The Serve Veuve pop-up at the 2013 Sony Ericsson Open 

Veuve Clicquot and Sushi Maki have reprised their popular Champagne and sushi lounge pop-up, Serve Veuve, at the Sony Ericsson Open. Through March 31, spectators can slide in for sips of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label or Veuve Clicquot Rosé, by the glass ($18/$23) or the bottle ($118/$125), paired with tuna sushi tacos, sashimi platters, bento boxes, or omakase. For those who prefer wine to Champagne, there will also be a selection of red and white wines. Located just steps away from the Stadium Court, Serve Veuve is open before, between, and during matches. Inside the casual-chic orange and white eatery, diners can enjoy sushi and Champagne while watching the match on a flat screen. In addition to the pop-up, three Veuve Clicquot Champagne carts currently dot the Tennis Center’s perimeter. Flag one down for a glass of Yellow Label or rosé and a fresh strawberry cup. Tennis Center at Crandon Park, 7300 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, 305-446-2200

Before hitting the court at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open, tennis superstar Maria Sharapova will stop by It'Sugar to celebrate her new candy collection, Sugarpova. Taking place tonight from 6 to 8 p.m., the event will include a meet and greet and autograph session, as well as the chance to sample and shop Sugarpova. The candy line is a collaboration between Sharapova and It'Sugar founder Jeff Rubin. Echoing the Russian beauty’s fun, flirty personality, bags are branded with lipstick-lacquered pouts while the candies themselves come in the form of high heels, tennis balls, and smooches. Candy fans can choose from gummies, sour gummies, soft chews, and gumballs. And tonight, Sharapova will unveil three new items, including tennis ball-shaped gum and sweet and sour chews inspired by Miami Beach’s own Art Deco landscape. 5701 Sunset Dr., South Miami, 305-666-3255

Stop by La Sandwicherie this weekend and you might see Lazerdisk Party Sex

Want to get a glimpse of your favorite DJ and their celebrity pals during Miami Music Week? We recommend avoiding downtown Miami altogether and heading towards the beach, as droves of people will be flowing in and out of the Bayfront Park area during the three-day music fest. However, a slew of major acts and DJs will also be headlining club sets on the beach, and our guess is they will avoid crossing the causeways for dinner. Head to these seven beach haunts for five-star fare and stargazing.  

Scarpetta, Gotham Steak, and Hakkasan at Fontainebleau
With LIV Nightclub and Arkadia just footsteps away, the Fontainebleau's three premier restaurants will undoubtedly host their share of VIPs. Cedric Gervais and Nervo have both been spotted enjoying eats inside the hotel, and power players like Steve Angello, Benny Benassi, Alesso, and Ne-Yo will be floating in and around the building. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; fontainebleau.com

Villa Azur
Celebrity sightings are a regular occurrence at this famed French restaurant, and Miami Music Week will be no exception. Insiders tell us that megastar Tiësto and Bob Sinclair are slated to stop by on more than one occasion throughout the week. Last year's festivities also donned an appearance by Christian Audigier. 309 23rd St., Miami Beach, 305-763-8688; villaazurmiami.com

The Bazaar and Katsuya at SLS Hotel
With day-to-night parties happening every day throughout the SLS Hotel’s property, it is safe to assume that a least a handful of the scheduled acts will slide into The Bazaar by José Andrés or Katsuya for a lunch or dinner break. DJs set to perform at the SLS Hotel and Hyde Beach include Paul Oakenfold, Chris Lake, Nervo, and Sydney Blue. 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; slshotels.com

La Sandwicherie
With all the music madness happening this week, Lazerdisk Party Sex is intent on grabbing a bite at this famous sandwich spot. Earlier this week the mask-wearing DJs told Facebook fans, “Goodness gracious, just got really excited for La Sandwicherie this coming week in Miami.” And the spot’s late-night hours (until 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) are sure to attract other hungry musicians as well. 229 14th St., Miami Beach, 305-532-8934; lasandwicherie.com

Sara Sampaio and Elsa Hosk at the Victoria's Secret spring break pool party at The Raleigh 

