Save-the-Date: "Evening Under the Stars" at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on April 29th!

There are so many beautiful places to visit in Miami but none as special as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark that preserves the Miami estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering. Luckily, the estate is open to the public during museum hours as well as for special events. One of my favorite events is actually happening next week: The Vizcayans , a non-profit that works to protect, preserve and promote the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens takes their annual spring party, Evening Under the Stars, to new heights on Friday, April 29th, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. This rare opportunity to tour the historic house and gardens by night allows guests to enjoy food, wine and entertainment amidst a chic cocktail atmosphere. In honor of the world's most anticipated wedding [of course I'm talking about Prince William and Kate Middleton], the wedding will be shown on a large screen all night long. This definitely sounds like a win-win situation to me!

Evening Under the Stars will be star-powered by NBC Miami anchor Pam Giganti and host Roxanne Vargas. Attendees must be 21 years of age and should dress to impress. The event will take place rain or shine. All proceeds benefit The Vizcayans’ mission to support Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Please visit www.vizcayans.org to purchase your tickets or renew/upgrade your membership. Tickets are $75 for members and $100 for non-members for advance purchase [on the night of the event, they will cost $125 at door]. Join the Vizcayans and celebrate the royal wedding in true style...under the stars!

Watch Movies at Mr. Deering's Courtyard: Vizcaya Museum hosts a Film Screening Series!

Forget going to the mall to watch a movie! Consider attending our city's most elegant historic landmark, Vizcaya Museum & Garden. Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens features a main house, ten acres of formal gardens, and a vast area of native forest. Experience firsthand what it might have been like to be a guest of Mr. Deering’s and enjoy movie night in the house’s main Courtyard. This screening series features modern day films that have a cool connection to Vizcaya as well as historical silent films that Mr. Deering and his guests might have seen in their time. Guests can listen to live music (which will accompany the silent films) along with themed cocktails. Tickets cost $15, available on-site beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of the film (films start at 7 p.m.). Here's the line-up of upcoming films:

Thursday- September 16, 2010
Dostana (2008)
The first Bollywood movie to be shot entirely in Miami!

Wednesday- September 23, 2010
Heartbreakers (2001)
Running Time: 122 minutes, Rated PG-13

Wednesday- October 21, 2010
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
Running Time: 107 minutes, Rated PG-13

For more information on this film screening series, email learning.programs@vizcayamuseum.org. Enjoy the movies!

Event of the Week: Viscaya Museum & Gardens hosts an "Evening Under the Stars"

The stars came out to shine last night...literally! On Thursday, May 13th, Miami's trendsetters and philanthropists attended an "Evening Under the Stars" to help maintain, protect and preserve the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Upon entering this enchanting estate built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, guests were led into the indoor courtyard where they could browse through the silent auction. During the night, four rooms on the first floor of the main home were open for visitors. Since Vizcaya happens to be built right along a beautiful bay, it was the perfect night to feature some of Miami's premiere restaurants like El Scorpion, Sugarcane and Palme d"or at the Biltmore Hotel. The best part: enjoying wines from around the world and a variety of Bacardi spirits. It was definitely evident that Miami's sazon had taken over Mr. Deering's estate for the night!

The silent auction included a collection of Romero Britto's artwork.

Carlos Maxwell, Mariana Rodriguez and Carlos Catire were among the guests at Vizcaya. Mariana is the television host of "Acceso Total" on Telemundo (every Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.). To check out her entertainment show, visit http://bit.ly/dxvb1u.

Left: Indoor courtyard with live entertainment. Right: Wardrobe Stylist, Natalie Grass, from Stylish Miami along with yours truly! For more information on how you can get personal fashion advising, visit Stylish Miami on Facebook http://bit.ly/afWfIz.

Aslynn Rivera and Arelis Aleman enjoying their evening at Vizcaya.

Ana and Alfredo de Armas as they strolled through the gardens.

With the beautiful, Lana DeSimone. Lana works closely with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and is the Chair for their annual gala. Of course, Lana gave me the inside scoop so save the date: this year's gala is set for November 6th at the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove. For event updates, log on to http://www.bgcmia.org/.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is located at 3251 South Miami Avenue and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Take advantage of this local beauty and bring your friends for a personal tour of the estate and gardens. For more information or to see a list of events, check out http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/. Cheers to a great night and to protecting Mr. Deering's legacy!