As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, Greater Miami and Miami Beach are planning a yearlong lineup of events designed to connect the nation's history with the region's own distinctive story. Photo resource Depositphotos From military air shows and waterfront fireworks to museum exhibitions and community festivals, local officials and tourism leaders say the America250 commemoration will highlight Miami's evolution from a frontier settlement into one of the country's most internationally connected cities. "Miami represents the entrepreneurial spirit, cultural diversity and forward-looking energy that continue to define the United States," said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, in announcing the initiative. While many cities are marking the nation's semiquincentennial with historical programming, Miami's celebration carries a unique local angle. Founded in 1896, Miami remains the only major U.S. city founded by a woman. Julia Tuttle, often referred to as the "Mother of Miami," helped persuade railroad magnate Henry Flagler to extend his railway into South Florida, a move widely credited with spurring the city's incorporation and growth. Organizers say that history, along with Miami's role as a gateway for immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, will be central themes throughout the anniversary year. Patriotic Celebrations Across Miami-Dade The commemorative programming will begin in earnest over Memorial Day weekend with the annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show on Miami Beach. The event, which features demonstrations from all six branches of the U.S. military, will once again include offshore powerboat racing, parachute exhibitions and live entertainment along the shoreline. Miami-Dade County is also launching a broader initiative called Miami-Dade 250, which will include educational programs, cultural events and community partnerships throughout the year. One of the largest celebrations is expected on July 4, when Tropical Park hosts the county's official America250 event. Scheduled from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the gathering will feature live music, food vendors, family activities and a fireworks display. The county is also encouraging residents to participate through "Flags Across Miami-Dade," a campaign aimed at increasing displays of American flags in neighborhoods throughout the region. Fourth of July Events Expand Across the Region Several municipalities are planning their own Independence Day celebrations. Miami Beach will host a series of America250-themed programs, including the Miami Beach FREEDOM exhibit on Ocean Drive, a family-oriented event called Red, White and Boots in Lummus Park and fireworks displays in both North Beach and South Beach. In downtown Miami, Bayfront Park's annual Fourth Fest will return with live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks over Biscayne Bay. The event has become one of the city's largest Independence Day gatherings, drawing thousands of residents and visitors each year. Historic Documents Coming to Miami Among the most significant cultural offerings is a traveling exhibition from the National Archives and Records Administration. From June 20 through July 5, the Museum of Miami will host Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation, giving visitors the opportunity to view historic records that played a role in shaping the United States. Additional America250-related programming is planned throughout the year. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will present an exhibition examining American innovation and invention. The Miami Short Film Festival and Deering Estate will partner on a July 12 screening event focused on the American experience. The Miami Marlins are planning a themed celebration during their July 11 game against the Cleveland Guardians at loanDepot park. Statewide initiatives are expected to bring additional attention to South Florida landmarks, including the Freedom Tower, the Miami Circle and Everglades National Park. Local Milestones Add to the Celebration The national anniversary coincides with several major local anniversaries. Coral Gables is celebrating its centennial in 2026, while the landmark Biltmore Hotel marks 100 years. Miami Beach is also commemorating a century of Art Deco architecture, a defining element of the city's identity and tourism appeal. Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables plans to host a special July 2 event exploring Miami-Dade County's cultural heritage and contributions to the American story. Taken together, organizers say the events are intended to showcase how Miami's history reflects broader themes of immigration, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange that continue to shape the nation. For a city founded fewer than 130 years ago, the America250 celebration offers an opportunity to highlight both its relatively short history and its outsized influence on the modern American experience. By ML Staff. Photos courtesy of Greater Miami and Miami Beach.

