Ultimate Miami LLC — creator of Miami’s talent competitions showcasing local rising stars in the fields of mixology, entertainment and culinary arts — has announced the winners of Ultimate Miami Weekend Fall 2013.
The Ultimate Miami Band was named on Nov. 7, Ultimate Miami Bartender on Nov. 8 and Ultimate Miami Voice on Nov. 9. Grand prize winners earned a cash prize of $5,000 and the title of Miami’s Ultimate. Each evening was highlighted with a performance by a nationally known entertainer, including Gin Blossoms, Tracy Morgan and Exposé. All events took place at Stage 305, Magic City Casino’s newest entertainment venue.
The winners were:
Ultimate Miami Band – Problem Kids;
Ultimate Miami Bartender – Sergey Lebedev, representing The Local House, and
Ultimate Miami Voice – Mailyn Cuadra.
“Ultimate Miami Weekend rocked the house! The judges had a difficult job of choosing between such gifted performers and artists. Each of the finalists that participated has a lot to be proud of,” said Scott Savin, chief operating officer of Magic City Casino.
“The level of talent that was exhibited at Ultimate Miami Weekend underscores the volume of talent in South Florida. The Ultimate Miami winners were each virtuosos in their own right. Wow!”
Ultimate Miami Band, Problem Kids, is a six-member band of Miami locals, featuring Humberto Casanova, Eddy Davis, Nick Lebess, Tish Martinez, Marty Obregon and Omar Williams, that fuses vintage hip-hop, roots rock and Caribbean salsa rhythms with a storytelling lyrical style creating a unique musical sound. The group put on a frenetic show that captivated the audience and ensured their place as this season’s Ultimate Miami Band. They will use the cash prize to finish recording their album.
Ultimate Miami Bartender, Sergey Lebedev, is employed at The Local House in South Beach. Lebedev, a Russian native, has been in South Florida for over six months and has been working in mixology over the past three years. Lebedev believes firmly in using old-school, organic ingredients that yield the most authentic flavor in his cocktails. “The Russian Outlaw,” the 25 year-old bartender’s winning drink, featured the wildcard ingredient, almond extract, and propelled him to victory.
Mailyn Cuadra
Mailyn Cuadra has the Ultimate Miami Voice. The 27 year-old Miami native sang And I’m Telling You by Jennifer Holliday in the final round of the competition. Cuadra’s combination of confidence and vocal resolve gave the finalist the winning edge in the competition. Cuadra, who works two jobs, will be using the $5,000 cash prize to convert one of the rooms in her home into a recording studio.
Ultimate Miami LLC was formed to promote, through competition, Miami’s outstanding eclectic composition of talent in various subsets in the fields of mixology, entertainment and culinary arts. The company’s goal is to showcase rising stars who call Miami home and derive the essence of their skills from the experiences of their surroundings.
For more details, visit www.theultimatemiami.com.
