Posts by Cecilia Paz:
Bhakti Baxter: ROMPELOTAS, ROMPELOTAS at Gallery Diet, Opening Reception, Oct 7, 2011, 7-9PM
October 6th, 2011Bhakti Baxter: ROMPELOTAS at Gallery Diet, Opening Reception, Oct 7, 2011, 7-9PM
ROMPELOTAS is the first Miami solo exhibition in four years for locally based artist Bhakti
Baxter. The exhibition will include sculpture, painting, collage, and installation based work. ROMPELOTAS is a collection of work assembled through a careful balance between play and placement. Found objects such as soccer balls and office desk drawers collide with concrete and enamel to behave like irrational models of natural phenomena. Though various layers of media stack up against each other unsettlingly throughout the gallery, the work consists of very basic organic and geometric patterns such as branching, spherical implosion, vertical and panoramic support structures, both rendered and actual. Viewed as a whole, the parts function as components of an expanded portrait, with sculptures and drawings embracing the micro and macro at every junction. Working closely with the laws of gravity, density, and the malleability of mass, Baxter transforms quotidian objects into forms imbued with metaphysical propositions, further defined by the self-made aesthetic of these forces.
The word ROMPELOTAS is a play on the term rompe pelotas, which means ball breaker in Spanish.
Bhakti Baxter has exhibited at Federica Schiavo Gallery in Rome, Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery in
Paris, Bravin Lee Programs, and Guild and Greyskhul in New York. He has also exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, where he is in the permanent collection, The Bass Museum of Art Miami Beach, The Museum of Contemporary Art Washington DC, and The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art. His work is also included in the permanent collection of the NOMAS Foundation in Rome. This will be Baxter's first solo exhibition at Gallery Diet. The exhibition is being accompanied by a 120-page hard cover retrospective publication including texts by Geir Haraldseth, Gean Moreno, and Hugh Stockton.
October 7th – November 12th, 2011
Opening Reception: October 7th, 7-9pm
Gallery Diet 174 NW 23rd Street Miami, Florida 33127 www.gallerydiet.com 305 571 2288
For additional information, interviews or images please contact Jon Handel at jon@sparkplug-pr.com or 347-742-4380.
Special thanks to Palm Breweries.
ARTWALK AFTERPARTY, VILLA 211, SAT, OCT 8, 2011, DOWNTOWN MIAMI
October 6th, 2011
Title:
Diamonds-N-The-Ruff – Wynwood Artwalk Afterparty
 Info:
Saturday, October 8th, 2011, 9pm-3am, at Villa 221 – 221 NE 17th Street, Miami, FL
ART & PHOTOGRAPHY: Maytee Bringas, Janette Valentine, Denise Diaz, Daniella Mia, Earthgirlz Productions, + More TBA
HIP HOP & DUBSTEP: DJane, Name Brand, Haviken Hayes, Somejerk, Gooddroid, and on the mic: Sopheye
GALLERY & STREET ART INSTALLATIONS: Kazilla, Trek6, Dekal, Aleloop, Junk Roxxx, Tubs, Fifty Three, Ink, Nate Dee, Marc Paper Scissor, Luzalma Gonzales, Maciel Vargas, Rei Ramirez, + More TBA
FASHION: Fox House (Pop-Up Shop), ReVamp ReLove
BEAUTY: Control Salon, Kabuki Kosmetics
SWEETS: Delicocity
Brought to you by Multiversal, More than Art Group, Life is Art, A Girl’s Best Friend (agirlsbestfriend.biz), and WeMerge Magazine.
 About:
A collection of beyond stellar talent will be showcased throughout a hidden Miami jewel, Villa 221, a large event complex—situated between Wynwood and Downtown—that features several gallery rooms, multiple bar areas, and an outdoor patio where live artists will be at work. ‘Diamonds-N-The-Ruff’ will feature scores of well-known and emerging local artists, performers, exhibitors and DJ’s while serving as an after party for Miami’s wildly popular Wynwood Art Walk. In addition, this event will also serve as a fundraiser for Multiversal 2011, an art collaborative, which will take place at this year’s Art Basel.
