10th ANNUAL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB TOY DRIVE

There are certain events that have become an annual staple for me, the Holiday Toy Drive benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has become one of them. Now celebrating its 10th year and has become bigger than I’ve ever witnessed. It’s purpose – to raise money & toys to gift underserved local municipalities in our community during the holidays.

I’m so thankful to be asked to be part of this charitable event every year. This year it drew over 700 guests, always at the beautiful & iconic Biltmore Hotel. The location of this event particularly draws in friends I grew up with, who I usually wouldn’t see throughout the year, making it extra special to be able to catch up with them during the most festive time of the year.

I have to particularly thank the mastermind & ringleader of this event, one of my oldest & dearest friends, Louis Fonseca for putting so much heart & effort into this event year after year. See you next year!

 – Photos courtesy World Red Eye – 

MIAMI SWIM WEEK x 9th ANNUAL STYLE SAVES

Everyone’s favorite swim show returned for it’s 9th installment. Style Saves, the non-profit origination supplies underprivileged kids with school uniforms & supplies for the back-to-school season. Ticket sales from this show goes towards making sure thousands of kids have access to these necessities in an event later produced by Style Saves in August.

The fashion fundraiser returned to The Setai in Miami Beach with new designers and one veteran host, model & social influencer, Rocky Barnes. Guest were treated to a runway show with looks from lifestyle swimwear brands Kai Lani, Maheli Heli, Macaed and Abruzzo Swim, as well as shoes and accessories by Flora Bella and Mystique Sandals. In addition to fashion, this year The Setai provided some of their own live entertainment acts to collaborate with the show, bringing aerial acts & fire dancers to the runway.

A special thanks the designers who I collaborated with just days prior to the show, to provide runway music fit for each unique collection. Shoutout to a big list of sponsors including Tito’s Vodka, Miami Cocktail Company and Domaines Ott rosé; as well asHealth-Ade organic Kombucha, who all contributed to keeping us hydrated on such hot summer night. And of course thanks to friend & founder Rachael Russell Saiger who reminds us that philanthropy never goes out of style!

MIAMI SWIM WEEK x 8th ANNUAL STYLE SAVES

Thankful for another year to provide the fashionable soundtrack behind the Swim Week’s favorited event. The 8th annual Style Saves fundraiser fashion show took place again at The Setai, hosted by Jenny Lopez and featured collections by Eberjay, Onia, & gorgeous accessories by Miansai. Founder (and friend) Rachael Russell produces the event each year to raise funds from the event to go directly towards the production of the charity’s back-to-school event in August. The show was once again sold out garunteeing that Style Saves will be providing new school supplies, uniforms, shoes & accessories to over 5,000 public school students across Florida in the fall.

Pre & post show music included 90’s hiphop & R&B, because LBH… what’s fashion without Lil Kim, Missy & Biggie. Meanwhile Eberjay channeled sounds inspired from the French Riviera & Onia’s collection included an curated collection of nu disco music from Miami Horror to Poolside.

To donate to Style Saves visit https://www.stylesaves.org/donate/

– Photos courtesy of @WorldRedEye & @Genstreetstyle – 

IRIE WEEKEND XIV

Another year of Irie Weekend in the books! Back for it’s 14th year, DJ Irie’s birthday turned celebrity weekend celebration brings Miami 3 days of day to night events all to support his charity the Irie Foundation, which seeks to empower South Florida’s at-risk youth to lead productive lives through mentorship programs, cultural experiences and scholarship opportunities. It’s both an honor & privilege to support him on his journey to bring experiences to children that might not have the chance to take part in otherwise, due to their personal circumstances.

