The Story Matters
Calendar p.14 Head to the Emerald City, to see Alicia Keys live, while munching on Organic Goodies from Paradise.
Vol. XXV No. 12
March 25, 2010
Visit us at miamisunpost.com
TWEETING FOR VOTES South Florida Celeb Couple in National Nuptials Contest MAYHEM P.4
NEWS P. 6
POLITICS P. 7
HISTORY P.8
PROFILE P. 10
CALENDAR P.14
411 P.17
FILM P. 22
SEE PAGE 12 ART P.24
FASHION P. 26
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kim Stark kim@miamisunpost.com SOCIETY EDITOR Jeannette Stark jeannette@miamisunpost.com COPY EDITOR Mary Louise English
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Kim Stark kim@miamisunpost.com ACCOUNTING Sandie Friedman SALES DIRECTORS Jeannette Stark Carl Zablotny
CALENDAR EDITOR Jake Orsinni calendar@miamisunpost.com
Pantoni Chair
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeffrey Bradley Stuart Davidson Marguerite Gil Mary Louise English Jennifer Fragoso John Hood Thomas Quick Ruben Rosario Mary Jo Almeida-Shore Kim Steiner Michael Sasser
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KMP FURNITURE SHOWROOM: 6444 Biscayne Blvd., Miami • 305-438-1797 kmpfurniture.com Page 2 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS First class mailing subscriptions are available at $150 per year. Call 305.538.9797. Copyright: The entire contents of SunPost are copyright 2008 by SunPost Media Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or part by any means including electronic media without the express written consent of the publisher. Covering Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami, North Miami Beach and Aventura, Coconut Grove, Brickell Avenue, Downtown, Design District, Wynwood, Upper Eastside, and Miami Shores.
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • Page 3
Tropical Mayhem BITS AND PIECES OF MIAMI LIFE
Miami through my iphone
Tiffany Keys An amazing set of keys. A magical collection of Key pendants brimming with intrigue and allure. An exciting array of chains of varying lengths and materials all from Tiffany. We just love that they have such a vintage feel. Like an heirloom passed down through the generations from mother to daughter. There are oodles of styles, colors, sizes and prices. The platinum Petals key (left) is covered in 1.18 carats of brilliant round diamonds. 2.25” long. $6,500. The mini Heart key (above) is sterling silver with a sweet Tiffany blue enamel heart. 1” long. $125. Diamonds aside, the Trefoil key is an absolute fave in 18K gold. 2.25” long. $900. And the best thing of all, if you don’t feel like heading to Tiffany in the Bal Harbour Shops, then buy yours online at tiffany.com.
CONTROVERSIAL ARCHITECTURE by Ines Hegedus-Garcia - miamism.com -
ines@miamism.com I truly believe that good architecture should stimulate thought and discussion and that's EXACTLY what 1111 Lincoln Road is doing (pronounced eleven-eleven). This mixed-use parking lot structure by Herzog and de Meuron has everyone talking: from praises to admonishments, it's all there. This building has been slowly introduced to a tough Miami Beach crowd ... how will it stand the test of time?
MIAMI,SPEAK YOUR MIND!
Vitalife is a Healthy Hidden Gem BY GEORGE KOTTLER Last week I discovered a small, hidden gem of a place — Vitalife, down at 744 Sixth Street at the corner of Meridian Avenue — that serves up incredibly delicious, natural foods that are prepared on the premises daily. I have visited Vitalife for healthful vittles three or four times since then. Here are some of the delights you’ll find on a rotating basis: Homemade soups include lentil, barley, roasted vegetable, spinach and portabello mushroom.
Among the hot dishes are turkey with tomato basil, kung pao chicken and seitan cacciatore. Cold items can include mahi mahi salad, quinoa, brown rice, seitan, tofu, kale salad and old standbys chicken and tuna salads. Meat and poultry are free range. Soups are priced according to quantity; hot and cold items are sold by weight. Chef Peter, who began his career nearly 20 years ago at Union Square Cafe in Manhattan, mans the kitchen. SoBe's gain and Easton, Pa.'s loss, he packed up his family and moved here
Page 4 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
just four weeks ago after the recent miserable Northern winter. Vitalife does not have fancy surroundings but the food is delicious. Non-health-oriented folks will be surprised by how tasty it is. There are tables inside seating about 15 and the restaurant is applying for a permit to add more tables outside. Come on down now and enjoy healthy eating before the summer heat sets in. SPEAK YOUR MIND, MIAMI! WE WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS, REVIEWS, MUSINGS, AND PONTIFICATIONS ON ANYTHING TO DO WITH MIAMI LIFE. PLEASE MAKE IT SUCCINCT, NEWSWORTHY, INTERESTING AND UNDER 300 WORDS. EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO KIM@MIAMISUNPOST.COM ATT: SPEAK YOUR MIND.
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Must present coupon to Optician at time of purchase. Not to be combined with any other offers or insurance. Exp 3/15/10
Must present coupon to Optician at time of purchase. Not to be combined with any other offers or insurance. Exp 3/15/10
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • Page 5
News
Producer Pulls Show from Colony Theatre For three Monday nights in the late winter, Lincoln Road’s Colony Theatre was alive with light, life and more than a few laughs. The normally quiet night for the Road was being energized by the Kevin & Caruso Magic and Comedy Show. “By the third week, we had over 300 people,” said the show’s producer, Kevin Jeffrey. “It was doing very well.” However, not long afterward, Jeffrey pulled the show. He said dealing with the theater’s management company, Global Spectrum, and particularly union theater workers became cost inefficient, unpleasant and cumbersome. The theater is dark again on most Monday nights and Jeffrey said he isn’t interested in coming back any time soon. “Unfortunately there were many issues,” Jeffrey said. “I’ve been working in theater for 20 years but have never dealt with unions and never experienced anything like this.” The Kevin & Caruso Magic and Comedy Show remains a popular and successful attraction at the Deauville Beach Resort, Jeffrey said. But he had wanted to offer a second show somewhere in the area and opted for the Colony. What followed was a litany of troubles, Jeffrey said. “Because it’s a union house, there are so many inefficient habits that it made things impossible,” he said. “It was not cost efficient or practical.” Jeffrey cited several examples. Performers could not load in their own costumes, which they resented and wanted particular care taken with. Usher requirements for performances were “ridiculous.” “We had to have four people come in for four hours minimum in order to turn the projector on, when my guy could easily have done it,” Jeffrey said. “It was just absurd things.” Jeffrey also claims that workers were generally unfriendly and changed their minds frequently, complicating the job of production. “One guy even lectured me on things that were none of his business,” Jeffrey said. In early March, Jeffrey pulled the plug on the show at the Colony. “There was no practical way to rectify the situation,” Jeffrey said. “I wrote letters to the city but they were uninterested because they pay the management company to run things. It’s ridiculous that I wrote a letter to the city — and they gave it back to Global Spectrum. The city was just not interested.” Jeffrey said he is trying to get back some of the money he paid for use of the facility but said he knows it won’t happen. Max Sklar, tourism and cultural development director for the City of Miami Beach, said he had not personally been contacted about the issue. “I didn’t know anything about it until after they had pulled the show out,” Sklar said. “I know Global Spectrum had been communicating with [Jeffrey] and I know he wasn’t happy and had pulled out.” Sklar said he was aware that Global Spectrum had tried unsuccessfully to get Jeffrey to keep the show at the Colony. “He’d already made his mind up, though,” Sklar said. Global Spectrum manages the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Colony and the Byron Carlyle under contract with the City of Miami Beach. Sklar said the company has managed those facilities for a little over a year and there have not been many complaints. “Honestly, I can’t recall getting another complaint — nothing stands out in my memory,” Sklar said. Sklar said his office is familiar with most of the users of the Colony Theatre because most are city grant recipients. “We interact with them all the time, so we would hear if they had problems,” he said. Sklar said that since most users of the Colony are smaller organizations on tight budgets, agreements are made with unions to minimize expense. He said he has not heard specific complaints about union workers from Colony users at all. Still, Sklar said, the city is not involved on a day-to-day basis with management of the theater. Page 6 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
PHOTO: SB DAVIDSON
By Michael W. Sasser
Management at Global Spectrum did not make a scheduled phone call with SunPost to comment on the situation. The closing of the Kevin & Caruso Magic and Comedy Show at the Colony Theatre has been noted by local businesses. “It’s a shame because it is a slow night and it brought people to Lincoln Road,” said one Lincoln Road business operator who did not want to be identified. Jeffrey said he is trying to identify another location for an additional weekly show, but he remains upset about the experience at the Colony Theatre. “It sucks because the city hoots and hollers about the need for entertainment and this cost them nothing to bring hundreds of people to Lincoln Road,” Jeffrey said. “The city could have stepped in. With all the money they spend trying to bring people into town — they could have stepped in. They just weren’t interested.”
