In conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami's (MOCA) current exhibition “Michael Richards: Are You Down?,” the museum will host “Conversations at MOCA: Michael Richards & the Whitney Independent Study Program with Renee Cox, Lyle Ashton Harris, and Dread Scott” on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This dynamic conversation will expand on a formative moment in Richards' artistic practice and his integral involvement with a group of Black artists emerging in the 1990s. In 1992–1993, Richards participated in the Whitney Independent Study Program—a year-long program for artists and curators that encourages critical study and theoretical inquiry—in New York City, along with artists Renee Cox, Lyle Ashton Harris, and Dread Scott. Moderated by Whitney Museum curator Rujeko Hockley, this conversation will reunite Cox, Harris, and Scott, each of whom, in addition to being friends with Richards, engaged him in their own art-making. About the panel Moderated by Rujeko Hockley, Hockley is an assistant curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art. She is the curator of the mid-career survey Julie Mehretu, which opened in March 2021, and co-curated the 2019 Whitney Biennial. Additional projects at the Whitney include Toyin Ojih Odutola: To Wander Determined (2017) and An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940-2017 (2017). Previously, she was Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum, where she co-curated Crossing Brooklyn: Art from Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, and Beyond (2014) and was involved in exhibitions highlighting the permanent collection as well as artists LaToya Ruby Frazier, The Bruce High Quality Foundation, Kehinde Wiley, Tom Sachs, and others. She is the co-curator of We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85 (2017), which originated at the Brooklyn Museum and travelled to three U.S. venues in 2017-18. She serves on the Board of Art Matters, as well as the Advisory Board of Recess. Renee Cox makes photographs, collages, and installations that draw on art history, fashion photography and popular culture. Her work invokes a critical vision of female sexuality, beauty, power and heroism through nudity, religious imagery and symbolism that inform her interdisciplinary process. She is most noted for her larger-than-life photographs of female bodies. She reexaminations the black female figure in the context of structures of power. Cox received her BA from Syracuse University, (Syracuse, NY) and MFA from the School of Visual Arts, (New York, NY). She was a participant in the Whitney Museum of American Art, Independent Study Program, (New York, NY). Her work has been included in solo and group exhibitions at prominent institutions to include Tate Liverpool (Liverpool, UK), The New Museum of Contemporary Art (New York, NY), Brooklyn Museum (Brooklyn, NY), and Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York, NY) to name a few. Lyle Ashton Harris has cultivated a diverse artistic practice ranging from photography and collage to installation and performance art. His work explores intersections between the personal and the political, examining the impact of ethnicity, gender, and desire on the contemporary social and cultural dynamic. Harris is represented in the permanent collections of renowned institutions and has been widely exhibited internationally, including most recently in “Photography’s Last Century” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; in “Basquiat’s ‘Defacement’: The Untold Story’’ and “Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, among many others. Harris lives and works in New York, serving as a Professor of Art at New York University. Dread Scott is an interdisciplinary artist who for three decades has made work that encourages viewers to re-examine cohering ideals of American society. In 1989, the US Senate outlawed his artwork and President Bush declared it “disgraceful” because of its transgressive use of the American flag. Dread became part of a landmark Supreme Court case when he and others burned flags on the steps of the Capitol. He has presented a TED talk on this. His art has been exhibited at MoMA/PS1, The Walker Art Center, Jack Shainman Gallery and street corners across the country. He is a 2019 Open Society Foundations Soros Equality Fellow and has received fellowships from United States Artists and Creative Capital Foundation. In 2019, he presented Slave Rebellion Reenactment, a public performance, which was featured in Vanity Fair, The New York Times and on Christiane Amanpour on CNN. His art is included in the collection of the Whitney Museum. Michael Richards: Are You Down? is possible with lead support from Oolite Arts and major support from the Wege Foundation. MOCA is grateful to the Green Family Foundation and Funding Arts Network. Thanks to Brooke Davis Anderson, Roberta Denning, V. Joy Simmons, M.D., Miami MOCAAD and John Shubin for their generosity. The accompanying monograph is co-published with New York Consolidated and made possible with support from the Furthermore: a program of the J.M. Kaplan Fund. MOCA North Miami exhibitions and programs are made possible with the continued support of the North Miami Mayor and Council and the City of North Miami, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e_Pswr38RC6hvygkbuVVXg For more information, visit mocanomi.org. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of MOCA

