!”

On Wednesday night, Crazy Pianos, Coconut Grove’s new dueling piano bar and restaurant, debuted in the former Café Tu Tu Tango space in Cocowalk.  While similar in concept to the old Grove haunt, Howl at the Moon, Crazy Pianos is larger and classier and actually serves delicious food.  Last week’s grand opening marked the Netherlands-based company’s first venue in the United States, during which piano masters, Stevie B and Orin Sands tickled the ivories at two, cherry-red baby grand pianos until 3:00 a.m. Crazy Pianos owners invested more than $5 million into the place, including half a million dollars for the sound system alone. Crazy Pianos is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.  At 10:00 p.m., Crazy Pianos morphs into a late night club venue for adults 21 and over featuring live performances based on special requests from the audience.  For more information, go to www.crazypianos.com or call (305) 567-2462.

Friends of the New World Symphony, hosted a two-hour music festival on Saturday evening, entitled Symphony and Mystery, which featured performances by NWS fellows showcasing the works of Sam Hyken as well as a set by The Mysterytones, a seven-piece funk, rhythm and blues band, alongside DJ, JJ Neil.

As previously mentioned, another awesome music bash takes place this Saturday night, May 16, at the Shore Club, as the Band From T.V., comprised of you guessed it, T.V. stars, including Desperate Housewives’ on-again-off-again adorable couple, James Denton and Teri Hatcher; Heroes’ stars, Adrian Pasdar and Greg Grunberg, The Bachelor and TLC’s Date My House’s, Bob Guiney, The Office’s, Melora Hardin, and House’s Jesse Spencer take to the stage for the first time ever, for the Concert for Charity, to benefit the following charities: Epilepsy Foundation, Miami Children’s Hospital, Art of Elysium, Conservation Fund, Indian University-Kenya Partnership, Rush Medical Center-Pediatric Epilepsy Unit, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.  The Band from T.V. has become an international sensation, with a #1 hit CD/DVD on Amazon.com.  The event starts at 7:30 with a VIP reception with the band and the concert begins at 9:00 p.m.  General admission tickets have been reduced to $50.00 and VIP tickets are selling fast for $175.00. To get yours, call 800-745-3000 or purchase online at Ticketmaster.com.  Make sure to check out the band at www.Bandfromtv.org.

More Good Times for Great Causes

Mad About Tea

Even if your idea of tea is named after Long Island and involves six different liquors and you have no idea what a crumpet is, (neither do we) make some time on Sunday, May 17, for the PlayGround Theatre’s Tea at the Ritz with “celebu-mogul,” Ivanka Trump, who is this year’s honorary chair.  WSVN-7’s anchor, Belkys Nerey, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies and Barton G. will produce the party, which includes a children’s fashion show, performances and lots of fun activities for the whole family. The festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. at the South Beach Ritz Carlton Hotel

Prior to Sunday’s tea, Ivanka Trump will present two trunk shows of her eponymous collection of diamond jewelry.  The first show takes place on Friday, May 15, at the Palazzo on Palm Island and the second will be held on Saturday May 16, at the Gables home of Lydia Touzet.  For tickets and more information about the Tea and Trunk Shows, contact (305) 751-9550 ext. 223; Fax (305) 751-9556; E-mail: judy@theplaygroundtheatre.com; or visit www.theplaygroundtheatre.com.

N.K.B. for S.G.K.

It appears that the New Kids on the Block, NKB, (yes, the 80s boy band- who insist on still calling themselves “kids” despite being in their 40s) will host NKB fav, Danny Wood’s birthday celebration at LIV on May 14.  While originally we thought the band should be called, New Kids on the Schlock, we’ve got to give the “boys” props, since proceeds from the event go to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Opening this Weekend:

This Friday, the folks who brought you Crobar, invite you to “get off” at Exit 66, their latest beachside club, located at 219 Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd.  Earlier this week, two thousand lucky “VIPs” received a motel key, attached to a kitschy red plastic key chain, entitling them to all kinds of benefits, including free admission, guaranteed entry with no waiting and promotions on special events and concert tickets.  Exit 66 kicks off this weekend with party on Friday at 9:00 p.m. and another bash on Saturday, hosted by 944 Magazine.  For more information, contact (954) 357-9981.

Celebrity Sightings:

Nicole Richie inaugurated her jewelry collection, House of Harlow, at the Fontainebleau last Wednesday, alongside her beau, Joel Madden, and notable guests, Katrina Kampins and Ingrid Casares. On Friday, American film director, Spike Lee, was spotted dining at Area 31.  At Saturday night’s Miami Beach Chamber Gala, celebrities included George Hamilton, who served as Master of Ceremonies and Elle McPherson, who accompanied honoree, Jeff SofferAlonzo and Tracy Mourning were also honored.  Dennis Rodman and his posse dined and reportedly dashed at Phillipe Chow at the Gansevoort over the weekend, Rodman will celebrate his birthday on Saturday at Pangea at the Hard Rock.  Matt Damon, his wife, Lucia and daughters enjoyed Mother’s Day brunch at Smith and Wollensky on Sunday afternoon. Emilio Estefan power- lunched at Abokado in Mary Brickell Village on Monday.

 

 

 

 

Band from TV Makes a Splash at Shore Club

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On May - 21 - 2009

band-from-tv-james-denton-teri-hatcher-and-bob-guinyBig on enthusiasm and actual musical talent, The Band from TV, comprised of Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, Teri Hatcher, James Denton, Bob Guiney and Jesse Spencer along with Louise Griffiths (model/actress) rocked the Shore Club Saturday night with their garage band antics, and to quote Paula Abdul from American Idol, “really had fun up there and made the songs their own.” The Band’s energy was evidently contagious, as the packed crowd jumped, sang, danced and shouted requests. Audience favorites included: The Who’s Teenage Wasteland, Kid Rock’s All Summer Long, Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas, and Bruce Springsteen’s version of Presley’s Pink Cadillac, The Charlie Daniels Band’s The Devil Went down to Georgia and to end, Twist It (Shake Your Tail feather) from the Blues Brothers. Teri Hatcher, who sang her heart out and was joined by her daughter onstage, was hot, literally, ending her performance with a dive into the pool. Other band mates followed her lead, ending the concert with a splash. All proceeds from the evening went to the band members’ favorite charities.

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