June is Miami Romance Month – Take Part in All Things Romantic in the Magic City

Love is in the air this June during Miami Romance Month! Whether you’re getting engaged, having a bachelor/ette party, tying the knot, planning a commitment ceremony, going on your honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary – Miami is the perfect match. Celebrate Miami Romance Month this June – featuring money-saving romantic deals for all, a chance to win a Miami Dream Wedding, a stunning Bridal Showcase and romance articles for inspiration.

Romance Special Offers
Take advantage of tempting special offers and great deals at Miami’s top romantic spots including lavish dinners, perfect venues and exclusive hotel packages. Some of Miami's best destinations – including the Delano, the Biltmore, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami Culinary Tours, World Erotic Art Museum, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Deering Estate, The Falls, Eden Roc Renaissance, The Standard, Chart House, the Ritz-Carlton – all have amazing promotions going on during Miami Romance Month!

Dream Wedding Contest
Ready for romance? Enter to win the Marry Me in Miami Dream Wedding Contest. Five lucky couples will compete on June 22 on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables to win a Miami wedding or commitment ceremony valued at approximately $150,000 at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel.

Bridal Showcase
Meet vendors that can help make your wedding perfect and enjoy a Bridal Fashion Show at the Westin Colonnade, located at 180 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables. Event takes place June 19 from noon to 4pm. For more information, please email romance@gmcvb.com.


Whether you are planning the wedding of your dreams or an anniversary celebration that will leave friends and family talking for the next decade, you need to visit the Miami Romance & Wedding Showcase.

This special day will feature an array of wedding vendors at one of Coral Gables’ most elegant hotels, the Westin Colonnade. Come see the Colonnade’s beautiful marble rotunda and sweeping staircase – a favorite wedding venue for brides from near and far.

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World-Renowned Jazz & Classical Musicians Gather in Coral Gables for the 26th Annual Summer Concert Series

This summer, June 9 through August 18, in a quiet Miami neighborhood and within the Coral Gables Congregational Church (CGCC) intimate, historic Spanish-revival style setting, concert goers will have the unique opportunity to be awed and entertained by the music industry’s most-talented and revered classical and jazz figures. These artists will perform and delight audiences on the CGCC Community Arts Program 26th Summer Concerts Series season! 


The Summer Concert Series has entertained more than 62,000 people since it began in 1985. The Series has grown into a valued tradition and, more recently, part of a Community Arts Program that also provides music education to children within its Conservatory for the Arts. 


“The Summer Concert Series is a rare opportunity to hear world-renowned artists in the intimate and beautiful Coral Gables Congregational Church,” says Shelton G. Berg, University of Miami Dean of the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. “The Conservatory for the Arts provides high-quality music education to children, many of whom would otherwise be denied access to the wonder of music and the beauty of the artistic spirit.”  

2011 Summer Concert Series Line Up:

June 9 - The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

The Count Basie Orchestra is hailed as an American invention of the 20th century, and its sound is the "modern art" of music.  Today, the majority of its sound still swings from musicians hand-picked by Count Basie.  Join us for a very special evening with the Count Basie Orchestra, directed by Dennis Mackrel, and special guest vocalist Carmen Bradford. The Count Basis Orchestra appears under exclusive license of the William J. Basie Trust.


June 23 - James Ehnes, Violinist
James Ehns is hailed as "the Jascha Heifetz of our day,” and widely considered to be one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in classical music.  


July 7 - David Leisner, Guitarist
David Leisner is co-chair of the guitar department at the Manhattan School of Music and regarded as one of the world's leading classical guitarists, an extraordinarily versatile musician, electrifying performing artist, distinguished composer, recording artist and master teacher.  

Glen David Andrews

July 21 - Glen David Andrews 
Glen David Andrews is touted as one of the giant talents of New Orleans.  In his early-thirties, Glen David has a lanky, six-foot-four-inch body and a mercurial personality that touts his greatest loves: the brass-band music and traditional jazz on which he was raised.  