The “Haring Miami” exhibit at the Moore Building has been whittled down from 200 works to just ten in a mere week. Pieces were ordered to be removed by the courts via The Keith Haring Foundation on account of not being “properly authenticated.” [Cultist]

Goldman Properties has announced plans to develop residential spaces in Wynwood. This marks the group’s second project to add housing to the budding arts district. [Huffington Post Miami]

If there is one thing Miami residents are all too familiar with, it is flooding, and scientists say things could get much worse. A research team is urging city officials to repair Miami's faulty sewage system now, before rising sea levels put the city under water. [The Miami Herald]

LIV Nightclub has been sold to Robert F.X. Sillerman for an undisclosed amount. Sillerman has reportedly also bought out The Opium Group, thus putting the fate of eight major Miami nightclubs in his hands. [Huffington Post Miami]

Victoria's Secret PINK models Elsa Hosk (Ocean Drive’s April issue cover star) joined Sara Sampaio to host an over-the-top spring break pool party at The Raleigh Wednesday afternoon. Actor Alexander Ludwig, DJ Irie, and DJ Cassidy also made appearances. [World Red Eye]

Tiësto and Bono working on a special project for (RED)

Tiësto is no stranger to Miami. He has a home here, has nodded to our city in his “Club Life: Volume Two Miami” mix compilation, and continues to sell out appearances at mega-clubs throughout the year. And his annual shows at Ultra Music Festival prompt thousands from across the globe to tune in via live stream for a first listen of his newest music. This magnetic draw is perhaps why Mixmag crowned him “The Greatest DJ of All Time.” To boot, he’s scored branding gigs with Guess and AKG headphones, and has collaborated with the likes of Bono, Coldplay, and Kanye West. We caught up with Tiësto (aka Tijs Michiel Verwest) en route to a gig in Cancun, Mexico. He’s a man of few words, but it’s clear that he’s especially connected to Miami.

How does a performance by Tiësto at Ultra compare to one at an arena or club venue?
TIËSTO: Every show is different, whether it is a club show, a festival, or an arena show. I put a lot of preparation into Ultra and use it as an opportunity to debut new music and try new things out.

Where do you see electronic dance music going in next couple of years?
T: I hope the genre continues to grow and influence other genres of music more than it has already. I also look forward to working with up-and-coming talent.

Any new collaborations in the works?
T: I am very fortunate to have worked with a lot of my musical heroes. I recently worked with Bono of U2 and (RED) to create an exclusive compilation to raise money for AIDS research. That was very exciting.

What is it about Miami that you love; that made you buy a home here?
T: Miami is a great party city with the nightclubs, the pool parties, Ultra, and the fact that it is an international party destination. There is always a great energy in Miami.

Do you a have a favorite Miami go-to spot for a late night meal—or an early breakfast?
T: Yes, Hakkasan is great. I haven't been there for breakfast, but maybe they would open up for me one day.

Travel is a huge part of your life. What are your essentials while on the road?
T: I always need my music and laptop. Clothes are nice, too.

Megan Hilty and Christian Borle on the set of Smash

A Broadway diva turned television actress (playing a Broadway diva), Megan Hilty is the embodiment of her character, Ivy Lynn, on NBC’s Smash. When a melody plays, her expression changes. Swaying to the rhythm of the music like a modern day Marilyn Monroe, the actress hits every note effortlessly, catapulting us into a Broadway theater from the comfort of our couch.

Born in Bellevue, Washington, Hilty made her Broadway debut as the understudy for the role of Glinda in the musical Wicked, eventually taking the lead role. After playing minor parts in a slew of television shows, she finally showed her chops to the masses in Smash, which also stars Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing, and Anjelica Huston. Set around the attempted production of Bombshell, a musical about Marilyn Monroe, the show has garnered momentum during its second season by stepping away from the musical and delving into the characters, as well as different genres of music—and by bringing on guest star Jennifer Hudson. 

Here, Hilty opens up about Smash, her new album, and why dancing isn’t her strong suit.

