The idea began in Paris in 1984 – with Nuit Blanche, or White Night – and has since spread to 11 other major international cities, including Rome, Madrid and Montreal.

“Art Deco Weekend was the start of it all 35 years ago, but then came Art Basel 10 years ago, and now we’ve got Sleepless Night. Thanks to these three events, the cultural scene here has exploded,” says George Neary, the associate vice president of cultural tourism for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Statistics suggest he makes a fair point. Last year, Sleepless Night attracted 130,000 people, with an estimated 27,000 coming from outside the area. Art Basel drew 46,000 people, with an estimated 10,000 from outside Florida. And Art Deco Weekend, the granddaddy of the celebrations (actually the grandmother since the event honors Barbara Capitan, credited with saving the Art Deco district from demolition) draws 200,000 visitors, 40,000 of them from out of state.

Sleepless Night was begun to give art and culture lovers a reason to come to Miami Beach in early November, when business is slower. This year the celebration begins Saturday. Art Basel follows Dec. 1-4. Art Deco Weekend is Jan. 13-15.

A case also could be made that Sleepless Night, the neophyte in the group, has become Miami Beach’s signature arts event.

Internationally appealing singers, dancers and performance artists perform alongside such award-winning local favorites as the Florida Grand Opera, the Miami City Ballet and the Miami Symphony Orchestra, as well as local standouts such as internationally known jazz vocalist Nicole Henry.

For this one night on Saturday, Miami Beach is more than South Beach as the city is divided into four cultural zones, which encompass 80 venues such as the Bass Museum and the New World Symphony.

This year’s schedule includes Sarruga, a Barcelona-based street theater group that will provide huge dancing fish puppets; Brazil’s Livio Tragtenberg, who will present “The Cabinet of Dr. Strange,” a “composer” in the form of an extinct animal; “The Carpetbag Brigade,” a group from San Francisco that utilizes acrobatic stilts, physical theater, modern dance and circus arts; and “Project Bandaloop,” an aerial dance troupe, which has performed on the cliffs of Yosemite National Park, and will perform its new work “Bound (less),” using the city’s new Frank Gehry-designed New World Center.

All of the cultural performances are free. Museums waive their admission fees. Luxury bus coaches transport people from place to place, with onboard entertainment and films shown on the vehicles as well.

Finally, those who stay up all night will be treated to breakfast on the beach as the sun comes up.

Source: http://sleeplessnight.org

“Celebrating the milestone of our 10th year at the 2011 Festival was truly extraordinary,” says Schrager, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications & National Events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, which hosts the Festival. “I believe the 2012 program features a number of fresh and exciting changes as well as those events that have become fan-favorites over the years.”

Transformations to the Festival program are most evident on Thursday, February 23 with a new event that takes the place of the beloved BubbleQ®. Promising even more fun, the Festival will kick-off with Moët Hennessy’s The Q presented by Allen Brothers, sponsored by Miami magazine, hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri. For those who wish to partake in a late-night experience, the best part of this change is that The Q will also feature its own after-party, The Q After Dark! The Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Allen Brothers hosted by Rachael Ray moves to Friday, February 24; a night which is also home to the eighth annual Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America.

The 2012 Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America keeps its long-standing tradition of honoring the world’s greatest wine and culinary talent by paying tribute to esteemed chef Charlie Trotter and celebrated winemaker Piero Antinori. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Trotter’s namesake restaurant in Chicago is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. The Antinori reputation as innovators has grown throughout the centuries, woven through 625 years and 26 generations of winemaking, making it one of the leading Italian producers of fine wines. Author and host of the popular Travel Channel series No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Capitalizing on the excitement surrounding last year’s 10th anniversary party, the Festival will again take over the stunning 1111 Lincoln Road space for Party: Impossible featuring Epicure Gourmet Market hosted by Robert Irvine. Also reinventing itself for 2012 is Food Network presents The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Late Night Bites, an event based of the hit primetime series. Dedicated foodies will get an exclusive opportunity to savor all of famed chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Bobby Flay’s restaurant concepts in one evening at the casual dinner The Flavors of Flay. The program is rounded out by highlighting the hottest trend in food at Trucks on the Beach presented by Diet Pepsi hosted by Andrew Zimmern, which doubles as the official Festival closing party.

