By Cubby

SLOW RIDE IN THE FAST LANE: A couple of months ago I had two bicycles stolen in a two week period so I decided it was time to say goodbye to two wheel transportation for a while. It wasn’t just those two bikes--I’ve had 10 bikes stolen during my 8 years on the beach. Those are not good odds so I decided to walk or cab it. On my bike I was used to beating my friends who took cabs. Have you heard this joke? “How do you get a South Beach cab to slow down?” Response: “Get in it.” Since I’ve been taking cabs again I’ve gotten into cabs that (after I entered) drove so slow that I could have walked to my destination faster. Once I hailed a cab on Meridian and told him where I was going (an address further up on Meridian) and the cabbie asked where Meridian was. Then there was the cabbie who took me ten blocks out of the way to get to my location. I complained about his route choice and he replied that it was the fastest way. I told him that I had been taking a cab to the same destination every Friday night for three months and no other cab driver had taken that route which made the fare considerably higher. I paid the fare without a tip and made note of the cabby’s name and if ever I happen to get into his cab again I’ll either give specific directions or exit for another cab. Once while stuck in Washington Avenue traffic I told the cabbie that I was getting out. “We’re not there yet,” he replied. “No, but I’ll get there before you will,” said I as I paid and exited. Of course there are those rare cabbies who are friendly, professional and get you to your destination as fast as possible in air-conditioned bliss. And then there was the cab that pulled over, one day while I was walking, and asked me for directions while the helpless girl in the back seat looked on. I gave him the needed directions to the Floridian, an address that any cab driver worth a tip should know, and realized this cabbie had probably just taken this girl for a ride and a long slow one at that. I can now look back on all this and smile as a dear friend bought me a new bike for Christmas so if you’re taking a cab…I’ll get there before you.

Adorably dramatic. Adora at Back Door Bamby.

OUT AND ABOUT: New Year’s has come and gone. Some of you are still recuperating I’m sure and there were dozens of fabulous celebrity-filled parties all over South Beach. While many of you were toasting and celebrating New Year’s Eve I chose to work. (With so many fabulous parties scheduled this year I knew that it was impossible to make an appearance.) I returned to Lola to man the door for Lola’s last hurrah as it would be Lola’s final night of operation. Midnight came and went without much fanfare. The crowd at Lola dwindled quite a bit after 2 a.m. (after the open bar closed) but then friends started dropping by to visit letting me know about the parties that I missed. Most came and went quickly. Lola’s last hurrah was more like a whimper and the bar closed shortly after 4 a.m. Lola now is just a memory like the year 2002.

Gals goofing. Crispy and DJ Shannon at Crobar.

UP AND COMING: Art Miami (starts January 9^th), Art Deco Weekend (soon), Miami Film Festival (in a couple of weeks).

BEACH BUZZ: The masses hit South Beach as soon as Christmas was over. Celebrity studded New Year’s Eve parties were the norm this year and the week after everyone sleeps.  During the holidays Nicola Siervo’s new restaurant Metro (in the Astor Hotel) opened with a bit of fanfare. Party girls Mariana and Jessica a new Tuesday night party at B.E.D. (2 for 1 cocktails from 11 p.m. until closing) while Michael Capponi’s Wednesday night party celebrates 3 glorious years on January 22^nd. As previously reported W6 closed and I hear a new club will open in that space very soon (stay tuned). Sabor Restaurant and Sabor-Ami Lounge has opened where there once was a Breeze (in the first level of the Billboardlive complex). Sabor is owned by Roberto Ruggeri of BICE Restaurants fame. This Friday night Prive unveils a new room with host DJs Linley Edwards and Tone G.  Some of the people in town during the holidays included Lenny Kravitz, P. Diddy, JC Chasez (N’Sync), actress Jennifer Esposito, party goddess Suzanne Bartsch, comedian Pauly Shore, Prince Albert, model Carmen Kass, Michael Musto (Village Voice), Nicky and Paris Hilton, comedian Jamie Foxx, actor Topher Grace (That ‘70s Show). Happy birthday to Joe Day (Director of Operations at the Forge & Jimmy’s). Remember to send all nightlife listings, event announcements, and invitations to Cubbysobe@hotmail.com. Until next week, see you out.  

Artfully yours. Artist Aaron Von Powell
and Paloma Di Laurenti at the Delano.

WEEKLY PICKS:

Monday Night: DJ Shannon has returned to Crobar on Monday nights for Back Door Bamby, one of the best long-running parties on the beach, after taking a little hiatus to bear a child. This party offers an excellent reason to get out of the house.  

Tuesday Night: Double Wide at Automatic Slims for a laidback locals night with DJ Mark Leventhal. No VIP. No Line. No Cover. No Bullshit.  

Hello, hello. Ernesto Arambatzis demonstrating
the uses of a cell phone at RUMI.

Wednesday Night: For a little bedtime fun before you go home (or wherever) to bed, check out Michael Capponi’s still hot and happening Wednesday night party at B.E.D. This party celebrates a 3-year anniversary on the 22^nd.  

Thursday Night: Ready for a new party at a new location? Try visiting Sabor (formerly Breeze below Billboardlive) for a new party brought to you by some of your favorite promoters (including Jose Oritz and Ernesto Arambatzis). (This is where the Hilton Sisters threw a New Year’s Recovery party.) 

Friday Night: The Magic Garden. Yes this party has made a return appearance and has regained its popularity. Now located at the National Hotel and once again this party works its magic every Friday night. 

UP LATE PICK OF THE WEEK: The 11^th Street Diner. Open 24hours and the food is as fresh as the wait staff.  

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: www.rotten.com.  Not for wimps or those with weak stomachs. This is a website of pure evil. It’s an archive of disturbing illustrations (so if you don’t want to be disturbed don’t visit this site).  

BAR OF THE WEEK: Hotels are becoming so cool and one of the coolest is the Sagamore Hotel. Art rules in this hotel and you can begin your art walk at the lobby and don’t stop until you’ve reached the bar (right in the center of everything). Treat yourself to some eye candy and then take a gander at the art.