 MEDIA CONTACTS:
 Gianna DeMercado – Multiversal: VP of Marketing & Communications
 Vania Baker – More than Art Group: VP of Communications & Public Relations
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‘The Art of A Cure’ Raises Over $12000 In Support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, South Florida Chapter
October 6th, 2011On Saturday, October 1, 2011, Etra Fine Art in the Design District hosted ‘The Art of A Cure’ fundraiser in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), South Florida Chapter.  The cocktail and silent auction event was attended by about 100 people.  Major sponsors were: Bacardi, Cancio Johnson & Echarte PL, Navarro Discount Pharmacy (Miami Lakes), MarComPOP, Coconut Grove Jaycees Foundation, Paella Party, Misha’s Cupcakes, and Moe’s Party Rental. Silent auction items were donated by:  OLA, Marriott New York Eastside, Meat Market, Mayi, The Raleigh Hotel, Shula’s 347, The Betsy Hotel, Michael’s Genuine, Gibraltar,Islander Resort, Randazzo’s Little Italy, Angelo Dundee’s 5th Street Gym, Green Monkey, The Dining Room, Perricone’s, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, The Biltmore Hotel,Fleming’s Steakhouse, Exhale Miami, Emena Spa, Gigi, Yard House, Gansevoort Miami Beach, Seasons 52, Asia de Cuba, Old Lisbon, and Ocean Pointe Suites.  Other donations were made by: Delicias de Espana, Costco, and Bottles in Miami Lakes.
Renee Lukacs and Nicole Hernandez
“My goal was to raise $10000, but we exceeded it to raise over $12000,†says event organizer Nicole Hernandez.
Hernandez was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes four years ago.  Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system that strikes children and adults suddenly, and lasts a lifetime.  As many as 3 million Americans are living with Type 1 diabetes, and more than 30,000 children and adults are diagnosed every year.
“After being diagnosed, my world turned upside down,†states Hernandez.  “Once I educated myself about the disease and learned how insulin affects my body, I started to change my lifestyle and focus on spreading the word about Type 1 Diabetes.â€
After participating in the JDRF, South Florida Chapter’s 2010 ‘Miami Walk to Cure Diabetes,’ Hernandez decided that she wanted to do more by holding her own community fundraising event.  “The event is called ‘The Art of A Cure’ because I wanted something that had potential to stick for years and my vision was to do the event at an art gallery because I wanted a venue that was beautiful in itself.â€
Hernandez credits Etra Fine Art owners Stefano Campanini and Alicia Restrepo for the success of the event because they were willing to help out in any way possible.  She explains, “As soon as I sent Stefano an email telling him about my vision and asking if he would donate his venue for the cause, he called me within 10 minutes saying – let’s do it!â€
Etra Fine Art has been the backdrop to many social events, poetry readings, theatre performances, and inspiring lectures.  The gallery has hosted events that include an autism benefit where funds were raised to restore a playground at the Blue Lakes Elementary’s Autism Academy and a fundraiser alongside ‘Friends of WLRN’ and ‘Arts For Learning.’ In 2010, Etra Fine Art donated over $10000 in artwork to sponsor Miami-Dade County Public School’s ‘Sixth Annual Education Awards.
“From the first conversation, Nicole and I became good friends.  This event shows how Miami can be a close community because so many people pitched in to help her reach her goal,†says Stefano Campanini.
Besides hosting events, Campanini plays an active role in supporting the community.  He is a board member for Arts For Learning (a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through the arts) and is founder  of the non-profit organization La Casa de la Mujer de las Americas that creates community centers for families headed by women who are fleeing civil war or domestic violence in Colombia.  His new business ‘Wine by the Bay’ located in downtown Miami will also serve the community by supporting local artists and hosting community events.
To learn more about the South Florida Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (based in Fort Lauderdale), visit http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100585. For more information on Nicole Hernandez’ efforts to support this cause and future ‘The Art of A Cure’ fundraisers, contact Nicole Hernandez nhern86@gmail.com (305) 878-3483.
