Events
27th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival – REVIEW
South Florida’s refreshed and refined restaurant and beverage scene was on full display at the 27th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival (LOWFF).
April 21st, 2023
Taking place on iconic Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the always popular event featured a decadent “tasting pavilion,” shutting down both sides of the street, from SE 6th Avenue to SE 11th Avenue. There, attendees tasted, sipped, mingled and danced, all for a great cause with proceeds assisting in the funding of research and educational programming for South Florida American Lung Association. The mission for the Lung Association is to create a better future for those living with lung cancer and other chronic respiratory diseases including COPD and asthma.
Offering convenient ride-share access, multiple points of entry and spectacular weather, the festival was off to a seamless and action-packed start. Many veteran attendees scooped up VIP access passes, which included a pre-event reception and 30 minutes of early access to the tasting pavilion. Once the general admission crowd started to file in, lines formed at popular booths, but with VIP access and a little bit of patience, it was possible to taste everything! General admission ticket started at $150.00 each and a limited number of VIP tickets were available for $200.00 each.
With many new restaurants in attendance and expanded lounge areas, including photo-experiences, DJ’s, live music and a silent disco, LOWFF was far from the same old festival. I spent the most time at High West Distillery’s lounge. At the lounge I could let my early food settle while sipping a solid Old-Fashioned cocktail and enjoy a live band playing some mellow western tunes. Talking to festival-goers, all veterans of the event, I heard multiple times: “this is the most I’ve ever had to eat (at LOWFF)!”
Diving into the food, for my first plate, I enjoyed some super sticky and pillowy cinnamon bun bites from New River Café & Bakery. From there, I sampled some fresh doughnut holes from The Hollywood Doughnut Factory – the Red Velvet was exceptional. I washed my sweet appetizer down with some Papa’s Pilar Rum, like Hemmingway would have enjoyed, thanks to the exclusive provider of wine and spirits, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
Jumping back into the food, I went on to enjoy a creamy, cheesy, pesto and pine nut packed pasta dish from Timpano Las Olas. Next, I grabbed a scrumptious mini-Caprese sandwich with tomato, balsamic and mozzarella from Gran Forno Pronto. From there, American Social’s Sticky Icky Lollipop Chicken wings were tangy, crispy and super saucy. Some restaurants offered multiple options, including Fogo De Chao with a fine selection of red meat and sausage and on the lighter, seafood side, Tommy Bahama, offering a range of bites including mini key-lime tarts, guacamole, and ceviche presented on a lime – all fresh and flavorful.
Other food highlights included a scrumptious braised short-rib taco from Abiaka Wood Fire Grill (at Seminole Hardrock), a spice-packed samosa chat from Deccan Spice Indian Kitchen + Bar, a creamy sausage laced paella from Santiago’s Bodega, Yolo’s always tasty tuna tartare on a crispy cracker, coffee flavored Italian doughnuts from Fritto, Mexican street corn pizza from the Palm Room – served with their “Pick-up Lime” cocktail, and some savory and delicious jerk chicken from Big City Tavern. With so many exceptional food and drink offerings, it’s usually hard to pick one favorite at an event like this. However, this time, there was one bite that conquered them all: Abiaka Wood Fire Grill’s glittering-gold dessert taco featuring a cornmeal cookie with dulce mousse, roasted corn white chocolate ganache, dipped in milk chocolate and hazelnuts.
As I stared to run low on space for food, my focus shifted to cocktails. With no shortage of options, I was really feeling the party after samples of ATIAN Rose Gin, Barcelo Rum, Bacardi, Tequila 512, Ole Smoky Distillery, Santa Teresa 1796 Rum and Truman Vodka. With so many food and spirit offerings, I was less focused on wine, but for the “winos,” there was a solid supply from an array of renowned wineries including Marqués de Riscal, Hampton Water Rosé, and Biltmore Estate Wine Company.
After 27 successful years, like the local restaurant scene, LOWFF continues to impress and evolve. For more information about the event visit: https://lasolaswff.com and for more information about American Lung Association visit: https://Lung.org.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
Gale Miami Pairs Skyline Views, Serene Spa Moments and Casa Gianna’s Italian Comfort for a Downtown Mother’s Day Escape.
Morikami Serves a Mother’s Day Worth Savoring with Garden Views, Homemade Flavor and Heart.
(more…)
Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Celebrated Three Decades of Culinary Chaos, Cocktail Creativity and Charitable Goodness. (more…)
No Chaser Needed as Tequila Town Delivers Straight Shots of Culture, Connection and Cocktails With a Kick in Miami.
(more…)
Sips, Sand and Small Bites Set the Tone as SAVOR SoFLO Festival Serves Up a Beachside Tease of What Could Grow Into Something Bigger. (more…)
Beetlejuice Turns Grief Into Theatrical Magic
Melissa Odabash Brings the French Riviera to PARAISO Miami Swim Week
Machine Gun Kelly Unleashed
-
Entertainment3 weeks agoThe Wick Gets Gloriously Cher’d in Boca
-
Events3 weeks ago
A Mother’s Day Escape with Gale Force Flavor
-
Attractions3 weeks ago
Morikami Turns Mother’s Day into Lasting Memories
-
Music2 weeks ago
Lightning Delays, Late Nights, and a Legendary Weekend at Welcome to Rockville 2026
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
Boca Black Box Flips Out With Laughter
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Marcus Monroe Brings Double Laughs to Boca Tomorrow
-
Attractions2 weeks ago
Balloon Museum Floats Into Miami With Pop Air: Art is Inflatable
-
Music2 weeks ago
Pitbull Launches “I’m Back” Tour with a Sweaty, Sold-Out South Florida Fiesta
