From left: Pedro Almodóvar; Alan Cumming and Parker Posey

What: A Cinema Society and Girard-Perregaux-hosted screening of I'm So Excited!, a new film by Pedro Almodóvar that strands a cast of oddball characters on an ill-fated plane ride from Madrid to Mexico. Cognizant of their possibly impending doom (the plane’s landing gear has been damaged), the flight's crew and passengers take an honest look at their lives, through the haze of tequila shots, sleeping pills, sex, and drugs, but not necessarily in that order.

When: June 6.

Marc Jacobs and Rose Byrne

Who: In an introduction to the film, Almodóvar explained the movie’s title: "Being excited means being horny [in Spanish]." He was joined by Blanca Suarez (one of the film’s stars), Rose Byrne, Marc Jacobs, Patricia Clarkson, Calvin Klein, Kathleen Turner and Parker Posey.

Where: After the screening at the Landmark Sunshine Theater, guests braved the rain to make the after-party at No. 8, where they were greeted with—what else?—generous tequila shots.

Why: If flying makes you anxious, you might want to take a Xanax before watching this film. But it's hard to resist an Almodóvar romp. And as he put it, "I hope you enjoy this movie, and, if not, blame it on the subtitles." Touché.

Photos: Patrick McMullan

ASMALLWORLD's launch in Marrakech

Forty years and a fog of drugs later, Marianne Faithfull can still recall her first trip to Marrakech. “I went with Mick [Jagger], and we stayed at La Mamounia—later on I’d stay with Paul and Talitha Getty. But I remember I packed three saris, a swim costume, and books of Edmond Dulac illustrations, which looked fantastic on acid.” This past weekend, the English singer found herself in the Moroccan city once again, this time to celebrate the re-launch of the online social community ASMALLWORLD. Her friend, the musician Harper Simon, had brought her along so the two could work on songs together. And over the course of the three-day extravaganza, they also dined amidst snake charmers and belly dancers at Le Salama within the medina, danced under the stars and beside the olive groves at The Beldi Country Club, took a guided shopping tour of the souks, took a guided shopping tour of the souks, courtesy of L-atitude, and soaked up the sun poolside at the Taj Palace with an eclectic international crew that included Natasha Lyonne, Olivia Wilde, Lea Seydoux, Jasmine Guinness, Alison Mosshart, Theophilus London, Catherine Baba, Kick Kennedy, Waris Ahluwalia, Mamie Gummer, Josephine de la Baume, Elodie Bouchez and her husband Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk.

From left: Harley Viera Newton; Dianna Agron and Theophilus London

“More than just a launch party, this weekend is a metaphor for bringing people together from a lot of different countries,” said the site’s CEO Sabine Heller, who has overseen its transformation from a mere social network to an elite travel and lifestyle community. Launching today, ASMALLWORLD now offers its 250,000 vetted members access to everything from complimentary airport car service in Paris to VIP treatment at the nightclub Pasha in Ibiza; villa rentals in Sardinia to studio visits with Derek Lam in New York. “Being international is the new status symbol,” says Heller. “And ASW helps facilitate that. It allows you to go to any city in the world and feel like you belong and that you’re never really alone because there’s a community you can tap into.” To illustrate that notion, ASW enlisted Italian filmmaker Tommaso Cardile to capture members Hudson Morgan, an L.A screenwriter, and Janina Joffe, a London gallerist, as they each visited a city they had never been to before (for Morgan, Buenos Aires; Joffe, Tokyo) relying solely on the ASW community to get by. Check it out below:

Video: ASW Adventurers

Photos: Billy Farrell Agency

From left: Lake Bell; Jourdan Dunn

What: The 2013 Whitney Art Party sponsored by Max Mara.

Where: Skylight at Moynihan Station; the former New York City Post Office turned ultimate party space.

When: Wednesday, May 1st

From left: Hannah Bronfman; Olivia Wilde

Who: A slew of dolled up celebrities, socials, art world doyennes and fashion folks, including Olivia Wilde, Lake Bell and Giovanna Battaglia, each of whom showed up in head-to-toe Max Mara. Girls actor Adam Driver checked out the art up for auction while others in the crowd checked out model Jourdan Dunn, who looked stunning in a white cut-out dress by Alexander Wang. Hannah Bronfman, whose boyfriend Brendan Fallis kept the party going from the DJ booth, stood out in a lime green leather Max Mara skirt and golden appliqué eyeshadow.