PebbleBrook Hotel Trust (PEB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurayne Croke to Complex Director of Sales & Marketing for the Southernmost Beach Resort and The Marker Key West Harbor Resort, both located in Key West, FL. In this role, Croke will be responsible for all sales and marketing efforts in addition to managing all public relations and social media efforts. Both resorts are managed by Highgate. “We are delighted to welcome Laurayne Croke to the team, and we value her expertise as a trusted professional who keeps a finger on the pulse of travel behavior, group event trends and market share movement,” said Alan Brand, VP of Operations at Highgate - Key West. “Laurayne’s vast knowledge of market trends and the industry overall will help implement exciting, new strategies at two of Key West’s most iconic properties in an effort to exceed revenue expectations and attract new groups and leisure travelers.” Croke is an accomplished hospitality executive with 20 years of experience in the industry. Prior to starting this new role she served as Complex Director of Sales & Marketing for SBE Group in Miami where she oversaw all direct sales, marketing and catering efforts for three of the hospitality brand’s units, including the SLS Hotel & Residence, SLS Lux Hotel & Residences and Hyde Resort & Residences. Prior to her time in Miami, she held numerous leadership and management positions at hotels in New York and New Jersey, working for brands such as W Hotels, Marriott Hotels, The Roosevelt Hotel and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “It’s an honor to lead sales and marketing efforts across multiple properties in beautiful Key West Florida,” said Croke. “I look forward to collaborating with the hotel teams in welcoming visitors to our sunny piece of paradise, including leisure travelers and event attendees at the Southernmost Beach Resort and The Marker Key West Harbor Resort.” The award-winning Southernmost Beach Resort is a simple yet sophisticated resort in historic Old Town Key West, featuring upscale amenities, three swimming pools, private beaches with luxury cabanas, four bars, award-winning Southernmost Beach Café restaurant, a private pier in Old Town, fitness center, spa, tropical gardens, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, along with 3,128 square feet of meeting space, including 2,488 square feet of outdoor space. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort Marker epitomizes the laid-back Key West lifestyle with three saltwater pools, an open-air outdoor restaurant and bar for al fresco dining with ocean breezes. Located in the historic Key West Harbor, The Marker is in direct proximity to the waterfront boardwalk, al fresco bars, outdoor restaurants, boat charters, and steps from the iconic Duval Street and Mallory Square, buzz-worthy destinations of Old Town Key West. By ML Staff. Images by The Marker Key West Harbor Resort

After being closed for 14 months due to the global pandemic, Broward County’s largest hotel The Diplomat Beach Resort officially reopened its doors on Tuesday, June 1st with a televised press conference. Led by the property’s general manager, Laurens Zieren, both national and regional press, alongside the hotel’s original owners (The Cowan Family) and Hollywood city officials celebrated the cultural and economic significance of the iconic hotel’s relaunch. To top it off, Hollywood’s Mayor Josh Levy presented Zieren with a proclamation declaring June 1st, 2021 as “Diplomat Beach Resort Day.” Mayor Levy proclaimed “The Diplomat Beach Resort is a landmark for the City of Hollywood and all of South Florida, its cultural and economic impact over the span of many decades remains unmatched.” Noteworthy real estate developer Irving Cowan, Mayor Josh Levy, & GM Laurens Zieren Which echoed the sentiments of Laurens Zieren when stating “One of the most important things for us is welcoming back our staff and our guests.” And to show The Diplomat’s appreciation for returning guests, Zieren surprised the first checked-in guests (Olga Levchenko, Daniel Babinov, & child) with a certificate covering their entire 7-day visit from Upstate New York. GM Laurens Zieren awarding Olga Levchenko & Daniel Babinov a fully comped stay The Diplomat Beach Resort is excited to reopen its Hollywood, Florida doors to provide a comfortable environment under the Hilton Worldwide CleanStay and EventReady protocols. The Diplomat Beach Resort, Florida's most iconic oceanfront destination, is boasting 1,000 reimagined guestrooms and suites, two sun-drenched pools, 26 poolside cabanas, two fitness centers, and 209,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The property celebrates reopening with a summer-long guarantee that all guests will receive an ocean view, as well as summer “welcome back” packages (more information by visiting www.diplomatresort.com). Please send all media inquiries, questions, and property requests to diplomat@taraink.com. Mayor Josh Levy, noteworthy real estate developer Irving Cowan, Jonathan Cowan & Adam Gruber GM Laurens Zieren, Mayor Josh Levy, & Ed Netzhammer GM Laurens Zieren & Mayor Josh Levy welcome press to The Diplomat By ML Staff. Images courtesy of World Red Eye

