A Worthy Toast to 2013

News

Egalite Bottle shot

We are just hours away from saying “farewell” to 2013 and” hello” to 2014. The staff is ready. We are toasting it up with Égalité a “worthy bubbly” with a wonderful cause.

The champagne promotes equality and gives back.

“Over the last year, tremendous gains have been made in the fight for LGBT equality in a number of areas,” said Darren Restivo, one of the principals of Biagio Cru & Estate Wines, the creator and importer of Égalité. “While we still have a long way to go, the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate this progress and give back to the many charitable organizations that help LGBT youth conquer the challenges that remain.”

Overall, Égalité has contributed more than $20,000 (in product and direct donations) to LGBT nonprofit organizations since its January 2013 launch.

The name Égalité, which is French for “Equality,” is both a reflection of the wine’s origin and a celebration of Equality for the LGBT community in the United States and around the world. A Crémant from the Burgundy region of France, Égalité offers hints of peach and honey blossom on the palate, with a clean, dry finish found in only the finest Champagnes.

“Égalité is an exceptional, elegant wine perfect for special holiday celebrations with friends and family,” added Restivo.

Égalité is 45-percent Pinot Noir, 30-percent Chardonnay, 20-percent Gamay and 5-percent Aligote. It has a suggested retail price of about $23.99 for a 750-ml. bottle and is available nationwide at restaurants, fine retail stores and through wine.com.

To find out more about Égalité, including store locations, visit http://www.egalitewines.com, or connect with Égalité on Facebook and Twitter with #toastequality

Du Jour Magazine Art Basel Party

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

dancer[1]

DuJour Magazine’s Art Basel Miami kick-off party was an exclusive affair, held at the Delano in South Beach, for those lucky enough to make the invite-only list. The remarkable night of style and sophistication was hosted by DuJour Magazine’s Haley and Jason Binn, and co-hosted by Dee and Tommy Hilfiger and Tony Shafrazi. The friends hosted a special celebration at the Delano Beach Club to honor Marc Quinn, one of the leading artists of his generation. Quinn is known for his sculptures, paintings, and drawings that explore the relationship between art and science, the human body, and the perception of beauty.

MIAMI BEACH, FL - DECEMBER 04:  (L-R) Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Jason Binn attend DuJour Magazine's event to honor artist Marc Quinn at Delano Beach Club on December 4, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 04: (L-R) Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Jason Binn attend DuJour Magazine’s event to honor artist Marc Quinn at Delano Beach Club on December 4, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

After walking through the elegant Delano lobby, guests were greeted by live art performers with avatar-like makeup and colorful costumes with wings. Guests mingled around the infinity pool, which was lined with private cabanas. In true South Florida fashion, some of the invited even dipped their toes in the water as they watched an exotic fire-dancer perform, giving the illusion of walking on water.


Stoli Vodka provided cocktails for the night and tastemakers had the option of grapefruit or lemonade infused beverages. Miami’s most gorgeous servers passed around mouthwatering bites, which included caprice kebabs, chicken pate on toasted baguette, and cheesy puff pastries (Yum!). As the night progressed Hollywood’s hottest started pouring including power-couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Entourage’s Adrien Grenier and supermodel Cindy Crawford.

DuJour Magazine threw an elegant yet laid back bash, which is the perfect mesh of what guests have come to expect of Art Basel.

Wanna Be A Star? There’s An App For That

Culture, Editorial, Fashion, Featured

Wanna Be A Star? There’s An App For That — @lisapirro315

First there was Tiffany singing in the Malls, then there was Justin Bieber on YouTube.
Now the next big thing is waiting to be discovered through an app on your phone.

The ShowMobile app features the HitStreak channel where you can follow four south Florida teenagers, Noah, Crystal, Mariangeli, & Brian as they attempt to burst onto the music scene!

What better way to meet the rising stars of HitStreak then by embracing the technology and doing a Skype interview with all four of them at the same time.

I caught up with the young performers while in the middle of shooting their first music video together. When asked how that was going, Mariangeli answered, “It’s awesome being with all your friends doing something you love.”