Known to millions as “La Mamilover,” Tatiana Guiribitey has built a rare kind of platform: one where luxury, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy move in lockstep. From her early beginnings in Havana to her rise as a Miami-based businesswoman and humanitarian, Guiribitey has consistently transformed visibility into impact, supporting initiatives that span education, healthcare, and community empowerment across the Americas. In this conversation with Miami Living Magazine, she opens up about the intention behind her influence, the family values that drive her mission, and why true success, in her view, is measured by how much you give back. Miami Living (ML): From Havana to Miami to global impact, when you reflect on your journey, what moment most clearly defined the woman and humanitarian you’ve become today? La Mamilover: The moment that defined me was not one of luxury… it was one of necessity. Growing up in Havana taught me the value of opportunity — especially the kind that many people take for granted. But the real turning point came when I realized success wasn’t just about building clinics or acquiring properties; it was about returning to vulnerable communities and looking a child in the eyes knowing they now had access to healthcare, education, or simply hope. That was the day I understood my visibility wasn’t meant to showcase me… it was meant to serve others. ML: Your social media presence as “la mamilover” feels both glamorous and deeply personal. How intentional are you about balancing accessibility with aspiration in the way you show up online? La Mamilover: It’s completely intentional. Glamour inspires, but vulnerability connects. I share the jets, the fashion, the galas… but I also share the grandmother, the mother, the woman who prays, who cooks, who makes mistakes and grows. If you only show luxury, you create distance. If you only show struggle, you lose inspiration. The balance is saying: “Yes, you can live beautifully… but never forget why.” ML: Many people build wealth, but far fewer build a culture of giving within their own family. How did you intentionally cultivate philanthropy as a shared mission with your daughters? La Mamilover: In our family, philanthropy is not a project — it’s a culture. From a young age, my daughters didn’t just attend elegant events; they helped distribute toys, visited communities, and listened to real stories. At our dinner table, we talk about business — but we also talk about impact. I’ve always told them: “Money is a tool. If you don’t use it to elevate others, it loses its purpose.” Seeing them now involved in healthcare, mental wellness, and community initiatives confirms that those seeds were planted with intention. ML: Your academic path took you to Azerbaijan to study computer science, a surprising chapter that many may not know about. How has that technical and analytical background influenced the way you build businesses and charitable initiatives today? La Mamilover: Studying computer science taught me something powerful: every system needs structure. A business without structure fails. A foundation without measurable outcomes becomes emotion without results. I apply analytical thinking to everything — from expanding clinics to organizing philanthropic galas. Compassion moves the heart, but strategy moves impact. ML: You’ve been described as someone who makes philanthropy feel modern, visible, and even magnetic. What do you think traditional philanthropy often gets wrong about engaging the next generation of givers? La Mamilover: Traditional philanthropy can sometimes be so discreet that it becomes invisible. The next generation values transparency, storytelling, and participation. It’s not enough to donate quietly; people want to see the journey, understand the process, and feel part of the mission. When generosity is communicated authentically, it becomes contagious. ML: Walking through your home, there’s a clear sense that luxury for you is deeply tied to meaning and intention. How do you personally define the difference between success that is simply displayed and success that is truly impactful? La Mamilover: Displayed success seeks validation. Purpose-driven success creates transformation. A handbag may be beautiful, but a functioning clinic changes lives. A glamorous gala is elegant, but a family receiving medical care they couldn’t afford — that is legacy. Luxury without impact is decoration. Luxury with purpose is a platform. ML: Your work spans from the bateyes of the Dominican Republic to major philanthropic galas in Miami. Which moments on the ground have stayed with you emotionally and continue to fuel your commitment? La Mamilover: There are many moments I carry in my heart. I will never forget when a mother embraced me in tears because her child received dental treatment she had never been able to afford. That embrace was more valuable than any award or recognition. Those moments ground me. They remind me that impact is not measured in headlines — it’s measured in human dignity restored. ML: For young Latina entrepreneurs and women watching your journey and wondering if they can build both prosperity and purpose, what mindset shifts were most essential in your own evolution? La Mamilover: First, stop asking for permission. You do not need approval to dream bigger. Second, understand that wealth and purpose are not opposites — they are partners. When built ethically and intentionally, prosperity becomes fuel for impact. And finally, never forget where you came from. Your roots are not limitations — they are your power. True success is not how high you rise. It’s how many you lift with you. You can follow La Mamilover on Instagram. By ML Staff