A fresh set of Wine Spectator Wine Seminars and Bank of America Lifestyle Seminars will delight everyone from the novice to the aficionado throughout the weekend. Additionally, in line with previous years, the 2012 Festival will also host an array of unique brunches and dinners to appease even the most discerning of taste buds. They include:

• Dining in the Dark hosted by David Burke with Market 17
• Conscious Bite Out with Geoffrey Zakarian
• Dolce Lunch hosted by Charles Phan at The Setai
• Farm to Table Brunch hosted by Michael Schwartz & Friends
• Interactive Lunch hosted by Anne Burrell
• Napa Style at the Mandarin: hosted by Michael Chiarello and Joel Huff at Azul
• Interactive Dinner hosted by The Neelys
• Salsa @ Sea hosted by Douglas Rodriguez & Aarón Sanchez
• Sunday Supper by Meatball Shop

Tickets for the 2012 Festival go on sale at midnight on Monday, October 24, 2011 at www.sobefest.com and via phone at 9 a.m. the same day at 877.762.3933. American Express cardholders can access an exclusive pre-sale starting at 9 a.m. on October 10, 2011. Fans can follow Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager or at the Festival’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SOBEWFF.
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About the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE
All proceeds from the Festival benefit the students of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management who also assist Festival organizers with sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, and inventory as well as working alongside some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs and winemakers.

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is produced by Florida International University and Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about the Festival, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 877-762-3933. For more information about Florida International University visit www.fiu.edu, for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management visit www.hospitality.fiu.edu and for more information about Southern Wine & Spirits visit www.southernwine.com.

From an early morning YOGA session to Cardio Salsa by the pool, to Cuban Rumba and body movement, to ladies styling, shines, lifts, dips and tricks. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, witness  aunique compilation of more than 300 dancers light up the stage as they share their passion for Salsa with over 60 individual performances. The Miami Salsa Congress offers a unique opportunity to experience a wide variety of styles and techniques taught by some of the most highly regarded and successful dancers in the industry today.

After a short intermission following the evening showcases, the doors open to over 4,000 square feet of sparkling dance floor with the congress DJ team setting the pace for the night as the musicians gear up to give the crowd an unforgettable live performance. And if you’re still not ready for bed, the party continues till 6:00 A.M with our South Beach style after parties featuring live entertainers and some of the best open format dance music DJ’s in the city.Miami Salsa Congress held every summer on South Beach, the much anticipated 2011 edition of this stellar event is set to be the ultimate dance vacation.

More information:

info@miamisalsacongress.com

www.miamisalsacongress.com

Boutique Hotels, Luxury Hotels in Miami Beach

Nassau Suite Hotel

The Nassau Suite is ideally located just one block from the beach and the world renowned Ocean Drive. Our classic luxury boutique hotel is an intimate all-suite facility in the heart of Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, decorated with white furnishings and neutral walls for a simple and peaceful ambiance.

from 139 USD »

Crest Hotel Suites

Crest Hotel Suites boasts a carefully restored Art Deco design. Our luxury boutique hotels is conveniently located in the heart of Miami’s South Beach, near Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, the Convention Center, the beach, the sun and the nightlife.

from 95 USD »

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The Palms Hotel and Spa

At our luxury hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, you step into a calm epoch filled with charm and hospitality. The Palms Hotel is a luxury seaside boutique hotel, located on the North end of South Beach, steps from the Convention Center.

from 149 USD »

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SoBe Gynecology and the American Cancer Society are helping raise awareness on the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, the second cause of women’s cancer worldwide.

Join them on Thursday, January 27 at The Palms Hotel & Spa during the hotel’s popular Sip & Spa, the weekly happy hour held in their Essensia Lounge.

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Party for a good cause, enjoy mini-spa treatments courtesy of The Palms Spa, an Aveda spa, complimentary signature cocktail for the first hour and 50% off drinks and appetizers.  The event is from 6pm to 10pm,  so get there early!

The Palms Hotel & Spa is located at 3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

For more information visit www.sobegyn.com, www.cancer.org or www.thepalmshotel.com.

