Saturday, June 1, 7-10pm -  Cultural Center Plaza at Miami Art Museum, 101 W. Flagler Street, Miami

After more than 15 years of enhancing Miami’s cultural repertoire, Miami Art Museum closed its doors at Miami-Dade Cultural Center in preparation for its move to new, state-of-the-art facility in Museum Park, but not before bidding a proper farewell with a full-blown community BBQ. Hosted on Cultural Center Plaza on the eve of the Museum’s final day, this memorable “Lights Out” party was the last public event held at Miami Art Museum’s current facility. The evening featured bites by Sparky’s Roadside BBQ, and a DJ from HOT 97.7FM. The closing party was coordinated in collaboration with the nomadic artist project the end in conjunction with New Work Miami 2013, which, along with Frames of Reference: Latin American Art from the Jorge M. Perez Collection, was on view throughout the evening. Miami Art Museum will reopen as Pérez Art Museum Miami in downtown Miami’s Museum Park in December 2013.

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Thursday, April 25, 11pm – 3am – Miguel Paredes Fine Are Gallery, 173 NW 23rd Street, Miami Wynwood Arts District

Hennessy, the number one selling Cognac brand in the world, celebrated its successful “Wild Rabbit” campaign alongside some of the top talent in Latin culture. Centered on the notion that true greatness is reserved for those who have reached a level of mastery yet still push the limits of their potential, the “Wild Rabbit” program draws parallels among the journeys of leading icons in various fields and the paths being forged by Hennessy aficionados.  On the biggest night of Latin music in Miami, Hennessy celebrated Latin arts and culture with Panamanian hip-hop duo Los Rakas, legendary Soulfrito DJ Collective, the “godfather of Nuevo Latino cuisine” Chef Douglas Rodriguez and visual artist Miguel Paredes and their quests to never stop, never settle.

Before Miami native Chef Douglas Rodriguez became the “Godfather of nuevo Latino cuisine,” he was a young chef working on Lincoln Road looking for a dedicated sous chef, and Miguel Paredes happened to know something about cooking. Now, nearly 30 years later and after climbing to the top of their respective professions, Paredes and Rodriguez teamed up again to help Hennessy celebrate Latin music and culture.

For the 3rd year in row, Paredes had been commissioned by the Latin Billboards to create artwork for the event as its official artist. The New York native paid his dues over years of putting everything he had into his “wild rabbit,” a term he uses to refer to the culmination of one’s dreams and the pinnacle of success. He became a staple of the Miami art scene even before opening his Wynwood gallery in 2010.

Hennessy was first introduced to Latin America in 1860 when the first shipment of Cognac was made to Mexico. Hennessy’s relationship with Latino culture continued to flourish beyond Latin America and into the U.S. Hispanic community through unwavering support of arts and culture.

In addition to meatballs with Hennessy mushroom sauce, dishes like lobster coconut ceviche, perfectly cooked chorizo on slider rolls and chicken empanadas made their way around a packed art studio. DJ Laz helped host the event and music was provided by the Soulfrito collective and Los Rakas. Perhaps the most poignant guests wore gaudy but elegant costumes by designer/artist Olga Saretsky from her Mikimora studio’s “High Fashion Circus.” Specialty Hennessy drinks like blueberry mojitos and a dangerously subtle sangria Hennessy cocktail were free flowing as guests mingled and mangled until around 3 a.m.
Pictures by: photoActiva

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Thursday, March 14, 8-11pm - The Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Miami Beach’s key cultural landmark, the Bass Museum of Art, along with a select group of the city’s leading arts patrons, socialites and taste-makers hosted annual fundraiser, “A Night at the Museum.” While enjoying cocktails & refreshments from Miami Club Rum, Pavan, Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water, Soyka and TiramesU with beats by Johnny the Boy, attendees explored the institution’s new exhibition,From Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler. The exhibition, featuring over 200 works by 135 artists is an intimate, often whimsical side of some of the greatest artists of recent times, each offering a singular vision of adornment. The exceptional and little-known works of wearable sculpture will reward viewers with new insights into the creative wellsprings of such artistic giants as  Andy Warhol, Georges Braque, Louise Bourgesois, Lucio Fontana, Salvador Dalí, Louise Nevelson, Man Ray, Anthony Caro, Yoko Ono and Anish Kapoor.   Attendees also perused a silent auction including art, experiences and luxury items.
Pictures by: Alejandro Gringuito Lopez