Pets play an important role in many people’s lives. In the UK, six out of ten households have at least one pet, dogs being our most common companions (assuming we don’t count fish individually). But it isn’t easy to be precise. A postcard from the collection of Tom Phillips, on show in the exhibition. Bodleian Libraries University of Oxford The 2025 figure of 13.5 million pet dogs has recently been bumped up to correct for a significant undercounting in previous UK estimates. This compares with around 11 million pet cats, although there are similar problems in trying to count these ungovernable beasts and their stray cousins. Another point of debate is why we have these relationships at all. What motivates pet owners – and when did we start the process of turning wild animals into the “fur babies” of the family? Equally importantly, what’s in it for the animals? Were their wild ancestors lured in by the promise of a warm fire, perhaps on some kind of contract to kill mice or protect sheep? Or did they purposefully inveigle themselves into our homes and affections to offer companionship, comfort, even therapy? All these questions are raised by a wonderful new exhibition, Pets & their People, in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Pets and people The exhibition is curated by Charles Foster, who is a noted naturalist but otherwise pleasingly difficult to pigeonhole. As the author of both Being a Beast (2016) and Being a Human (2022), Foster’s intention has long been to show how those statuses are inseparable. In his work, Foster suggests that far back in our human history, shamans and other spiritual figures attempted to enter the lifeworlds of other animals. But then, as hunter-gatherers gave way to Neolithic farmers, people came to imagine themselves as members of a distinct species – lonely lords of creation. Medieval Ashmole Bestiary illumination of Adam naming the creatures of Earth. Bodleian Libraries University of Oxford There is a glorious image on display from the Ashmole Bestiary (an illuminated 13th-century manuscript containing descriptions of real and mythical animals) of Adam giving names to the animals. This image exemplifies, for Foster, human power and privilege, with these newly christened critters placed in their separate enclosures – cages that would contain them hereafter. Pets, this exhibition suggests, similarly aided human beings in the achievement of selfhood, even if the distinctiveness of humans from beasts is always tested and troubled, now just as much as in the distant past. The power of human beings to shape pets for their variously selfish reasons is acknowledged. The show explores the results of breeding in brachycephalic snouts and other defects to best-in-breed winners. On the theme of mixing and muddling, we are also reminded of companion animals being thoroughly anthropomorphised, and of humans being transformed as if in sympathy into beasts. One example is poet Philip Larkin’s doodle of himself as a rabbit ensconced in a chintzy armchair, extremely Larkin-esquely watching snooker on cable TV with a measure of spirits to hand. The pets of authors Raymond Chandler and Patricia Highsmith unexpectedly get a look in too, alongside the more familiar examples of Lord Byron’s Boatswain (a Newfoundland dog) and poet Christopher Smart’s Jeoffry (a cat). A page from Wind in the Willows on display in the exhibition. MS Eng Misc d fols v r / Bodleian Libraries University of Oxford Nineteenth-century photographic calling cards, or cartes de visite, remind visitors that when asked to display ourselves (now on social media, dating sites, even on Zoom calls), many of us hold up our pets to the camera – which is to say, pets are us. The age of selfies only confirms this long history of entanglement. The idea is that (a little like Larkin) we lean on our pets to tell stories about ourselves. Virtual pets like Tamagotchis or the current fad for robot pets seem harder to explain, and pet rocks even more so (there is a specimen on show, a triumph of 1970s marketing chutzpah). But the emphasis is on our millennia-long lockstep with nonhuman animals. Pets, ancient and modern Visitors are encouraged to think that love for pets and grief at their loss are the same, whether we are considering ancient Egypt or early modern England. The argument that the concept of “pets” is a more recent phenomenon (I’ve contributed to this idea with my research) is a fainter refrain. But there are still plenty of surprises in this exhibition to back up its stress on continuities. John Payne aged 12, with friends and his pigeon Chequer, in Portsmouth. Courtesy Daniel Meadows and Bodleian Libraries University of Oxford Two extraordinary papyri records for the purchase of dog bowls