SO MUCH TO DO: Enough of all that serious talk for awhile. It’s party season and the invitations are overflowing our mailboxes and people seem to be kissing up. Why? I just got it the other day when someone that I hadn’t heard from in a while called and was all chatty and nice. Then she asked if I had been invited to such and such party. I said yes and then she asked if she could go with me. All the smalltalk and chat had just been about her being able to go to this party. She didn’t care if she went with me or not, she just wanted to go. I call that the “plus one dilemma.”  When you don’t have a significant other but a group of friends who sometimes compete for the right to accompany you to certain events. I think nothing of it all and usually wait until the last moment and ask who ever might be available. I pretend I’m either not going (until a couple of hours before the event) and then call around. The first person who answers and happens to be available goes to the event. This method has caused distress a couple of times when the person called screams that they want to go but either have other plans or can’t possibly get ready in 2 hours. Some friends have been trying to change my ways and have been inviting me to events that I’ve been invited to so they know they’ll get to attend. A last minute “plus one” sometimes can become a “plus none” if I wait too late. Often I prefer going alone anyway, especially if there are several events to attend. A “plus one” escort might expect to go to every event planned for the evening while I can either go to the ones of my choice or make a quick appearance and leave without fanfare. Try planning an evening of four events and inviting a different “plus one” for each event. At the end of the night you either end up with a “plus four” or a headache. Party season can be fun but it also can be a lot of work (and champagne).

OUT AND ABOUT: B.E.D. : Last week was quite an interesting week of parties and events. Maxwell Blandford hosted the party for the opening of The Dragon Room at China Grill. It seemed most of the beach made a stop to check out the new room and taste the delicious sushi served in this new room. Later that evening Michael Capponi hosted the 3^rd Anniversary of his Wednesday night B.E.D. party. This event was so overpacked that we could barely get in and once inside we could barely get out. All of Michael’s friends (and most of the club owners in town) were on hand to celebrate this event. Friday night I stopped to visit my dear friend Miss Kitty before her booking at Crobar. Her new book of poetry (a modicum of eroticum) is quite a shocker but an interesting and fun read. On Sunday Michael Capponi hosted a brunch at the Delano for some of his friends (100 or so) giving the club people a delicious reason to get out of bed. Tuesday evening we dined at Chill, which happened to be “ladies night”. Lodged in the middle of Espanola Way, Chill seems to have found its niche as this Tuesday night crowd indicated. The bar was filled, the dining area was filled and the patio was also filled. Dinner was delicious and dining on the patio offers quite a view of passing beauties. Later that night we stopped by B.E.D. for the Between the Sheets party for one last glass of champagne before we called it a night. This new Tuesday night party gives the locals another chance to party with friends and they were out taken advantage of the opportunity. Party on folks. 

ERYKAK BADU AT LEVEL: The beautiful and talented multi-Grammy Award winding R& B artist Erykak Badu will perform at Level Nightclub on Sunday February 9^th at 8:30 p.m. This performance is part of a World Tour promoting Erykay’s new album “The Underground Run”. Erykak’s deeply spiritual music is a fusion of jazz, R&B and hip-hop earning her awards including two Grammy’s, four Soul train, two NAACP and am American Music Award.

BEACH BUZZ: The promoters are claiming their nights and the parties have begun. Tonight one party premieres that’s guaranteed to be one of the hot parties of the season called “Kiss the DJ” hosted by Ingrid Casares along with Jose Ortiz at Joia/Pure Lounge. Every week a new set of guest DJs will spin at this party with tonight’s roster including Lady Bunny, Tara Solomon and Nayib Estefan. Movie fans will be pleased to hear of Nikki Beach Club’s new event (beginning tonight, Thursday February 6) offering movies under the stars (like the classic “Singing in the Rain”). Saturday night marks the opening of Orchid Lounge (the former W6) with special appearances by some of South Florida’s Top Sports Celebrities (will Ricky Williams be there?) and a live performance by Jennifer the Fire Goddess. Club Spin has closed and all events planned at that venue have been moved to Club Space. Remember to send all nightlife info, invitations, and illicit gossip (for my friends) to Cubbysobe@hotmail.com. Never call except with illicit proposals and job offers. For more Cubby nightlife coverage checkout www.cooljunkie.com (click on Cubby’s face). Until next week, see you out.