WELCOMING CHEF DENA MARINO TO MIAMI, WEDNESDAY, OCT 5, 6:30PM LOCUST PROJECTS
October 4th, 2011MEET AND GREET
Iron Chef competitor, Dena Marino in Miami’s Design District, Locust Projects as you taste some of her cooking!
MARIA BLONDET’s EXCLUSIVE HAND-MADE JEWELRY! I HAVE SOME PIECES MYSELF!
September 16th, 2011
Rings
The delightful Maria Blondet is the daughter of renown steel sculptor, Carmen Ines Blondet. The Puerto Rican artist attended Moore College of Art & Design in 1990 and majored in Graphic Design. Moore being the wonderful all-women’s college that it is offered a bonus for its graduates at the time. Maria was given the opportunity to stay at Moore a fifth year in order to take up any other discipline, rather than the Major she had earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in. She chose Jewelry and married the two.
On the jewelry, which is all made by hand, are stamped phrases of poems her grandfather wrote! They are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces currently at Reinhold Jewelry store in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mblondet1
Galeria Rhinehold, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bangles and Ring
Jewelry, Maria Blondet
Pendants and Ring
The collection by Maria Blondet, Galeria Reinhold, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Necklace
Jewelry in the making as Maria creates these by hand
Rings
TONIGHT, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011, IRIS PHOTO COLLECTIVE ART EXHIBIT, 6-10pm
September 15th, 2011
Physique of Art: Body & Live Art Show on September 17, 2011, 7pm sharp
September 15th, 2011
Title:
Physique of Art: Body & Live Art Show
Info:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 7:00 P.M., at Bar 721 on N. Lincoln Lane in Miami Beach, FL 33139
Featured Artists: Tarski Merceda, Adela Sutton, Gina Bentivegna, Cristina Isabel Rivera, Ricardo, and Teepop
Featured Body Painting Artists: Wicked Art, Stacey Love, and Compressed Art Folders
Entrance cover of $5, or $10 for an inclusive complimentary drink offered to the first 50 guests. In addition, Bar 721 will have happy hour specials all throughout the event!! Proceeds will benefit More than Art Group and Multiversal, two non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting local and emerging artists in South Florida.
About:
A distinctly interactive event where attendees can view and observe art as much as they can be a part of the process itself. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with artists and/or opt to have customized pieces created.
We will have various artists creating live sketches and graffiti, and performing live painting and body painting. A live body art installation by Compressed Art Folders will revolve around the interesting theme of prisms, showcasing the artist’s style and creativity for the first time in Miami.
Expect to also experience and explore an assortment of hanging art and stunning pieces brought to life by the musical sounds of DJ Frank Orellama.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vania Baker
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AGE IS BEAUTY at BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY, ON EXHIBIT AURORA MOLINA’S EXTRAORDINARY MOTION DOLLS
September 14th, 2011
Aurora Molina and her exhibit, A Critique of Established Attitudes Towards Aging & Beauty
Here I am (on left) Cecilia Paz with Artist Aurora Molina and her fascinating take on the aged community among us. That would be in some cases our own parents, relatives, pseudo-relatives we call “relatives,” and relatives we would rather not acknowledge as relatives.
Aurora’s work is clearly on a high plane of thought, planning and execution. The play on words and puns of her titles are hysterical and even, sad. “Viagra” depicts sexually charged actions taking place among dolls which have interior mechanisms allowing them to move. The action is looped and the quirky sounds they make (as if you were playing the video game, Angry Birds) completely enveloped my curious mind.
This artist is questioning our sense of aging and how our elders fit in our society. Does the North American mindset in general see our elders as being wise and helpful or are they seen as useless and burdens? I think Molina brings up a great topic as I viewed her exhibit. I ask you, “Are the elderly dead already, although they are very much alive?”
Viagra by Aurora Molina
When she addresses the subject of beauty, none of her moving, gabbing dolls (as I call them) are beautiful in the western world aesthetic of beauty established by the Greeks and further immortalized in Renaissance paintings of the 1450′s and so on.