make the point. There are other instances of commercial opportunism on display – from the production of mummified cats in ancient Egypt to the advent of the pet industry in our day. The lesson is that animal companions break the bank as well as break our hearts. I understand that attempts to secure examples of celebrity dog bling for this exhibition were to no avail, but once more the conclusion is quite secure: when it comes to pets, contemporary excess has a long history. However, what pets are and what they mean is still a puzzle for researchers – we don’t even have an accepted definition of pet. While the term “companion animal” doesn’t have much poetry about it, scholars tend to use this more neutral language to account for the variety of relationships people have had with animals, over the course of thousands of years and in innumerably different cultures. Researchers don’t know quite why some of us love pets and some of us don’t. Or why love for pets is sanctioned at times and denounced at others. Still, this exhibition reminds us that head-wrangling questions are more satisfying than rote answers. Perhaps being human is indeed about looking at our pets and asking what separates us from them. Pets & their People is at the Bodleian Library until September 27 Words by Philip Howell, Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

On May 28, KIKA welcomed an exclusive group of editors, writers, tastemakers, and personalities from the pet, fashion, and lifestyle worlds for an intimate dinner celebrating modern pet care at Fouquet’s New York. Set against the elegant backdrop of Fouquet’s - Elysee, the evening brought together fashion, hospitality, and the growing cultural conversation around pets as an essential part of contemporary lifestyle. Guests arrived alongside their pets for a warm and elevated experience designed for humans and animals alike. Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed a refined dinner while pets were treated to a specially curated menu created exclusively for the occasion. The atmosphere balanced sophistication with intimacy, featuring thoughtful details, candlelit tables, and candid moments between guests and their companions. The event reflected KIKA’s vision of redefining pet care through a modern, design-forward lens, where wellness, aesthetics, and emotional connection coexist naturally. More than a dinner, the evening served as a celebration of the evolving relationship between people and their pets within fashion, culture, and everyday life. With a guest list spanning media, the creative industries, and the pet community, the gathering highlighted KIKA’s growing presence at the intersection of luxury lifestyle and contemporary pet care. About KIKA What began as a deep love for dogs in 1991 has evolved into KIKA, a modern pet-care brand focused on creating elevated experiences for pets and their owners through thoughtful products, community, and design-driven storytelling. Born from the founder’s mission to solve brown tear stains in white-coated dogs, the brand assembled veterinarians and pet nutritionists to develop natural solutions. After years of research, the breakthrough formula emerged: 80% nutrition and 20% daily care, leading to flagship products such as Nature’s Protection Superior Care White Dogs food and Tauro Pro Line skin-and-coat care. KIKA transforms scientific innovation into beautifully designed solutions that enhance the bond between pets and their owners, creating more than pet-care products: experiences that celebrate the extraordinary relationship between humans and their beloved companions. By ML Staff. Photos courtesy of KIKA.

The Hub Miami hosted two talent-driven evenings at The Frankel Family Performing Arts Center in Pinecrest, Florida, featuring deep dives into literary history and Broadway performance. The events continued the venue's focus on intimate, story-led programming following its third anniversary. Mark Oppenheimer Examined the Life of Judy Blume On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, journalist Mark Oppenheimer presented a discussion centered on his biography, Judy Blume: A Life. Oppenheimer shared insights from his research, which drew from unpublished writings, private papers, and more than 100 interviews with Blume and her close associates. The event examined the personal journey and literary legacy of the author behind iconic books such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Forever…, exploring her impact on conversations regarding adolescence, sexuality, and free speech. Ari’el Stachel Presented Solo Performance The programming continued on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with Tony Award-winning actor Ari’el Stachel. Known for his breakout role in The Band’s Visit, Stachel brought a one-night-only presentation of storytelling and dialogue to the stage. Derived from his acclaimed solo show, the performance explored themes of identity, mental health, and belonging. Stachel utilized humor and character work to reflect on his experiences as an Arab-Jewish artist, his personal struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and the process of navigating heritage and anxiety. By ML Staff. Photos: The Hub Miami.

