The highly-anticipated South Beach Seafood Festival is making its triumphant return Wednesday, October 18th through Saturday, October 21st, promising an unforgettable celebration of ocean-fresh delicacies, live entertainment, and idyllic beachside vibes. Kicking off the start of Miami’s famed stone crab season, this exciting annual event promises an unparalleled experience for seafood enthusiasts and fun seekers alike. With four days of special programming, including endless food and beverage tastings, chef competitions, cooking demonstrations and more, this year’s festival will raise the bar for one of the country’s leading seafood events. Presented by Tequila Herradura and GOYA Foods, and hosted with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the four-day festival is a curated culinary showcase that couples South Florida’s bounty of seafood with the region’s most notable chefs and local restaurants. Tickets to the 11th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival are now available at sobeseafoodfest.com.

Set against the stunning backdrop and the electric energy of the city’s colorful Art Deco district, the South Beach Seafood Festival consists of four separate ticketed events taking place throughout the week. The festival begins on Wednesday, October 18th with “An Evening at Joe’s Stone Crab.” The five-course meal, hosted by Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, showcases Executive Chef Andre Bienvenu’s cuisine paired with fine wines curated by master sommeliers. Next up, “Crabs, Slabs & Cabs,” takes place the following evening at the historic Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. This year’s event is once again a formal sit-down, five-course dinner highlighting an international take on traditional ‘Surf n’ Turf’ interpreted by six of the Magic City’s leading chefs who join the evening’s host, GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa. On Friday evening, the gloves will come off as Miami’s top chefs go head-to-head in 11 competitive seafood rounds during the annually sold-out “Chef Showdown,” coined the ultimate beach bash on South Beach. Competing at the event will be last year’s winning chefs who will return to defend their culinary crown at the festival. The excitement building up during the series of nightly events will reach a stirring culmination at the week’s main celebration, the “South Beach Seafood Festival.” The all-day affair takes place on Saturday, October 21st, and showcases a selection of pop-up-cafés and VIP samplings by prominent South Florida restaurants in partnership with signature national brands who will descend on South Beach for one weekend only. In addition to the exceptional culinary offerings, the festival will feature live music performances, engaging culinary demonstrations, interactive sponsor activations and 5 blocks of fun to be had. Attendees can also sip on refreshing beverages at various bars stationed throughout the festival grounds as the event tickets include open bar for 21+. This year’s VIP Village hosts 1 1/2 blocks of exclusive premium experiences featuring the always popular GOYA Culinary Pavilion, the Tequila Herradura Pop Up featuring Bodega Taqueria y Tequila and Jack Daniels featuring Le Chick , the all new Mountain Valley Spring Water hydration lounge, and the list continues along with sampling restaurants, to include American Social, Area 31, Estiatorio Milos, Billy G Catering, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Mau Miami, Osaka Nikkei, Playa, Rum Room, Smashburger, Tartufo Prestige, The Lazy Oyster, Old Lisbon and The Wagyu Bar by Meat N’ Bone, among others.

The Hyundai Air & Sea Show®, the Greatest Show Above the Earth® returns to Miami Beach Memorial Day weekend (May 27-28, 2023). The Hyundai Air & Sea Show begins each day at 12 p.m. with sea demonstrations by professional jet skiers, the ThunderCats boat racing exhibition and the Cigarette Offshore Powerboat Racing Demonstration. After the sea portion, look to the sky for our country’s state of the art military technology including Parachute teams, jet demonstrations, air and sea search and rescue exercises, and more. Families can enjoy the Florida Power and Light Display Village east of Lummus Park (Ocean Drive, 11th – 14th Street), which is over four-city-blocks long. The Florida Power and Light Display Village includes incredible flight and navigation simulators, tactical training equipment, rifle range simulators along with interactive displays from all branches of the U.S. Military including a U.S. Army M1A2 tank. Guests can meet the men and women of our armed forces and experience displays and booths from the Hyundai Air & Sea Show corporate sponsors including USA Boxing Exhibition, a Kid Zone, and the Monster Energy ActioZone, showcasing Keith Sayer’s FMX (Freestyle Motocross) demonstration team.

Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James photo courtesy Manny Hernandez

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

When our beloved Miami Heat finally won the NBA Championship, a victory more than two years in the making, Miami as a whole experienced the cathartic joy- as we are now all, on some level, champions. Nowhere was this more evident than at LIV at the Fontainebleau, just a few hours before dawn, on Friday morning, and on the streets during the championship parade and at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) for the championship celebration on Monday.