Ivy Lynn is a big character. Did you have any hesitation on whether you could fully play her?
MEGAN HILTY: I saw that Ivy was a dancer, and not just a dancer but [one in] an ensemble number for like ten years, so that means she’s pretty incredible. And I told my manager, ‘This is never going to happen. I know they’re going to have me dancing—that’s not going to be pretty.’ But she talked me into it, and luckily they brought in a choreographer that makes it look like I know what I’m doing.

Well, you certainly look like a natural dancer on the show.
MH: Yeah, I mean, I can move. But I definitely wouldn’t call myself a dancer.

How is this season of Smash different from the first? 
MH: Well, a lot has changed. We had new changes both onscreen and off. New characters, newer musicals, a new genre of music. We want it to be a more rich kind of feel with the new musical, which is very different from Bombshell. There’s a lot of music this season.

How close is the world of Smash to the actual world of Broadway?
MH: I mean, there are some things we have fought for to keep it as authentic as we can, but we’re not doing a reality show. It’s funny to hear some people in the theater community going, ‘Well, that’s not how it really happens.’ I’m sure doctors don’t look at ER or Private Practice and say the same thing. It’s not about that, it’s about these crazy characters and their relationships to each other.

You have a new album out, It Happens All the Time. Describe the overall sound.
MH: I started doing these pop covers on Smash, and Stephen Ferrera from Columbia [Records] asked if this was something I wanted to do. I always thought that since I was a musical theater person that if I did an album it would have to be a musical theater album. And that was just something I didn’t want to do for myself. So when he approached me about this, I thought it would be a really awesome challenge, and a great way to grow and stretch myself.

At first it was going to be an album of covers, but then Columbia started introducing me to original songs. So many of them ended up working and it changed the direction of the album completely. Now it’s about half covers, half originals. I’m so proud of it!

Modern Head, Roy Lichtenstein (D. Venet Collection)

Tomorrow’s “A Night at the Museum” fundraiser at the Bass Museum of Art will unveil the museum’s latest exhibit, “From Picasso to Koons: The Artist As Jeweler.” The 200 plus piece collection will showcase jewelry and wearable works from more than 135 artists, including Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Salvador Dalí, and Yoko Ono.

Curated by Diane Venet, a former French journalist who edited the 2011 book The Artist as Jeweler, the exhibit has traveled to Roubaix, France, New York, Valencia, Spain, and now, Miami. Pieces included are a playful, and at times sparkling, extension of each artist's oeuvre. Organized into three groupings—early masters, representational, and abstraction—the exhibit explores the human figure, nature, popular culture, words, geometry, and new technologies and materials through the medium of adornment.

At the fundraiser preview, there will be cocktails and refreshments courtesy of Miami Club Rum, Pavan liqueur, and Perrier. And of course, a silent auction promises fabulous jewelry (by local artist), as well as luxury excursions, VIP president’s box tickets to the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert production, and a private cooking class with chef Michelle Bernstein. Tickets are $250 per couple and include museum membership perks. The exhibit will open to the public this Friday and will remain on view through July 21. 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 786-357-6752; rsvp@bassmuseum.org 

A selection of American-made cheeses available at The Cheese Course 

With three South Florida shops, The Cheese Course boasts more than 150 hand-crafted cheeses from across the globe. Throughout the month of March, the shop will focus on one of Italy’s most beloved cheeses, mozzarella. Stop by and you’re likely to witness cheesemongers making homemade mozzarella, as well as performing cooking and entertaining demonstrations with the stringy staple. And of course, samples are always offered and encouraged. However, if you’re looking for a more in-depth experience, enroll for one of the shops’ 90-minute cheese culture classes. These interactive sit-downs offer tips on how to select, pair, and cook a variety of wonderful cheeses. Here’s what you can learn this month. 