The idea that fruit and vegetables might cause cancer sounds bizarre. For decades, studies have shown that people who eat more plants tend to live longer, healthier lives, with lower rates of heart disease, stroke and several common cancers. Deadly? Not likely.New Africa/Shutterstock.com Lung cancer is no exception: in many large studies, higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are linked with lower risks, especially in smokers. Against that backdrop, a new suggestion that fruit and veg might be driving lung cancer in young adults is surprising. The story behind this latest wave of anxiety doesn’t come from a definitive, landmark trial. It comes from a brief presentation at a scientific conference, based on 187 people with early‑onset lung cancer. Most had never smoked. When researchers asked about their diets, a lot of them reported eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains – the sort of pattern most of us would call “healthy”. Instead of measuring pesticides in their food or blood, the team estimated probable pesticide exposure using average residue levels from other sources. From there, they speculated that pesticides on otherwise healthy foods might help explain why some young non‑smokers develop lung cancer. That is a very long way from proving that fruit and vegetables themselves are harmful. Studies like this are meant to raise questions – “could pesticides be part of the story in young lung cancer?” – not to rewrite dietary advice on their own. Crucially, this particular study looks backwards from people who already have cancer, rather than following healthy people forwards over time, so it cannot tell us whether their diet played any role in causing the disease. Nor does it show that these patients had higher pesticide exposures than comparable people without cancer. It only shows that they ate foods that, on average, can carry residues. The bigger picture When you zoom out from this single, tiny study to the broader body of evidence, the picture changes from alarming to reassuringly familiar. Large studies have followed tens or hundreds of thousands of people over many years, asked them what they ate, then waited to see who develops lung cancer. Time and again, those eating more fruit and vegetables either do better or, at very worst, no differently from those eating less. Meta‑analyses that combine data from multiple studies find reductions in lung cancer risk with higher fruit intake and benefits from vegetables, too. These are the studies that inform official guidelines. They are not perfect – no nutrition study is – but they are far more informative than a single unpublished study of 187 patients. So why do small studies like this latest one sometimes seem to say something different? One reason is simple statistical noise. With small numbers, chance plays a huge role. If, for whatever reason, the particular group of young adults who turned up to that clinic happened to be unusually health-conscious, then fruit and vegetable intake will look high among people with lung cancer, even if diet has nothing to do with their disease. Another issue is what scientists call “confounding”. People who eat more plants often differ in many other ways. They may exercise more, drink less, have different jobs, live in different neighbourhoods, or be more on the ball about seeking medical help. When you start from patients and look backwards, it is very hard to disentangle these overlapping factors. That is why we place more weight on large, prospective studies that follow people forward in time and can better account for these differences. Pesticides Then there is the question of pesticides – the part of the story that understandably unnerves people. It is true that many conventionally grown fruits and vegetables carry measurable pesticide residues, and that people who eat a lot of produce tend to have higher levels of some pesticide breakdown products in their urine. It is also true that farm workers who handle pesticides regularly and at high doses have higher rates of certain cancers, including some lung cancers. That tells us pesticides are not benign. But what it does not tell us is that eating sprayed apples or lettuce at normal dietary levels causes lung cancer in the general population. Farm workers who are exposed to high doses of pesticides do have higher rates of certain cancers. Kuro1982/Shutterstock.com That doesn’t mean we should be complacent: there is an ongoing discussion about cocktails of many different chemicals, about vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, and about longer‑term hormone or brain effects that might not show up in crude cancer rates. However, these are arguments for improving how we farm and regulate pesticides, not arguments for abandoning fruit and vegetables. If you are still uneasy about pesticides, there are practical, proportionate things you can do that don’t involve swapping an orange for a packet of crisps. Washing produce under running water helps remove surface residues and soil, and varying the types of fruit and veg you eat means you are not relying heavily on any one item that tends to carry higher residues. If your budget allows, choosing organic versions of a few “high‑residue” foods can make sense. But the key point is that these are tweaks at the margins. They don’t change the central message that a diet rich in plant foods is overwhelmingly associated with better health. Perhaps the most important lesson from this episode is about