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Wednesday, March 13, 7-11:30pm - Avenue D Jazz and Blues Lounge, 8 South Miami Avenue, Miami

Friends of New World Symphony presented a sizzling evening of interactive music and dancing with” Tango Music Unplugged”, a Friends Chamber Salon. Chamber music, because of its intimate nature, has historically been described as “the music of friends.” The evening reminisced of an authentic Argentine Jazz Club where NWS Fellows performed selections from Astor Piazolla’s classics, among other timeless pieces. Monica Llobet, a world renowned professional Argentine Tango dancer, lead dance lessons showcasing the beauty of this art form. Special guests also included Florida Grand Opera Soprano, Catalina Cuervo, who performed select pieces with the NWS Fellows. Cocktails were provided courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka with light fare served by Kork Restaurant. For Friends of New World Symphony membership information contact Nathalie Cadet-James at 305-428-6733 or Nathalie.Cadet-James@nws.edu.

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Wednesday, March 13, 6-9pm – Miami Art Museum, 101 West Flagler Street, Miami

Frames of Reference: Latin American Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection described as an exploration of  ”44 works of Latin American art though an historical lens,” is the first exhibition of a selection of works from the Jorge M. Perez art collection that was gifted to Miami Art Museum in December 2011.

The exhibition is the last in the Museum’s current space and marks the start of its transition to its new Herzog & de Meuron – designed facility in Museum Park where it will reopen as Pérez Art Museum Miami in honor of Pérez’s now $40 million gift of cash and art.

Frames of Reference will run through June 2 at Miami Art Museum. Pérez donated a portion his extensive art collection to support the Museum’s expanding role as a cultural hub and resource for the Miami community. The complete collection of 102 works will be integrated into the Museum’s existing collection and displayed in the new facility.
Pictures by: Daniel Azoulay Photography

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March 6 – 10 – The Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Design District

Haring Miami celebrates the extraordinary contributions to the art world by renowned Graffiti artists featuring the work of Haring and friends. This first of its kind exhibit is taking place March 6th-10th 2013 in Miami’s own architectural gem, The Moore Building. Haring Miami features one of the largest collections of works from the period ever assembled. Haring is one of the most well-known and iconic artists of the 20th century whose influences contributed to what has now become a worldwide phenomenon such with fellow artists in his circle such as Angel Ortiz (LA II), Delta II and others. By hieroglyphically expressing concepts of death, birth, war, and sex, their imagery has become one of the most widely recognized visual languages of the 20th century. This exhibition provides viewers with an unparalleled exposure to these unique artists on a scale unavailable to the general public. After strolling the exhibition there is Veuve Clicquot Trailer parked in the courtyard of the Moore Building, where guests can enjoy flutes of champagne and experience the ultimate champagne lounge. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online.

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Thursday, February 28, 7pm – Bunny Yeager Studio, 557 NW 27th Street, Miami Wynwood Arts District

Guests joined for the opening of the Bunny Yeager Studio in Miami’s Wynwood Art District, with a cocktail reception and Lingerini (which specializes in lingerie and bikini hybrids) fashion presentation. Following the fête, Yeager launched the Center for Visual Communication (CVC) Miami Masters studio program, a new initiative that provides workshop and exhibition facilities to South Florida artists.

Bunny Yeager is the legendary model, photographer, writer and swimsuit designer whose pictures of Bettie Page catapulted both Page and Yeager to fame in 1954. The publication of Yeager’s centerfold photo of Bettie Page in Playboy launched Yeager’s photographic career and began a lifelong friendship with Hugh Hefner, the magazine’s publisher. Yeager’s new studio is a permanent venue for the artist to continue her work as a portrait photographer, complete new projects and present an ongoing exhibition of her most famous images of women at their most natural and seductive.

Yeager defined a new genre of portraiture with her sensual images of the girl next door and with her self portraits. Beginning with her early photographs for men’s magazines in the 1950′s she produced compelling images both in the studio and on location. Her groundbreaking work inspired and influenced a new generation of photographers from Cindy Sherman to those who shoot swimsuit models outdoors for Sports Illustrated.