Menin Hospitality, a leading force in the tourism, culinary and hospitality industries, announced the acceptance of BitPay. Menin, which owns and manages hotels, restaurants and nightlife venues in South Florida and Chicago, is one of the first major hospitality brands to embrace cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Bitpay is the largest bitcoin payment processor in the world and accepts payment in Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE) and 4 USD-pegged stablecoins (GUSD, USDC, PAX, and BUSD). Menin Hospitality will now accept all of these coins and tokens as payment within its portfolio. Menin Hospitality is stepping into the world of cryptocurrency at a time when Miami is swiftly leading the charge in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The Bitcoin 2021 Conference will take place in Miami this June and Menin Hospitality will have a strong presence at the large-scale event. With innovation at the forefront, Menin Hospitality is known for incorporating style, design, cultural immersion and a forward-thinking approach to all projects within its hospitality portfolio so the acceptance of BitPay was a natural evolution. For managing partner Jared Galbut, the goal is to simplify a user-friendly experience that can be executed with ease whether paying for a hotel room or a taco and margarita. All cryptocurrency payments can be made on the hotel and/or restaurants’ websites, by email or in person. BitPay will be accepted at all venues under the Menin portfolio. Menin Hospitality currently owns, manages and/or operates the Shelborne South Beach, Gale South Beach, Pizza Bar restaurants in Miami Beach, Gale Chicago and Menin’s flagship brand, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila with multiple locations and others that are expanding nationwide in the next three years. By ML Staff. Images by Menin Hospitality

Co-developers PTM Partners (PTM), a real estate investment and development firm with a focus on Qualified Opportunity Zones, and The Estate Companies (EIG), a leading developer of multi-family projects throughout South Florida, announced today the launch of leasing at its newest residential development Soleste Grand Central, Downtown Miami’s first large-scale opportunity zone project. Completion is scheduled towards the end of Q2 2021. Located at 218 NW 8th Street in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood and steps from Miami Central Station, the 360-unit, 18-story Class-A multifamily development offers studios to three-bedroom residences ranging from 400 to 1,085 square feet. “Our goal for Soleste Grand Central was to add a heightened vitality to Downtown Miami, more specifically Overtown, contributing to the area’s shift in becoming a 24-7, walkable, mixed-use community,” said Robert Suris, managing principal, The Estate Companies. “In addition to its high-end design, we highly prioritized the amenity package at Soleste Grand Central, transforming 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail into a sophisticated co-working, lobby, and café space,” added Jeffrey Ardizon, principal, The Estate Companies. Designed by Florida-based architectural and engineering firm Caymares Martin, the 230,430-square-foot project features wood-style porcelain flooring and modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, chef’s islands, custom cabinets, quartz countertops, and subway backsplashes. Residences boast master en-suites and private balconies, in-unit washer/dryer, walk-in closets, keyless electronic door entry, and more. “We are confident Soleste Grand Central will exceed the expectations of the members of the immediately surrounding community while attracting the newcomers as part of South Florida’s steady population surge,” stated Michael Tillman, CEO of PTM. “If COVID-19 taught us anything in the real estate industry, it’s that the need for accessible housing options that provide premium amenities, especially large outdoor spaces, are valued at a premium by the resident. We have ensured to deliver that with nearly an acre of indoor and outdoor amenity spaces at Soleste Grand Central.” In addition to its sleek design, Grand Central offers approximately 34,000 square feet of outdoor and indoor amenity space, including: 440 parking spaces, including car charging stations Resort-style pool with spa, sun deck, and private cabanas Rooftop lounge with bar, BBQ grills, large-screen TVs, life-size chess, etc. A state-of-the-art fully-equipped fitness center with high-tech cardio equipment and free weights Yoga and spin studio Spa with steam room, sauna, and massage therapy services Game room with billiards, poker, table tennis, and air hockey Indoor children’s playroom Dog spa and “bark park” Resident lounge with cyber café Library with conference facilities and business center Flexible office spaces for rent Dry-cleaning services Livly mobile app for residents Soleste Grand Central is in close proximity to entertainment venues and cultural institutions such as the American Airlines Arena, James L. Knight Center, and Pérez Art Museum Miami, as well as parks like Bayfront Park and Maurice A. Ferré Park. As a transit-oriented development, Soleste Grand Central is situated steps from the MiamiCentral Brightline Station – a new 11-acre complex that will offer shopping, dining, and the city's first food hall. The project is also near the Metrorail, Metromover, bus lines, and soon, the Tri-Rail commuter rail. The Downtown/Overtown area has been steadily growing its mix of residential, hotel, and retail offerings, including the opening of nationally acclaimed Red Rooster two blocks away, the celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s first domestic outpost outside of Harlem in New York City. Other notable neighboring developments include Marriott Marquis Miami Worldcenter convention center and CitizenM, a 348-key micro-hotel. Professionally managed by Rivergate KW Residential, prices for Soleste Grand Central begin in the $1,500s per month for a studio. For more information about Soleste, or to schedule a virtual or in-person tour, visit the website at