Even though they are all from Miami, had performed before, and go to they same school, surprisingly they had never worked together. Each auditioned separately for a roll on HitStreak, having to dazzle the producers with their ability to sing as well as act. Once grouped, they’ve performed at several schools, but Macy’s at the Falls Mall Holiday Season opening celebration was their first major public appearance. “We work so great together. It’s so amazing. We love each other. We have so much chemistry.” Crystal says.

This original appisode is about four friends that meet up together to save a fledgling recording studio called HitStreak whose owner, Ray, is getting ready to shut down. “And it’s up to us to save it” chimes Crystal. She adds “we’re friends, but also like family.” Noah explains that Brian is the “genius of the group” because he’s the one who made the app, performs himself and records all their songs. Clearly they all like each other well enough to sing each others praises and finish each others sentences.

On HitStreak, they all use their real names even though the show itself is not about them. Crystal explains it’s “scripted based on reality.” Noah clarifies “They script the characters to who we are. They really personalize the characters depending on where we want to go in our music career and what route we want to take” For instance, right now they are performing cover tunes, but during season two they will be singing some originals. Noah went to Nashville to work with some people on songwriting. “I’m excited, you’re going to like the songs we came up with”

They plan on touring the state of Florida and hopefully beyond. Crystal makes it known that “We want to tour the world” Being on an app downloaded on phones all over the globe they can do just that without ever leaving Miami.

Be sure to download the showmobile app, watch HitStreak and watch these kinds on their quest for stardom.
http://www.showmobile.com/

#hitstreakfan

@Noah_HSS @Crystal_HSS @Brian_HSS @Miariangeli_HSS @HitStreakStudiohit1

 

About Lisa:

Lisa Pirro has been entertaining since the age of six. With that many years in the business, she has just about done it all. While singing telegrams really sharpened her improvisational skills, it was through being the mistress of ceremonies for many different kinds of events, that she learned to become quick witted and spontaneous. This gave her the edge she needed to land the host position for several TV shows. All of her roving reports are unscripted and off the cuff which showcase her ability to interview anyone and handle any situation.

You many have seen her at numerous interactive dinner theater shows all around Florida, or perhaps in Las Vegas as a principal singer in the stage production “Deuces Wild.” In Nashville, Lisa produced, wrote and recorded a country CD of her own original work entitled “Simply Me” She has also been a columnist for several websites.

Lisa is an active member of Hands On Broward and spends several hours a month volunteering. She has used her voice as a reader for “Insight for the blind” (audio books and periodicals) She delivered Meals on Wheels to home-bound seniors for over five years and continues to do so every Thanksgiving. Lisa has also participated in the Neighbors for Neighbors Adopt-A-Family program during the holiday season as well as participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization.

Inside this small package of dynamite explodes an enormous voice full of power, wit and attitude.† Weighing in at 85 lbs and standing only 5 feet tall, she is sure to be remembered as the “little girl with the big voice”

Red Art Basel Dining

Culture, Editorial, Featured

RED_sliced_steak

For the last two days of Art Basel if you are looking for a few Worthy Approved place to check out, this is our list. It may be short but that is because we are so confident in our choice. We selected the place that kept with artistic expression worthy  of Art Basel, which as you know, converts all of Miami into a living, breathing canvas.

 

Chef Peter Vauthy of RED Steakhouse

Red, the Steakhouse is introducing a “Red Basel” menu masterpieced by Chef Peter Vauthy on the basis that cooking, the Red way, is art.

The family-style tasting menu features five carefully selected courses that represent Red’s award-winning concept, including fresh stone crabs popular to South Florida this time of year. As an added perk, Red is offering “Red Basel” diners special pricing on Red’s 2007 “Diamond Mountain Vineyard” Napa Valley blend for $150 a bottle. The “Red Basel” menu will be available just prior to and during Art Basel, Dec. 4-8/

 

“Red Basel” Menu at Red, the Steakhouse
$99 per person (min. 4 people)

First Course
Fresh Seasonal Stone Crabs

Second Course
Brad’s Stuffed Hot Peppers
Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Third Course
Burrata
RED “House” Salad

Fourth Course
Bone-in Filet
Choice of Wild Salmon du Jour or Tuna “Filet Mignon”
Sides Sampler: Creamed Corn, Green Beans with Pancetta,
Seared Mushrooms, Truffled Mac and Cheese

Fifth Course
Assorted Dessert Platter

Make sure you check it out.