Wine Time
If you’re a wineaux, Miami is the place to be from Oct. 25-27, when the 2008 Miami International Wine Fair comes to town. With more than 5,500 wine industry professionals and avid wine aficionados in attendance, the fair is packed with seminars and tastings of wines from around the world. Among the many experiences to be had are a seminar to master the art of blind tasting, a tour of Chile’s wine valleys, a tutorial on the differences between wines from California, Washington and Oregon and a sipping safari of South African wines. This year’s fair will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information, call 305.777.2255 or visit MiamiWineFair.com.
Tenacious Tina
After almost 50 years in the music business and eight Grammy awards, Tina Turner has established herself as one of the most commercially successful international female rock stars of all time. Don’t miss out when she brings her energy, excitement and famous legs to the American Airlines Arena stage on Oct. 30. The live set will include everything from early career singles such as “River Deep, Mountain High” and “Proud Mary” to newer classics like “I Don’t Wanna Fight,” “When The Heartache Is Over” and much more. Tickets are available between $56.75 and $150 at Ticketmaster.com
Italian Flicks
From Oct. 9-14, head to South Beach for an international taste of the big screen at the Italian Film Festival presented by Cinema Italy. Each year, the festival features award-winning new films in competition, as well as short films, seminars and tributes to clasisc Italian cinema. All films are screened at Regal Cinemas South Beach with after-parties throughout Miami Beach every night, making this a scene not to be missed. For more information, call 305.447.0233 or visit CinemaItaly.com.
Creative Time
Isa Zapata, the renowned artist who captures children’s imaginations through her creative motifs and unique characters including Howard the Frog (pictured here), has teamed up with Mukura Creations, an innovative handbags and accessories brand, to host a one-of-a-kind event on Sept. 11 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2000 Ponce de Leon, 5th Floor, in Coral Gables showcasing their work. The event, expected to attract the area’s elite, should be on every art lover’s calendar. For more information, call 305.582.5695, email [email protected] or visit IsaZapata.com and MukuraCreations.com.
Halloween Bash
As pumpkin carvings adorn front porches, skeletons hang from doors and witches and black cats roam the skies and streets of Key Biscayne on Oct. 31, the island will be hosting the most ghoulish custom party of the year with Transylvania Mania: A Halloween Costume Bash. Featuring a live band, auction, costume contest and dance competition, proceeds from the event will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America: Southern Florida Chapter as well as the Food For Life Network. For tickets and more information, contact Jackie Quintela at [email protected].
Zoo Boo!
Halloween can be scary for kids but it doesn’t have to be frightening for concerned parents during Metrozoo’s “MetroBoo!” events from Oct. 25-26. Each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids ages 12 and under can go trick-or-treating through the zoo, participate in games and costume contests for prizes and gaze at the zoo animals, who will also be in the Halloween spirit with their own treats. For more information, call 305.251.0400 or visit MetroZoo.com.
Dragon Boats
Make sure to sail your heart out at the South Florida Dragon Boat Race. For two days from Oct. 18-19, this Hong Kong-style nautical competition will be packed with cultural activities, performances, arts, crafts, ethnic foods and the dragon boats, which are a sight to behold. Now in its sixth year, the race starts at 9 a.m. at Haulover Beach Park & Marina and lasts all afternoon. For more information, call 305.753.8791 or visit MiamiDragonBoat.com.
Paw Putt
Wagging tails and tee time make for a winning combo at the 2nd Annual Putt 4 Paws Golf Tournament at Calusa Golf Course on Oct. 13. All proceeds will benefit Paws 4 You Rescue, Inc., a non-profit, all-volunteer animal rescue organization whose top priority is to save animals from euthanasia at Miami-Dade Animal Services. After the furry friends are rescued and cared for, the organization tries to find happy homes for them. Take a shot at prizes at various skill challenges throughout the course, or come to adopt a new addition to the family. Registration is $125 per person or $500 per party of four. For more information, call 786.242.7377 or visit Paws4You.org.
Good Run
Dust off those old running shoes and start prepping for the 2008 5K Race for the Kids at Crandon Park on Sept. 28. Part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Miami Marathon Running Series, the race benefits Fundación Manos del Sur, an organization that helps underprivileged kids in Latin America. Expect to meet plenty of families from Key Biscayne as well as other key areas of South Florida who want to help others while getting fit. For more information on Fundación Manos del Sur, visit ManosDelSur.org. To sign up for the 5K race, call 305.278.8668 or email [email protected].