Why: Hosted annually by Whitney Contemporaries, the museum's group of young collectors and art enthusiasts, the party debuted a new partnership this year with website Art.sy. Each of the artworks up for grabs appeared online, allowing guests a preview. "There's an amazing piece by Kim McCarty that I really want to bid on," exclaimed one partygoer, "but I have to run out to a dinner!" Alas, there's always next year!

Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Muffie Potter Aston and Carol Mack

Monday night, at the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s sixth annual Spring Ball, there were a few sartorial curiosities among the four hundred plus people milling in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s main hall during cocktails. One woman donned elbow-length, black fishnet gloves with her otherwise prosaic dress. Another wore a fascinator. And then there was the grey organza gown so voluminous and stiff in its many folds that guests unabashedly approached the wearer to gape. “Where’s her pumpkin?” quipped one young woman.

Not to fear, there was plenty of classic elegance in the room to make up for such antics—and who can deny the entertainment factor? The evening, after all, was sponsored by Harry Winston, who enlisted event planners to set up a dramatic installation of votive candles spelling out the company’s initials on a sweeping stairwell. “This really is the most glamorous place to have a party,” commented Jamee Gregory, who sported a green and pink Oscar de la Renta frock.

From left: Tori Burch and Zac Posen; The Metropolitan Museum of Art-mosphere

Dinner was served under cherry blossoms and candelabras beside a gorgeously lit Temple of Dendur. Zac Posen was the center of attention at one table, where three women—Alexandra Lebenthal, Muffie Potter Aston and Carol Mack—wore his gowns. “Where is the best place to buy your dresses?” Mack inquired of Posen, having bought hers off the rack. Coco Kopelman waited patiently to introduce herself to the designer and when he complimented her own dress—Chanel, if you need to ask—she replied, “The last time I wore it was to my son’s wedding. So it’s good karma.”

The evening’s proceeds were specifically earmarked for the Targeted Therapy Translational Research Program for Kidney Cancer and Sotheby’s Jamie Niven led a live “auction” to encourage pledges. (Julia Koch, one of the night’s co-chairs, was the first to raise her hand, committing to donate $50,000.) “We’re not going to sell a lousy trip to Rome,” quipped Niven at the outset, as hands flew up across the room.

Crystal Renn and Jenna Sauers

“That woman almost cost her husband $10,000,” remarked one lady as she watched another high five a recent bidder, a move nearly mistaken for a donation. Diana Krall closed out the night with a jazz performance, before guests made their way back out into the cold.

Photo: Sherly Rabbani & Josephine Solimene

Mira Sorvino and Sarah Paulson

What: The FIJI Water and Levi's-sponsored Cinema Society screening of Mud, director Jeff Nichols's tale of adolescent adventure and heartbreak set in the Mississippi River.

When: Sunday, April 21

Where: The screening was at the Modern Museum of Art in New York, followed by a party at the midtown restaurant Harlow.

From left: Reese Witherspoon; Matthew McConaughey

Who: The film's stars Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Paulson and Reese Witherspoon (fresh off accounts of her Friday morning arrest); Julie Delpy, Greta Gerwig and Mickey Sumner.

Why: What better way to combat Sunday night blues than with a star-filled film night? Beats takeout and Netflix. Also, a poised Witherspoon cleaned up well, putting on a smiling face (and ultra mini dress) in the wake of her brief jail time.

Photos: Patrick McMullan

From left: Chelsea Handler, Andre Balazs, and Bob Colacello

What: The Tribeca Ball, sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels, benefiting The New York Academy of Art.

When: Monday, April 8th.

Where: The New York Academy of Art at 111 Franklin Street. During cocktails, guests perused the building's five stories of open art studios to admire, and perhaps even purchase, the students' work on display.

Who: Despite a few high-heeled partygoers' complaints about the treacherously steep stairs, the crowd of guests including Carolina Herrera, Cindy Sherman, and André Balazs and Chelsea Handler, was on the move all night. Olivier Theyksens, a first-timer at the ball, quietly admired the art, while honoree of the evening, Bob Colacello, fielded a slew of "congratulations." Showing no signs of her recent ski accident Diane von Furstenberg breezily greeted old friend, Francesco Clemente, with a "Find me later!" on her way up the stairs.