Politics COLUMN
The Man for All Reasons? By Jeffrey Bradley
Not long on the job — not long at all — and the commissioner has already recused himself. Not a very auspicious beginning. As the new president and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Jerry Libbin already had to weather a “potential” conflict with a member of MBCC’s board of governors. Libbin, as president, will report to the board of governors. Moreover, the president is tasked with carrying out the board’s policies and vision. Avoiding even the appearance of legal mischief, this sent the commish scurrying for advice to City Attorney Jose Smith — just to be safe. Libbin wasn’t sure if he should legally recuse himself but did so anyway. For this, he’s to be commended; but there’s more to come. While granting the commissioner’s experience in working with the community (his business ties, too), this kind of thing can make you go hmmm… Now, the commissioner has a fairly good track record despite that unfortunate It’s all about the parking quote — which surely puts him no deeper into the transportation dark ages than any other sitting commissioner (just more articulate is all). And he rightly claims that the Chamber wants someone at the helm who can build “leadership experience.” Mr. Aaron Perry, chairman of the board of MBCC governors, agrees. He extols Libbin’s creativity, business smarts and community roots before remarking that that is why they chose him. “And he happens to be a commissioner.” Libbin is unforthcoming about how helpful his being a sitting commissioner is. But why be coy? That’s the very reason he was chosen! In our view, after the Commission itself, the Chamber of Commerce should be the most politically powerful entity in city politics as that’s where the economic clout is. But even under strong leadership, the MBCC’s influence wasn’t much more than marginal. And, for the last three years, for x-reasons, membership dropped, the board fractured and the group’s political influence fell to nil minus the square root of zero. This harks back to ex-mayor David Dermer’s “Save Miami Beach” legacy, wherein hizzoner successfully peddled the notion that it was us “good” residents vs. those “bad” developers, with the Orwellian twist that he then himself presided over the biggest building craze ever experienced by Miami Beach. (And some say that electioneering slogans don’t resonate with the people. Huh!) We know more than a few members from the tie-dyed and ponytail set that still believe this nonsense.
Well, some people think OJ’s innocent, too. Go figure. This rift continues. And it must be got over if we’re to become a common community instead of a pastiche of balkanized enclaves. Competing interests, piled one atop another, eventually make the machine seize up. And too many of our elected and administrative officials fall prey to championing the NIMBY de jour rather than address the bigger picture. So, Commissioner and now-President Libbin, here is your challenge… • Mind the Sunshine Laws. This means no discussing government-related business secretly with other elected officials. • Steer clear of impropriety. Apparently you’ve already determined by way of the city’s legal office that no prohibition exists to your serving as president. And bringing the matter before the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust was a good move. • Avoid loopholes. The ethics commission supports an MBCC Select Committee to oversee your employment issues and circumvent your need for recusal. So listen up. Underscoring the need for conflict-of-interest avoidance, the Chamber removed both the city manager and police chief from its board to maintain an “uncomplicated governing position” between the organization and Libbin. So apparently, the commissioner does get it. Other commissioners have fallen far short over a lot less when it came to exploiting their influence. Luckily, they were rebuked. We’re not of the opinion that this commissioner suffers such hubris or is so ignorant of what is and what isn’t appropriate. … And here is your charge: Sail prevailing steering currents to amass, consolidate and adroitly use the power that ducats flowing into state coffers emboldens; but beware the jealousy of others, the slings of hypocrisy and arrows of infamy that will surely follow your efforts. It takes resilience and sagacity — and someone unafraid of wielding power — to use this powerful base for serving the good of the people. Knitting together the resident/business fabric will be serious work now that the social moths have done their worst. Stay steady; be consistent. And the last thing we want is the Chamber becoming a creature or tool of the Commission. Even a whiff of influence peddling will be jumped on all over these pages and shouted from the barricades. “And now” (quoting a famous 19th century politician), “beware of rashness. Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.” Be the man. The man for all reasons.
“The last thing we want is the Chamber becoming a creature or tool of the commission. Even a whiff of influence peddling will be jumped on all over these pages and shouted from the barricades”
TIDBITS
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
SUNSET LAKE: 2020 ALTON ROAD, Miami Beach - This property is finally being built. Part of a divided lot, it has sat for the better part of 2 years. Grab the opportunity to own one of the first brand new, ultra-modern, Green homes on the Beach! Ideal for a Family or Second Home. Golf Course View, walking distance to Lincoln Road Mall. Great Location. Roof Deck. Hurricane resistant features, emergency generator, pool and much more! Designed by respected Miami Architect, so customize now during construction. 3300 SQ FT. $1,699,000. Contact: Jeff Morr, Majestic Properties. 305-398-7888 or jeff@majesticmiami.com.
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2010 • Page 7
A Special Moment in Time COLUMN
It All Began with “Cheesecake” – Seriously! By Seth H. Bramson mrfec@yahoo.com
“Our town,” Miami Beach — one of the world’s greatest resorts — has had more words written about its history than any other city of its size in America. The story is so incredible, so intriguing and so replete with many different, true and real characters that “fascinating” is one of the minor adjectives to describe that history. But perhaps most interesting is the fact that Miami Beach came to prominence not because of the names of its great, original founders, builders and developers but because one man, at the time recognized as the greatest p.r. — public relations — person in America, conjured up a word to describe the beautiful swimsuit models that his vision foretold him would be the salvation of Ocean Beach, the failing land enterprise on the island THE UMacross Biscayne Bay from what was already being RIGHT:BEHIND BRELLA, THE CHEESECAKE called “the Magic City.” And that man believed the MODELS GIVE OFF A DISTINCT AIR OF SENSUALITY use of that word to describe those models would AS THEY POSE FOR STEVE make everybody in America — at least all of HANNAGAN'S PHOTOGRAPHERS. those east of Kansas City — aware of Miami Beach, that mostly mangrove sandbar island that Carl Fisher and Jim Allison had purchased from John S. Collins and his son-in-law, Thomas J. Pancoast. Fisher and Allison spent an enormous amount of money clearing land and preparing the oceanfront island for sale. With the assistance of John H. Levi, a former yacht broker who had handled the sale of a luxurious vessel to Fisher and then had become his right-hand man in the building of Miami Beach, and C. W. “Pete” Chase, who would become his head salesman, Fisher and Allison worked day and night to sell land on the island. Unhappily for them, and even after offering the land free to anyone who would build a house and live on the property, there were few takers. The four men were nearly out of ideas when Levi, following his return from a trip to New York, casually anABOVE: JACKIE OTT (AT LEFT) THE FAMOUS WATER TOT, IS nounced to Fisher and Allison that he SHOWN WITH SEVEN STRIKING YOUNG CHEESECAKE MODELS had the solution to the “selling prob- ON THE BEACH AT MIAMI BEACH IN THE EARLY 1920S. WHILE THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS ARE UNIDENTIFIED, JACKIE WOULD GO lem” but that they would have to spend ON TO A LONG CAREER DOING WATER SHOWS AND MANAGING some money to bring in (according to POOLS AND CABANA CLUBS IN THE GREATER MIAMI AREA. Levi) “the best p. r. and promotions guy in the world.” “And who might that be?” Fisher asked. Whereupon Levi replied “Steve Hannagan.” In the years that have passed since Hannagan’s untimely (and to some, unseemly) termination as Miami Beach’s publicity director in the late 1940s or very early 1950s, and his replacement by Hank Meyer, and, later, Harold Gardner as the city’s publicity and public relations directors (the title prePage 8 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
ABOVE: WHAT COULD BE MORE ENTICING THAN THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO, IT APPEARED, WAS "WAITING FOR YOU IN FLORIDA"? LEFT: THOUGH TODAY WE SMILE AT "THE LOOK," THE BATHING SUITS AND BEACH ATTIRE (NOTICE THE SHOES!) WERE NOTHING SHORT OF SCANDALOUS TO THE PRUDES AND WOULD-BE MORALS KEEPERS OF THE TIME.
ceding today’s director of tourism or protocol or whatever term the powers that be want to use), Steve Hannagan’s name, sadly and unhappily, has almost faded from the public consciousness. It remains memorialized — as it should be — in Miami Beach history books such as this writer’s Sunshine, Stone Crabs and Cheesecake: The Story of Miami Beach, wherein Hannagan receives the long overdue accolades he is absolutely entitled to. So what, exactly, did Hannagan do that makes him such an important figure in Miami Beach’s more-than-140-year (from the time of the mangrove sandbar island’s discovery in 1870, not its 1915 incorporation date) history? Well, even if he had done nothing else, it was Steve Hannagan who came up with the idea of using beautiful young women wearing skimpy (for the time) bathing suits in glamorous and seductive poses, running down the beach, leaning against palm trees, lolling on sea walls and park benches and generally doing what beautiful young women do in ads such as those: look enticing as they participated in the promotions that were the predecessors of Jim Dooley’s famous Northeast Airlines Cuh monnnn down! commercials. And what did Mr. Hannagan call those beautiful young women in their strikingly attractive poses? Why, “cheesecake,” of course! Next week, more on the cheesecake story — including how Carl Fisher’s wife, Jane, became part of “the look!”