Spa Perfect
Get ready to experience the best facials and massages you’ve ever had at the recently expanded Agua penthouse spa at The Delano, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. The revamped spa features stylish, tropical décor, shiny terrazzo floors, new Brazilian glass tiles and eight sleek, totally renovated treatment rooms as well as a couple’s suite and two Vichy shower rooms. The 360-degree views from the oversized private terrace alone should be enough to make you stop in for a few hours. To reserve one of Agua’s signature treatments, call 305.674.6100 or visit Delano-Hotel.com.
Water Party
Originally started in 1952 by a group of Miamians who wanted to honor Christopher Columbus, the Columbus Day Regatta has evolved in size from 24 boats to several hundred, and evolved in spirit from a competition to a water-bound party. This year’s event will take place on the weekend of Oct. 11 at the Coral Reef Yacht Club on Biscayne Bay. Whether you jump aboard your boat to get to the finish line first or to just have a good time with friends, it’s always an unforgettable experience. For more information, visit ColumbusDayRegatta.net.
Stylish Sisters
When sisters Maggy and Marianne Molina-Arana came up with the idea of creating their fashion boutique, Rosza, they had Key Biscayne residents in mind. “Our boutique offers Key Biscayners the luxury of finding some of the top fashion brands in the world right in their own backyard,” says Maggy. “We cover the spectrum with our clientele — from young mothers to teenagers who want to look supercool and grandmothers with a keen fashion sense.” Tourists also make it a point to stop by, and many return to the store year after year whenever they’re in town. “You can’t put a pricetag on that sort of loyalty and it lets us know that we’re on the right path,” says Marianne. “The people who come into the store are not only our clients, they become our friends.” Among the brands at Rosza are Alice + Olivia, Tibi, T Bags, Mint, Joie, Hudson, Da Nang and Robin’s Jeans, all ranging from a $15 t-shirt to a $600 dress. “Our inspiration comes from our constant fascination with magazines, fashion shows and everything else that promotes the fashion industry,” says Maggy. “We love to adapt current trends to the needs and tastes of our clients’ lifestyle.” Stop by for a look at their collection at 328 Crandon Blvd., Ste. 118, in Key Biscayne or call 305.365.6596.
Fear Factor
Spooky spirits, dark corners and eerie noises will abound at the Village of Key Biscayne’s haunted house on Halloween night. Located at the Public Works lot behind SunTrust Bank, the ghoulish funhouse is just one of the many activities that the Village’s young coordinators have been working on throughout the year to ensure prime scares on Oct. 31. Make sure to come in costume and ready to offer a hand if the kids get spooked.
On Your Toes
This year is “Lucky 13” for the XIII International Ballet Festival of Miami. Running through Sept. 13, the event will bring hundreds of talented principal dancers to the stage, each representing the best companies from around the world. This year’s participating ballet companies are from the U.S., Canada, England, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. Directed by Pedro Pablo Peña and Director Assistant Eriberto Jimenez, the festival has become an autumn staple on the South Florida dance calendar with performances throughout the county, including South Beach, West Palm Beach and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and information, call 305.549.7711.
Poker Run
Thirty-six years ago, Phil Peterson of Peterson’s Harley-Davidson Miami/South came up with the idea of a poker run to boost the motorcycle business and the Key West tourist trade during the slow September season. What started with 46 riders has grown to become South Florida’s biggest motorcycle party weekend of the year. Today, more than 10,000 riders from all over the U.S. enjoy the Key West Poker Run. They rumble from Miami to Key West, enjoying the sunshine, ocean breezes and riding on the many bridges that cross over the beautiful turquoise water. Along the way, they make five stops and draw a card at each stop. The winner is the lucky rider who draws the best hand. Riders who want to participate in this year’s 36th Annual Phil Peterson’s Key West Poker Run can sign up in-person at both Peterson’s Harley-Davidson locations in South Florida starting Sept. 1. The Poker Run officially begins on Sept. 19 at 8:00 a.m. and ends in Key West on Sept. 20 at 5:00 p.m. Any make of motorcycle, car or truck is welcome. Prize money for first- through fifth-place winners are $1,000, $500, $300, $200 and $100, respectively. For more information on the Key West Poker Run or for directions on where and when to sign up, visit PetersonsHarley.com.