“We are the Champions” blared through the speakers at LIV nightclub at just before 3 a.m. on Friday morning, as the newly crowned, World Champions, Miami HEAT, fresh from winning the NBA championship entered the massive nightclub for their official victory party, to the ecstatic chants of thrilled fans, who shouted, “Let’s go Heat!”  The chanting changed to “MVP” shortly thereafter, as LeBron James made his way to the stage at the back of the club, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the “vampire image” of his face.   The music stopped for a bit as Heat owner Micky Arison and coach Eric Spoelstra were cheered on as they took to the stage to address the fans and thank them for their support. Read the rest of this entry »

 By: Maryanne Salvat 

Music Loves Fashion 

Man+Machine Presents MUSIC LOVES FASHION, the inaugural four-day showcase of international sounds from the underground and producer symposiums, taking place between 11:00am and 11:00pm each day from Wednesday, March 21st to Saturday, March 24th at The Raleigh hotel, sponsored by Belvedere Vodka and MOET. The week kicks-off on Wednesday, March 21 at 11:00am with the I ¤ AVICII Pool Party in association with At Night, ULTRA Pool and Ash Alliance, featuring an opening set by CAZZETTE AND FRIENDS, followed by hours of blissful tunes by the Swede himself; The Owsla Miami poolside party on Thursday, March 22, starting at 11:00am and presented by No Sugar Added, features the emerging electronic visionary and highly acclaimed Grammy Winner, SKRILLEX, amongst other supporting acts. Tickets are priced from $49.95 to $100 for general admission, with beds or tables starting at $3,000 (6 guests) and cabanas starting at $10,000 (20 guests) each served with magnums of Belvedere and Moet; for a complete schedule and more information visit www.musiclovesfashion.com .

Mondrian South Beach Line Up 

Mondrian South Beach hosts the finest 2012 line up the bay side has yet to see. Poolside partying will be open to the public beginning at noon, Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 with special performances by Mario Fischetti and Leo Janerio. Ending the week with a high note, Mondrian will feature a special pool party hosted by Michael Capponi and Michael Martin including sounds by Marc Sacheli and JP Rigaud.  Note: All events open to public and entrance is based on doormen discretion; cover charge for entry. For table reservations and for more information call 305.514.1940. 

Shore Club

Shore Club brings the best beats to South Beach, announcing a jam‐packed lineup for Winter Music Conference 2012 presented by Oversea Production USA. Top DJs from around the world will keep the party going day and night, indoors and out. For table reservations please call 786.276.6772; Events are open to hotel guests, VIP cardholders and table reservations only Monday through Saturday. Sundays are open to the public (doorman discretion) with a cover charge of $20.

 Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge

Chalk Ping Pong and Billiards Lounge, along with SuperMarket Creative and Nightdrive Miami, is proud to present its lineup of musical talent for Miami Music Week 2012. A slew of renowned and emerging DJs will take the helm at Chalk, the ultimate adult playground, to showcase the venue’s state-of-the-art audio and new music platform during the weeklong celebration of electronic and alternative music. For a complete line-up, schedule, and tickets visit www.Chalkmiami.com or contact info@chalkmiami.com.

Haven Gastrolounge

Executive Chef Todd Erickson and Haven Gastrolounge will be hosting a grand amount of WMC activities throughout the month of March; for a complete line-up of events visit www.Havenlounge.com. 

The Perry South Beach

The Rooftop at the Perry will be celebrating WMC with an exclusive list of DJ’s spinning all day long; for a complete line up visit www.RXpoolparties.com.

 High Bar at Dream Hotel

Dim Mak pool party, Obey the Kitty Miami Edition, presents secret unannounced guests along with Sidney Samson, Rehab, Joachim Garraud, Felix Cartal, Junior Sanchez, & more.Tickets can be purchased via www.wantickets.com & www.miamidreamsessions.com. 