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • Page 9
PHOTO: MITCHELL ZACKS/MAGICAL PHOTOS
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY YOU SHOULD KNOW
Gerry Kelly Night Impresario By Thomas Quick
If you’ve ever been to Bash, Shadow Lounge or Liquid, or patronized Level or Karu and Y, Gerry Kelly is the man to thank for those bracing nights. The Irish-bred nightclub owner began his career as a women's haute couture fashion designer, setting up shop in Stuttgart, Germany, and soon after became an event promoter for the renowned PACHA nightclub. "Since the recession, doing women's haute couture was like the kiss of death," states Kelly. "It's a dying art. You don't make any money out of it, you just get in the papers all the time. But it was a passion that I loved to do." This inspiring and enthusiastic motivation landed the designer a contract to style the wardrobe for Europe's acclaimed Simply Red lead singer, Michael "Mick" Hucknall. In 1993, Kelly made his debut on South Beach, having been prompted by his former client to move to the city and partake in directing events for Hucknall’s new South Beach club, Bash. Although the club was co-owned by actor Sean Penn, Kelly was wary of an area that was alien to him. He decided to take a chance, offering them a three-month stay — but upon arrival, he knew this was a city with potential. Kelly then spent the next 16 years opening, running or directing some of the most lavish and chic nightclubs that have blessed our city, catering to everyone from tourists and locals to A-list celebrities like Madonna, Donatella Versace and P. Diddy, to name a few. Page 10 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
In 2009, after resigning as vice president of downtown hot spot Karu and Y, Kelly decided to take his European flair to Gulfstream Park and Casino to construct a new venue where the creative vision was his. Kelly began designing his club, MI-VI (pronounced “MI6”), using 17th- and 18th-century England as the basis for his dynamic palette, importing Victorian-style furniture from Egypt, lining the bars with posh flowing drapes and erecting an extravagant statue of Queen Elizabeth I at the club’s entrance. These give MI-VI a sense of nobility that is luxurious yet welcoming. "Building the palace and opening the doors, then expecting people to walk through them... those days are over," says Kelly. This understanding of nightlife evolution gave the club owner theme ideas such as "Kingdom Thursdays," "A-list Fridays" and "Monarchy Saturdays," which is described as a night with a little something for everybody, gathering an eclectic melting pot of dancers and drinkers. Since opening on Jan. 23, Kelly's new Gulfstream home has been prospering. "One of the reasons I came out to Gulfstream is because this compound is what I call the ‘sleeping giant’ on the Miami-Dade and Broward line," Kelly explains. And while we see the Gulfstream Village beginning to flourish, Kelly’s presence is sure to hasten the “sleeping giant’s” awakening, while reminding us all how to let loose and have a good time.
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www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • Page 11
THE HAPPY COUPLE STRIKING A POSE ON OCEAN DRIVE.
COVER STORY
TWEETING votes for
Local Celeb Couple in National Nuptials Contest
Written by Michael W. Sasser
OK, so maybe it isn’t quite infinite, but it is a cause célèbre that is reaching quite a few people in South Florida and beyond. And it is being promoted by such high profile local luminaries as South Florida über promoter Michael Capponi, beloved South Beach Wine & Food Festival head honcho Lee Schrager and local publicist Lisa Silvera, to name just a few. Just what “it” is, is the stuff of quintessential South Florida public life, complete with requisite color and characters. It’s a slip of a tale of the community’s tight-knit glitterati. It is, in fact, a marketing movement. But is also the tale of the impending nuptials of local celebrity couple Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio. Just this week, Capponi spelled out the effort in an email to his widely coveted email list. Its message was simple: “Please help Nick and Tara make it into the top 50 in Crate & Barrel's Dream Wedding contest! Only one week left to get 1,500 votes. Please vote today! (Each email account can vote once.) If everyone receiving this would just vote once, we can make our goal!” It was followed by the web address for interested parties to vote. At issue is a contest sponsored by the estimable retailer and DailyCandy.com. In it, couples planning weddings have the chance to win a grand prize of a $100,000 gourmet wedding. First, though, they must earn enough online votes to make the top 50. Then the winning couples (there are awards besides the grand prize) will be chosen by the sponsors and A-list planner extraordinaire Jo Gartin (who will also organize the grand prize winners’ big day). Solomon and D’Annunzio were on holiday in Palm Springs when Tara came across mention of the contest. The two are no strangers to public life. Solomon is a writer, television personality and co-principal of TARA, Ink, a public relations, special events and creative marketing firm with offices in Miami Beach, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. A resident of Miami Beach since the late 1980s, Tara is considered a South Beach pioneer, credited for helping to shape South Beach’s demimonde
through her popular Miami Herald nightlife and social column, “Queen of the Night,” which she penned and photographed in the 1990s. D’Annunzio specializes in strategic marketing, event coordination, product development and public relations. He has worked with many of the most successful companies in the beauty and fashion worlds in creating national event strategies and product development. He has partnered both personally and professionally with many local organizations and national charities including D.I.F.F.A., National Parkinson’s Foundation, Fashion Group International, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Miami City Ballet, Boys and Girls Club and Cystic Fibrosis. Nick has also co-produced and sponsored numerous regional fashions shows for designers including Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Cynthia Rowley and Betsey Johnson. These days the couple of 12 years are partners in TARA, Ink. Still, they weren’t looking for anything high profile when, on a whim, Tara suggested entering the contest. “I hadn’t entered a contest in, well, decades. I thought it would be fun and it reminded me of these harebrained, campy things I did as a kid to entertain myself,” Tara said. “I don’t think Nick even heard me when I told him I was going to enter us.” Not long after they entered the contest, the couple discovered that garnering enough votes to make it to the top 50 was no easy thing, despite their marketing prowess and massive contact list. Hampering the effort were Solomon and D’Annunzio’s very different perspectives on the contest — perspectives that have amused and entertained circles of Facebook and Twitter friends and social contacts for weeks. “It began quite innocently and it became a campaign,” muses Solomon. “Nick is, well, a reluctant co-entrant. I’m not allowed to promote it to his friends, our clients or people he considers mutual friends. So those people I’ve known longer, I claim. I have to speak in code so
“The first time Nick went off the edge was when he got in the elevator and someone recognized him from the flyer I had made and put under doors,” Solomon Said.
Please see Contest on page 23
Calendar
WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI THIS WEEK
LANG LANG
Page 14 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
SAVE THE DATE:
March 25
TUESDAY, MARCH 30
ART [Name]
A wonderful opportunity to support the local art scene with a fundraiser held by [Name] Publications, a non-profit miami-based book publisher. [NAME] Publications is producing a series of books that focus on Miami artists. For the fundraiser, ten artists have donated multiples that will be sold for $250 each. Artists include Jacin Giordano, Frank Benson and Jennifer Cohen. Reception 7-9pm. De la Cruz Collection, 23 NE 41 Street Miami. For info: 305-576-6112 or delacruzcollection.org.
March 26-28
FESTIVAL Ultra Music Fest The legendary Ultra Music Festival hits town this weekend as part of the Winter Music Conference. The Twelfth Edition will run for 2 days and 2 nights with 16 stages and featuring more than 200 Djs, bands and producers. The Crystal Method, David Guetta, The Disco Biscuits, Passion Pit and Carl Cox are only a few of the artists performing. $350 two-day VIP pass, $139.50 two-day pass, $250 Friday VIP, $89.95 Friday only, $250 Saturday VIP. 4pm. Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. For info: ultramusicfestival.com.
MAMMA MIA CALLED ”A SENSATION” BY THE NEW YORK POST, THE MUSICAL COMES TO MIAMI AS PART OF THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER’S BROADWAY IN MIAMI SERIES. MAMMA MIA COMBINES ABBA’S GREATEST HITS, INCLUDING “DANCING QUEEN,” “S.O.S.,” “SUPER TROUPER,” “TAKE A CHANCE ON ME” AND “THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL,” WITH AN ENCHANTING TALE OF LOVE, LAUGHTER AND FRIENDSHIP. 8PM. $25-$72. ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE, 1300 BISCAYNE BLVD., MIAMI. FOR INFO: ARSHTCENTER.ORG.
March 26-28 FESTIVAL BluesFest
March 26
SPORT Tennis Anyone?
