SocialMiami’s 15th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon

SocialMiami.com celebrated its 15th anniversary with a luncheon hosted by the Miami Design District and Joy Wallace Catering | Design | Special Events. The gathering was about everything SocialMiami.com has come to represent – good food, great friends, and the best that Miami has to offer.

Guests were invited to a pre-luncheon mixer in the Palm Court Plaza, Miami Design District’s pedestrian plaza amid luxury retail shops and world-class art – Buckminster Fuller Fly’s Eye Dome, Xavier Vielhan’s Le Corbusier sculpture and Sou Fujimoto’s waterfall inspired façade. Guitarist Claudio Spiewak played as attendees sipped wine and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Friends and philanthropists, arts supporters, Miami’s movers and shakers, and social sceners, many of whom had been acquainted for years, and some newcomers, offered personal well wishes to SocialMiami.com founder Melanie Cohen. A reunion of sorts for many, the crowd chit-chatted, mixed and mingled, so much so that it was difficult to break up the plaza party to move upstairs for the main event in the Palm Court rooftop event space.

When guests finally made their way into the large warehouse-inspired event space, there were plenty of “oohs” and “aahs.” Tables of lavender shantung with silk napkins and low-sprawling orchids, brightened the large, loft environment, which was generously provided for the luncheon, along with the Palm Court, by Craig Robins and the Miami Design District.

Guests selected a number from a fishbowl, which designated the table at which they would be seated, creating a lively mix of groups. The luncheon took on a life of its own, with conversations overheard that consisted of “so lovely to see you,” “it’s been too long,” and “isn’t this wonderful that we have this occasion to spend time together”.

Suzanne Pallot of Source Miami, One Stop Event Services, coordinated the event. The luncheon, served to 120 specially invited guests, was hosted by A. Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events, which is celebrating its own anniversary in December – 27 years as Miami’s premier catering and design specialist. Joy’s tip-top serving team was on hand to deliver three courses, a preview of their 2015-2016 Fall/Winter menu, and more wine. Elegant tableware, linens, tables and chairs were generously donated by Panache Party Rentals.

George Neary, Director of Cultural Tourism for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, was the ebullient emcee who introduced special guests, including an unexpected treat! Roberto Iarussi, Italian-American tenor, a protege of Luciano Pavarotti, was at the luncheon and would later perform impromptu. Neary also recognized SocialMiami.com photographer, the picture perfect Manny Hernandez, who revealed an upcoming publication – a book of portraits by the iconic Miami photographer extraordinaire.

The man of the hour and the catalyst whose idea for the luncheon brought everyone together (as he so often does) was Charlie Cinnamon. As the final introduction – guests rose to their feet in a rousing standing ovation to Miami’s legendary publicist, a friend and supporter to many in the crowd.