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About The Palms Hotel & Spa

Epoque Classic Luxury Hotel, Boutique Hotel in Miami Beach > United States

The Palms Hotel & Spa, a luxurious beachfront paradise, offers guests an exclusive mix of boutique hotel style and first-rate resort amenities in a quiet location only a few minutes away from the ferment of South Beach. Long acknowledged for its tropical setting and authentic world-class hospitality, The Palms Hotel takes its guest experience to an exceptional level with the opening of two new venues, Essensia Restaurant & Lounge and The Palms Aveda Spa. In addition to its signature gardens, pool area and crescent shaped beach, the nature-inspired 251-room hotel also features extensive event and meeting facilities, a 24-hour business center and a romantic wedding gazebo.

Location:

The Palms Hotel & Spa is located on the northern end of South Beach, directly on the beach, at the northern end of South Beach, the world famous Art Deco neighborhood offering numerous attractions for visitors to enjoy. World-class shopping, renowned museums and art galleries, a fabulous culinary scene and a hot nightlife scene, are at easy reach from The Palms South Beach Hotel. – View Location Map.

General Information:

This year the South Beach Wine and Food Festival will feature Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis and many more…

The 2011 Festival will also celebrate the release of the official Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival cookbook (Clarkson Potter).

Tickets are available now, visit www.sobefest.com. Hurry up as there are not many seats left!

This Festival is also a great opportunity to visit the famous South Beach. Moreover, the temperature in Miami Beach during the month of February is perfect. The sun shines but it is not too hot. What do you need more? Here, in Miami Beach, you will have a lot of sun, sandy beaches, a blue ocean as well as the best drinks and food prepared by the top chefs! You should definitely complete this experience with a stay at one of the best boutique hotels in Miami Beach. And you will definitely come back to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival next year..

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Boutique Hotels in Miami Beach

Nassau Suite Hotel Best Rate Guaranteed!

The Nassau Suite is ideally located just one block from the beach and world renowned Ocean Drive, the hotel is an intimate all-suite facility in the heart of Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, decorated with white furnishings and neutral walls for a simple and peaceful ambiance.

from 143 USD »

The Claridge Hotel Best Rate Guaranteed!

Located right on Collins Avenue in South Beach, the Claridge is really a boutique hotel, and features all of the essentials to make a perfect stay. With a sensual Mediterranean architecture, an intimate restaurant and lounge and the peaceful and easily accessible mid-beach area of Miami South Beach.

from 19 USD »

South Beach Hotel Best Rate Guaranteed!

1939 Art Deco boutique hotel, recently renovated in beautiful contemporary style. The South Beach Hotel is located in the heart of South Beach (Sobe) near Collins Park and the Miami City Ballet.

from 105 USD »

Hotel Circa 39 Best Rate Guaranteed!

Circa 39 is a 100-room boutique hotel in Miami, ideally situated a few steps from Miami Beach�s sandy beaches and just minutes from the lively scene of South Beach in a peaceful beachside neighborhood. Circa 39 Hotel creates also an intimate space for small business meetings with its fun-loving style, ideal for getting your attendees in positive thinking mode, here in Miami beach.

from 129 USD »

The Palms Hotel & Spa Best Rate Guaranteed!

Luxury hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Step into a calm epoch filled with charm and hospitality. The Palms is a luxury seaside boutique resort, located on the North end of South Beach, steps from the Convention Center.

from 199 USD »

Penguin Hotel Best Rate Guaranteed!

Art Deco boutique hotel with large and comfortable rooms. The Penguin Hotel is located right on the beach, at the heart of the trendy Art Deco District South Beach, spanning one block between Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.

from 163 USD »

Crest Hotel Suites Best Rate Guaranteed!

Luxury boutique hotels, with a carefully restored Art Deco design. Crest Hotel Suites is conveniently located in the heart of Miami’s South Beach, near Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, the Convention Center, the beach, the sun and the nightlife.

from 105 USD »

National Hotel Best Rate Guaranteed!

Luxury design hotel in South Beach Miami, Florida. The National is an authentic Art Deco oceanfront landmark, beautifully restored to showcase its fine period features. Located in the heart of the historical district.

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