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Photo Eliot Hess

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Miami Life. As a transplanted New Yorker who has adopted Miami as home, I am excited to bring you some of my favorite things that are happening in this vibrant city. If you want to meet other interesting Tomatoes, join Bricknell Women which offers endless activities. Another great way to meet new and interesting people is through the Fountainhead Arts, a residency for artists around the world. Candlelight Classical Concerts are popping everywhere. Hurry and get your tickets to the South Beach Food and Wine Festivals. And enjoy my husband Eliot Hess’s photos around Miami, including the sunset above.

Brickell Women Welcomes Women of All Ages

There is something very special that is going on for women in Miami that should happen everywhere. A group of ladies recently joined forces for the sole purpose of forming friendships and participating in events together. The group, called “Brickell Women,” only started a few months ago but it already has 1,600 members. That powerful number proves that many women like to have female friends for lots of  fun activities, and even charitable work. These are the kind of things that women like to share together. The members range in age from 30 to 90!

“Brickell Women” was conceived by Nichole Walz-Huddleston, a Miami-based chiropractor, who wanted to have more female friends even though she is happily married and has a successful medical practice that takes up a lot of time. Nichole already belonged to a number of business clubs but really wanted more girlfriends to be buddies with.

She put out the word on Facebook and Instagram and was immediately flooded with positive responses. She never thought there would be so many other women wanting the same thing.

“Brickell Women” is such an active group that there are many events per week to choose from. I first heard about it from my niece, Valerie Hess, who all of a sudden, had one of the most active social lives in the family. While the rest of us were watching TV every night, Valerie was at a happy hour in the latest hotspot, painting pictures on the beach, taking sunset cruises, going for walks, soaking in hot tubs and raising money for local charities, especially those that buy toys for children during the holidays.

One of the best things about “Brickell Women” is that you are constantly meeting new friends all the time. It’s wonderful to know that you are a part of a supportive group that’s always on the go. If you want to go out for a few hours there is always something going on. You no longer have to depend on a limited number of friends to do the things you want to do.

Everyone in the group contributes to the activities. It’s all listed on Facebook and Instagram but a few special ladies  give so much of their free time to help Nichole with online content and organization. They are Anna Yabloch, Pati Baretoand Valerie Hess-Cevallos.

Another great aspect of the group is the advice part. If you are looking for a specific doctor, nail salon, bakery, school, all you do is ask. The response will be quick and informative. One thing that is not encouraged are business solicitations. “Brickell Women“ is a total business free zone dedicated to good times and endless friendships.

Go to any of these links to join. 

Instagram

Facebook

Fountainhead Arts

One of the best things we did when we wanted to meet new people in Miami was join Fountainhead Arts. It’s a residency for artists from all over the world. They spend a month in Miami creating new work and networking with many of the local folks involved in the creative world.

Every month my husband and I attend a wine party to meet the new artists and get introduced to the most interesting people who live in Miami or are visiting. At the beginning of the month, we see what projects the artists will be working on, and at the end of the month, we see the completed work.

Bridget Mullen. Born in Minnesota | Based in Brooklyn, NY Bridget’s works are slow to evolve, with weeks, months, or years passing between decisions. Her paintings begin as abstractions that she then repurposes as figurative works, alluding to the messiness of the human experience and touching on themes of interiority, collective and personal power, and quitting as self-care.

You don’t have to know anything about art. No one stands around talking about brush strokes. You just have to love meeting new people and sharing experiences and new ideas.

Rodney Ewing. Born in Louisiana | Based in Brooklyn, NY.   Rodney is a storyteller weaving unsung narratives into his diverse practice. From works on paper to sculpture and installation, Rodney is inspired by artists who effortlessly convert histories and experiences into visual works of art. In Miami, he will continue working on a series documenting the exploitation of the Black body by industry.

Our social life has exploded. We have made so many friends that we get invited to several local events a week. Most of the people we have become friendly with are from 45 to 90 years old. That is what is so beautiful about this group. We have a great diversified group of friends. We can also travel all over the world and know people there to hook up with.

Elana Herzog Born in Canada | Based in New York, NY. Elana thinks of her work as domestic archaeology, a process that reveals relationships between textiles, our daily lives, and the larger world. Perhaps that’s why making art, for her, is accompanied by feelings of curiosity, anxiety and delight. She wants those who see her work to realize that the experience of beauty includes both pain and pleasure.

This has been a dream come true for people who want to keep experiencing new things. All of the artists have very unusual and intriguing backgrounds so we are constantly being fascinated by all of the stories. Over the years, many of them have become famous so the opportunities for investments are also available.

If you want to attend one of the monthly sessions, email me at lois@hwhpr.com. You will enjoy yourself like never before.