A 3-day muisc, food and beer festival featuring national and local blues artists like The Daddy Wags Trio, Joey Gilmore featuring Aishya Z, Bill Wharton “The SauceBoss”, IKO IKO, Deck 52, Steve Thorpe, Hep Cap Boo Daddies, Blind Willie, The Big City Blues Band, Ben Robinson and Piano Bob’s 88’s. Free. 8 p.m. Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way, Coral Gables. For info: 305774-1883 or bierhaus.cc
Roger Federer will begin his quest for a third tennis title this weekend at the Sony Ericsson Open on Key Biscayne. The two weeks of tennis conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, April 3 and the men’s final on Sunday, April 4. $5-$425. 8pm. Crandon Park Tennis Center, 7300 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne. For info: sonyericssonopen.com or 305-442-3367.
March 26
March 27
DANCE Joffrey Ballet
MUSIC Alicia Keys
Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will be at the Arsht for two nights this weekend. The company was the first dance company to perform at the White House; first to appear on television; first classical dance company to go multi-media; first to commission a rock ‘n’ roll ballet; and the first and only dance company to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. The program will consist of 4 dances, Confetti, Valses Poeticos, Aria, and Age of Innocence. 8pm. $25 - $120. Ziff Ballet opera house, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. For info: arshtcenter.org.
March 26
COMEDY Chelsea Bang Bang This 21 city tour celebrates the release of standup comedienne, humorist, televison host and actress Chelsea Handler's third book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. $57.50-$90.50. 8pm. The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, 1700 Washington Ave. Miami Beach. For info: 305-673-7300 or livenation.com. Also catch Handler when she hits Books and Books, Coral Gables for an author chat and book signing before her performance. 3pm. Free. Books and Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. For info: 305.442.4408 or booksandbooks.com
Catch Alicia Keys in concert, performing songs from her newest album, The Element of Freedom this Saturday. The Freedom Tour hits Miami for a one-night-only show. 8pm. $46.50-$125. American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd; Miami. For info: aliciakeys.com
March 27
KIDS We’re Off to See the Wizard
ABOVE: JOFFREY BALLET. BELOW: ARTIST, JOSE ALVAREZ, DE MORA LUMINIS AT THE DELACRUZ COLLECTION.
Follow the yellow brick road to the Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibition at Miami Children's Museum. Join Dorothy and Toto on a multi-sensory, cross-disciplinary exploration of the Land of Oz. Every day is a new Oz character day, so kids can enjoy different character related activities, like arts and crafts. Mondays are Be a Munchkin; Tuesdays are Wizard Science; Wednesdays are Glinda’s Bubble Wand; Thursdays are We’re Off to See the Wizard; Fridays are Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers Art Activity; Saturdays are the Tin Man Freeze Dance; and Sundays are Do you have the courage to be King of the Forest? with a Lion’s Obstacle Course. $7.50-$15. Miami Children's Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy., Miami. For info: miamichildrensmuseum.org. Please see Calendar on page 16 www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2010 • Page 15
Calendar WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI THIS WEEK
VICTOR MANUELLE
March 27
March 28
Latin hearthrob, Victor Manuelle will make women swoon with a special concert celebrating his Yo Mismo Tour. $57-$108. 8:15pm. James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Ave., Miami. For info: jlkc.com
Arteaméricas is the premier art fair of Latin American art. Returning for its eighth year, it will showcase the latest trends in paintings, sculpture and multimedia. Over 40 galleries will be participating, representing more than 300 emerging artists and renowned masters. This year the fair will include galleries from Haiti, Spain and Germany. $12. 12pm. Through March 29. Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. For info: arteamericas.com.
MUSIC Sizzling Salsa
March 27
SPORT Walk with the Butterflies Wander through The Deering Estate on a butterfly walk while taking in some rarely seen species of butterfly. Walk with a naturalist through various habitats in search of Dina yellow, Dingy purplewing, and Atala butterflies, as well as others of the nearly forty species recorded on the estate. Reservations three weeks in advance required. $5-$7. 2pm. Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Perrine. For info: 305-235-1668 ext. 242 or deeringestate.org.
FESTIVAL Arteamericas
March 28
FOOD Organic Paradise The most coveted meal ticket in town, is an evening at Paradise Farms in Homestead where local guest chefs prepare six course meals using organic products from the farm. This weekend the chefs are Michelle Bernstein of Michy’s, George Fistovich and Jordi Valles of The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne and Marc Vidal of Solea. Cockails start at 5pm, dinner at 6pm. $165. Reservations are required. Dress is upscale casual. For info: 305-248-4181 or paradisefarms.net.
March 29 MUSIC Lang Lang
March 27
Named the hottest artist on the classical music planet, by The New York Times, 26-year-old Chinese pianist Lang Lang has inspired 40 million Chinese kids to play the piano. His biggest accomplishment yet, was to play at the Beijing's Olympics opening ceremony. His Miami appearance will be with the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Orchestra, which was founded just over two decades ago by Leonard Bernstein and is comprised of the world's best young musicians under the age of 27. $50-$125. 8pm. Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. For info: arshtcenter.org.
ART Gallery of Fabulous Women Part of the Miami Beach Women's Conference is an art exhibit featuring the works of 13 local female artists including Hannah Lasky, Winsome Bolt, Paula Turk and Dena Stewart. 10am. Free. Art Gallery at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. For info: womensexhibit.com
March 28
FESTIVAL Seafood Fest Lobster, garlic blue crabs, fresh crawfish, oysters, conch, mountains of shrimp, grilled tuna and dolphin, fresh sushi, seafood paella...just some of the seafood on offer at this year's Deering Seafood Festival. Also to be had are Cooking Demos by local celebrity chefs, art exhibits, the Li’l Shrimp Kids Zone, pontoon boat rides, Bahamian Junkanoo, Reggae and Steel bands and tours of the Deering Estate. $15. 11am. Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Perrine. For info: 305-235-1668 ext. 242 or deeringestate.org
March 31
ART The World is Yours Catch the solo exhibition of LA-based artist and filmmaker Drew Heitzler at Locust Projects. The installation focuses on a video projection that explores the 1932 film Scarface. Heitzler edits Howard Hawkes’ adaptation of Scarface, produced by Howard Hughes, to exclude dialog and create an abstract narrative that shifts the focus from drug and street crime to white-collar crime and government complicity. The installation will also include appropriated photographs from the book Howard Hughes, His Life and Madness that explore how the Howard Hughes Medical Center, originally headquartered in Miami, was a tax dodge for Hughes made possible by a collaboration with Richard Nixon’s brother. The windows of Locust Projects will be lined with images FAR ABOVE: MARISA from the cover of a 1974 issue of Playgirl Magazine, which included an artiFINOS, PRETTY LIL' PUP 2009. ABOVE: cle about Howard Hughes and Richard Nixon. 155 NE 38th Street, Suite 100, DOROTHY FROM THE Miami,. For info: 305.576.8570 or locustprojects.org. WIZARD OF OZ. LEFT: ROGER FEDERER.