From left: Cindy Sherman; Diane von Furstenberg

Why: The annual ball never fails to surprise, with a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment possibilities. It's not at every benefit that you can stop to get your palm read, watch an aerial acrobat perform on suspended silks, or, like Amanda Hearst did, pause for a picture with a nude model reenacting Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."

Photos: Joe Schildhorn /BFAnyc.com

Clockwise from top left: Laure Heriard Dubreuil and Aaron Young; Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs; Michelle Harper; Lauren Santo Domingo

What: Save Venice's annual "Ballo in Maschera," sponsored this year by Lanvin, Harry Winston, and Ferrari, benefiting the organization's mission of preserving Venice's artistic and cultural heritage.

When: Friday, April 5th.

Where: The Pierre Hotel.

Who: The Spring Charity circuit's beautiful people, including Stavros Niarchos and Jessica Hart, Eddie Borgo, Amanda Hearst, and Andres and Lauren Santo Domingo, sporting their finest attire for the black and white themed masquerade. Not everyone kept their photogenic selves covered up, however. Designer Prabal Gurung arrived sans mask. "I bought three masks for tonight, and somehow forgot all of them at home!" he exclaimed.

Why: An opportunity to navigate a party in relative anonymity, though with some inevitable downsides. "I have literally no peripheral vision," remarked one slightly disoriented guest. Over dessert, co-chair Adelina Wong-Ettelson and stylist Phillip Bloch presented the annual prizes awarded to guests wearing the most daring costumes. Laure Heriard Dubreuil, decked in head-to-toe Maison Martin Margiela and a sparkling rhinestone headpiece that enveloped her entire face (eyes included), took home "best female mask." She had to be escorted onto the stage to receive her prize, a one-of-a–kind mask created by Alber Elbaz of Lanvin.

Photos: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com

From left: Jake Abel, Max Irons, Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger

What: The Cinema Society's premiere of The Host, the latest science fiction flick from Twilight creator, Stephanie Meyer.

When: Wednesday, March 27th

Who: Cast members Saoirse Ronan (who looked appropriately otherworldly in a Technicolor aquatic-print Proenza Schouler frock), Max Irons, and Diane Kruger were on hand to celebrate. "I am a big big Sci-Fi fan," Kruger confessed. "I have definitely walked the halls of Comic Con in a Darth Vader mask."

From left: Olivier Theyksens and Jamie Bouchert; Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

Where: Tribeca Grand hotel's cozy screening room, where Olivier Theyksens and model Jamie Bouchert chatted with friends before taking their seats. Post-screening, the group migrated to The Jimmy on the rooftop of the James Hotel.

Why: The film certainly begs comparisons to Meyer's epic trilogy. "It is similar to Twilight in that it deals with complicated love—almost forbidden love—and people's wants and desires being pushed and pulled from them," explained Ronan. "There's always a problem—it's never simple!" When vampires and aliens are involved, that certainly rings true.

Photos: Patrick McMullan

The New York City charity circuit can get a bit repetitive—just how many times can you don black tie for a night at Cipriani in the name of altruism? Some very lucky New Yorkers got to flex their generosity on Tuesday night when Grammy-nominated violinist Joshua Bell opened up his triplex apartment for a special concert benefiting Education Through Music, a non-profit that fosters music education in under-funded schools.

From left: Lily Cowles, Joshua Bell and Christine Baranski

The host committee read like an Oscar nominees list, including names like Uma Thurman, Harvey Weinstein and Gerard Butler. But the shoulder rubbing began even before the party started as guests crammed into the apartment’s tiny and very slow-moving elevator.

“It’s like a subway at rush hour,” I remarked.

“Except everyone smells good,” said one girl, possibly the only other person in the lift familiar with public transportation.

Once inside Bell’s industrial sleek home, the likes of Carol Alt, Gayle King, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger mingled between sips of champagne and bites of caviar. The scene was just as Bell had envisioned when he designed the place years ago.