www.solestegrandcentral.com. ABOUT PTM PARTNERS PTM Partners (PTM) is a real estate investment and development firm, with an initial focus exclusively on Qualified Opportunity Zones. PTM Partner’s Opportunity Zone Fund has already resulted in three development projects across multiple asset classes and a soon-to-be-announced fourth project. Founded by Nicholas Pantuliano, Michael Tillman, and Scott Meyer, all former executives of the Lefrak Organization, PTM seeks community-oriented development opportunities that create substantial value for its residents, partners, and investors. With an eye towards long-term value creation for all stakeholders, PTM focuses on making investment decisions that balance reputation and long-term profitability over short-term revenue maximization. The PTM team has collectively invested, developed, constructed, and managed more than $12 billion in real estate covering a broad range of mixed-use development projects in Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.ptmpartners.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of PTM

Mark your calendars Miami, Charli XCX will be kicking off the Wynwood Pride weekend with us on Friday June 18th along with a full lineup of incredible talent! For tickets visit: https://www.tixr.com/groups/oasismiami/events/charli-xcx-pride-weekend-25187. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Oasis

With collaborations that have altered the beauty business, designers and businesses have leveraged their power to make a major statement across the globe. Shiseido has collaborated with well-known fashion designer Tory Burch to develop Limited-Edition Packaging for its Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion 50+ and NEW Clear Suction. Tory's personal commitment to sun protection and Shiseido's revolutionary SPF technology sparked this collaboration. Tory Burch and Shiseido have made it their mission to utilize fashion and beauty as a new platform to achieve well in the world. In honor of their sunscreen relationship and a commitment to sun protection and skin cancer prevention, they contributed to Memorial Sloan Kettering with a grant to fund a one-year clinical research fellowship in dermatology to further the study of skin cancer. The WetForce, HeatForce Technology in the Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ and the NEW Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ formulas provide an invisible, lightweight protective barrier that gets more effective in heat, water, and sweat, keeping you protected in style. Using ocean-friendly chemicals that are devoid of oxybenzone and octinoxate, it is undetectable on all skin tones. Tory Burch and Shiseido are creating a fresh new start to what we have known as sun protection and are turning heads of excitement for this new launch. Beginning on May 30, 2021, Shiseido x Tory Burch limited-edition sunscreens will be available in stores and online at Tory Burch, Shiseido.com, Ulta, and Ulta.com. Tory Burch is producing an exclusive fashion line that includes a surf shirt, bikini, flip flops, and bag in a Sprinkled Flower print inspired by the flower bottle design, to go along with the limited-edition sunscreens. Who else is excited for this new, fresh amazing collaboration that will keep your skin protected, and looking amazing with that summer glow! By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Tory Burch

Pura Vida, South Florida’s go-to wellness eatery, has announced the debut of its seventh all-day café in the thriving Aventura ParkSquare neighborhood, part of the brand’s expansion plan that includes the recent addition of a second location in Miami Beach as well as West Palm Beach. Jennifer and Omer Horev, the husband-and-wife duo behind the esteemed brand, have been steadily expanding their empire since they opened the first Pura Vida location in Miami Beach in 2012, with impressive plans in the works for several more slated to open later this year. The design-focused lifestyle brand is meant to feel like an extension of the Horev’s home - welcoming, approachable, a place in which guests are eager to come back to and are proud to call their own 'neighborhood' spot. Each location, including the anticipated Aventura spot, offers an array of all-day breakfast menu items, specialty coffee drinks, fresh salads and wraps, flavorful bowls, superfood smoothies, fresh juices, locally brewed organic kombucha, and a wide variety of gluten-and-sugar-free and vegan sweet treats, baked daily in-house and sourced using all local and organic ingredients whenever available. Pura Vida’s menu highlights light, fresh, energizing offerings, perfect for grabbing a bite with friends post-workout, during a lunch meeting, or even a weekend brunch with the family. “We’re looking forward to 2021 being our biggest year yet,” said Omer Horev, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Pura Vida. “As we continue to expand into different markets and neighborhoods across South Florida, we’re constantly amazed at how well-received our brand has been in the community. It’s important to us that our growth is organic and feels right; I am not willing to compromise the core values of the brand and our vision. We’ve had our eye set on Aventura for some time and we truly believe the Aventura ParkSquare neighborhood combines the very best of modern luxury living, culture, shopping, and dining all in one destination, designed with healthy living and wellness top of mind, which is very much in line with the Pura Vida brand.” Boasting a prime, central location, just minutes away from Aventura Mall and Gulfstream