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411
Amedeo Scognamiglio of Faraone Menella at Saks Dadeland
Julie Brown and Francisco Llado
MJ Barton with Entertainment Attorney Aaron Resnick and a Friend
Sorah Daiha and friends
Rex Lee at STK Miami
Liannet Borrego, Moe Charif, Rebecca Swann and Al Charif at the Miami Film Festival
Evelyn Lozado and Never Winter Lead Actress Chiara Thielman
Pras, David Sugarman, Korina Mora
Niki Adamkova, George Wallner and Ximena Gonzalez
Greg and Jean Marie Kouri
Grey Goose Vodka reps at the Manor
Never Winter Director Moe Charif and Dr. Brandt
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2009 • Page 17
The 411
Cindy Carr and Lola Jacobson at Women of Tomorrow Gala
Jennifer Valoppi, Romero Britto and Marisa Toccin
Aritst, Stephen Gamson at the Hearts and Stars Gala
COLUMN
Let the Music Play By Mary Jo Almeida-Shore maryjoshore@miamisocialholic.com
GALAS GALORE
Don Browne, Maria Browne, Brenda Diaz-Balart and Jose Diaz-Balart
Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard and Morton Aagaard at the Women of Tomorrow Gala
Lora Drasner, Fred Drasner, Karen Piazza and Katherine Fernandez Rundle at the Women of Tomorrow Gala
The first annual Hearts and Stars Gala took place Saturday evening at Casa Malinka, the waterfront estate of Russian supermodel Malinka Max and George Wallner, to benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation and Ronald McDonald Charities of South Florida. This “un-gala” seemed like a “pretty people convention” with more than 600 well-heeled, great-looking guests in attendance. Instead of assigned seating, drawn-out speeches, or banquet food (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), the Hearts and Stars Gala featured an informal gathering, wherein guests roamed the expansive waterfront property, danced, mingled, bid on terrific auction items, enjoyed gourmet food from food stations provided by Devito South Beach, the Chop House, The Ivy and GREY GOOSE cocktails a-go-go. They were also treated to a fashion show and two incredible musical performances, one by the up-andcoming superstar, charismatic NIR (whom we tout as a young, Israeli Justin Timberlake, except even more gorgeous) and another live performance by the legendary Pras Michel, founder and former member of the multi Grammy Award-winning group, The Fugees. NIR showed off his terrific vocals, which are rivaled only by his dance moves, performing his debut single “Here I Come,” along with dancers from the Strip. Can we say “HOT?!” After a brilliantly colorful fashion show by designer Rosita Hurtado, Pras Michel and his new band AXIXS wowed the crowd with a concert that included their new single "Hipstar," along with other classics mixed in with the requisite GaGa, and the multiplatinum-selling single "Ghetto Superstar,” (mashed up with Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream” — who knew both songs have the same melody?), which was even better than the original, complete with a fireworks display in the background. To see the video of Pras’ performance, go to www.miamisocialholic.com. "We have received nothing but positive feedback from all in attendance that this was a first-class event, and have built a good foundation for the future. We were amazed at the resources, time, effort, and personal investment people had in making this event a success both financially and otherwise, and the generous contributions from so many including Pras and Axixs, George Wallner, and our sponsors and hosts," said Rob Sena, founder of Little Lighthouse Foundation. On the same night, at the Mandarin Oriental, the Women of Tomorrow (WOT) Mentor & Scholarship Program’s power players Jennifer Valoppi and Telemundo President Don Browne along with Gala Chair Marisa Toccin, WOT Vice President and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, and honorees Madeleine and Micky Arison, Lora and Fred Drasner and
Page 18 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
Jason and Haley Binn celebrated the WOT annual gala along with nearly 500 philanthropists. Celebrity guests and VIP attendees included tennis master Serena Williams, Victoria’s Secret supermodel Selita Ebanks, Latin heartthrob and Billboard-nominated singer/actor JenCarlos Canela, renowned artist Romero Britto, news anchor Maria Celeste Arraras and singer/songwriter Jamie Jo Harris. Also on Saturday, The Wellness Community presented a Night in Monte Carlo at the Eden Roc. The elegant affair was chaired by Michael Capponi and Debra Schottenstein. David Gandell was named the Heart of Gold Honoree and Lonnie Quinn served as the auctioneer for the second year in a row.
WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE If you are reading this right now, it appears that you have survived the first half of WMC! Congratulations! You must have been eating your Wheaties and taking your Geritol. To those of you who remember Wheaties and Geritol commercials, and, well, pretty much anyone actually legally old enough to get into these events: YOU ARE TOO OLD TO GO! Consider yourselves warned. But for those of us who continue to attempt to defy gravity and time, this year’s lineup promises one heck of a ride. Our favorite Wynwood lounge, Cafeina, will round up Winter Music Conference with three days of special performances. On Friday, March 26, DJ Motion Potion brings WMC’ers “Silent Disco,” along with the sounds of Panic Bomber. On Saturday, March 27, Cafeina presents “E! Glam Tour” with music by Dangerous Muse, Kill Hannah and Shiny Toy Guns. While you are there, be sure to check out the best crab cakes this side of the universe and Chef Guilly Booth’s other delectable menu additions. Our latest craving: coconut-battered calamari. South Beach newcomer Coco de Ville at Gansevoort South will host WMC events for the first time this year. On Friday, March 26, “Party Crash” brings out Ruckus, Cory Enemy and DJ Shuttle. The Saturday, March 27, wrap-up event will be the Dirt.nasty. (not a typo) album-release party with Devin Lucien and Jesse Marco. Catch “Mash-up Master” DJ Joe Dert spinning at various venues throughout the weekend: Friday, March 26, at MI-VI; and Saturday, March 27, with dual sets at Plunge and Karu & Y. The Opium Group has a winning lineup featuring Axwell, Benny Benassi, Bob Sinclar, Boys Noize, Calvin Harris, Dim Mak Records, Dirty Dutch, Dubfire, Fedde Le Grand, F*** Me I'm Famous, Joris Voorn, Kaskade, MSTRKRFT, Nic Fancuilli, Pryda, Roger Sanchez, Sasha & John Digweed, Sebastian In-
Rob Sena, Commissioner Micheal Gongora and Soraya Rivera-Moya
grosso, Steve Angello, Strictly Defected and more of the best events you will find during the WMC at their venues Mansion, SET, Louis Bar-Lounge and Cameo Theatre. For more information and to buy tickets, visit: theopiumgroup.com/wmc2010. Club 50 at the Viceroy will host a series of pool parties, events and great talent including: David Vendetta & Micah the Violinist, Ruben Moran (Saxo), Ron Carroll, John Shelvin, Grasshopper, Lou Flores, Tom Novy, Funkerman, Massimo Martinelli, Julian Ingrosso, resident DJ’s Nano & JP Candela from Pacha Madrid & Ibiza. For more information and to buy tickets contact: 305-5034400 ext 7138 or club50@viceroymiami.com. The Florida Room at Delano brings an extremely strong and talented lineup as well. On Friday, the legendary Paul Oakenfold and special guests will be spinning in a true house fashion. Giant Step Magazine presents Questlove, Yamen Allworld and Giles Peterson on Saturday night. The Florida Room will end the week in style with its “Unofficial Closing” starring Ruckus, DJ Berry and other special guests that you won’t want to miss. Table reservations are strongly recommended. For reservations please call 305-674-6152. Doors open at 10 p.m. Skybar at the Shore Club and Aquabooty have teamed up for WMC this year. On Friday night, we party all night long for a good cause with Aquabooty Presents Beats Build Hope, a benefit for Next Aid, Soil and Green Waves. On Saturday, Aquabooty presents the Beats in Space edition featuring Dubtribe Soudsystem Live!, DJ Harvey, Crazy P, Aeroplane, Metro Area DJ Set, Jazznova, Rich Medina, Tim Sweeney, Alex From Tokyo, Citizen Kane, Djini Brown, And DJ Kemit. For the grand finale on Sunday, Hard Rock’s Rehab invades Miami for an all-day, all-night party at Shore Club’s pool. There’s a $25 entry fee for all events. For table reservations please call 786-276-6772. America's number-one-selling DJ, Louis Devito, will showcase his famed 'New York City' energy with a performance at Kitchen 305, located inside the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, on Friday, March 26. Before Devito takes to the turntables, Exodus, Miss Shawna and Ilgin, Turkey's favorite DJ, will spin their most popular tracks starting at 9 p.m. Admission is $20 or free with a Winter Music Conference badge. New York City mega club Pacha NYC returns to Miami kicking things off on Wednesday night with DJ heavyweight Danny Tenaglia and special guest Paco Osuna at Parkwest. Friday, March 26, Pacha NYC and Mixmag will present the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am with Boyz Noize and D. Ramirez. Then on Saturday, house prodigies The Martinez Brothers will get things going while Jonathan Peters spins a special late-night session. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.pachanyc.com/miami2010.
PIRATE STEREO For the first time ever, Pirate Stereo, critically acclaimed DJ duo, will be hosting their official album-release party in downtown Miami, showcasing new original material on Friday, March 26. For this one extraordinary night, they will be taking over a space in the heart of downtown and proclaiming it their “WMC Safe House.” The safe house is located directly adjacent to Club Space and Nocturnal, it is within walking distance of Ultra Music Festival and best of all, it has been outfitted with state of the art light-
DJ Tamara Sky and Friends at the Never Winter afterparty at Cafeina
ing and sound for the release. To purchase tickets visit wantickets.com/wmcsafehouse or wmsafehouse.blogspot.com or call 305-793-0990.
A FASHIONABLE SPIN ON WMC: FUNKSHIONABLY LOUD Music and passion take center stage once again at 11th Street and Ocean Drive on Friday night with a free concert by Little Louie Vega and a runway show for LV Clothing from 5-8 p.m. If you are looking for something a bit more upscale Friday, visit www.funkshion.com to RSVP for the Pitahaya Swimwear, Fall/Winter 2010 runway show at the Setai Hotel at 8 p.m. It is open to the public, but RSVPs are required. After a month’s worth of shows, Funkshion features DJ Jon Cutler and famed Parisian Hotel Costes DJ, Stephane Pompougnac, spinning the beats for their closing night party on Friday. If you have missed anything (including the amazing Buffalo by David Bitton show last night at the Setai Hotel), just check miamisunpost.com or pick up next week’s paper for photos.
COMING UP: THE RED CROSS BALL The American Red Cross presents its annual Red Cross Ball on March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne (455 Grand Bay Drive). In light of recent disasters, the Red Cross needs our support more than ever, so consider joining more than 400 influential leaders of Miami’s social and corporate communities for a night of elegance, delicious food, music and dancing. In addition to the auction, which features cruises, trips and other fabulous items, Will Earl Spanheimer, a young artist in residence with the San Diego Opera, will perform. Tickets cost $500 per person. Tables are also available. For more information contact Kenia Tedesco at 305-728-2512 or email tedescok@usa.redcross.org.