Based in Miami since the 1950′s, Yeager developed special techniques for camera, location and lighting that mark each of her images as indelibly hers. Yeager is a master at envisioning and bringing out the unique qualities of the female form in each of her models. The tricks and secrets of her direct and beguiling images are published in over 30 books she has written over the last 50 years. Her newest book Bunny Yeager’s Darkroom by Petra Mason, Rizzoli, 2012, features over 250 classic images, many in full page format.

Yeager’s new studio will feature an exhibition area presenting her most iconic images of Bettie Page and the other models she discovered and brought to the attention of an entire generation of men who still find them captivating.

Pictures by: Alejandro Gringuito Lopez

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Wednesday, February 27, 8-11pm – The James Royal Palm, 1545 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

The James Royal Palm hosted Miami’s first-ever Cultural Collection with the best of South Florida’s creative talent and organizations – New World Symphony (NWS), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) and Public School fashion house – all under one roof. This unique collaboration united Miami’s cultural leaders and showcased a new approach to Miami hospitality with a greater focus on the arts. More than 500 VIP influencers, socialites and philanthropists got together to experience the unveiling of exclusive collaborative pieces for an unforgettable night dedicated to the arts, while enjoying an open bar and unique exquisite delicacies by Chef Kris Wessel of Florida Cookery.

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January 18 – 20, 7pm - SeaFair Megayacht at Intercontinental Hotel Dock, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami

As part of the Miami International Art Fair, Wine by the Bay located in Downtown Miami offered three exclusive wine tasting events designed especially for art fair patrons. 4th edition of the Miami International Art Fai is gathering an international collection of galleries and is presenting a dynamic display of some of the 21st century’s most promising established and emerging artists. Wine by the Bay is Downtown Miami’s premier wine store offering an impressive collection of wine representing the most celebrated regions throughout the world. Wine lovers joined store owner Stefano Campanini, aboard the SeaFair Megayacht for “Wine and Waves – A Perfect Wine Storm.” Guests enjoyed a showcase of exceptional wines from California, Tuscany, and France.  

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Saturday, January 12, 7pm – Olympia Theater at Gusman Center, 174 East Flagler Street, Downtown Miami

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) raised in excess of $1 million in support of YoungArts programs in Miami, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles at “An Affair of the Arts” Performance and Gala. The evening honored director and choreographer Debbie Allen (Leadership Award), violinist Joshua Bell (Arison Award), and actor and alumnus Adrian Grenier (Alumni Award) and brought together prominent artists, community leaders, philanthropists and celebrities. In addition to the honorees, notable attendees included Lin Arison, Sarah S. Arison, Elizabeth and Facundo Bacardi, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Charles Bronfman, Chick Corea, Jacques d’Amboise, Bill T. Jones, Jeannine and Paul T. Lehr, Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq., Debi Mazar, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jorge M. Pérez, Desmond Richardson, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, Andrew Rannells, Max Schneider, Zuzanna Szadkowski, and Marisa Tomei.
Guests celebrated the participants in the 32nd edition of YoungArts’ signature program, YoungArts Week, which provided 152 of the nation’s most outstanding young talents in the visual, literary and performing arts with life-changing experiences, including master classes, workshops, inter-disciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions.
The event kicked off with an interdisciplinary performance by YoungArts alumni from around the nation in the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. Following the performance and awards ceremony, guests walked across the street to the Historic Alfred I. DuPont Hotel, which was transformed into a classic supper club, with references to the iconic Bacardi Tower and Museum building complex which is the new YoungArts campus, where music by YoungArts alumni set the stage for a relaxing dinner and conversation. Dinner was followed by dessert and dancing in the street, to the music of DJ Irie.
This year’s event was led by Honorary Gala Chairs Plácido Domingo and Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Gala Chairs Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq. SunTrust was the event’s presenting sponsor, The Historic Alfred I Dupont Building was the Host Sponsor courtesy of the Tilia Family of Companies, and Gala Sponsors included Bacardi, MIAMI Magazine, Miami Arts and Entertainment Council, The James Royal Palm, Miami Herald, Braman, Seabourn, and the Miami Heat.
Pictures by: Alejandro Gringuito Lopez

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