how to read nutrition headlines. Whenever you see “X food causes cancer” or “Y ingredient is the next miracle cure”, it helps to ask a couple of simple questions. How big was the study? Was it in healthy people followed over time, or patients looked at after the fact? Did the researchers actually measure what they are claiming (like pesticide levels)? And how do the new findings sit alongside decades of existing research? In the case of the early-onset lung cancer study, the answers are sobering: it was small, it was retrospective, it used indirect exposure estimates, and its suggestion that fruit and vegetables might be harmful sits awkwardly with a much larger body of work pointing the other way. None of this means we should ignore the possibility that pesticides contribute in some way to cancers in non‑smokers, or that diet is irrelevant to lung health. But we should be wary of turning one provocative conference talk into a reason to fear the very foods that consistently show up as markers of better health. Words by Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University. Special thanks for The Conversation. Support and donate today.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) marked the 50th anniversary of its American Image Awards on April 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City. Hosted by journalist Alina Cho, the gala recognized various leaders in the fashion industry. The event served as a fundraiser for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Foundation. AAFA President & CEO, Stephen Lamar speaks at the podium of the 2026 American Image Awards 2026 Award Honorees The ceremony honored companies and individuals who influenced the apparel and footwear sectors. The 2026 recipients included: Company of the Year: Fabletics, accepted by CEO Adam Goldenberg. Designer of the Year: Zac Posen. Fashion Maverick: Timberland, accepted by Global Brand President Nina Flood. Global Innovator: Avery Dennison, accepted by Vice President Bill Toney. Trailblazers: Josue Solano and Seth Campbell of BBC International. Eco-Steward of the Year: AFIRM Group, accepted by Director Nathaniel Sponsler. Icon Award: Artist Ruben Toledo. Innovation and Future Outlook The evening centered on themes of industry evolution, environmental responsibility, and technological integration. Nathaniel Sponsler emphasized the need for ongoing leadership regarding chemical safety and regulatory compliance. Avery Dennison’s Bill Toney discussed how connected products bridge physical and digital data to optimize artificial intelligence in the future. Ruben Toledo accepted the Icon Award for his role in designing the award statuette for more than ten years. He created the piece with his late wife, designer Isabel Toledo. Toledo dedicated the recognition to her, noting the shared nature of their creative work. Designer of the Year, Zac Posen & his presenter, Katie Holmes at the 2026 American Image Awards Icon Awardee Ruben Toledo & Emmy Award winning journalist & event emcee Alina Cho at the 2026 American Image Awards Nina Flood, Global Brand President, accepts the Fashion Maverick honor on behalf of Timberland at the 2026 American Image Awards President & CEO, Steven Kolb of the CFDA speaking at the 2026 American Image Awards Adam Goldenberg, Stephen Lamar & Meera Bhatia at the 2026 American Image Awards Global Innovator Honoree Avery Dennison's Bill Tony at the 2026 American Image Awards The 2026 American Image Awards Honoree Slate (l. to r.): Steven Kolb (CFDA), Adam Goldenberg (Fabletics), Bill Toney (Avery Dennison), Ruben Toledo, Alina Cho, Zac Posen, Nathaniel Sponsler (AFIRM Group), Seth Campbell (BBC International), Josue Solano (BBC International), Nina Flood (Timberland), Bhatia Meera (Fabletics), & Stephen Lamar Attendees included designers, industry executives, and influencers. AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar noted that the industry continued to prioritize innovation and adaptation to meet global challenges. By ML Staff. Photos: Slavin Vlasic of Getty Images.

Italian design maison Visionnaire debuted its new collection, Rare Matter – A Retro-Brutalist Story, during Milan Design Week 2026. Under the creative direction of Eleonore Cavalli, the collection focused on density, gravity, and permanence, utilizing raw materials like rare stones, dimensional glass, oxidized metals, and cement to create architectural furniture pieces. The brand showcased its new designs across multiple locations in Milan, including the Salone del Mobile fairgrounds, the Visionnaire Milano flagship showroom, and the 10 Corso Como concept store. Salone del Mobile Exhibition At the Rho Fiera fairgrounds, Visionnaire presented a fluid residential and hospitality concept that blended 1970s-inspired geometric patterns with a warm color palette of amber, mustard, and caramel. The exhibition featured contributions from the brand's long-term design collaborators: Alessandro La Spada: Designed the exhibition stand and introduced the Joker modular sofa system, which used subtraction to define compact volumes. Mauro Lipparini: Presented the Baton Rouge sofa, the sculpted Bloomington armchair, and the Catskill table. Fabio Bonfà: Debuted the Frame sofa, exploring the contrast between soft volumes and metal backrests. Marco Piva: Expanded the brand's lighting catalog with Core, a fixture featuring a continuous luminous nucleus running through glass. Gupica: Introduced the Gea lighting collection, which utilized overlapping