TO HAITI WITH LOVE BENEFIT CONCERT This concert will be held from noon-10 p.m. on March 28 at Central Broward Regional Park, located at 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. It will feature several musical genres including kompa, reggae, R&B, hip-hop, soca, gospel and Latin. The stellar lineup of invited guests includes Tabou Combo, Nu Look, Jahnesta, Sweet Mickey, Sister Sledge, Donna Allen, Whodini, Special Ed, Nadine Sutherland, Glen Washington, Singing Melody, Abijah, Causion, King Banton, Barbee, Twiggy, Maurice, Hope for Tomorrow, Junior Tucker, Sherell Rosegreen and DJ Griot. Tickets cost $15 and are available online at www.tohaitiwithlovebenefit.com or by calling 888-695-0888 or at various ticket outlets across Broward and Dade County.
COMPETITIVE EATERS HEAD TO RA RA Sushi (5829 SW 73rd St., South Miami) and Yelp.com invite all levels of competitive eaters to enter their Maki Madness sushi-eating contest on Wednesday, March 31, from 6-9 p.m. to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital’s
Ivette Naranjo, Gino Campodonico and Maile Rodriguez at Cafeina
Radio Lollipop. The grand prize winner will receive free sushi for a year, and bragging rights as the RA Sushi Maki Madness champion. Second place gets a $100 gift certificate, third place a $50 gift certificate. All participants will receive a RA Sushi sweatband or T-shirt and participants (21 years and older) who do not advance to the final three will receive penny drink and/or appetizer cards for use during their next visit. Maki Madness is limited to the first 30 entries. Applications are available at RA Sushi and the deadline to register is Monday, March 29. Registration to compete includes a $10 entry fee (cash only), which will be donated to Radio Lollipop of the Miami Children’s Hospital along with donations from guests at the door. Round 1 starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Championship Maki Madness is at 8:30 p.m. For more information call 305-341-0092.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS: A very low-key Marisa Tomei hung out at Cafeina in Wynwood sipping hot tea on Friday night. The Academy Award-winning My Cousin Vinny actress, who was dressed down in a gray hoodie, sat outside with her friend, refusing any photos. Maybe it was because she wasn’t wearing any makeup, or perhaps she had a stomach ache. Who knows? She slipped in and out virtually unnoticed. Dennis Rodman threw a party at Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beach Hotel on Friday. Reality star Brittanya Ocampo (Rock of Love, Charm School) and Elaine Lancaster joined in the fun, with tunes provided by Joshua Thomas, aka DJ Zeke (Isaiah Thomas’ son). Rodman spent the better part of the weekend hanging out poolside at the Newport. Entourage’s “Lloyd!,” also known as Rex Lee, got Lasik surgery on Thursday (can the guy not even have surgery in private!? Good Grief!). Our guess is he’s working on his image, now that he will be playing an agent on the show. Over the weekend, Lee had dinner at STK Miami Beach. According to our source, “The pair was having so much fun dancing to ‘80s hits in their booths; Rex snapped pictures with fans who yelled ‘Lloyd!’ a la Ari Gold and at one point bounced from table to table mingling with other restaurant guests.” On Thursday, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade dined at Mr. Chow. Roger Federer and Victoria Silvstadt were spotted there on Saturday. After tearing up the dance floor at the Women of Tomorrow Gala, Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks and tennis star Serena Williams partied at WALL at the W South beach until about 2 a.m. On Saturday, Creed front man singer/songwriter Scott Stapp and his wife Jaclyn Stapp, winner of Mrs. Florida America, dined at Casa Tua with Allison & Chip Brady of Florida Dental Benefits, Inc. celebrating Jaclyn's recent modeling cover of the March issue of Palm Beach Young Society Magazine. Miami-based GREY GOOSE Vodka headed north to accept a “Besties Award” at The Academy Awards VIP viewing party was held on Sunday, March 7, at The Manor in Wilton Manors. Prior to the show and during commercial breaks, Joan Rivers impersonator Joe Posa greeted guests on the Blue Carpet and presented “Besties” awards to community members in the audience.
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2010 • Page 19
COVER STORY
National Nuptials Contest cont’d from page 13 he doesn’t know what I’m doing.” Solomon said her husband-to-be has actually canceled contest participation four times. “The first time Nick went off the edge was when he got in the elevator and someone recognized him from the flyer I had made and put under doors,” Solomon said. “He told Nick he recognized him from the flyer. Nick asked what flyer. So, the guy showed it to Nick.” The second cancellation came after Nick’s friends posted it on the future groom’s Facebook wall. “The third time was just because,” Solomon said. It was all good fun. And then recently Solomon discovered that the couple was lagging way behind the top vote-getters and in serious danger of not making the first cut. “That’s when I had to go into hard-core mode,” joked Solomon. Being both extremely busy and hamstrung by D’Annunzio’s reticence, Solomon said her friends stepped in either voluntarily or after she asked. Of course, those friends are hardly low profile. Schrager solicited support, tweeting to his almost 2,700 followers. Silvera launched a campaign for national support from other publicists, on her own. This week’s eblast by Capponi reached… well, no one knows how many people. But many. His e-list is considered to be massive. His Facebook fans list is more than 1,100 names long. Friends assisting in the effort are more than happy to help the respected couple. “Nick and Tara are amazing and we have been friends for many years,” Capponi said. “We have always been supportive of each other and I wanted to help. Sending an email out was the least I could do and with the outreach to thousands of people that are continually involved, I hope it will give them the votes they need to win. The response has been outstanding and the comments, heartfelt. I wish them the best.” Well-known spinning celeb DJ Irie said she thinks a Nick and Tara win would be good for more than just the couple and their friends. “If my girl T needs my help, I’m there,” DJ Irie said. “Nick and Tara are good friends and do a lot of good for others. They have a shot at this if we all show our support and vote. How great would this be for Miami?” DJ Irie has 3,310 fans on Facebook and almost 18,000 followers on Twitter. Solomon said she is very grateful for the help of friends — and that she has learned a lot. “This has given me hands-on experience with Facebook and Twitter 4.0,” she quipped. “I’ve dealt with this promoting clients all the time. But this is taking it to the guerrilla level.” Solomon said she personally felt like maybe, just maybe, she was getting over her head when she posted on a site defined as “Hot Jewish Girls.” “I realized later, it was like a swinger’s site so I
deleted it,” she said. “But, hey, Nick has left me no choice with his rules!” More recently, Solomon said, “I even tweeted to Lady GaGa last night!” Although the campaign has been light-hearted, Solomon admits she is competitive and would be thrilled to win. “My wedding scenario (see sidebar) is if we win,” Solomon said. “Otherwise the reception will be at Cracker Barrel or something!” At this point, though, Solomon is grateful that the voting deadline is March 31 and afterward, “it will be out of our hands.” She also said she has read other contest entrants’ stories and there are many deserving couples.
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“It makes me realize how fortunate we are,” she said. Winning, though, would also attract positive attention to Miami Beach, Solomon said. There will be some advantages to the campaign being concluded — one way or another. “Despite doing what we do, we’re both very private people,” Solomon said. “We were anticipating very quiet nuptials… well, no mas.” However the contest turns out, Solomon said she knows one absolute result. “I’ve already won — I’ve got Nick.” To vote for Nick and Tara in the Crate & Barrel's Dream Wedding contest, visit www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/38937.
Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest: Nick and Tara TELL US YOUR LOVE STORY. We met at a club in South Beach, a chance encounter with mutual friends. He liked my legs, but complimented my Gucci stilettos. He knew the instant we met that we were destined to be together. Worried that he was too young, too smooth and perhaps too into my shoes, I took a bit longer. But his boyish swagger, megawatt smile and old soul eventually won me over. Twelve years later, the club has long since closed, but we are going strong. More in love than ever, we figured it was about time to make things official.
DESCRIBE THREE DETAILS OF YOUR WEDDING. After a traditional church ceremony, we'll celebrate with family and friends at an Old Hollywood-themed reception at an iconic hotel in Miami Beach — a tribute to my late parents, who were married there in 1957. Classic cocktails by a lantern-lit pool will kick things off, followed by a degustation menu with wine pairings. There will be lots of candlelight, voluptuous flowers and pink champagne. We’ll dance to Rat Pack standards; guest favors will be pouches of Italian love knot cookies. The wedding cake — adorned with vintage topper — will be semi-sweet chocolate with fluffy coconut icing.
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM DAY. Our perfect day starts with kisses and breakfast in bed, followed by a workout at the gym (Nick) and reading the morning papers over chai-spiced coffee (Tara). We'd then hit a flea market to find vintage treasures for our home and stop at open houses on the way back, collecting design ideas. Next would be sushi and a matinee movie, followed by a late afternoon walk on the beach and cocktails at sunset at a clandestine dive. Then home for a cheese course with condiments, and dessert tray of all things dark chocolate... and more kisses.
