Last-minute plumbing glitches at well-known rental mansion Villa Ferrari on Palm Island left Jessica Suarez, field marketing manager for Dewar's 12, and the planning team at event firm the Agency scrambling for a venue at which to hold Dewar's celebrity poker tournament, a fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami. With a little assistance from SOL Sotheby's International Realty, exclusive realtor of a number of Miami's prestigious properties, a mansion in the exclusive Gables Estates was secured, and the event went on as scheduled.
Limos lined the blocks surrounding the mansion. Guests entered the home via a wide staircase flooded with white light and flanked by the requisite Dewar's 12 gobo logo, making for a great photo opportunity for celebrities like Alex Rodriguez, who was the evening's host, Jay-Z, and Lenny Kravitz. The grand foyer was lined with cases of spectacular diamond jewelry from Graff as part of the "Dewar's on the Rocks" promotion—yes, the diamonds represented the rocks—and a side room featured a chocolate fountain complete with goodies including strawberries, cherries, brioche, and pretzels for dipping. Both were a welcome diversion for guests who didn't play poker.
The main room was full of hip-hop music and cigar smoke. Testosterone and bravado were in the air, as attendees played poker, sipped Scotch on the rocks, and watched the Texas Hold 'Em action on flat-panel monitors throughout the mansion. Entertainers dressed as Vegas showgirls worked the crowd as the competition turned from friendly to fierce, ultimately raising more than $100,000.
—Stephen Bridges
Limos lined the blocks surrounding the mansion. Guests entered the home via a wide staircase flooded with white light and flanked by the requisite Dewar's 12 gobo logo, making for a great photo opportunity for celebrities like Alex Rodriguez, who was the evening's host, Jay-Z, and Lenny Kravitz. The grand foyer was lined with cases of spectacular diamond jewelry from Graff as part of the "Dewar's on the Rocks" promotion—yes, the diamonds represented the rocks—and a side room featured a chocolate fountain complete with goodies including strawberries, cherries, brioche, and pretzels for dipping. Both were a welcome diversion for guests who didn't play poker.
The main room was full of hip-hop music and cigar smoke. Testosterone and bravado were in the air, as attendees played poker, sipped Scotch on the rocks, and watched the Texas Hold 'Em action on flat-panel monitors throughout the mansion. Entertainers dressed as Vegas showgirls worked the crowd as the competition turned from friendly to fierce, ultimately raising more than $100,000.
—Stephen Bridges