Park, in close proximity to Biscayne Boulevard and I-95, the ParkSquare neighborhood reflects the utmost optimal location for the latest Pura Vida opening. Aventura ParkSquare stays true to the brand’s proven formula for success. Choosing locations that align with their target demographic, within forward-thinking, mixed-use lifestyle destinations, is a fundamental element within all expansion plans and can be noted within their first establishment outside of Miami-Dade County; in West Palm Beach’s Rosemary Square, within the Miami Design District neighborhood, in the popular Edgewater neighborhood, in Coral Gables at the University of Miami, and in Miami Beach's South of Fifth district. Additional locations in Bay Harbour, Las Olas, and Brickell are slated to open later this year. “As the evolution of Pura Vida naturally unfolds, I believe the brand has matured into much more than an all-day cafe,” said Jennifer Horev, Chief Brand Officer for Pura Vida. “We’ve been steadily transforming into a lifestyle, health-conscious brand and we really enjoy working with local vendors who bring new ideas and concepts to the table. We think our vision is very much in line with the team at Aventura Park Square and we couldn’t be more excited to open the doors, bringing our accessible and nourishing foods to this new community in South Florida.” Pura Vida Aventura will inhabit over 2,000 square feet of space, designed with Pura Vida’s signature breezy and casual aesthetic, traditionally associated with their other Pura Vida locations. A key design element, signature to the Aventura location specifically, draws guest’s attention with a stunningly eye-catching floral arch display that delicately drapes across the space’s entrance. Wanting to remain consistent, a key growth factor with reference to the Pura Vida signature experience and cuisine, the menu will remain the same for all stores, including Aventura. The new Aventura ParkSquare will feature the brand’s signature menu items patrons have grown to love, such as its all-day Breakfast Menu featuring a range of avocado toasts, pasture-raised egg sandwiches, wraps, and customizable bowls, as well as their beloved Açaí Bowls, made with raw organic Brazilian açaí. Other popular dishes include the Mango Salmon, Spicy Tuna, and Vegan Lentil Bowls, as well as the Toasted Chicken Wrap and Jen’s Herb Salad. Recently introduced menu items include the Fire Egg Bowl and a longtime signature favorite with a fresh update, the SOBE Salmon Wrap. The addition of their new in-house baker has allowed their team to launch a new line of gluten and sugar-free pastry options, perfect for those with dietary restrictions, but more than delicious enough for those with none. Standout new bakery items baked in-house include the Nocciola Croissant; filled with Belgium chocolate and hazelnut spread, the Gluten-free Oatmeal Chocolate PB Energy Bites; made with peanut butter, oats, honey, chocolate chips, chia seed, flaxseed, coconut, vanilla bean and salt, and the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie; made with all-purpose flour, coconut oil, dark chocolate, salt and walnuts. In addition to the Pura Vida brand, the Horev’s recently opened Abba Telavivian Kitchen, in the desirable South of Fifth district in Miami Beach, in close proximity to the original Pura Vida location. Omer’s background and deep knowledge in the real estate market have played a crucial role in their continued success. Much like their famed Pura Vida brand, future expansion plans for Abba are in the works as well. Pura Vida Aventura is located at 2980 NE 207th St. Suite 110, Aventura, FL 33180. Hours of operation will be 8AM - 4PM, daily. Ample street and garage parking are easily accessible. Delivery and pick-up are available through the Pura Vida Miami app. For more information, please visit www.PuraVidaMiami.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Pura Vida

With fresh mint and lime, mojitos are tart, sweet, and super refreshing. My kids are at sleepaway camp for a few weeks, so there’s not much cooking or food shopping going on chez moi. At night, my poor husband wanders back and forth from the fridge to the pantry, somehow hoping food will miraculously appear. I told him that if he’s hungry, he’s more than welcome to go to the store. As for me, I’m enjoying a break from feeding our little monsters and all their hungry friends. I am, however, making cocktails! These mojitos are tart and sweet, how I like them; feel free to adjust the lime juice and sugar to suit your taste. Mojitos By Jennifer Segal With fresh mint and lime, mojitos are tart, sweet, and super refreshing. Servings: 1 drink Total Time: 5 Minutes INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 limes 4 heaping teaspoons superfine sugar 12 fresh mint leaves, divided, plus more for garnish 1/4 cup white rum 1/4 cup club soda 1 cup crushed ice Lime wedges, for serving INSTRUCTIONS In a tall (10-ounce) glass, combine the lime juice and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Tear the mint leaves in half and add them to the glass. Using a muddle stick or end of a wooden spoon, gently stir and mash the mint to release the mint oils. Add the rum, crushed ice, and club soda. Stir, then tuck remaining the mint sprigs and lime wedges into the top of glass. Gluten-free adaptable note: to the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free. Special thanks to Jennifer Segal, for the recipe and images. You can support Jennifer by purchasing her cookbook, "Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook," featuring over 100 delightful recipes.