Like every year, IW kicks off with a celebrity-driven golf tournament, which was taken for the first year to the all-new Topgolf in Miami Gardens. Bright & early, Celebrities such as Joey Fatone, Alonzo Mourning & more all gathered to play for charity. Of course, the E11even fam had to take golfing to a whole new level by transforming all three levels into a multi-level nightclub experience, including a special activation on the rooftop which I had the pleasure of DJing. The full day event ended with of  a concert stage rolled out onto the green by E11EVEN Music, with performances by Ludacris & Jamie Foxx.

The next few days followed with beach bashes & late nights/early mornings at both LIV & E11even and it all wrapped up on Sunday with a new addition to the weekend,  Turn Down For Brunch at the Fontainebleau. The menu featured a crazy array of items including Pink Waffles with Truffled Ranch Dressing, Bourbon Infused Maple Syrup, Edible Gold Dust, S’mores Ice Cream Paninis, and plenty of mimosas, (trust)! I provided the party vibes all day while  Jonathan Cheban, co-hosted.

Thanks to my amazing clients/friends at Artist Related & E11even for the inclusion all weekend long. And of course, big thanks to the busiest man I know, Irie, who always finds the time to put others first.

– Photos courtesy World Red Eye – 

96th ANNUAL MIAMI BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GALA

With the majority of my yearly performances taking place in Miami Beach, it’s only right I provide the soundtrack for the chamber’s annual gala presented by City National Bank. Set inside the iconic Loews Miami Beach Hotel, over 900 gala-goers attended from board members to politicians to philanthropists to city socialites.

The night themed “THE BIG LEAGUES” honored The Florida Panthers Foundation, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Miami Marlins Foundation and The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund for their contributions to the community. President of Miami Dade College, Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, was also awarded the highest honor of the night, the Leonard A. “Doc” Baker Lifetime Achievement Award. Aside from plenty of food & drinks, the gala included an interactive live auction and plenty of dancing throughout. Thank you MBCC for having me be part of it, honored to have been included.

– Dress by Yas Atelier

NEIMAN MARCUS x THE LITTLE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION

I was thrilled to support two clients The Little Lighthouse Foundation and Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour with music for a private event dedicated to the foundation’s  Advisory Board. The runway show (which was set on carpet in the most gorgeous shade of pink!) featured Neiman’s latest Spring arrivals. The fashion show which was moderated by my talented & gorgeous friend, Kelly Blanco from NBC 6 and Neiman Marcus’ Shakeira Marzouca.

Guests also participated in a key contest and one lucky winner went home with a stunning Saint Laurent white leather clutch. The event was all in support of LLF’s mission to assist underserved children and their families through its programming initiatives. Of course, I love supporting a good cause but anytime I can provide runway music while watching couture fashion, also makes for a great night.

MIAMI SWIM WEEK 2017

Swim Week was a 6 day marathon and I enjoyed every sleepless minute of it!  For the past 3 years, I’ve been kicking off this city’s sexiest week of fashion with Miami Magazine’s annual opener “Splashion” sponsored by South Florida BMW Centers and previewing 2018 swimsuit collections by Peroni Emerging Designers’ Indah, Ola Feroz, Vilebrequin, and My Bestfriend’s Closet. This year, the show also collaborated with a presentation by the Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders and I also had the privilege of sharing the turntables with fellow friend, DJ Irie.

 

Day 2 showcased one of the week’s most anticipated shows, the 6th Annual Peroni Emerging Designer Series at the Nautilus hotel. I was honored to DJ this event once again before viewing the runway show featuring 10 finalists including Bianca Coletti and 2016 Winning Designer Sea Jasper, all debuting their Italian inspired designs.

Newly added to my personal line-up this year, was the 7th annual Style Saves fashion show fundraiser which I’ve attended as a guest each year. Behind the decks this time, it was an absolute pleasure to play this sold-out event hosted by Rocky Barnes and Paulina Vega at The Setai, along with providing the runway music for designers such as  Alice & Olivia and ishine365.

