South Beach Wine & Food Festival Unveils New Schedule of Events for its 11th Year!

Chef Bobby Flay at the 2011 Festival's "Burger Bash"

Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager is pleased to unveil the program for the 2012 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE magazine. Taking place February 23-26, 2012 the 11th annual edition of America’s favorite wine and culinary extravaganza will feature new events and programming guaranteed to please. All proceeds from the Festival benefit the Florida International University (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center; monies raised to date total approximately $14 million.

"Celebrating the milestone of our 10th year at the 2011 Festival was truly extraordinary,” says Schrager, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications & National Events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, which hosts the Festival. “I believe the 2012 program features a number of fresh and exciting changes as well as those events that have become fan-favorites over the years."

Tickets for the 2012 Festival go on sale at midnight on Monday, October 24, 2011 at www.sobefest.com and via phone at 9 a.m. the same day at 1-877-762-3933. American Express cardholders can access an exclusive pre-sale starting at 9 a.m. on October 10, 2011. Fans can follow Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager on Twitter, or at the Festival’s official Facebook page.  

Don't miss The Q

Transformations to the Festival program are most evident on Thursday, February 23 with a new event that takes the place of the beloved BubbleQ. Promising even more fun, the Festival will kick-off with Moët Hennessy's The Q, hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.  For those who wish to partake in a late-night experience, the best part of this change is that The Q will also feature its own after-party, The Q After Dark!

The Amstel Light Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray moves to Friday, February 24; a night which is also home to the eighth annual Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator's Best of the Best.

The 2012 Tribute Dinner keeps its long-standing tradition of honoring the world’s greatest wine and culinary talent by paying tribute to esteemed chef Charlie Trotter and celebrated winemaker Piero Antinori. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Trotter's namesake restaurant in Chicago is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. The Antinori reputation as innovators has grown throughout the centuries, woven through 625 years and 26 generations of winemaking, making it one of the leading Italian producers of fine wines. Author and host of the popular Travel Channel series No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Capitalizing on the excitement surrounding last year’s 10th anniversary party, the Festival will again take over the stunning 1111 Lincoln Road space for Party: Impossible featuring Epicure Gourmet Market hosted by Robert Irvine. Also reinventing itself for 2012 is Food Network presents The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Late Night Bites, an event based of the hit primetime series.

Miami's own Michael Schwartz
of Michael's Genuine

Dedicated foodies will get an opportunity to savor all of famed chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Bobby Flay’s restaurant concepts in one evening at the casual dinner The Flavors of Flay. The program is rounded out by highlighting the hottest trend in food at Trucks on the Beach hosted by Andrew Zimmern, which doubles as the official Festival closing party.

A fresh set of Wine Spectator Wine Seminars and Bank of America Lifestyle Seminars will delight everyone from the novice to the aficionado throughout the weekend. Additionally, in line with previous years, the 2012 Festival will also host an array of unique brunches and dinners to appease even the most discerning of taste buds. They include:

· Dining in the Dark hosted by David Burke with Market 17
· Conscious Bite Out with Geoffrey Zakarian
· Dolce Lunch hosted by Charles Phan at The Setai
· Farm to Table Brunch hosted by Michael Schwartz & Friends
· Interactive Lunch hosted by Anne Burrell
· Napa Style at the Mandarin hosted by Michael Chiarello and Joel Huff at Azul
· Interactive Dinner hosted by The Neelys
· Salsa @ Sea hosted by Douglas Rodriguez & Aarón Sanchez
· Sunday Supper by Meatball Shop

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Zo’s Summer Groove Celebrates 15 Years of Helping the South Florida Community

Alonzo Mourning at the 2009 Youth Basketball Clinic

Zo’s Summer Groove, presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, to benefit the Alonzo Mourning Charities on July 22- 24 will celebrate 15 star-studded years of giving back to the community. Tickets can be purchased here.

NBA Champion and Miami Heat great Alonzo Mourning has raised the bar for this year’s charitable anniversary extravaganza by featuring a stellar line-up including Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Golf Classic and Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Comedy Show on Friday, July 22 followed-by Zo’s Summer Groove Benefit Dinner and Gala with a Night of Entertainment Featuring Grammy-Award Winner Alicia Keys on July 23 at Hard Rock Live.