In 2021 Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) will expand its mid-summer JAS Academy collaboration with the Frost School of Music (FSoM) at the University of Miami to include the new “Combo/Small Ensemble Sessions.” This two-week intensive workshop taking place July 11-25, will be followed by the highly-acclaimed JAS Academy “Individual/Big Band Sessions,” from July 25 – Aug. 8, led by JAS Academy Artistic Director & multi-Grammy winning Bassist Christian McBride. McBride will work in tandem with Frost Dean Shelly Berg and JAS Academy Program Director Chuck Bergeron, Frost School’s Associate Professor of Professional Practice, who will work on both sessions. The JAS Academy is one of the nation’s only full-scholarship summer residencies, made possible by the generosity of philanthropists Sasha and Ed Bass who pledged to underwrite the operating budget of the JAS Academy for the first five (5) years of the partnership with Frost. It is their generous donation that allowed JAS and the Frost School of Music to expand the previous 7-day residency to two weeks in 2019-2020 and now four weeks in 2021. Four bands have been selected for the Combo/Small Ensemble Session taking place in Snowmass July 11–25. The groups include 21 students representing Frost School of Music, Michigan State University, New York University, and Ben Gurion University (Israel). “JAS is thrilled to host a newly expanded JAS Academy with a second-week Combo/Small Ensemble Session, scheduled prior to the well-established “Big Band Session” continuing in its 3rd full season in 2021,” said JAS President/CEO Jim Horowitiz. “For the new session, we have invited emerging young artists in groups that have already established a unique repertoire and music profile. They will focus on everything from refinement of performances to business, marketing, and career development, utilizing the unique and diverse curriculum approach of the Frost School of Music under the leadership of Dean Shelly Berg & Chuck Bergeron.” In commenting Dean Shelly Berg stated: “In its three-year history the JAS Academy in collaboration with the Frost School of Music has expanded from one week to four. This is true testament to the caliber of the program which provides an extraordinary opportunity for talented young musicians of the highest caliber to study and perform with our world-renowned faculty and the Academy’s artistic director 7-time Grammy award winner Christian McBride, One of our goals is to provide year-round opportunities for young aspiring musicians to explore their potential and acquire the skills needed to become professional at their craft. Our collaboration with Jazz Aspen, now entering its 30th season, has created a world-class opportunity to accomplish this.” An additional 23 students were accepted into the Individual/Big Band Sessions taking place in Aspen July 25-Aug. 8. These students represent 10 Schools/Universities including Frost School of Music, Berklee College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Julliard School, Manhattan School of Music, New School Jazz Program, Temple University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of North Texas, and the University of Washington. In addition to working with McBride, Berg, and Bergeron, students will also have an opportunity to work with and learn from Frost faculty including Rey Sanchez-Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation/Professor of Music Business and Entertainment Industries, Etienne Charles-Associate Professor Studio Music and Jazz and Brian Lynch-Professor Jazz Trumpet/Studio Music and Jazz. Students will study an exciting curriculum that focuses on both performance and recording. Participants will develop a musical product, from selecting the artistic direction and crafting original compositions, to performing, recording, marketing, and distribution of finished work. In addition to daily coaching and mentorship from leading artists and educators, workshops and master classes in Recording Techniques, Entrepreneurship, and the evolving Music Industry will take place in both onsite and virtual learning environments. The Academy will offer students the opportunity to attend master classes with some of the world’s most talented jazz musicians including vocalist Rene Marie, guitarist Dan Wilson, vocalist Kurt Elling and one of the hottest newcomers on the jazz scene today Frost alum pianist Emmet Cohen (B.M. ‘12). Each of these artists will be performing public shows at the JAS Café during their visit. Student performances will be taking place over the four weeks at a variety of venues, including a special Big Band performance on Saturday, Aug. 7 at Harris Hall. For details on all performances, as well as the students attending this year, please visit jazzaspensnowmass.org/academy. About the Frost School of Music The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami is one of the most innovative and acclaimed music schools located in a private university in the U.S. It is renowned for its unique Frost Method® curriculum which creates musicians that have artistic, technological, & entrepreneurial skills to thrive and succeed in the rapidly changing world of professional music. Course work and performance opportunities can be cross-genre and non-siloed, affording 700 students a rare and musically diverse education. Frost is a top choice for the highest level of education in classical, jazz, and pop, as well as music engineering, music education, music therapy, and music business. It is one of two schools created in 1926 when the University of Miami was founded. The naming gift from Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost in 2003 was a historic occasion. Consistently named one of the Top 10 music schools by Billboard Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter among numerous other media outlets, The Frost School of Music seeks to transform lives through the study and performance of music and to enhance music’s future as the result of the most innovative and relevant curricula in higher education. For further information, visit www.frost.miami.edu. More about JAS Founded in 1991 and celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has generated over $7.8 million of support for its music education programs since 1996. The Mission of JAS is to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class events, performances, and education programs. JAS launched its acclaimed music education programs in 1996 with the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Colony, which became the JAS Academy Summer Sessions from 2000-2008, the nation’s only all-scholarship training program for gifted young emerging jazz artists. The Academy paired these young artists with jazz masters such as Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Russell Malone, and many others in an intensive series of workshops, seminars, and performances. Many of these artists have gone to become permanent members of some of the most prestigious working jazz groups today. In addition to the JAS Academy, JAS funds and operates a wide range of music education initiatives in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. These initiatives complement existing public school music programs and replace programs where schools suffer losses in music education. Programs range from providing faculty assistance to school music instructors, instrument donations, private lesson funds, summer camps, scholarships, and more. JAS hosts two large events each summer, the JAS June Experience and the JAS Labor Day Experience. These events have featured a roster of iconic Artists through the years, ranging from Tony Bennett, BB King, Ray Charles, Harry Connick, Jr., Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Keith Urban, Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Sting, John Mayer, and countless others. JAS has historically presented both established and iconic Artists, as well as emerging stars, and has been there at the outset of many Artists’ growing careers since its inception. Another Mission driven initiative, The JAS Café, was launched in 2011 and has exploded in popularity in recent years. The Café features stellar artists throughout the year who embrace jazz and related diverse music in the “Jazz Spoken Globally” series, taking place at intimate venues in Aspen. Artists featured have hailed from France, Italy, England, Japan, Cuba, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the USA. For further information, visit www.jazzaspensnowmass.org. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of JAS

The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and Festival Napa Valley have announced a multi-year partnership to collaborate on university-level educational, chamber music, and orchestral music programming. As part of the partnership, to be called “Frost School at Festival Napa Valley,” Frost faculty and students will be fully integrated and play key roles in many of the Festival’s programs, including the Blackburn Music Academy, the Manetti Shrem Opera Program, and Festival Orchestra Napa. The announcement was made jointly by Frost School’s Dean Shelly Berg and Charles Letourneau, Festival Napa Valley’s Vice President and Director of Artistic Planning. “Festival Napa Valley is one of the most treasured music festivals in the U.S. and we are thrilled to join forces on this new initiative,” states Dean Shelly Berg. “The Frost School trains the whole musician - as an artist, entrepreneur, stage persona, and more, and we are enthused to bring this philosophy of musicianship to the innovative Festival Napa Valley.” Charles Letourneau added:  “We are delighted to welcome the Frost School of Music into the Festival Napa Valley family. Frost’s renowned faculty members and brilliant students are a tremendous addition to our diverse programs.” Frost School’s Jennifer Grim, newly appointed Artistic Administrator for Frost School at Festival Napa Valley stated: “Summer festivals are an essential part of any serious music student's training, not only for the music study and performance opportunities but also as a way to establish lasting friendships and connections. I look forward to seeing our students thrive at Festival Napa Valley.” In addition to Professor Grim, participating Frost School faculty this summer include Associate Professor Margaret Donaghue Flavin (clarinet), Professor Jodi Levitz (viola), Associate Professor Craig Morris (trumpet), Lecturer Bettina Mussumeli (violin), Associate Professor Svet Stoyanov (percussion), and Associate Professor Richard Todd (horn). ​ Approximately twenty Frost School of Music students will participate in Festival Napa Valley’s renowned Blackburn Music Academy this summer. Students are recommended by faculty and selected via an audition process. The Blackburn Music Academy’s faculty also includes members of the St. Lawrence Quartet, International Contemporary Ensemble, Zéphyros Winds, The Percussion Collective, Zephyr International Chamber Music Festival, and the Blue Ridge Chamber Music Festival, and leading musicians from the Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Metropolitan Opera orchestras. Students and faculty will participate in the Festival’s rich program offerings, which this summer