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Celebrities at Art Basel

The 2016 version of Art Basel is over, but Miami’s art scene arguably remains more vibrant than ever. If you missed out on the event, there were many major highlights as well as a colorful cast of celebrities that made an appearance.

Perhaps most notable of these events was the one involving venerable entertainer Madonna. Making a late night appearance at the Faena Forum, the singer managed to raise more than $7 million during an intimate concert/auction. All proceeds went towards her Raising Malawi foundation, which seeks to assist orphans in the African country. Singer Ariana Grande, Academy Award winners Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio, and entertainment mogul Sean Combs were among the attendees.

Singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi also performed at the Faena while rappers Rick Ross and Nas were seen performing over at South Beach’s Rockwell Also spotted at Rockwell were celebrities like tennis pro Venus Williams, Kendall Jenner, and media personality Michael Strahan.

Other celebrities that were seen attending the various Art Basel events include actresses Katie Holmes and Sarah Jessica Parker, popular late night talk show host James Corden, model Tyson Beckford, and even lifestyle maven Martha Stewart.

If you attended Art Basel, did you happen to catch a glimpse of a familiar face?

This update is presented by Miami Beach Realtor Tim Allen of Blackstone International Realty, specializing in Icon South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum condos for sale, call Continuum expert Tim at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Art Basel’s Satellite Events

Art Basel is literally just a couple of days away. While the main event is typically held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, there are numerous Art Basel satellite events that also take place in Miami. If you’d like to know about some of the other art-related events going on, we’ve got you covered.

This Sunday, Northwest 20th to Northwest 23rd Street will be shut down in Wynwood to make way for Auto Promenade Wynwood. Over sixty unique “Road Art” vehicles will be showcased beginning at 10:30 am and ending at 4:30 pm. You’ll find vintage cars, supercars, classic cars, and more at this event that is free and open to the public.

Are you a fan of the work of David Lynch? The Parisian club SILENCIO designed by the multi-talented artist himself will be returning for a fifth time to the Miami Design District for just one night this Friday, December 2nd at 11 pm. You’ll be able to check out various artwork, enjoy musical performances, and much more.

The Locust Projects on North Miami Avenue remains the city’s longest running not for profit space. This week, you can check out a trio of exhibitions by artists like Katie Bell and Alexis Gideon and opening reception kicks off tonight beginning at 7 pm where Gideon will also be performing.

Take a Trip Aboard the Miami Beach Trolley

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Miami Beach may be known for its strong contemporary vibe, but city officials are taking a trip back into the past with its latest unveiling. Today, the city is debuting a trolley service intended to bring a bit of relief to holiday travelers that could use a break while also providing snowbirds a convenient means of getting around the barrier island.

Officially called the Middle Beach Loop, the trolley service—which is complimentary—connects the Mid-Beach route to the North Beach Trolley and Alton-West Loop, considerably simplifying getting around for residents and tourists that need to reach North Shore and South Pointe. The Middle Beach Loop extends from the northern part of 17th Street to 44th Street. Some of its stops include Collins Park, the Miami Beach Convention Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, City Hall and several other points of interest. The official ribbon cutting ceremony and inaugural ride happened earlier today at 22nd Street and Liberty Avenue.

The Middle Beach Loop can carry up to 25 passengers at a time and there are also accommodations for disabled passengers. Despite being free to travel, the trolley is ultra modern, boasting complimentary Wi-Fi, security cameras, tracking in real time, and more.

Will you be taking a trip on the trolley this holiday season?

Try These New Eateries in Miami and Miami Beach

Are you tired of Miami Beach’s existing assortment of restaurants? With the numerous options available across the barrier island, chances are there are numerous places to dine that you may not have heard of. With the constant influx of new places to try, there may be a few that go unnoticed, and we’re featuring a few that you may want to try today.