This year’s major beneficiaries of Mourning’s namesake milestone event include the Overtown Youth Center and Honey Shine Mentoring Program. Zo’s programs to enrich the lives of youth rank him as one of the top 10 charitable athletes in the country by yahoo.com.

Details for this year’s schedule of events are:

Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Golf Classic presented by Hublot Watches and Coca-Cola

Friday, July 22 at 7:30 a.m.

Teeing off the weekend,  the Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Golf Classic debuts its new location at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle. Welcoming golfers to South Florida’s premier golf course with a breakfast reception, beverages and post-event award reception with dessert buffet, this exclusive course is where Alonzo Mourning, celebrities and professional athletes play. The event opens doors for ticket holders to play the course, and for the first time, the option to play with a celebrity. Tickets are $1,000 for a single player, $4,000 for a foursome and $6,000 for a celebrity/athlete foursome. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.zsg.com.

Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Comedy Show presented by Alters Law Firm at Hard Rock Live

Friday, July 22 at 7 p.m.

Previously attracting some of the biggest names in comedy such as Chris Rock, David Chappelle, Jamie Foxx and more, Zo’s Summer Groove Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Comedy Show will lead the night off combining laughter and with Zo’s passion and commitment to the South Florida community, with tickets open to the public. This year’s headlining comedian to be announced soon. Tickets cost $49 , $69  and $104; additional fees may apply. To purchase show tickets, visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com/events.php.  All seats are also available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, Tuesday-Saturday from noon-6 p.m. and Sunday-Monday only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one hour prior to show start time.

The 2010 Zo's Summer Groove Benefit Dinner and Gala

Zo’s Summer Groove Benefit Dinner and Gala with a Night of Entertainment with performance by Gramm-Award Winner Alicia Keys presented by Publix

Saturday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

Join Alonzo and his wife Tracy Mourning for an intimate dinner followed by a night of entertainment. Limited to 4,000 tickets, the event will feature a cocktail reception and dinner with top donors and celebrity guests, a silent and live auction filled with one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia, personal experiences from the world of sports and entertainment and luxury items. Additional performances and entertainment will be presented by Heineken and unique guest experiences will be presented by Pepsi. Dinner and Gala Anniversary Row Table for 10 is $10,000; dinner tables for 10 are $5,000 each and individual dinner tickets are $500 each. To purchase tables, please visit  www.zsg.com. General admission concert tickets post-dinner are priced from $49-$69; additional fees may apply.To purchase show tickets, visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com/events.php.  All seats are also available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, Tuesday-Saturday from noon-6 p.m. and Sunday-Monday only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one hour prior to show start time.

In addition to the events at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Zo’s Summer Groove will also include a Youth Empowerment Summit on July 23 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Signature Grand and an Official Closing Party with Alonzo at LIV at Fontainebleau on July 24 at 11 p.m.

For more information about Zo’s Summer Groove presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to benefit the Alonzo Mourning Charities, please visit www.zsg.com.

Alonzo Mourning Charities (AMC) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation, with funds raised going to benefit programs for youth to excel through platforms it has created, namely Overtown Youth Center and Honey Shine Mentoring Program. AMC supports programming with proven results that deliver resources to students and families in need.

AMC’s mission is to build strong communities by supporting programs and initiatives that have a commitment to promote positive change. With a 100% success rate through Overtown Youth Center in ensuring students graduate and move onto secondary education, AMC has launched a new campaign called Sponsor-A-Student, asking individuals and corporations to make an investment in students for proven results for their community.

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Miami Swim Week Spotlights What’s In at the Beach This Season

Miami is undoubtedly the bathing suit capital of the U.S. Miami Swim Week, which runs July 14-18, allows all the top swimwear designers to showcase their newest looks in the most appropriate city. There are a whole host of events planned for Miami Swim Week, so make sure not to miss out!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim

This fashion show is presented annually at the historic Raleigh Hotel. Timed to coincide with the swimwear industry’s largest trade show, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim provides a world-class runway platform for designers to launch swimwear and resort collections and gain exposure with the national and international fashion, style, and news media.
July 14-18, at the Raleigh Hotel

Splashion 2011

Miami magazine presents this summer fashion and swimwear event.