Saturday & Sunday was fun under the sun with two amazing daytime events. Treats Magazine! brought some Swim Week paradise to 1 Hotel South Beach with an exclusive poolside all-white party. I was right in my element providing the poolside sound for hundreds of bikini-clad models and celebrity guests including Leo DiCaprio. To close up, I joined Peroni once again, at East Miami where Brickell City Centre retailers showed their latest summer styles.

Too many sponsors to mention all, but a special thank you goes to long-time clients Modern Luxury, 1 Hotel South Beach, Style Saves, Funkshion and of course, Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Can’t wait to do it all over again next year… but first, sleep!

– Pictures courtesy of World Red Eye & The Louis Collection –

 

CASINO FOR A CURE x PORSCHE PANAMERA UNVEILING

Two of my favorite things, philantrhopy & poker collided at Miami’s premier dealership for luxury cars at The Collection for their first-ever Casino for a Cure poker tournament to unveil the all-new Porsche Panamera. The Porsche showroom was transformed into a luxury casino to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. The Collection has been one of my longest (& favorite) clients, their events are always nothing short of superior. This one included blackjack, craps and roulette tables and of course, the new Panamera hiding under its silk drape in the center of the showroom that eventually revealed the most technologically advanced Porsche ever built.

There was also a silent auction to benefit the cause featuring everything from signed basketballs and baseballs to a signed 2016 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team medal. Prizes from the Poker tournament also included a business class trip for two to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta with all accommodations paid for, a 7-day luxury cruise and a basketball signed by Miami’s forever favorite, Dwayne Wade. One thousand dollars of each Porsche Panamera sale was given to benefit the cause and 100% of event proceeds went to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. Thank you to The Collection for putting together such a fun, charitable event & for having me contribute to the cause.

– Pictures courtesy of World Red Eye – 

NEIMAN MARCUS x OCEAN DRIVE MAGAZINE

Ocean Drive Magazine along with sister publication Art Basel Magazine hosted the FURTIF ART PROJECT at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour. The event showcased this season’s most sought-after and modern designers in a runway fashion show that I had a pleasure soundtracking. In the audience were Miami’s leading arts philanthropists, collectors and art lovers and participating artists TYPOE, AHOL and Santiago Rubino. Aside from the runway show, the night included a one-of-a-kind artistic collaboration with Roche Bobois and six notable talents to reimagine the iconic FURTIF desk. Heidi Klum, Venus Williams, RISK, Santiago Rubino, TYPOE, and AHOL each transformed the desks into works of art which are available for auction with proceeds benefiting one of Miami’s most notable and respected charity organizations, Lotus House. The auction of Heidi Klum’s design will benefit UNICEF. The FURTIF ART PROJECT will be on display at Roche Bobois’ Wynwood Miami Warehouse and available for auction through December 5 at www.biddingforgood.com/thefurtifartproject.

And just weeks before…

Another stylish night at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour included 100 VIP members joined to preview a custom fashion presentation curated exclusively for the group redefining the new business casual dress code. Music for the fashion show was provided by myself and included a live musical performance by The Voice runner-up Karina Iglesias. As always, Thank you Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour for always thinking of me to curate the fashionable beats.

Photos courtesy of World Red Eye

SHAKE-A-LEG 25th ANNIVERSARY GALA

Shake-A-Leg Miami celebrated its 25th anniversary with the Art of Sail Gala. The night welcomed more than 500 guests and raised more than $150,000 which will support the organization’s mission and commitment to all regardless of abilities or disabilities.

There were a number of notable artists included in the Art of Sail exhibit & in attendance including Miami favorite, Romero Britto. I provided the festive music alongside the multifaceted band, The French Horn Collective. The event’s biggest highlight however, was the moving fashion show which featured some disabled sailors and community notables as the models and showcased exclusive garments  made from recycled sails adding a unique and touching twist.

A big round of applause to my friends at Think Red, Inc for another great production & for having soundtrack such a momentous occasion.

– Pictures courtesy of The Louis Collection & World Red Eye –