include a production of Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi conducted by Kent Nagano, Vivaldi's Four Seasons with violin soloist Chad Hoopes, and an evening of “Opera Under the Stars” conducted by James Conlon and featuring tenor Michael Fabiano and the winners of the Festival’s Manetti Shrem Prize. Students will also participate in masterclasses, take classes in Alexander Technique, and learn about entrepreneurship, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and arts advocacy. Frost School of Music Expands Summer Festival Outreach Programs The Frost School of Music continues to expand opportunities for music students to enrich their musical journey. The partnership with Festival Napa Valley places the school at the forefront with two of the most important and prestigious summer music festivals. In 2020 Frost joined forces with Jazz Aspen Snowmass to present the JAS Academy in collaboration with the Frost School of Music. The four-week full scholarship program is dedicated to identifying and assisting the most talented artists embracing jazz fundamentally while exploring myriad related and unrelated forms of music at the highest level of quality. The Frost faculty works closely with JAS Academy Artistic Director, 7-Time GRAMMY award winner Christian McBride. About the Frost School of Music The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami is one of the most innovative and acclaimed music schools located in a private university in the U.S. It is renowned for its unique Frost Method® curriculum which creates musicians that have artistic, technological, and entrepreneurial skills to thrive and succeed in the rapidly changing world of professional music. Course work and performance opportunities can be cross-genre and non-siloed, affording 700 students a rare and musically diverse education. Frost is a top choice for the highest level of education in classical, jazz, and pop, as well as music engineering, music education, music therapy, and music business. It is one of two schools created in 1926 when the University of Miami was founded. The naming gift from Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost in 2003 was a historic occasion. Consistently named one of the Top 10 music schools by Billboard Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter among numerous other media outlets, The Frost School of Music seeks to transform lives through the study and performance of music and to enhance music’s future as the result of the most innovative and relevant curricula in higher education. For further information, visit www.frost.miami.edu. About Festival Napa Valley Blending the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley with the very finest performing arts, Festival Napa Valley offers programs that enrich the economic and cultural vitality of the region and make the arts accessible to all. The Festival presents world-class performances staged in iconic venues and inspiring educational programs both during the summer festival and at Napa County public schools year-round. It is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit organization governed by a board of prominent vintners and local leaders. More than 200 artists, wineries, resorts, theaters, restaurants, chefs, and vintners participate each year. For more information visit www.festivalnapavalley.org. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Frost School of Music

Wynwood’s newest live entertainment destination, Le Rouge Lounge, is scheduled to open its doors on June 11, 2021. The 7,000-square-foot venue, located at 318 NW 23rd St. -- on the same lot as MANA Studios – will be reminiscent of a glamorous 1920s French cabaret, drawing inspiration from the famed Moulin Rouge. The state-of-the-art enclave will serve as a destination for national music acts and world-renowned DJs and will be open Thursday through Saturday, 9 p.m. through 3 a.m. Headed by GM Zein Zaioud and backed by the 23rd St. Partners Group, comprised of veterans of the hospitality industry, Le Rouge Lounge provides an authentic live entertainment experience in a highly stylized setting. The first venue in Miami to feature a 360-degree, DJ “in the round” experience, Le Rouge Lounge boasts a live stage draped in red velvet, spacious enough to accommodate a 10-piece band, with elevated VIP seating for guests during DJ performances. Party in Comfort and Style... Le Rouge Lounge is also the largest air-conditioned venue in Wynwood. Inspired by a french living room, the state-of-the-art concert sound and lighting system bring to life the chic outdoor patio and bar. Mixology is an art form at Le Rouge Lounge, with veteran mixologist Samer Abdallah creating unique prohibition-era cocktails with a unique, modern twist. The opening weekend lineup will feature noted Miami-based artists The Soul Brothers, Cris Cab, and Oscar G, among other local artists, followed by Luca Bachetti, Damaged Goods, and Manu Manzo in the following weeks. Le Rouge Lounge presents a fresh approach to entertainment and nightlife in Miami, with the best contemporary musical artists and DJs performing in a classic, old-world cabaret setting with all the bells and whistles. With their dance card already getting filled up with album release parties and city events including Swim Week Miami and Art Basel, Le Rouge Lounge promises to be the Magic City’s top new destination for live entertainment and private events. Le Rouge Lounge is located at 318 NW 23rd St. in Miami, FL 33127, and offers valet parking, as well as the largest self-parking lot in Wynwood. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Le Rouge Lounge