Feb. 23-27. South Beach Wine and Food Festival

One of the most unique and exciting events is about to happen in Miami and I urge you to buy tickets ASAP because everything gets sold out quickly. You have never seen anything like it. It’s America’s favorite food gala on the sand. The official name is the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.   

The first time I saw this event I truly felt like I entered another world. The annual four day extravaganza features the world’s most renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. This year there will be 92 food educational and entertainment classes, tasting dinners, parties, and brunches including events hosted by Eva Longoria, Dwayne Wade, and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and wife/model Behati Prinsloo. Unlike other food festivals, this one is staged under massive white tents on the sand in Miami Beach. You are surrounded by the dramatic view of the ocean and the colorful sights of the Art Deco district along Ocean Drive. It’s just amazing how the entire event was created and built.

Lee Brian Schrager,  senior vice president of communications and corporate social responsibility for the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirit of America, gets all the credit. He is the founder of the annual event and said all funds raised will once  again go to  Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Don’t worry about gaining too much weight during this food fest. You will be walking around all of the food exhibits in the tents that go on and on. You will be amazed to witness all of the gorgeous food presentations, how it’s being served, and who is serving them. Many of the Food Network (a sponsor) celebrity chefs will be on hand to surprise you at the different stations. 

As indicated in Miami New Times,  “Guy Fieri will host a new event based on his Food Network show. On February 24, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Live will give guests a taste of Fieri’s favorite comfort foods showcased on the show. Fieri will also be feted as the man of honor at the annual tribute dinner on February 25 dinner at the Loews Miami Beach hotel, master of ceremonies José Andrés will also pay tribute to Bill and Peter Deutsch of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. Other major features are the Asian Night Market on February 24, hosted by Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira; a fashion show and lunch at Bal Harbour Shops hosted by Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian on February 25; and a cocktail-making class at Sweet Liberty on February 26th.”

Safety COVID-19 protocols are in place. 

For more information : https://sobewff.org/

Candlelight Music Concerts

Photo by Eliot Hess

If you haven’t attended one of the Candlelight Music Concerts that are being offered by String Quartets all over Miami, and neighboring towns, then you are missing out on a dreamy experience that could easily be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

This is what you always daydreamed about. You will be transported to a place that is peaceful and calm, where you can just relax and have every bit of negative energy lifted out of your body.

Most of the concerts are offered in outdoor spaces that range from picturesque gardens to unique nature areas that make you feel free of everyday demands. Some of the venues that were used so far are: Jungle Island, Palapa Outdoor Pop-up in Upper Buena Vista, Seacoast Suites Miami Beach, Loews Miami Beach, and Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Each location offers two concerts, one before sunset, one after.

Whether the concert is inside or out, the icing on the cake are the hundreds of candles that provide the most romantic and serene atmosphere you have ever seen. For safety purposes, the  candlelight will be provided through flameless candles. When everything glows, you can’t tell the difference. 

Now that the ambiance is just what the doctor order, expect the music, to give you renewed hope for a fabulous future.  We attended an indoor concert at Temple Emanu-El, Miami Beach, for Hanukkah last December that put a spotlight on the Gershwin’s, Jewish composers.  It put us into a very special holiday spirit even though we were in the midst of a pandemic.

One of the upcoming concerts that no one should miss will a talented string quartet performing famous pieces by Queen at the iconic Hotel Colonnade in Coral Gables.

The beautiful thing about these concerts is that everyone will enjoy them. It’s a perfect family treat. Young and  much older will be mesmerized by the music and the glow of the candles. This is something to be shared and enjoy together.

The full schedule is just a click away. https://feverup.com/miami/candlelight

Roving Miami Photographer Eliot Hess

Miami is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Unlike most other ocean front locations, you see more water, sky, sun and  tropical trees everywhere. There’s an exciting sense of positive energy here that you don’t get anywhere else. People from all over travel to Miami to soak up the vibes.

The first three photos show the vibrant colors that were used for outdoor displays during Art Basel, the greatest art show in the world. No budget was too much to express how serious Miami is about art.

Miami keeps getting taller and taller. Look at those skyscrapers. We are New York City with the best weather in the country. George Clinton, the famous musician, record producer, singer, songwriter, bandleader and now big name artist frequents Miami to debut all of his talents. If you read Three Tomatoes you certainly know his Funkadelic music that made him so famous during the 1970’s.

The legendary Biltmore Hotel has been a  Coral Gables  attraction since it was built in 1926. Everyone just feels super special once they enter the premises. That’s why you always see chauffeured driven Rolls Royce’s out front. Everyone wants to show off. The dining, the golf, and the parties make this destination a must see. The swimming pool is the largest one in the country, or possibly in the world. It just goes on and on.