Her dolls are deformed, distorted, yet playful and allude to the breakdown of our own bodies as we age. Perhaps considered ugly compared to a Barbie brand doll, but these dolls are Fine Art and are statements about how we have less control over what our bodies do and how we look. Our skin may sag, we may get sunspots and maybe we will be less agile, but the artist is telling the truth by showing us an aspect of life (in a comical way) that we will all reach. Wouldn’t we all be liked to be considered beautiful, handsome and relevant as we grow old?
Aurora’s moving and noisy dolls are pleasantly unpleasant and that is what makes them beautiful! As a Realist Oil portrait painter myself, I see more beauty in wrinkles, imperfections and asymmetry in faces, rather than having the need to see perfect dolls who resemble Greek gods and goddesses. We are all different in our youth, however, as we age, we all seem to be more united as people having all of the same attributes when our bodies decide to do what they do in aging.
Soft Sculpture by Artist-Aurora Molina
The artist depicts men and women as distorted by the fact that she creates this Soft Sculpture (as it is known,) from pantyhose of different shades and stuffs them apparently in a somewhat haphazard way. Some look like Mr. Potato Heads where they seem androgynous. The artist seems to be concerned more with social issues and the civilized treatment for the elderly, rather than how beauty physically fades for every one of us.
My belief is that Aurora Molina’s dolls depict what I already feel about my attitude towards aging and that is… “Aging is beauty” and “Live life to the fullest because you are not dead, yet.”  We should all laugh now! (This is coming from a Cervical Cancer survivor and I have to remind myself of that every day. –Cecilia Paz)
–CECILIA PAZ
CONTACT INFORMATION: www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com
On Exhibit until October 29, 2011
ABDON ROMERO-VENEZUELAN MASTER PORTRAITIST AT BANG & OLUFSEN ON VIEW FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS, LINCOLN ROAD, SOUTH BEACH!
September 10th, 2011Bang & Olufsen is having the work of Abdon Romero on view for the next 3 months and will have an ongoing series of Artists’ receptions and exhibits. See below for more information. The store hours are: Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm Friday-11am-9pm Saturday & Sunday 12noon-9pm For post-exhibit photos, please LIKE their Fan page for more details from the event!
TONIGHT-”BIZARD” IS BIZARRE, FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS INTRIGUING FRENCH ARTIST, SEPT.10 AT PANTHER COFFEE, WYNWOOD
September 10th, 2011ART
BIZARD opening and performance
Saturday September 10th, Panther Coffee, 2390 NW 2nd Ave, Miami
SCOTCH TAPE, is a series of performances crossing cities with the body masked by tape. It’s working on the physical experience and the way we perceive the body, making people face the part of control and non-control they have or accept on the body, and giving an exceptional feeling of festive freedom to the spectator while questioning ethical and cultural issues. Covered by tape, the body transforms into a superhero figure, primitive and urban, bringing a dance awareness where the expression of the performer is constantly challenged and empowered by the mask. The relation with natural (or artificial) elements and local mythologies comes to the forefront, like when some spectators on location in Africa asked if the performers were coming from the earth.
The installation plays with the architecture of the Panther Coffee, its windows framing the street, by offering an alternate view with the Scotch Tape figures in Ouagadougou and the African street.
BIZARDÂ is a French performer and visual artist. His interest lies in the transformation of the body and how we perceive it. Architect, dancer and spoken words artist he has developed performance art projects mostly in site specific setting. His work has been shown amongst others at the Centre Pompidou, Louvre Museum and various city spaces.
Contact BIZARD : US 786 3272 986   -  FR +33 6 63617272  -   www.bizard.net  -   contact@bizard.net
Panther Coffee, 2390 NW 2nd Ave, Miami
SEPTEMBER 8, STYLELIST presents FASHION’S NIGHT OUT at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE DADELAND
September 7th, 2011SAKS FIFTH AVENUE DADELAND CELEBRATES FASHION’S NIGHT OUT
(Scroll down for more information)
MIAMI, FLORIDA, On Thursday, September 8th, 6-9pm, Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland will transform into fashion’s ultimate social media party with a night of style, makeovers, music and more.
Saks Fifth Avenue Dadeland has invited three charities (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, Humane Society of Greater Miami and Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program) to participate in a night of shopping that will benefit these charities and give back to the community.
