New World Symphony’s

For those who were in hiding in Aspen through the sweltering summer (please invite me next time), September marked the moment where we came out of hiding and re-entered the Miami cultural scene. Dozens of launches dotted the calendars and the Louboutins came out in full force. Thank goodness for season.

New World Symphony’s Friends group started their season with a bang with a captivating performance by Daniel Bernard Roumain at the Lincoln Theater. The evening continued under the stars at The Raleigh Hotel, where hundreds of guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and Bonterra organic wine. Agape featuring Nadia Harris, performed with a cast of musicians from the New World Symphony. Tiffany & Co. set up an opulent Blue Box Wall where this writer scored a gorgeous sterling silver chain link bracelet. Guests purchased a $100 Mystery Box, each holding a gift from Tiffany & Co. valued up to $1,000 and featuring select pieces from the Frank Gehry Collection.

Adrienne Arsht Center’s young patrons group, the Green Room Society, launched their season with an event at the new Bombay Sapphire Lounge, located in the historic art deco Sears Tower. The complimentary gin flowed and revelers danced until the wee hours.

The Rhythm Foundation kicked off their season with The Road to Everywhere. The event at the beautiful Miami Beach Botanical Garden included music, an auction and hardcore music aficionados. Grammy nominated Conjunto Progreso delighted the audience with its fusion of traditional Cuban and Latin jazz. Rhythm Foundation’s global music is not to be missed this year.

All Ivy+, a community of smarty pants professionals who graduated from Ivy League and other prestigious universities gathered for Outside the Lines, a series that helps Miamians navigate the arts scene. The evening was held in conjunction with the upcoming Miami International Wine Fair at Art Center/South Florida and featured artist and former Miami Herald Art Director, Philip Brooker. Brooker explained the Miami Poster Project and his role in the project. Over one hundred guests sipped and learned about wines, drank Honest Tea and nibbled on salt and pepper flavored Pop Chips.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami launched their Leadership Council, a new group aimed at showcasing the visual arts to emerging and more established collectors who join MoCA’s Leadership Council level. The launch at the Margulies Collection attracted a stellar group of guests as well as artist Shinique Smith. One of Smith’s works was pointed out by Marty Margulies. Smith created a work of art from offerings of hope (colored ribbons, pillows, paint, buttons, and pins) at last year’s Lotus House Art Happening Fundraiser. The work, a bundled cloth sculptural piece (that I covet and attempted to replicate over one long, disastrous weekend) descends from the ceiling, and hangs prominently in the main gallery.