colored glass panels to mimic geological stratification. Fuorisalone Curated Projects Beyond the main fair, Visionnaire extended its presentation into the city with two major curatorial projects. At 10 Corso Como, the brand launched a capsule collaboration with design studio NM3. The nine-piece collection included the Axiom dining table, Stealth furniture systems, Blob chaise longue, and the Carter outdoor family. The pieces featured sharp, industrial lines inspired by the architecture of John Lautner. At the Visionnaire Milano flagship showroom in Piazza Cavour, the brand activated its historical archive with Déjà-Vu. This project featured updated reissues of the Bachi and Cigno armchairs, originally designed in the 1970s by parent company IPE. Curated by Marco Morandini, the showroom's Wunderkammer functioned as an intimate listening room equipped with a custom vinyl sound system provided by Giorgio Di Salvo and technical staging by Plotini Allestimenti. The flagship showroom also hosted a dedicated capsule by designer Marc Ange. His collection featured the Macrodosing multi-wood and stone table, the Fantino seating line, and the Sfogliatella wall light, which was carved from a single block of marble using recycled offcuts. By ML Staff. Photos: Visionnaire.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County raised more than $2 million for its educational and community engagement programs during its 20th Anniversary Paint the Arsht Red Gala on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The event brought together 300 philanthropists and community leaders on the Lynn Wolfson Stage following a public concert for more than 1,000 guests in the Dorothea Green Theater of the Ziff Ballet Opera House. The funds raised will benefit Arsht Impact programs, which currently serve 100,000 people annually. Star-Studded Performances and Surprise Appearances The evening featured a performance by Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter and an original poem by Richard Blanco, the first poet laureate of Miami-Dade County. Broadway star Wesley Wray made a surprise appearance to close the entertainment. Wray, a Miami native and alumnus of the Arsht Center's AileyCamp Miami program, performed selections from Buena Vista Social Club – The Musical, the Broadway production in which he currently stars. His performance helped inspire several unexpected donations. Major Donations and Financial Milestones The $2 million fundraising total includes several major contributions: A successful match of the Green Family Foundation Trust’s $500,000 education challenge, securing an additional $500,000. A $250,000 commitment from Lucille Zanghi and James Dow. "The success of this fundraising evening is proof that Miami truly believes in the power of young people and the arts," said Eric G. Johnson, Chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Board. Third Annual Arsht Awards Recipients The gala also hosted the third annual Arsht Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to the Miami cultural landscape: Arsht Education Champion Award: Shelly Berg, dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and artistic advisor for the Jazz Roots concert series. Parker Thomson Legacy Award: Rhoda Levitt, founding donor and former Vice President of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation. Arsht Angel Award: The Green Family Foundation Trust, honored for years of supporting arts access and education. Two additional arts leaders received special recognition. Mario Ernesto Sanchez, founder of the International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami and Teatro Avante, was honored posthumously for his commitment to international cultural exchange. Beth Boone, artistic and executive director of Miami Light Project, was recognized for her leadership of Arts Action Miami, a coalition that advocates for public funding for local arts groups. Adam & Marylynne Schwartz, Snjeza Barrack, Jose Hidalgo, Nina Miguel, Jill Hidalgo, Sebastian Barrack, Dir., AACF, & William- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Ambassador Stephen & Dorothea Green, Dr. Kimberly Green, Dir., AACF, Trish Bell, Dir., AACF, & Dan Bell- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Arsht Awardees Rhoda Levitt, Shelton Berg, Kimberly, Dorothea and Steven Green - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Beth Boone and Johann Zietsman - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Cheryl & Y. David Scharf, Secretary, AACT- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Eyal Alfi, Hillit Meidar-Alfi, Chair, AAC Trust (AACT), Holly and Eric G. Johnson, Chair, AAC Foundation (AACF) - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Gerald Grant, Chair-Elect, AACT, & Jennifer Grant- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Gregory Porter Performance - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Gregory Porter Performance - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com James Dow & Lucille Zanghi, Dir., AACF- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Keon Hardemon, District 3 Commissioner, Johann Zietsman, President & CEO, AAC, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Melanie & Martin Kirschner- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Johann Zietsman, President & CEO, AAC, Tharrie Zietsman & Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Rhoda Levitt- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Richard Blanco - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Swanee DiMare- Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Veronica Sanchez and Johann Zietsman - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com Wesley Wray - Adrienne Arsht Center 20th Anniversary Gala - Photo by WorldRedEye.com The gala was co-chaired by Eric G. Johnson, Holly Johnson, Hillit Meidar-Alfi, and Eyal Alfi. Adrienne Arsht served as the honorary chair. By ML Staff. Photos: World Red Eye