Halves & Wholes in Miami Beach is located on Alton Road. The casual sandwich shop by Menin Hospitality serves the sandwiches you’ve come to know and love with a unique Magic City twist. Try the “Pan con Italian Beef” with short rib and provolone, or “The Fritaloaf” comprised of chorizo meatloaf. Best of all, the eatery is open every day until 5 am.

The unusually named Watr restaurant is located within the 1 Hotels & Homes on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Featuring sushi and poke, some of the items available to dine on include lobster rolls, kimichi tuna poke, and more. Each item is paired with a cocktail determined by Watr’s connoisseur.

For a different experience, BRAVA by Brad Kilgore joined forces with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts to create a new take on the traditional dinner and a show experience. The restaurant is open on all nights when a performance is going to take place and the food features French and European influences.

Try Some French Cuisine on Collins Avenue

Has there ever been a moment where you find yourself craving some French cuisine during the wee hours of the morning? If so, you may be interested in learning more about the new Paris 6 Bistro that recently opened right here in Miami Beach.

Paris 6 Bistro is the first location by a Brazilian restaurant chain to open in the country. Its name comes from the 6th arrondissement of Paris, well-recognized for its strong cafe ambiance. The décor inside the eatery features a Franco feel and guests will find beautiful artwork courtesy of Brazilian artist Flavio Rossi.

Guests of Paris 6 Bistro will be dining on delectable meals prepared by Spanish-trained chef de cuisine Atilio Padra, who was born in Venezuela. The name of each dish comes from or is inspired by someone famous, whether that person is an artist, a cultural icon, or a celebrity. The eatery has indoor and outdoor seating options.

If you’d like to visit Paris 6 Bistro, its address is 2200 Collins Avenue, barely ten minutes away to the northeast of Icon South Beach, not far from the sunny sands of the city. Try one of the dishes and you may find a new favorite hotspot in the barrier island.

The Rise in Boutique Condos

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When it comes to Miami condo development, small has now become the new large. After years of focusing on towering skyscrapers as the new standard, developers have switched gears and are now opting to focus on projects that are smaller and more manageable.

There are varying reasons as to what’s spurring the shift, but the one that most seem to agree on is a desire to appeal to buyers seeking the comforts of a single family home and the privacy that comes with it. In addition, developers also deal with less overhead cost and a reduced risk. Often referred to as “boutique” condominiums, these smaller projects give larger buildings a run for their money in terms of amenities and luxury appeal. Because of their size, they also allow architects a greater degree of freedom when it comes to how they wish to approach the building design.

With the greater amount of boutique projects on the horizon, it raises the question as to whether they’re here to stay or if it’s just a fad. For starters, the relatively quiet Bay Harbor Islands community is seeing renewed interest with the introduction of Kasa Bay Harbor, a seven-story project with just nine units per sale. Beach House 8 on Collins Avenue is just ten stories tall and true to its name, there are only eight units in the building.

Last Minute Miami Spice Suggestions

The 2016 version of Miami Spice will soon be coming to a close. If you’ve yet to take advantage of the promotion offering three-course lunches for $23 and three-course dinners for $39, you’ll only have until Friday before it’s all over. Should you need some guidance on what restaurants to try, here are a few suggestions.

Izzy’s Fish & Oyster on Miami Beach’s Washington Avenue is a love letter to New England seafood shacks. Its Miami Spice menu offers items such as a Florida Keys daily catch entree or white bean stew for those that consider themselves vegetarians. Other great choices include lobster rolls, frozen lemonade, and summer ale.

Miami Beach’s The Dutch currently has a Miami Spice pop-up called Bar Primi, a pasta shop featuring various recipes family recipes courtesy of its chef Sal Lamboglia. Enjoy appetizers like antipasti salad and Sicilian tomato arancini and then choose entrees like rigatoni alla Norma or spinach ricotta cavatelli with veal bolognese.

The Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach serves as the home of The Sarsaparilla Club, serving American dim sum. Pork tenderloin entrees, sarsaparilla soda ice-cream floats for dessert, the carts that roll around the room provide a unique way to try the Miami Spice menu.