Perspective COLUMN
Being Me Smoke-Free By Jennifer fragoso
Name: Jennifer Fragoso Age: 38 Years smoking: 23 SMOKE FREE: Three Weeks
WEEK 4: STILL KEEPING SCORE After a tumultuous few weeks of detox, I feel like Luke Skywalker upon his return to the Millennium Falcon after dueling with Darth Vader: like a new man — OK, a new woman, but you get the picture. Being me smoke-free is a little like learning to walk all over again but I’m getting used to it. I’m learning a lot about myself. I realize now more than ever, as the dust settles, that I’m no different from a junkie. I used cigarettes as an escape, as a way to blend in. I used cigarettes to keep me in my own safe little world. Pulling away and lighting up became a way for me to keep my moments in public private… because the reality is that I’m an uptight loner trapped in the body of a cool, fun-loving person. Yes, you read that right; I’m cool and uptight. Smoking was like a camouflage jacket I used to cover this up in public. Smoking allowed my cool side to mingle while my uptight side sought shelter from too much stimuli. Smoking made me feel like I was grounded; it was my way of finding order in chaos and now I’ve got to do it on my own. I have to wrestle the crowds when I’m out myself — and you know what? I’m ok with it. Clarity rocks! This battle is ongoing and although I’m gaining more insight everyday, I have to remember that “Chaz” is never all that far away. But for now I am enjoying this bit of light considering I’ve been in a dark tunnel for more than three weeks. I’m enjoying running on the beach, and climbing stairs without having shortness of breath. I’m enjoying coming home to a fresh-smelling apartment. I’m enjoying all the space I have in evening bags since I’m not toting along Marlboro Lights with me anymore. I’m enjoying freedom from the tyranny of smoking. Much like the end of Trainspotting, “I choose life.” I choose to face the problems of my life head-on without the buffer I relied on for so many years. I am doing it; I’m being me smoke-free.
To vote for Nick and Tara in the Crate & Barrel's Dream Wedding contest, visit www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/38937.
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2010 • Page 21
Cinema COLUMN
Something New in Art Cinema By Ruben Rosario
Are you an adventurous filmgoer? Do you seek out alternatives in your movie diet to the comfort food provided at the local cineplex? Do you hunger for the work of directors who refuse to defer to the taste of one particular demographic? If you're vigorously nodding your head, then we have much to discuss. Contrary to an understandable but inaccurate misconception, Miami Beach is not quite, at this very exciting moment in time, a wasteland for the seventh art. Stimulating, provocative work arrives at this city's screening venues on a regular basis, and this column aims to showcase these titles. Take, for instance, the two main features showing this weekend at the Miami Beach Cinematheque , that cozy oasis for movie lovers tucked away, for the time being, in the heart of Española Way. Both films come from directors who began their careers making acclaimed shorts. In the English coming-of-age drama Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold, who won a 2005 Oscar for her live-action short Wasp, continues to show an affinity for capturing the lives of young working class women. Her subject this time is 15-year-old Mia (Katie Jarvis), a rebellious troublemaker who dreams of becoming a famous hip-hop dancer…if only she can avoid getting sent away to a "special school" by her boozy mum (no love lost there, really!). Complications ensue when Mia meets Connor, Mom's hunky new boy toy (Inglourious Basterds' Michael Fassbender), and their tentative relationship is the highlight of the film. Arnold alternates a gritty handheld style with some quietly lyrical moments, such as when Mia experiences physical contact with Connor. During these scenes, Arnold uses a subtle form of slow motion, so it feels as if time stands still. Indeed, Fish Tank plays like a Ken Loach kitchen sink drama as envisioned by Headless Woman auteur Lucrecia Martel. Even when the story follows a familiar route, Arnold conveys the raw emotions of Mia's sexual awakening with an immediacy that almost transcends the unfortunate clichés that spoil the film's last 20 minutes. There is, however, nothing clichéd about the blissful silliness of the loony, lovingly handcrafted animated feature A Town Called Panic. The brainchild of the madly imaginative Belgian duo Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar , the film reunites the characters from the filmmakers' successful series of shorts…who happen to be three plastic figurines. Cowboy and Indian share a home with Horse, who's celebrating his birthday when the movie opens. His housemates agree to build him a barbecue made out of bricks, but a typing error causes their online order to be ever so slightly larger than expected. To say any more would ruin the pleasure of watching the stream-of-consciousness chain of events that Aubier and Patar orchestrate with a eye-popping sense of wonder that recalls Nick Park's delightful Wallace and Gromit shorts and the animated segments in Pee-wee's Playhouse. Let's just say that if you're looking for lovestruck horses dancing under a disco ball, fiddle-playing sheep, maneating barracudas, and a plug-in swordfish that doubles as a chainsaw, this is your movie. Here's to more demented misadventures from this rambunctious team, and here's to genre-busting fare that delivers the goods with a sense of fun that trumps anything playing at a multiplex near you. Miami Beach Cinematheque, 512 Española Way, Miami Beach. For information: mbcinema.com or 30567-films.
Page 22 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
ABOVE: THIS IS THE WAY THE SHRIMP WONTON IS SERVED TO GUESTS OF HAKKASAN.
Food Exceptional Asian Dining at Hakkasan By Marguerite Gil (megs@famae.org)
Walk into Hakkasan in the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach and instantly feel enveloped in a mysterious Asian environment. As you enter the restaurant you’ll be led through a number of peek-a-boo carved wood paneled-room separators, which gracefully divide the various dining areas. Past royalty in China were treated to similar sensual Feng Shui interiors. Hakkasan has created an elegant yet warm atmosphere with impeccable service. In less than one short year after opening, they have also received a Zagat rating as Best Newcomer. Expect to taste traditional, authentic Chinese Dim Sum, a la carte lunches and dinners. They recently added brunches on weekends too. Banquettes are made with luxury leathers and are all hand stitched. Every detail is tailored for comfort and efficiently. The expertly crafted Nurumi bone china was chosen by perfectionist Alex Conti who is the eatery’s GM. He also chose the rich back comfy cushions that are distributed throughout the restaurant. He even selected the cherry wood chopsticks, which are washed and re-oiled nightly, preferring the elegant eating utensils over cheap splintery common chopsticks. The tables are made of 2inch thick, blocks of dark wood and the chairs are tapered and relaxing. One central LED light descends from the ceiling onto each table, which gives the restaurant a favorable Zen-like ambience. There are a wide range of light dishes served family style that are meant to be shared. Come with a healthy appetite because the menu includes a variety of dumplings, congees, stirfried rice & noodles, barbeque platters and more. Daily made Dim Sum are creative and in addition they make all of their own
syrups. We started with a tasty hot broth in a large hand-thrown stoneware bowl that had two really big Shrimp Wontons in it, surrounded by light angel hair noodles, bok choy and finely cut herbs. Next we shared the Har Gau ($8) which are bite size dumplings, folded like a spring roll with a perfectly cooked shrimp inside. Our waiter also brought out a serving of Prawn Cheung Fun ($8) which is wrapped with a rice sheet, containing a large steamed prawn that was cut into smaller portions and filled with small strips of bamboo shoots. As well as the steamed selections, the menu offers a variety of cooking techniques such as grilled and deep fried specialties. Steamed Char Sui Bun ($6), is similar to Baozi but smaller and is filled with a honey-pork interior. The accompanying sauce is created with fine strips of ginger soaking in Chinese black vinegar. The Soy Sauce Chicken contains sweet and sour strips of chicken, noodles laced with spices, soy and herbs. Yummy. Their menu is written in Chinese and includes the English version of the dishes but has very little explanations as to what each dish contains. So unless you can read Chinese, you’ll have to rely on the wait staff help you choose your meal. Our waiter Chris, chose everything that we ate and everything was exceptional. There are of course, staples such as Roast Duck with Singapore Vermicelli, Sweet and Sour Pork and Fish platters. Desserts are beyond decadent. We shared a Chocolate and Banana Fondant that was accompanied by a rich banana ice cream topped with dark chocolate shavings, (be still my heart). All sorts of “adult beverages” are available as well as teas from around the world. Prices range from $6-$22 for menu choices. Cocktails are pricey but Chris assured us that the bar uses only the best spirits for their drinks. Alex Conti said “We could charge more, like the restaurants in South Beach but we don’t want to deceive our guests. We want our clients to keep coming back over and over again.” Hakkasan is located in the Fontainebleau Hotel, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. ADA accessible. For info: Fontainebleau.com
Art COLUMN
The Etruscans in Latium on Exhibit at the Freedom Tower By Marguerite Gil (megs@famae.org)
Under the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in Miami, lovers of art and archeology will be able to experience an extremely important FIRST-EVER exhibition of the Etruscan civilization before the Common Era… right here in downtown Miami. On display in the 2nd floor gallery of the Freedom Tower, a small but powerful sample of archeological urns, pottery and sculptures that were excavated just north of Rome in the Vulci, Tarquinia, Cerveteri and Veio regions of central-west Italy. The Etruscans were a people of ancient Italy who settled in an area called Etruria. The Etruscan civilization arose in the latter part of the 10th century B.C. and lasted until the end of the 1st century B.C., when it was absorbed by the Roman civilization. The artifacts on display have been mainly unknown to the general public until now. They represent a fascinating witness to the development of a time when the Etruscans started to “change” with innovative schools of thought, appreciation for the love of culture, philosophy and language and even experimented with a higher concept of economics and politics. Suddenly lifestyles blossomed for the masses into an Etruscan elitism where it became fashionable to perform complicated rituals and expand on the idea of entertainment and ceremony. Many objects on view pay homage to the importance of positive expression of social life such as beautifully decorated containers (kraters) and goblets or delicately painted serving platters which were no longer restricted to the wealthy. For the Etruscans, the diffusion of these objects brought about a reputation as pleasure-lovers dedicated to gastronomy and gaiety.