The 43rd edition of the Miami Film Festival (MFF43) officially concluded its acclaimed 2026 run with a celebratory Closing Night and Awards presentation. Wrapping up a spectacular season of global and local cinema, the festival organizers expressed deep gratitude to the attendees, filmmakers, and supporters who contributed to the event's success before revealing the highly anticipated jury selections. The evening's top honors recognized exceptional storytelling across multiple feature categories. The prestigious Marimbas Award, accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize, went to On the Road, directed by David Pablos. Local cinema was celebrated with the Made In MIA Feature Film award, which granted $15,000 to Gabriel de Varona for The Old Man and the Parrot. Additionally, Zinnini Elkington took home the $10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award for Second Victims , while William D. Caballero won the Documentary Feature category for TheyDream, alongside honorable mentions for Revolution’s Daughter and Everybody to Kenmure Street. The festival also awarded a diverse and competitive lineup of short films. Gabriela Garcia Medina’s SKRRRT! won the $5,000 Made in MIA Short Film prize sponsored by ArtesMiami, with runners-up including September All Over and Colada. Other notable wins included Ovary-Acting for the $4,000 Miami International Short Film Award , If You Really Love Me, Outlive Me for the Reel South Short Award , Ghost of the Marsh for the Cinemaslam Competition Award , and Oh Whale! for the UM Documentary Short Award. While the jury prizes have been distributed, attendees can stay tuned as the festival prepares to unveil the final Audience Awards. By ML Staff.

Gulfstream Park has transformed its trackside venue, Carousel Club, into a premier soccer viewing destination, hosting official watch parties for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Running from June 11 through July 19, the month-long activation pairs live international soccer broadcasts with the venue's traditional Thoroughbred horse racing schedule. The open-air entertainment space is broadcasting every tournament match on a large LED screen and on monitors throughout the venue. Organized in partnership with Michelob ULTRA, Stella Artois, and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, the watch parties feature live entertainment, seasonal promotions, and dedicated beverage activations. Local culinary staples Pubbelly Sushi and Sergio’s are also operating on-site food pop-ups during select match days. In addition to food and entertainment, attendees have opportunities to win complimentary match tickets through on-site giveaways sponsored by Michelob ULTRA. Scheduled giveaways include tickets to the Colombia vs. Portugal match during the special watch party in the walking ring on Wednesday, June 24, as well as tickets to upcoming Round of 32 knockout matches distributed during the June 27 broadcast. The viewing schedule spans the entire duration of the tournament, covering group stages, the knockout round beginning June 28, the quarterfinals, and the semifinals, before concluding with the final on Sunday, July 19. Located in Hallandale Beach, Gulfstream Park is a major South Florida entertainment complex featuring elite horse racing, slot machine gaming, and an open-air lifestyle center filled with boutiques and cafes. Complete broadcast schedules, hours of operation, and reservation availability can be reviewed directly via the Gulfstream Park main event directory. By ML Staff. Photos: Paul Stoppi.

Sexy Fish Miami launched a nightly artistic activation on June 12, 2026, featuring its live performance mermaids dressed in custom couture made from upcycled soccer gear. The seasonal programming runs through the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup on July 18. The restaurant developed the initiative to highlight and collaborate with local, women-led creative businesses and entrepreneurs based in Miami. The project debuted alongside a dedicated dinner hosting female business owners from the community. Allison Freidin, entrepreneur and co-founder of the Museum of Graffiti, serves as the creative director for the project. Freidin conceptualized the fashion installation and curated the local team to build the visual presentation. Diana Dubinsky, founder of the Wynwood-based design studio DesignLab22 (DL22), designed and constructed the garments. Dubinsky and her team created seven distinct looks utilizing discarded soccer jerseys, kits, scarves, and athletic materials, reworking the sportswear into high-fashion apparel. The performance pieces integrate directly with the restaurant's aquatic-inspired design concept. The Brickell neighborhood venue regularly incorporates marine installations, theatrical elements, and permanent mermaid sculptures alongside its late-night dining services. Guests can view the live performances nightly or secure dinner reservations directly via the Sexy Fish Miami online platform. By ML Staff. Photos: Sexy Fish Miami.