Intercontinental Miami hosts a kickoff event for the 17th Annual Make-A-Wish Ball

Granting the wishes of young children and adolescents is an undeniably rewarding experience. That's why I decided to check out a special kickoff event honoring the upcoming 17th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida. Held each year at the downtown landmark and attended by more than 250 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, this exclusive preview event celebrated the annual Ball, to be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011. I was very excited to hear that the money raised this year is expected to push the organization’s all-time fundraising total in 17 years above $10 million. That is an incredible accomplishment! During the kickoff event, the “Three Amigos”— Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, and Robert Hill, Ball Host and General Manager of Intercontinental Miami [all pictured above]— unveiled key details, such as the theme of this year's gala. I'll give you a hint: black and white (masks are a must)! It was also announced that the Ball’s live auction will be emceed by Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar. Did I mention DJ Irie will be spinning his beats? Sounds like a ball to me! Make sure you buy your tickets early and save the date for this celeb studded event!
Above: Beatrice Clancy, Dr. Sanford Ziff [Founder of Sunglass Hut and Philanthropist] and Lady Monica Heflter. Past celebrity guests have included Paula Abdul, Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian, Scottie Pippen, Venus and Serena Williams [just to name a few]. To secure your seat for this prominent social event, call 888-773-9474 ext. 318.

Above Left: Miami philanthropists, Diane and Aristotle Ares, who always look fabulous! Above Right: Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar, along with the beautiful Tara Solomon, Principal of Tara Ink.

Above: Karneval Masque Atelier showed guests their Venetian styled masks for this year's ball. If you purchase one of their customized masks, you'll be happy to know that 20% of the profit from your purchase will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information, feel free to email info@karnevalmasque.com.

InterContinental Miami hosts an exclusive kick-off event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation

On Thursday, May 27th, Miami's philanthropists and celebrities were invited to a private cocktail reception at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami. The event: a kick-off celebration for this year's 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. During the evening, more than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while watching a slideshow from last year’s ball, which raised more than $1 million for the nonprofit’s children in need. The list of prominent guests who were in attendance included Evelyn Lozada (star of VH1's Basketball Wives; pictured above- photo by Johnny Louis), Courland Lantiff (Ocean Drive Magazine's Publisher), Kamal Hochtdani (CEO of Haute Living Magazine), Michael Capponi and Celeb Attorney Bradford Cohen. Finally, you cannot have a celebration without Miami's own DJ Irie! The Make-a-Wish Foundation has one mission with every wish: to exceed a child’s expectations, transporting them from a world of doctors and hospitals to a world where anything is possible. A true gift for any child...

Aleksandra Eriksson, Edward Freedman, EJ Bowmen and Shareef Malnik attended the cocktail reception last week (photo from NBC6 Miami). Mr. Malnik serves as the Chairman of the Make-a-Wish Ball and is also the Proprietor of The Forge Restaurant Wine Bar (432 41st Street, Miami Beach).

VH1's "Basketball Wives" stars Suzie Ketcham and Evelyn Lozada strike a pose with Star Jones' ex-husband, Al Reynolds (photo by Andre Pinsun, Sofi Mag). Evelyn, Miami's hippest Shoenista and owner of high end shoe boutique Dulce, was wearing a lovely pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos along with a DVF dress and Jimmy Choo handbag. HOT HOT HOT!

Evelyn Lozada along with famed designer Pepe Calderin and his movie star wife, Carolina Lizarazo (photo by Andre Pinsun, Sofi Mag). Since 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Today, the organization grants a local child’s wish every 16 hours. Truly amazing! To learn more about the Make-a-Wish Foundation or to get involved with their initiatives, visit http://sfla.wish.org/.

$25,000 to see Lady Gaga on New Year's?

A week ago, I posted information about Lady Gaga's New Year's Eve bash at the Fontainebleau Hotel on January 31st. BUT, I just found out that tickets range from $425 to $25,000. Is it really worth spending all this money to see Lady Gaga? For those looking for a free event, check out the "Downtown Countdown" at Bayfront Park on January 31st (8 p.m.). Enjoy the disco sounds of DJ Tarik and a fireworks display over Biscayne Bay when the clock strikes midnight! Watch the Big Orange ascend the side of the Hotel Intercontinental as the seconds count down.

Another option: celebrate New Year's Eve at Club 50 located on the 50th floor of the Viceroy Hotel (485 Brickell Avenue) in Downtown Miami. General admission is $200 ($75 for ladies, depends on space availability) from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. All guests will have open bar privileges and a champagne toast at midnight. The hotel's restaurant, Eos, is also offering dinner and a complimentary glass of champagne for $125 per person. To make your reservations, call 305-503-4400, Ext. 7138.

New Year's Eve is right around the corner! Where ever you decide to celebrate...make sure to ring in the new year with style. Here's to 2010...CHEERS!!