July 13, at LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Lifestyle Retreat Lounge

The Lifestyle Retreat Lounge at the Gansevoort Hotel during Miami Swim Week 2011 will consist of designer presentations, a pop-up beauty salon, media and photo lounge, and music lounge. There will be complimentary bites and beverages for all guests in attendance as well as a spacious, air-conditioned and vastly decorated lounge.
July 15-16, at the Gansevoort Miami Beach

City & Shore Rock Your Style Fashion Show

The InterContinental Miami Hotel & Spa together with Tribune South Florida proudly presents the City & Shore Rock Your Style Fashion Show, bringing the sexy and fun vibe of Swim Week to Downtown Miami. mySpa at the InterContinental Miami celebrates the arrival of Colombian swimwear line-Maaji-to its boutique. The spectacular rooftop fashion event will take place poolside.
July 15, 7:30pm-11pm at the InterContinental Miami

Trina Turk and Papi at Soho Beach House

Soho Beach House kicks off Miami Swim Week with a fashion show featuring the latest swimwear collection by Trina Turk, the current collections from Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour and the debut of papi swimwear.
July 15, 8pm-11pm, at Soho Beach House

South Beach Men's Show & After Party

Building a stylish fashion wardrobe for the discerning modern man is the basis of the SoBe Men's Show. The show promises to present an exciting and eclectic mix of the some of the hottest and talented national and international men's underwear and swimwear designers, showcasing some of their recent and upcoming collections.
July 15, at Gemma Lounge

SwimShow & LingerieShow

SwimShow, the largest and most comprehensive swimwear show in the world, is excited to announce the inaugural launch of the LingerieShow to premiere at the annual tradeshow in July 2011. Already recognized as the worldwide leader in swimwear exhibitions, SwimShow is expanding its reach into the synergetic market of lingerie in response to the needs of its buyers and vendors.
July 16-19, 9am-6pm daily, at the Miami Beach Convention Center

Salon Allure

Salon Allure is the first and only tradeshow to house luxury swim, resort wear, and fabric brands all under one roof, during Miami’s famed Swim Week. The event is a departure from the conventional trade show, combining the latest collections from globally renowned designers with cutting-edge fabrics in a modern, oceanfront setting. The show also features innovative programs including daily cocktails hosted by industry notables, fashion presentations, and onsite luxury brand installations.
July 16-19 at the W Hotel South Beach

Addicted to Fashion, Miami Swim Edition

Skewing toward sexier swimwear (it culminates in a lingerie show), Addicted to Fashion shines some of the Swim Week spotlight on emerging designers. Entry by invitation only.
July 16-18, at Nikki Beach

RAJ at The Shore Club Miami

Line previews from St. John, Ella Moss Isla, LUXE by Lisa Vogel, Splendid, Athena Pick Your Fit, NEXT by Athena, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Hurley and Reef, in addition to complimentary mani/pedi services. Date: July 16 (4 p.m.-7 p.m.); 17-18 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) Entry by invitation only.
July 16, at The Shore Club Penthouse

Tortoise and Blonde Fashion Week Pop-Up Store

Tortoise and Blonde will have a pop up store at the Shore Club to introduce its luxury and vintage inspired eyewear to the Swim Week crowd. Noon-8 p.m.
July 16, at The Shore Club

S.P.F. - Sand Play Fashion

A sexy two day affair celebrating beautiful swim fashion for beautiful women, featuring two fashion shows in the day and one fashion show in the club 01 Sunday night. Guests will enjoy beauty treatments to prepare them for summer, such as spray tanning and tips on how to rock a hot bikini.
July 16-17, at Nikki Beach

Swim Lounge Pop-Up Shop

A night of fabulous shopping showcasing local emerging swimwear designers and summer accessories. Shop the hottest trends from Miami's top talent.
July 16, from 6pm-10pm, at Coco de Ville at Gansevoort Miami Beach


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