Community leader Michael Gongora and Gaysofla.com Senior Editor David L. Wylie were feeling more than appreciated as they both celebrated birthdays at South Beach hotspot Halo Lounge Wednesday night.  After all, not everyone can boast to having dance music diva Amuka serenade them with her rendition of Happy Birthday.

Best known for her 2003 Bilboard Number One Hit Appreciate Me, Amuka was in town for Winter Music Conference, one of the most anticipated clubbing events in the country. The singer, along with musical artists Jenna Drey, Lauren Hildebrandt, Jacinta and Ebonee Excell, entertained an eclectic gathering of South Beach luminaries, music industry professionals, international media representatives, and the two birthday boys, Gongora & Wylie, until the wee hours of Thursday morning.   

Sponsored in part by Bill Friar Entertainment and Sister 8025 Music Group, the club/dance music extravaganza dubbed SUNFLOWER was the brainchild of entertainment marketing guru George Maiko Coronado of Give Me a Beat Productions.   With the contemporary boutique lounge’s DJ booth serving as a backdrop, Halo made for an intimate venue and there was no more than an arm’s length distance between the talented performers and their appreciative fans.   

The evening provided no opportunity for silence-anathema to any WMC event.  Between the live performances, dance music enthusiasts were kept on their feet by the turntable mastery of a plethora of DJs and producers, including Oren Nizri, Maximus 3000, Randy Bettis, Julian Marsh and JST. 

"The formula for a successful event like this is outstanding talent, a beautiful venue, a good vibe and people wanting to have a great time, said Coronado on Thursday, " the WMC Sunflower event was a great start for our line-up of parties during this week. Everyone in attendance had a blast!", he continued.
 
Among those enjoying the first SUNFLOWER music event:  Give Me a Beat's Arnold Matteson, Boston nightlife impresario Bill Friar, DJ/Producer Mike Mucci, hair stylist Jorge Zabaleta Los Angeles producer Jake Benson, Twist owner Joel Stedman, recording artist Rachael Panay, Billborard hitter/recording artist Joy Cardwell, Wire Magazine's Thomas Barker and Carl Zablotny, Nightlife impresario guru Bobby Shaw, DJ/Producer Mike Cruz, Mark's Restaurant GM Scott Klein, photographer Dale Stine, optometrist Michael Siebert, DJ Fr8-0, banker Luis Castro, restaurateur Flavio Nisti, Halo Lounge GM Jason Tamanini, promoter extraordinaire Edison Farrow, television actor Carlos Parrallas, DJ PRIDE, event producer Erin Stacey Visslailli. 

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