Cheese Classics From Around the World
Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.
A staff cheesemonger guides guests on a gastronomic journey through Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, and England. ($20) 3451 N.E. 1st Ave., Unit 100, Midtown, 786-220-6681

Hands on Mozzarella Making
Friday, March 15, 7 p.m.
Get your hands dirty and learn the techniques behind mozzarella making by crafting your own fresh wedges. Then take your work home to share with friends and family. ($20) 11355 S. Dixie Hwy., Pinecrest, 305-278-1190  

Cheese and White Wine
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Learn the key flavor notes that create exquisite cheese and white wine pairings. ($20) 19575 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 383, Aventura, 305-466-2223 

Free Mozzarella Tastings
Thursday, March 21, 7-9 p.m. (Midtown, Aventura); Friday, March 22, 7-9 p.m. (Pinecrest)

Crocodile mini hand-covered chain bags by Nancy Gonzalez 

Luxury handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez will show her spring collection at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Bal Harbour Shops this Thursday. Ever inspired by her native Colombia, Gonzalez’ brand is rife with bright, bold color and exotic skins—from python to crocodile to other wild things. “I travel to various places around the globe with my little camera and record visual inspiration that nourishes my creativity,” says the designer. “Once I return to Colombia, I compose an elaborate inspiration board with my drawings and a collage of a million things that have caught my eye, as well as a color palette that creates a delicious visual story.”  

After hitting the inspiration board, the vibrant designs are individually handcrafted by Colombian artisans. This year, Gonzalez has also developed a "New Work Tote" to be sold exclusively through Saks; the soft portfolio clutch will be large enough to carry a tablet but still practical for day-to-night use (a Miami must). Thursday's guests will have the opportunity to chat with Gonzalez while shopping her latest collection. The event will take place in Saks' first floor handbag department from 3 to 5 p.m. Get a first look at the new spring styles in the slideshow below. 

Spring Handbags by Nancy Gonzalez: 

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Mixed media tote in electric blue with crocodile, lizard, and python skin ($3,850)

All styles available at saksfifthavenue.com

 

Green floral laser cut clutch in crocodile and python skin ($1,950)

All styles available at saksfifthavenue.com

 

Metallic Cristina crocodile satchel in anthracite ($3,750)

All styles available at saksfifthavenue.com

 

Crocodile and stingray frame satchel in neon green ($2,900)

All styles available at saksfifthavenue.com

 

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The world can't get enough of Giuliana Rancic. The lighthearted E! News host balances a gig on Fashion Police, designing for her G by Giuliana Rancic clothing collection for HSN, and overseeing her women’s lifestyle site, fabfitfun.com. Even more magnetic than her cheerful personality and go-getter attitude, is her ability to overcome life’s curveballs: her and husband Bill Rancic have shared their struggles with infertility, as well as Giuliana’s 2011 breast cancer diagnosis, through their reality show, Giuliana & Bill. But after undergoing a double mastectomy and welcoming son Edward Duke with the help of a gestational carrier, the couple couldn't be happier.

While in town for the Cotton 24-Hour Runway Show, we stole a few moments with the busy new mom to talk season six of Giuliana & Bill, life advice, and Miami date-nights. 

Are you and Bill going to have a Miami date-night while you’re here for the Cotton fashion show?
GIULIANA RANCIC: Yes! We always manage to get a date-night in no matter where we go. We had a delicious dinner at Nobu and a yummy dessert at Serendipity.

Has anything on the Cotton runway caught your eye?
GR: I loved all the cotton wedding gowns. What a smart idea for a wedding dress. To be comfortable and look gorgeous and fresh on your wedding day is a no-brainer.

What can we expect on season six of Giuliana & Bill?  
GR: We are currently in production of Giuliana & Bill, which premieres in June. There will be a lot of baby Duke, as well as our new home in Los Angeles. We also had the cameras with us in Miami at Cotton’s 24-Hour Runway show, so we will definitely be showing off gorgeous Miami.

Tell us about your spring collection for HSN, which comes out this month.
GR: It's all about bright colors and fun prints—the brighter and bolder the colors, the better.

You have a lot of titles—host, author, mom, designer, business owner, spokeswoman. Any thoughts on what's next? Maybe a line for babies?
GR: I would love to get into the baby furniture and clothing business. I feel like there is such a void for super stylish yet very cozy and affordable baby clothes and have so many ideas that I am having a hard time containing. As for baby furniture, I have several fun prints and concepts I would love to create to help people have a super stylish yet peaceful nursery.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
GR: I love the quote, ‘Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.’

And what’s you’re best piece of advice to give?
GR: When life pushes me, I push back—harder.