Also on view, The Francois Tomb. In 1857, Prince Torlonia, then owner of the land around Vulci, entrusted a Florentine archaeologist named Alessandro Francois, to the exploration of the necropolis to the east of the Fiora River. The result of this excavation was the discovery of one of the most celebrated chamber tombs of Etruria. Follow the narrative story about the opening of the tomb with the visual, explanatory installation in the adjacent space. Free and on view through April 4, 2010. Hours: Noon -5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday from Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. MDC’s Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
ABOVE: BUCCHERO OINOCHOE WITH ENGRAVED DECORATIONS. LEFT: GENUCILIA TYPE PLATE WITH RED PAINT. BELOW: SMALL BOWLS.
www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • March 25, 2010 • Page 23
Art COLUMN
Dead Dads Club Corporation: Death at a Standstill By Thomas Quick Nestled on one of the Design Districts narrow streets lies a compelling art exhibit that Miami residents should feel privileged to witness. A display of terror meeting a harmonious and tranquil period in time, depicting death in a frozen instance: this is the Dead Dads Club Corporation and their collection of five pieces displayed at the Spinello Art Gallery. Showcased are four portraits that have been embellished in a light red and white color scheme adjacent to a landscape with a rich, dark, yet damp tone; each relaying a shocking piece of reality. Of course death has been a theme for many artists, but the Dead Dads Club Corporation differs from the rest in their attention to detail and their unique medium. The 63" x 79" cotton canvases are colored with such minute precision using Crayola Crayons, a tool that we've all been accustomed to in the early years of our lives but could not fathom their use in high art. Scott Shannon (President) and Rory Carracino (Vice President) started the corporation five years ago, conceptualizing their ideas prior to their physical efforts in creating the monuments. The duo first met in Philadelphia attending the University of the Arts. The stay was short lived for Shannon, who although is a classically trained painter, found the school to be constraining and felt the urge to venture deeper in his passionate trek. Already familiarized with crayons by using them as a sketching tool throughout his career, he found them to be a well suited medium for his dismal and somber arrangements. "I like the crayon for this stuff. While the context is pretty morbid to some people, I like the contextual shift of morbidity to the child like medium." states Shannon. "The way I deal with color is kind of light, while my dealing with context is pretty dark." Shannon also prides himself in his use of traditional classical styles, exercising his knowledge of portrait and landscape construction in the collection. Another concept utilized by the team is the process in which the pieces are generated. This particular collection was foreshadowed by "overly simplified death notes." Each work of art is titled with a morose lasting set of words that provides the viewer with an attachment to the still victims. Titles such as "Everything I Leave to You", "Tell Cindy I Love Her", "I'm So Sorry", and the heart-wrenching caption that could draw a tear from the most hardened individual "Hi Dad, Send Money", heading their single landscape portraying a body wrapped in plastic, draped along a murky forest. Anthony Spinello, gallery owner and curator is ecstatic to have the work showcased on his walls. "Miami hasn't seen anything like this" Spinello says. "I feel privileged to be the one to debut it. It is pretty monumental when you think of the medium and the scale." Spinello and the artists met one year ago in his galleries previous location in Wynwood. Having a common friend who goes simply by "Black Books" (another artist that contributes to Spinellos gallery), they kept in contact. After five years of producing the collection, Dead Dads Club Corporation was ready to go public and felt right at home in Spinello's quaint showroom. The pieces have yielded an impressive response but when discovering the extent that one goes through to develop a single composition, the respect for the artist can break barriers. Each piece can take anywhere from four to eight months and could even go beyond that. The three portraits are photo based and can take up to 300 hundred shots before the right moment is caught. Although these are melancholy images and death can be easily depicted from the work, Shannon claims that the focus of the picture is life. "It's in the act." Shannon explains. "There's still life. Their eyes are focused and there's clearly something out there. In my mind, when I look at them I still see life in them and they are living people. It's not the end as much as it's the beginning." While each of Shannon's projects feature a different theme (Dead Dads Club Corporation being a separate entity from the rest), his priority is to assure that his work is substantially appealing. The notion of a tangible piece of beauty hanging from a wall is motivation for the artisan and as he continues to plunge into his works, possibly expanding on his Dead Dad Clubs Corp. days to come are as bright as his unrivaled medium. The quest for allure and artistry in any form will hopefully encourage the gifted artist to endure the time and effort it takes to make us reflect on pieces that only a person of that caliber could devise. Spinello Gallery 155 NE 38th Street No. 101 Miami. For information: 786271-4223 or spinellogallery.com Page 24 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
ABOVE: DEAD DAD’S CLUB CORPORATION, PORTRAIT. I'M SO SORRY. BELOW: DEAD DAD’S CLUB CORPORATION, PORTRAIT. EVERYTHING I LEAVE TO YOU.
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www.miamisunpost.com • The SunPost • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • Page 25
Style COLUMN
Donald Pliner Celebrates 20 Years of Fabulous Fashion By Jennifer Fragoso (fragosofashion@aim.com)
Donald J Pliner celebrated 20 years of fashion with a retrospective of his work and a preview of the spring 2010 collection at his boutique in the Aventura Mall. The event took place on Saturday, March 13, and for those who were unable to attend, Donald has been kind enough to share his thoughts and reflections on a career that seems destined for another 20 great years. Twenty years is a long time. Does any one thing stand out when you look back at everything you have accomplished with Donald J Pliner? It is so hard to pinpoint one thing. I have been fortunate enough to have accomplished so much over the course of my career and I feel like there is still so much more ahead of me. Did you reflect on your 20-year anniversary when designing your spring 2010 line? I did. But, I always reflect on my past when designing current collections. I have an extensive library of my work that spans 20 years. I always review it when designing a current collection and see how I can incorporate the works of my past and modernize it to make it current. You have gone from designing apparel to shoes and accessories and back. Do you favor a particular area of design or do you simply enjoy doing it all? I enjoy designing it all, but I am particularly fond of shoe design. Your motto is "when the feet are uncomfortable, so is the mind, so is the body, so is the soul." Why do you suppose that it is so difficult to find both beautiful and comfortable shoes in our vast marketplace? Many shoes are designed with only aesthetics in mind. I take everything into account — a shoe cannot only be fashionable, it needs to be comfortable. I have a shoe fit model that tries on every one of my shoes. She must be able to walk a flight of stairs and wiggle her toes in them. What is or has been your greatest inspiration? My wife, Lisa.
Page 26 • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • The SunPost • www.miamisunpost.com
During your career you have seen trends come and go. Which trend came and never left you from a design standpoint? I believe comfort is a trend that will always be prevalent in my collection. Speaking of trends, how do you maintain keeping the balance between incorporating trends into your own design philosophy? I am always inspired by the current fashions and trends, but I try to make them work within the parameters of what Donald J Pliner stands for. I try to create pieces that are fashion forward but still comfortable and wearable. You began your career in L.A. What brought you to Miami? I have always loved the fact that Miami has the feel of a European city but with American amenities. I love the mix of people and the energy of the city. What's next for Donald J Pliner? You’ll have to wait and see… I feel like I am only in my infancy and there is still so much more in front of me. You and your wife Lisa are very philanthropic. Can you tell our readers a little bit about the work being done with your Peace for the Children Foundation? Currently, our focus has been on building playgrounds in underprivileged areas through Kaboom!. It has been the most rewarding experience. What inspired you to create the Peace for the Children Foundation? After returning from Kazakhstan, where we adopted our daughter Starr, we were moved to create a foundation to help children, after seeing so many children who never know a playground or laughter within the walls of the orphanage. We decided as a family to return home and try to enrich the lives of the children in our own backyard. To learn more about Peace for the Children Foundation log on to peaceforthechildren.org.
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