Begin the night out by joining us on the ground floor with the FENDI Fatto a Mano event. In this incredible workshop, the customer will be able to design her very own, completely one-of-a-kind Selleria bag. A Fendi craftsman will be present to help the clients choose from a selection of gorgeous exotics, leathers and trims in a wide range of colors.
Customers will also enjoy complimentary makeovers in our Beauty Department, as our expert artist teams show how to get the season’s latest looks. As part of the FNO @Saks theme, customers are invited to tweet and Facebook their new looks directly from our Beauty Department. The Spa at The Mandarin Oriental, Miami will be offering five minute neck massages and raffling of a gift certificate to their spa.
The Fur Salon located on the second level, will be hosting an exclusive trunk show of must have pieces by American Fur Designers with the Fine Jewelry department will host a Vhernier trunk show.
 AOL will be hosting interactive iPad kiosk for clients to check in with Stylelist, the source for the latest fashion news and trends, to test your Fall Fashion IQ for the chance to win exclusive prizes.
The event will be accompanied by sexy cocktails provided by SX Liquors and The Capital Grille will be present during the night. The affair will also have DJ’s in the contemporary department and handbags department. In addition, Jennifer Valoppi, president and founder of Women of Tomorrow will be signing her book Certain Cure.
For further information, please visit our Facebook page for an updated event schedule by market.
About Fashion’s Night Out
Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy. In theUnited States, the program is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City ofNew York. On September 10, 2009, more than 700 stores stayed open late to put the fun back in shopping, with designer appearances, live windows, celebrity guests, and other special events.  On the same night around the world, and led by twelve international Vogue editions (United Kingdom,Greece,Italy,Russia,France,Brazil,India,Spain,China,Germany,Japan, andTaiwan), each country tailored its Fashion’s Night Out celebration to appeal to its city’s unique retail environment.
About Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s preeminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 50 full-line stores in 24 states, 5 licensed stores in the Middle East and 1 licensed store inMexico City,55 Saks Fifth AvenueOFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company’s online store.
About Big Brothers & Big Sisters
They serve thousands of children inSouth Floridaby pairing them with caring volunteers who serve as friends and role models. The volunteers provide the young person with the support, friendship and guidance that is missing in their lives and helps prevent them from getting involved with drugs, gangs and the juvenile justice system. They work to help the children and young people become caring, confident and competent adults.
About The Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet
They are dedicated to placing every dog and cat in our care into a loving home and to promoting responsible pet ownership and spay/neuter programs.
About Women of Tomorrow
Women of Tomorrow was conceived in 1997 by Television Journalist Jennifer Valoppi and co-founded with Don Browne, Former Telemundo Network President. The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program is designed to inspire, motivate and empower at-risk young women to live up to their full potential through a unique mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities. Women of Tomorrow currently mentors approximately 2,000 at-risk young women in 98 public high schools within 42 cities in Broward, Miami-Dade andPalm BeachCountieswith its network of 250 Mentors. Research shows that Women of Tomorrow Mentees have increased self-esteem, a 92% high school graduation rate, and increased academic performance each year they are in the program, to a statistically significant degree. Women of Tomorrow has awarded almost $3 million in scholarships to over 1,000 mentees. With support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, WOT will launch its program in Metro Detroit in Fall 2011, and will continue expansion intoPhiladelphiaandCharlottein following years. For more information, call 305.371.3330 or visit www.womenoftomorrow.org.
 About Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Contemporary in design and with a prominent waterfront location, the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miamifeatures 326 elegant guest rooms including suites – offering dramatic views of the bay and the Miamiskyline. Amenities include two high-energy restaurants, M-Bar – a dynamic cocktail lounge and martini bar, an award-winning tri-level spa, Oasis Beach Club, the luxury boutique Shanghai Tang and extensive meeting and business facilities. For reservations, call (305) 913 8383 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/miami
About SX Liquors
SXLiquors is a line of premium spirits including an award-winning tequila, aged rum, and cachaca-style rum. Infused with sensual and exotic ingredients to deliver the ultimate taste experience, its products appeal to discerning consumers looking for delicious drinks that can be enjoyed over ice or inside their favorite cocktails. Learn more at http://sxliquors.com, become a fan on the SX Facebook page, and follow SX on Twitter. For more information or to schedule an interview with SXLiquors CEO David Knight, please contact Evan Nierman at evan@sxliquors.com.