August 4 - The Shannon Powell Quartet Featuring Jason Marsalis and Steve Masakowski 
Shannon Powell is one of the most sought after drummers and percussionists in the world. His powerful technique is steeped in the drum beats that emanate from the streets of New Orleans and from his early influences that include neighbor James Black, Ellis Marsalis and the men at Preservation Hall.   


August 18 - Marlena Shaw, vocalist

Marlena Shaw

After becoming the first female vocalist ever signed by the Blue Note label, Marlena Shaw toured extensively with Sammy Davis Jr. and as a featured singer with the Count Basie Orchestra.  Ms. Shaw remains a true original, one of the most charismatic and versatile vocalists in the business, blurring the lines that separate jazz, soul, rock, pop and R&B.  


“We are very excited to again present a diverse and world-class line up of artists,” says Mark Hart, Executive & Artistic Director of the CGCC Community Arts Program. “It’s an honor to welcome concert goers from across the state and as far away as Europe, and rewarding to see the growth of our music education program for kids!  In all, we’ve come to provide exceptional cultural and educationally-enriching experiences for more than 3,000 children and adults each year!”


Order now; concerts sell out quickly! All concerts are Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Free and convenient parking is available.  


INDIVIDUAL GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS: $30 each in advance, $35 each at the door (based on availability).  


INDIVIDUAL PATRON TICKETS: $45 each in advance; $50 each at the door (based on availability). (Individual Patron tickets include reserved general seating within the first 5-8 rows and catered pre-concert receptions.) Series Tickets First priority is given to Series ticket holders.


PATRON SERIES: $240 (Save $30 and receive prime seating to all concerts!  Patron Series includes opening night gala reception, reserved general seating within the first 5-8 rows, and catered pre-concert gatherings.)


MINI-PATRON SERIES: $170 (Save $10 and receive prime seating to four concerts! Choose four concerts. Mini-Patron Series includes opening night gala reception, reserved general seating within the first 5-8 rows, and catered pre-concert gatherings.)


Order tickets by calling 305-448-7421, Ext. 153. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For instant processing and confirmation order tickets quickly, safely and conveniently on line anytime at www.communityartsprogram.org.   


The oral Gables Congregational Church is located at 3010 De Soto Boulevard (directly across from the Biltmore Hotel and five miles from Miami International Airport) in Coral Gables.


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James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Schwartz Holds Cooking Demo/Book Signing At The Biltmore

Chef Michael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz, the executive chef/owner of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in the Miami Design District and Grand Cayman, will preside over an interactive cooking demonstration showcasing easy but elegant recipes taken from his debut cookbook, Michael's Genuine Food: Down-to-Earth Cooking for People Who Love to Eat. The event takes place Saturday, April 9 from noon-2 p.m. at the historic Biltmore Hotel.

Guests will sip Deutz Champagne while whipping up a splendid lunch at their tables led by Chef Schwartz, who will show guests how to prepare a deliciously nutty fregola risotto with shrimp, roasted corn and melted leeks to start. The main course will be light and healthy with a flavorful pan-roasted striped bass and Tunisian chickpea salad.  For dessert, guests will enjoy milk chocolate cremoso with espresso parfait – one of the chef’s most popular desserts at the restaurant. Immediately following the luncheon, Schwartz will sign copies of his cookbook, also available for purchase on-site.

The Interactive Culinary Demonstration & Deutz Luncheon on Saturday, April 9 takes place from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables in the Country Club Ballroom. Cellar Club Members are $52 and non-members and resort guests are $65 per person. Space is limited; reservations are required: call 305-913-3203 or go online to www.thecellarclub.com.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, located at 130 NE 40th Street in Miami’s Design District, is open Monday through Friday for lunch and seven days a week for dinner.  Happy Hour, featuring half price cocktails, wine and beer, takes place Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm and Sunday brunch is offered from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Reservations are recommended at 305-573-5550. All major credit cards accepted; ample metered parking available as well as Design District-sponsored $3 valet service.   For more information, please visit the website at www.michaelsgenuine.com or the blog at thegenuinekitchen.com.  Michael’s Genuine is also on Twitter at @MGFD_MIA.


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