The fifth year proved to be the biggest and best yet, as seven organizations networked together at the Hard Rock Café Miami, with each one bringing their best singer to compete in the “Hard Rock Café Talent Show-Down!”
With a “Christmas in August” theme, Sales and Marketing Manager Gonzalo Del Rio, organized a most delicious holiday dinner, complete with a glittering Christmas tree in their private party room, while Hard Rock Café’s famous hors d’oeuvres were being passed around by energetic and enthusiastic team members from the Hard Rock Café. “It’s always an honor to host this event,” said Del Rio, “and each year, the party is bigger and better and the singers are even more talented!”
Blue Bell Ice Cream was there once again with David Horner and Leo Gomez serving up their famous flavors to an appreciative crowd. Henry Menendez from HNO Productions provided all the sound for the evening’s program while CPA Craig Rogoff from Melnick Lilienfeld & Castonguay served as the official tabulator and photographer Juan Saco Miranoff captured the images throughout this exciting evening.
Del Rio joined the ever-popular Emcee George Neary from the Gr. Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) onstage as they welcomed over 200 businesspeoplemembers of the Aventura Marketing Council, Brazilian-American Chamber, Downtown Miami & Brickell Chamber, Miami Beach Chamber, Miami-Dade Chamber, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber and the North Dade Bar Association– who came together to network, and cheer on their group’s singer.
networking
And cheer they did as Emcee George Neary, Vice President of Cultural Tourism, GMCVB, introduced the panel of celebrity judges including Miguel Bravo, Executive Director, Film Recording & Entertainment Council; Maria Fulfaro, Marketing & Sales Manager, Broward Center for the Performing Arts; Pati Vargas, CEO, Pati Vargas Entertainment; Jeffrey Greene of 84 West Events; Karen Brown, Executive Director, LGBT; and Mark Eiglarsh, Author and Attorney.
The theme was the Beatles, and each singer performed a legendary Beatles song with great stage presence and vocals: Javier Castellanos, representing the Aventura Marketing Council, sang “Yesterday”; Jay Figueroa, representing the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, sang “Can’t Buy Me Love”; Jeffrey Melendez, representing the Miami Beach Chamber, sang “Imagine”; Biana Pinchuk, representing Downtown Miami & Brickell Chamber, sang “Hey Jude”; Saskya Sky, representing the Miami- Dade Chamber, sang “Hello Goodbye”; Beatriz Malnic, representing the Brazilian- American Chamber, sang “Here Comes the Sun,” which won her the Runner-up award; and Anna Palmerola, representing the Hard Rock Café Miami, sang “Oh Darling,” which won her First Place.
All the singers received wonderful prizes, and the runner-up and winner received additional gifts. Since Hard Rock Café brought in the winning singer, their designated charity, Musicians on Call, was given $500. The evening was memorable, new friendships were made, old friendships were renewed and after congratulations and thanks went out to everyone, the question was asked, “When is next year’s Hard Rock Café Talent Show-Down?”
representing the Hard Rock Café Miami; and Emcee Georg Neary,Greater MiamiConvention & Visitors Bureau
For more information on Hard Rock Café Miami, call 305-377-3110 or visit hardrock.com.