About The Capital Grille
 The Capital Grille owns and operates 41 locations nationwide. The restaurant is known for its dry aged steaks, award-winning wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Routinely recognized by Wine Spectator magazine, The Capital Grille has received the American Culinary Federation’s “Achievement of Excellence Award.â€Â In June 2010 The Capital Grille was voted a guest favorite on Open Table’s “2010 Best American Cuisine Winners – Top 50 Restaurant List,†with 10 The Capital Grille locations filling out the List’s coveted 50 spots. The List is derived from more than 5 million reviews submitted by Open Table diners for more than 11,000 restaurants in all 50 states.
The Capital Grille offers more than 325 New and Old Worldwine selections, including a Captain’s List of some of the world’s most highly allocated and sought-after wines. The restaurant also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events. For more information on The Capital Grille, please visit www.TheCapitalGrille.com.
DOES DENNIS RODMAN’S TOWERING CAKE GIVE HIM SOME COMPETITION FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? ALMOST! FIND OUT AS HE CELEBRATES HIS INDUCTION INTO THE NBA HALL OF FAME WITH AN ANA PAZ CAKE!
September 4th, 2011Known as the baddest boy who played in the NBA, Dennis Rodman showed the world that even he has a huge heart. Along with many others, I saw the speech on television and was moved as Mr. Rodman kept thanking and appreciating his fellow team mates, close friends, and especially his family. His accomplishments are what gave him fame, glory, and money.
He told it simply like it is: a show. He alluded to that what matters most in life are those closest to us who love us. From reading reactions to his speech, the public has embraced him. The many colorful hair styles, tattoos, the famous wedding dress he wore, and the many controversial relationships are all part of a “colorful” individual as he describes it.
However his personality, it is without question that being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame will go down in history. Dennis Rodman along with his team mates won 5 NBA Championships and he won 7 Rebounding titles. I believe now anything Mr. Rodman does will be seen in different light and he will be treated with even more respect for his candor and humility.
On Thursday, September 1, 2011, I was lucky enough to get to meet the towering 6′ 8″ maverick for a third time. Being that my mother owns Ana Paz Cakes, we were asked to do his NBA Basketball Hall of Fame Cake to commemorate the event. I took on the project as I usually do the more complex Cake Designs which are planned to incorporate the recipient’s style and needs. There are some things I will keep secret, but read on and you will discover how this incredible centerpiece almost stole the show!
Copyright 2011, Cecilia Paz and Ana Paz Cakes, All rights reserved.
My thoughts:
For this cake, I just knew it had to be taller than Dennis. He is one tall man and people find him magnetic as he walks by. It is truly a sight to see. When I saw him he was outfitted like a Rock Star: His jacket seemed to be feathery, the pants were pink, he was wearing a black cowboy hat, a silver tank top with a sash tied around his waist and a somewhat Gothic-style cross was hanging from his neck as a long necklace. Of course, I cannot leave out his shades. For me: Dennis Rodman is a walking work of Art. How was I to make a cake that would even be noticed when he is the master of attention- grabbing? Well, I sat down the night before to draw out what was to be the most unique cake I have ever designed and made.
A little birdie (Yevgeny Senkevich, who is totally dedicated to the sport of Basketball suggested I make the basketballs on the cake in GOLD!) You see, when Mr. Rodman won the NBA Championships, the trophy depicted a large, golden shiny basketball. What a wonderful suggestion!  As I was trying to figure out which colors to place where, the gold directed me into a clearer path. Along with Dennis’ own friend, we both agreed it had to be elegant, yet show some of  his personality.
Photo by Cecilia Paz
Next, came making this cake and feeding 200 guests! The Cake Flavor is my mother’s special Vanilla Rum Cake recipe (www.anapazcakes.com.) All of the cake was eaten in just a matter of one hour and someone in particular came back for 5 pieces! I even had a piece and it was delicious. I should remind my readers that I have eaten this cake since I was born and I am soon to be 40 years old.