“I built it from scratch with the idea that I would have concerts in this space,” he explained. “I love classical music being appreciated this way because a lot of it was written to be played in the home.” The violinist had just received some extra buzz: the song “Before My Time” in which he performs with Scarlett Johansson for the film Chasing Ice was nomimated for a Best Original Song Oscar. “I had no idea she was a singer when I was asked to do it,” he said. “And then I heard her and I was like, whoa, she’s got a very sultry, beautiful, special kind of unique voice.”

From left: Mary-Louise Parker; Julianna Margulies and Keith Lieberthal

Guest moved to a library outfitted with chairs where Bell, true to his word, gave a performance. Between a Tchaikovsky melody and Gershwin piece, he couldn’t help remarking of the crowd, “Julianna [Margulies] came straight from shooting. She was just in court. And Miss Universe is here. She came from Mars,” he said, adding, “Glenn [Close] and Meryl [Streep] are sorry, they have the flu.”

Oh well, we bet they’re both GREAT in it.

Photos: Patrick McMullan

Clockwise from top left: Mark Robbins, W's Stefano Tonchi, Matthias Vriens-McGrath and Suzanne Donaldson at the "Marilyn Forever" exhibit; "Marilyn Forever" exhibition at Soho Beach House; Humberto Campana and Fernando Campana at the Lacoste + Campanas celebration; Party atmosphere at the Lacoste + Campanas celebration

By the Thursday of Art Basel Miami Beach, visitors had spent enough time tent-hopping at the various fairs all week and were ready to let their hair down with a weekend of non-stop parties. The calm before the storm was palpable on the roof of the Soho Beach House where Stefano Tonchi and Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director, Caroline Scheufele, hosted a luncheon for the jeweler’s Marilyn Forever Collection. Over a lunch of cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, guests admired (and dared to try on) the rare haute jewelry pieces on display, and browsed the series of unpublished photos of Marilyn Monroe by Milton Greene that graced the walls.

Clockwise from top left: Samantha Boardman and Aby Rosen; Russell Simmons and Hana Nitsche; Jessica Hart and Stavros Niarchos; the MisShapes DJ at the Lacoste + Campanas celebration

The night continued at Soho Beach House later that evening with Lacoste’s party in honor of the Brazilian artist-duo, Fernando and Humberto Campana. In true Floridian spirit, the “Campana Brothers” (as they have been dubbed) partnered with Lacoste to launch a limited edition t-shirt benefiting the Everglades Foundation. Leigh Lezark spun at the DJ booth, while Kellan Lutz and Russell Simmons were spotted mingling around the hotel pool.

Clockwise from top left: Vera Wang and Derek Blasberg; Sofia Sanchez; Stephen Dorff, Peter Brant and Owen Wilson; Waris Ahluwalia and Aaron Young

The next stop on nearly every A-list fair-goer’s lists was the W Hotel where Aby Rosen and Samantha Boardman Rosen hosted dinner at The Dutch for guests like Owen Wilson, Vera Wang, Alex Rodriguez and Lauren Santo Domingo. The night culminated with a late-night after-party at the WALL, the hotel’s in-house nightclub, hosted by Alex Dellal, Stavros Niarchos, and Vito Schnabel. What has now become the trio’s annual fête was the natural final stop for Basel revelers; those lucky enough to make it past not one, but three rope-and-stanchion checkpoints joined a crowd which included Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, and art world fixtures like Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Eva Chow.

Clockwise from top left: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West; Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and PC Valmorbida; Beyonce at a distance; Johan Lindeberg and Chelsea Leyland

Come Saturday, DJ Tiesto arrived in Miami to celebrate the launch of his capsule collection for Guess. After hosting a cocktail at their Lincoln Road boutique, he took his act to LIV (reportedly his favorite venue of any across the globe) for a late-night concert, performing for guests like Harry and Peter Brant II. Meanwhile, André Saraiva of Le Baron kept things interesting at the beach with his “Where is Le Baron?” campaign, a series of late-night pop-up parties whose secret locations were disclosed only hours in advance. Taking residence at Nikki Beach Miami, Le Baron welcomed guests like Riccardo Tisci, Emma Stone, and Pharrell Williams at their Friday night pop-up, and when Jay-Z and Beyoncé appeared just after midnight Saturday, even the most jaded Basel revelers couldn’t help but be impressed.

Click here for more from Art Basel Miami Beach 2012

Photos: Getty Images; BFAnyc.com/Joe Schildhorn; Julio Gamboa