Art of Night: The DJ Series

Hennessy Black is thrilled to present visionary nightlife photographer Seth Browarnik in Art of Night: The DJ Series, his newest exhibit paying tribute to nightlife’s key players – the DJs. Hennessy Black and Browarnik, who has been capturing DJs since the inception of his career, will pay tribute to those he has photographed and befriended since electronic music began making its mark on nightlife. On display at the Shelborne South Beach, the Hennessy Black Gallery will showcase Seth’s pulsating photography and the artistry of the DJ during the week of Miami’s famous music gatherings, Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival. Beginning March 22 and continuing through March 25, the first-ever exhibit will have a three daylong display at the Hennessy Black Gallery inside of the recently renovated Shelborne South Beach Resort, where collectors will have the opportunity to purchase any of the 25 prints.  Browarnik has partnered with Gen Art and electrostub.com to donate a portion of the proceeds of the exhibit to help market and launch the career of Felix Cartal, an emerging DJ releasing his new album, Different Faces, out March 27. As day turns into evening, each night of the exhibit, the Hennessy Black Gallery will transform into an exclusive VIP lounge for approximately 250 guests, including Browarnik’s celebrity companions and some of the DJs featured.

Rachael Ray and Tricia Johnson at Amstel Light Burger Bash

 Romero Britto and Ingrid Hoffman were each spotted at Mondrian South Beach Wednesday night – the two were at the hotel for separate, private events. The artist attended a private dinner with Bank of America executives while the chef and TV personality was the guest of honor at the BlackBerry Fan Night event attended by several of the brand’s top Miami fans. Guests were invited to delight in cocktails and tapas prepared by Asia de Cuba Executive Sous Chef Nicolas Walker while experimenting with the BlackBerry Playbook tablet’s cutting edge capabilities.  

Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the famous shoe designer, who owns Il Borro wines, hosted an exclusive wine tasting at Rachel Dominguez’s restaurant, The Dome Restaurant & Caviar Bar on Tuesday night. 

During the week Serendipity 3 on Lincoln Road had many surprise guests enjoying their renowned Frozen Hot Chocolate. First up,” Vanilla Ice Ice Baby” Robert Van Winkle was spotted enjoying chilly beverage along with a Cake Martini.  Also famed Chicago Chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter and wife Rochelle indulged in the tasty treat; Food Network Star Rachael Ray and Tricia Johnson stopped by the Serendipity 3 pop-up counter at Burger Bash getting their brain freeze on with some of the chocolate deliciousness. 

“Ice” Van Winkle also dined at SUSHISAMBA dromo along with Chef-lebrity Guy Fieri.  The group celebrated the annual Brazilian Carnaval celebration. Fieri returned the following night with Food Network great, Emeril Lagasse, mentioning to manager Maxi Silva that had brought his friends to his favorite place BAM! Guy Fieri also joined the Mardi Gras celebration at WALL’s installment of Favela Beach Tuesday. 

Cleveland Cavaliers, Andreas Varejao and Anthony Parker were spotted at The Rooftop at The Perry South Beach. New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore Soul Trained their way into the hearts of the ladies by the DJ booth;  The duo made Pretty Ricky’s “Grind on Me” the anthem of the day. 

Gary Nader welcomed renowned dancer, actor and photographer Mikhail Baryshnikovto Miami for his first solo photography

Gary Nader, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gloria, and Emilio Estefan

exhibition, “Dance This Way” on Thursday, February 23. Other invited guests included:  Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Romero Britto. Also in attendance were Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program Founder & President, Jennifer Valoppi and Board Member Karen Piazza, as well as Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho. 

Film star and wine enthusiast Antonia Banderas introduced Anta Banderas Wines at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. 

Will Ferrell dined at Edge, Steak & Bar on Wednesday evening. The comedic master is in town for the South Beach comedy festival.

Emeril Lagasse at The Q

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The annual Bacchanal/gorge-fest otherwise known as the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) blew into town last weekend for a four day eating/drinking marathon, leaving our scale shaking its head and asking, “What have you done?” come Monday morning. SOBEWFF kicked off with Moët Hennessy’s barbecue bash named The Q on Thursday night hosted by larger-than-life personalities:  Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.  Other festival highlights included Party Impossible, the Chefs’ After-party at the Dream Hotel, Diamond Dishes at the yet-to-be opened Marlins Park, Best Thing I Ever Ate Late Night Bites & Sweets and the festival’s closing party, Trucks on the Beach.  So now we fast and purge, after acting like Ms. Pac-Man with a tape worm for four straight days; and apologize to the liver, if we can find it- we are guessing it may have left the building. 

The Q

Hosted by Guy Fieri and Emeril Lagasse, The Q started the weekend revelry on Thursday night, a fitting replacement to the beloved, marquee event Bubble Q which was retired last year.  Just as much fun as Bubble Q, this party was our first SOBEWFF experience of 2012 and served as a reunion of local and national foodies and chefs, who imbibed in champagne and cocktails and filled up on enough barbecued meats to stumble out of the enormous tent with Gout. Read the rest of this entry »