From the Base to the Top here is a description of what the cake had:
The Base had a banner which read: THE GREATEST REBOUNDER THAT EVER PLAYED THE GAME! It also had another banner strewn across diagonally which read: CONGRATULATIONS, MR. RODMAN. It also had about 14 Giant Sparklers which held a hanging row of Swarovski crystals around the enormous base. The separation between the cakes held 4 Mini-Basketballs in Gold holding up the upper portion. Around each Basketball where large Diamonds.
The Upper Half is where the two pieces where taken apart and placed together at the location. Its bottom most cake was painted  Silver and I embedded shiny Gems into it. It had a cascade of fabric bows, fondant bows and large Diamonds. To counterbalance the assymetry, I added silver ribbon on the right side of this layer.
The Red Layer was very important as it had his Chicago Bulls #91 and his Detroit Pistons #10 and Red Feathers which rested on painted black abstract feather designs to show a little of Dennis’ personality in it. The numbers had a little bit of “bling” as well as supports.
The White on White Pearlized Diamond-Patterned Layer depicted his Pistons logo and it was delicately painted with a finishing touch of a single gold ball where the intersections of the Diamond Patterns met.
The Gold on Gold Striped Final Top Layer showed the Bulls logo and the entire cake was finished with a Large Golden Basketball on top replete with metallic decorations in Silver and Gold as its background and the logo on the basketball was the ultimate logo which any professional NBA Basketball player could ever hope to have: the BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME (Springfield, Massachusetts) .
I could not take my eyes off of the cake the entire night! I couldn’t believe I made it! I mean, I had done things like this before, but this one was special and I had complete artistic license. I would just watch people come and take pictures with it and see their faces. They were in awe! Dennis Rodman and his assistant Aj were most gracious in speaking with me and our staff and were very happy with the cake! Dennis even Tweeted about @AnaPazCakes.
I wish to thank our staff at Ana Paz Cakes, Aston “Aj” Bright, Teekay, Lucille Jimenez, Yevgeny Senkevich, Gayle, Gina, Tokyo Blue, Ocean Manor Hotel, and of course, Mr. Dennis Rodman. I know there are others and I will mention you in my next article which will be Part 2.
There is another article coming about the charity which Mr. Rodman supports, The Teen Board, and so much more! More pictures are coming! Please stay tuned!
–Cecilia Paz
www.dennisrodman.com
www.anapazcakes.com
WYNWOOD GALLERY NIGHT, SEPT 10, 2011, BERNICE STEINBAUM DEBUTS WORLD-CLASS ART WORKS BY KAREN RIFAS & AURORA MOLINA
September 4th, 2011LOOKING FOR WHICH GALLERY TO VISIT ON WYNWOOD’S GALLERY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 10TH? Look no further, the most interesting, thought-provoking, and memorable works reside in only one: BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY.
KNOW B S!
SCROLL DOWN FOR ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION or visit www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com
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ART WORKSHOP WITH DEREK GORES-SEPT. 11, REGISTER NOW!!!
August 31st, 2011MyArt Ventures LLC, mission is to help bring out the artist in all of us by offering experiences that allow us to engage all of our senses through unique travel experiences, venues, workshops, seminars, and art discussions. We hold art workshops both here in Miami, FL and while traveling and discovering wonderful places around the world.
