So Long, Season

By Kris Conesa

Lance Bass celebrated his 29th birthday at the Gansevoort Hotel on Sunday. Photo by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

What are we going to do with ourselves as the season ends and there’s less and less to do? It’s not looking very promising. I mean, I’ve been reduced to wishing happy birthday to Brooke Hogan with Al Reynolds and Ja Rule. Sure, Ocean Drive “It Girl” Amber Ridinger was there too, but do you really want to hear about the White Party-themed event, which included renting out the ultra-exclusive wine cellar and outfitting the terrace in white furniture and white roses? Is that more important than Jennifer Aniston going out on a first, second and third date with John Mayer? (Well, to be fair, there was a giant white and silver cake specially created for the guest of honor.)

Seriously, though, who the hell is this NFL guy Plaxico Burress? He’s no Owen Wilson, and he’s certainly no Jennifer Aniston, that’s for sure.

As the filming of Marley & Me wraps up in Miami this week, many of us are left wondering and, perhaps, lamenting the lack of A-list talent walking down our streets. Alas, for the foreseeable future, I predict we will be talking a lot about events like this one.

Wish you were here

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida has announced its prelude kickoff gala to commemorate the 14th annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. The event takes place in November, but the kickoff gala gets under way at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the InterContinental Miami hotel. 

The InterContinental Miami’s general manager, Jack J. Miller, and gala chairman Shareef Malnik will host the gala.

During last year’s ball, VIP and celebrity attendees raised more than $120,000 from the silent auction held before an indulgent five-course, Hollywood-themed dinner.

Sharon Stone seduced the star-studded audience during the live auction, not to mention Shareef Malnik, at least according to the rumors.

Anyway, the regular auction raised more than $445,000, with real estate mogul and longtime Make-A-Wish supporter Jim Ferraro emerging as the star donor of the evening. He bought a record 40 wishes at a total of $200,000. Southern Wine & Spirits owners Harvey and Roberta Chaplin were the evening’s second-highest donors, purchasing 22 wishes. The wishes auction raised a total of more than $900,000.

So, who’s going to be at this year’s event? You’ll have to wait till the gala to find out who the big celebrities are, but last year basketball player Scottie Pippen was there along with Dontrelle Willis (Detroit Tigers), Juan Pierre (Los Angeles Dodgers), Cliff Floyd (Tampa Bay Devil Rays), Mike and Alicia Piazza, Erinn Cosby, J.R. and Loren Ridinger, Al and Nancy Malnik, Lee Schrager, Red Carter, Rene Ruiz and Robert Van Winkle (a.k.a. Vanilla Ice). Man, this is going to be a long summer.

Go, Speed Racer, go!

Still, if celebrities performing altruistic acts just ain’t your cup of tea, then you’ll most likely prefer hanging out at one of Brickell’s newest hot spots, Badrutt’s Place. There, Cachaça Moleca and Badrutt’s Place have joined together to showcase Miami-based artist Leonardo Hidalgo’s latest collection of paintings. The works are dedicated to the iconic cartoon series Speed Racer. I have to say, his art looks really cool. I think I may end up buying a few pieces for posterity’s sake. They will be on display at a VIP cocktail party in the artist’s honor at Badrutt’s Place on May 14 as well. Guests will receive free Moleca caipirinhas from 8 to 9 p.m. Yum.

Gay day

Oh, and rumors are also circulating that the mastermind behind South Beach’s hottest gay party, Dustin Refka, will be starting up a new men-who-love-men bash at B.E.D. nightclub. The party starts next week and I’ll have more details for you then, but suffice to say it should be a gay ole time. Refka, who is the brains behind dek23’s ultra-successful Sunday party, Click, rarely takes on a project that is subpar. Expect lots of men in drag doing sexy things atop sexy beds.

Spotted:

Justin Timberlake working on his pecs at the David Barton Gym at the Flamingo South Beach on Monday afternoon, and then ordering a sandwich at Epicure on Tuesday.

Joe Francis, who is being sued by Eliot Spitzer's call girl for $10 million, at Lance Bass’ 29th birthday party at the Gansevoort Hotel on Sunday.

Ja Rule, Kenny Smith, Howard Eisley, Al Reynolds and Plaxico Burress at The Forge’s Soul Kitchen Sunday party.

Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O getting wild at Purdy Lounge last weekend.