We will be holding a 1- day workshop called Wet N’ Wild Mixed Media on September 11th with Derek Gores. Gores was named one of the 40 most influential new contemporary artist, exhibits his work all around the world and has done commissions for artist such as Madonna, Elton John, The Orlando Magic, ESPN, Lenny Kravitz, etc. You can take a look at this web site here:Â www.derekgores.com
The workshop will be in a studio setting where the student will have the opportunity to learn to relax and develop an intuitive touch with his/her drawing and painting. Using water, charcoal, paint, pastel and perhaps more, they will enhance speed, accuracy and sensitivity. At the same time Derek and Patricia Del Salto (another artist whose company is MyArt Ventures) will encourage how to “loosen up” and at the same time become more accurate. Subject matter will include abstract, spatial drawing and nude figure drawing with a live model.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
LIGHTS, CAMERA & HERE COMES MIAMI ACTION!, MEET FILMMAKER, SIMONE BERGER
August 29th, 2011The witty and incredibly talented Simone Berger, a recent graduate from the University of Miami’s Film program is passionate about telling stories through the lens of a camera. Originally from New York, she was raised in Tampa, Florida and about the age of 16, she knew already that she wanted to share reality with the rest of the world by documenting it in video. While in Lakewood High-School, she was involved in a top rated morning show, CATCOM, which is the Center for Advanced Technologies. She had to apply to be in the program and had to make an entertainment package every week. She changed positions with everyone in her group as far as who would be on the camera, editing, voicing-over, color correcting, interviewing, directing (video person), writer, and producer. See, I told ya’, she is a smart cookie! Â This landed her a student Emmy! A truly great accomplishment at such a tender age.
During her final year at Lakewood, she looked around to see which Universities offered a Film program to her liking and she found that University of Miami and University of Florida offered such programs. She chose UM.
Simone has a B.S. in Communication Electronic Media and her Major while at UM was Video Film. Simone knew that if she was going to be taking footage of people or actors that it would be most useful for her to see what they did on the other side of the camera, so she also had a second major which was required in her program and she selected Theater. Simone explains, “It was useful to learn what goes on behind the scenes and I learned what actors do.”
To add to her many talents she also threw Art in the mix! The passionate filmmaker did her minor at UM in Art. She took classes in Graphic Design, Photoshop, Illustrator, and animation programs like InDesign and After Effects.
It was also during her Senior year at the University of Miami that she added, “My documentary class made me fall in love with storytelling. News were depressing and more like clips. I wanted to tell stories that were happy where I had creative freedom which were fun!
Her Senior project was to make a 10-minute documentary. She chose my mother’s company, Ana Paz Cakes.
Simone produced, directed, shot, and edited this documentary on the upscale Ana Paz Specialty Cakes.
Documentaries allowed Simone to have more time and she felt it was perfect for her pace. She likes to tell true stories and the documentary style which is about real people and where stories are not made up.
Berger adds she really likes topics that are fun and gives the examples of seeing how Glass-blowing is done, how Cakes are made and what life for animals in a Park is like.
Sanjeev Chatterjee, was her mentor while at UM while attending his Film Documentary Class at UM.
She is currently working for the Miami World Cinema Center in Wynwood (Miami’s Art District) which is a non-profit film center. “I am shooting and editing a behind the scenes documentary for their One Water Workshop.”
I asked Simone what if she had a limitless budget? Her response, “I would travel and shoot video of beautiful places, people and watch how businesses in third-world countries make their businesses function. If they make food items, then I would love to see them make it. The excited artist continues…”I would shoot a crazy sport like sand-surfing or go to New Zealand and tape people jumping off of mountains. I like insane, awesome things which are out of the norm.”
With respect to animals, Simone says, “I love to show animals in nature (in the wild.) I went to Australia in the summer of 2010.”
Professional experience: Interned at NBC6 and edited promos for Ken Berk in Sales Production. See more of her work at her website: www.simoneberger.com
In giving advice to other students contemplating Film as a career, she says, “Learn every position having to do with Film to make you better. I like behind the camera, unlike some other legends like Steven Spielberg, as I like to hold the camera in my hand and shoot myself.” There are different ways of shooting and on work like Motion Pictures, she explained that directors usually tell others how they want the shot.
She reminded me that half of her classes where in Television Production and half were in Film Production.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Student Emmy, Member of the National Broadcasting Society, Alpha Epsilon Rho Honors Fraternity (which is the honors society of the National Broadcasting Society.) Worked for University of Miami Television (UMTV) and while there she was the Head Editor for the Slate which is a movie review entertainment show. She was a Production Manager on the Executive Board in 2010 and Station Manager, so she supervised all of the shows in Spring of 2011.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
She suggests using Chrome as a Browser and looking up her
Website: www.simoneberger.com
Email: simone@simoneberger.com
Phone: 305-918-2918
